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Mari Maxwell, August 2, 2005 Dear Jerry: We run a consumer column in our newspaper six days a week in which readers write in asking a question. We find the answer and publish both in the paper. A reader has written in with a question about their climbing roses. It appears they have a climbing rose bush which, this year has really taken off growth wise. However, it hasn't blossomed since they moved it last year. Any suggestions as to how to get it to continue to grow, and blossom? Both? Might you please be able to offer any advice to this reader on how to do this? I'd be happy to publish your answer and contact information to the Maine Rose Society in the column. Thanks for any help. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely, |
| 8/2/05 Hello, The information available is limited and there are a number of possibilities why this plant grows well but does not rebloom. The lush green growth suggest that the plant gets plenty of nitrogen, but it may not be getting enough other ingredients such as potassium or phosophorous to promote flowers. A common reason for lack of flowering is that the plant may not get enough sun-eight hours of sunlight or more is ideal to promote phosynthesis. The worst possibility is that the ornimental part of a grafted rose has died and the observed growth is from a rootstock that blooms once or not at all. My suggestion is to check the amount of sunshine available and move the rose again if more light is need, fertilize after watering well with a liquid fertilizer, and see if the plant flowers. In the worst possible case, a new plant is always a joy to bring home and plant.
Jerry Cinnamon |
