The Zimbabwean Gardener Issue 10 Spring 2014 | Page 24

Climbing roses IN THE ROSE GARDEN with Gil What to do this Spring Rising daily temperatures during spring are ideal for new shoots to develop after being stimulated by pruning. This is the start of a new growing season and it is important to begin a sustained programme of feeding, watering and protection against pests and diseases. It is also an ideal time to plant and create new rose gardens with all the pleasure and satisfaction that they bring during the years ahead. After pruning, you should have: • Incorporated some well-made compost together with a dressing of phosphate fertiliser. • Covered all bare soil with a generous helping of mulch. • Applied a good drench of water to wet the soil to at least half a metre in depth. Subsequent watering will just require topping up that is used by the plants. • And once new shoots develop, start a monthly feeding programme and regular protection against disease. How to train a climbing rose Understanding the apical bud A When a rose branch grows vertically, the last bud at the end is the apical bud - the main bud that flowers (Picture A). To train a climber, you must make sure the branch grows horizontally, by pulling it down and attaching it to a sturdy structure. B Training the climbing rose Picabella Rose Nursery Emerald Seedlings, Pomona, Harare 0773 208 032 [email protected] Looking for a climbing rose? There are a variety available in Zimbabwe. You can also use a selection of tall shrub roses, particularly nostalgic ones, which can be trained as climbers. Iceberg Then remove the apical bud as shown in Picture B and all the buds along the branch will shoot and produce a rose. After planting your rose, let it grow until the canes are long enough to train - no serious pruning should be done. Cecile Brunner Once established, remove all weaker canes, apical buds and leave the healthy strong canes (Picture C). C Train the main canes along horizontal wires/structure (Picture D) to encourage flower-bearing shoots to develop. Cocktail D