August can be quite challenging for both people and plants in the lower desert. Interestingly, the humidity levels are higher than in July, which can make the temperatures feel much hotter than they actually are. Many of us in Phoenix are opting to drive to places like Flagstaff, Prescott, Payson, Show Low, or anywhere in the mountains where the temperature won’t reach a scorching 115 degrees. I’ll escape the heat, but my roses are grounded here for the rest of the season.
Before I dash out of town, I will make sure not forget my treasured roses. I will inspect all the drip lines in my garden and equip each spigot with a battery-operated timer. Most importantly, there will be new batteries in each timer before I leave. I want to avoid returning home to dead roses due to a failed timer battery.
As the scorching summer winds down in August, our attention will shift to helping our roses flourish through the remainder of the season. Next month, I’ll provide guidance on preparing your plants for the fall blooming period. For now, here are some August rose growing tips to assist you in the garden.
Water Is Key
Ensure your roses receive adequate water to mitigate the stress from high temperatures. In-ground roses likely need watering 3-4 times per week, while established container roses require daily watering. New roses in small pots may need watering twice daily to prevent the soil from drying out.
In the early part of the season, I enjoy hand-watering my garden once or twice a week. However, when the temperatures climb into the triple digits, I become a true believer in using polyethylene tubing throughout the garden. This allows me to water efficiently by simply turning the spigots on and off while sitting in the shade. I also add a timer when we travel, like we’ll be doing in August.
Clean Area Beneath Roses
It’s best to pick-up fallen leaves and petals beneath your bushes to reduce the spread of diseases. In areas with hot, dry summers like Phoenix, it’s best to leave as much foliage on the plant, to include old and yellowing leaves, as possible to protect the stems from sunburn. Your plants are likely already shedding enough leaves without the need to manually remove them.
Thin Interior of the Rose Plant
As spring growth fills the plant’s interior, the lack of airflow in the desert can lead to overcrowding. While you may hope for monsoon winds to stir the air ahead of evening storms, the best solution is to manually increase circulation. Examine the plant and remove some of the inward-facing growth to open up the interior. Also, identify the stems you want to prioritize for growth and development, then remove the rest.
Prune away any dead canes, cutting back to the nearest live wood or graft union. Additionally, remove any suckers as they divert energy from the desired growth.
To ensure your rose plants thrive in the summer heat, consider debudding them. This will reduce the number of blooms, allowing the plant to direct its energy towards developing strong, healthy roots rather than producing an abundance of flowers.
Fertilizers
Potted roses require regular fertilization, as frequent watering can leach nutrients from the soil. During the hot summer months, use a reduced amount of fertilizer to avoid overwhelming the plants. A small handful of dry fertilizer applied monthly will help keep your potted plants going. In-ground roses will also benefit from a small handful of fertilizer during the month.
Start Looking for New Roses
The heat this month makes it inadvisable to plant or transplant roses. While they may survive, the plants will likely struggle more than necessary. Instead, let’s focus on something cool for the garden. This is an ideal time to browse catalogs and online retailers to select and order new rose varieties. Plan for their arrival in September or October, when temperatures are more moderate. Knowing there is new life coming soon will provide a sense of anticipation and inspiration for you and your rose garden.
