Looking for help JFK Hybrid Tea Rose Bush - Funky looking Canes
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Deborah Donovan-Navarro on Aug 04, 2013There are so many things it might be. When did you transplant it? Did you bare-root it when you moved it or disturb the feeder (white) roots? How big of a hole did you dig and how far apart are the shrubs? Did you amend the planting hole, and if so, what did you use? After planting or transplanting I generally recommend that no chemical nitrogen fertilizer is applied until after a good first bloom. I amend planting holes with about 4 cups of alfalfa pellets or 2 cups of alfalfa meal, well composted steer manure at a 1:3 manure to soil ratio, and a couple of heaping tablespoons of epsom salts. If I have it, I toss a small handful of super-phoshate (NO nitrogen) and some more alfalfa meal or pellets in the drip zone and water very well.Helpful Reply
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Catherine Smith on Aug 05, 2013The folks at the garden center are correct. It's stressed from being moved and needs time to re-establish a new root system. Just deep water if necessary, it looks overall healthy and should come back just fine. Btw, those rose canes are not funky, that's typical for a JFK, I think it may be related to the "mother" variety of rose from which is was hybridized. Have a couple of rose freak friends that have them and theirs looks like that.Helpful Reply
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Tanya L M on Aug 07, 2013Thank you Catherine. Sometimes the hardest thing is just waiting. The JFK is special for us and it was just the one plant I did not want to lose.Helpful Reply
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Deborah Donovan-Navarro on Aug 08, 2013Get two things plus the deep watering: Super-phosphate (0-5-5 or 0-10-10 or similar. No nitrogen!) and get some alfalfa meal. Be generous using the alfalfa meal around the drip line of the rose and the super-phosphate will help to build the root and stem system. I don't know how you feel about chemicals, but there are 3-way systemic rose food to keep aphids off and prevent fungus diseases of black spot and powdery mildew. Before applying systemic gently remove the already diseased leaves and dispose of them, but do not put them in the compost. Don't miss the fallen leaves! If it's salvageable and you protect it over the winter, it should have a good shot at getting strong and thriving next spring.Helpful Reply
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Catherine Smith on Aug 08, 2013@Deborah Donovan-Navarro please explain. Why would you recommend superphosphate with no nitrogen and then alfalfa pellets which are all nitrogen? Not that I think it's a bad idea, since phosphate really helps the plant to build a strong root system. But I don't get that, please clarify.Helpful Reply
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Deborah Donovan-Navarro on Aug 08, 2013Catherine. Tanya lives in Pennsylvania. Chemical nitrogen would encourage leaf growth going into fall, which you don't want. Alfalfa meal is very slow acting and will do most of its work in the spring. It will do more to strengthen than spur growth at this point. I am a master gardener and served on the horticultural committee and as "rose lady" at a world class estate. I cared for well over 200 roses for several years. In my experience you can't go wrong with alfalfa meal any time of year and putting it in the planting hole is very helpful to settling roses into their new cultural conditions.Helpful Reply
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Catherine Smith on Aug 09, 2013Thank you, Deborah, that answers my question. I too happen to be a master gardener, abet a "former" one. Didn't realize PA was so close to the "freezer" zone, although I've lived there for a time, but it was in the southern part of the state. I envy your "play time" with all those roses. sigh Sometimes it's hard to be a rose "freak".......LOLHelpful Reply
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Tanya L M on Aug 09, 2013Catherine - it is hard for me sometimes to know what zone I am in - we are 2 miles from the lake. I do think the new hardiness zone is better - problem is not everyone uses it.Helpful Reply
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Catherine Smith on Aug 10, 2013@Tanya M, well I think it's going to take some time for the new zone info to catch up with everyone. No doubt the topography of your property is another issue, being that close to a lake is going to effect that somewhat. Besides, the zone maps is only a suggestion, it gives you a general idea so you have a better idea of what will grow best in your area. Once you get to know your ground, you'll know which areas will work best which plants. I'm in Zone 7b, but I have an area that's rather sheltered, so I can "fudge" with some tropicals. I do have to protect them in the winter, but I have a banana tree of which I am so pleased and proud. Fascinating plant, I was amazed.Helpful Reply
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Deborah Donovan-Navarro on Aug 11, 2013Catherine - same zone, but opposite sides of the country. I only grow a few roses these days, as an aging gardener and having recently relocated to a previously bank-owned property. Rehab gardening is my favorite, but other than some very nice Japanese maples, 5 Yakushimana rhododendrons and one pieris, I've pretty much had to start from scratch this time.Helpful Reply
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