February is an exciting time in the rose garden. For those of us in Central Arizona, we have the Phoenix Open and Spring Training. And, our roses have new growth. This month is the time to finalize all the details for an exceptionally great rose-growing year. After spending last month pruning back the growth on our roses, we are now anticipating the new growth and promise of spectacular blooms in March.
Finalize Pruning
If you haven’t finished pruning your roses, then be sure to get it done by mid-February. The window for forcing roses into hibernation is closing. Once temperatures rise, you can expect significant growth to occur.
Pruning lets us remove diseased, damaged, and dead wood from our plants. It’s a chance to refresh our roses to ensure we encourage new and more vigorous growth.
While the weather remains cool, growth will come slowly. Soil temperatures must be 60 degrees before significant growth can occur. The NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information calculates our last frost date will be February 24.
New growth tends to begin earlier in containers, which are designed to allow the sun to warm the soil more easily. I often start my new plants in containers to see how they will perform. My experience has taught me that it’s easier to remove a poor performer from a pot than in the ground. Plus, removing a poor performer doesn’t leave an ugly, vacant spot in the garden.
Preventative Maintenance For Your Roses
If you’re going to spray, then do so this month. The first two weeks of February are the time to complete your dormant spraying of your roses. Aphids and mildew may appear on your roses toward the end of the month. Use a dormant copper spray coupled with horticultural oil to help protect roses from fungal issues and insects that may be present. You can use neem oil while Central Arizona’s temperatures stay in the 50-70 degree range. The spray can aid in smothering the eggs of aphids, mites, thrips, and scales that overwinter on your roses. Apply only a half-strength application of insecticides and fungicides early in the season to prevent spray burn on new foliage. Seal the end of pruned canes with a dab of carpenter’s glue to protect against cane borers.
The best time to spray your roses is early morning before the birds and bees become active. There tends to be little wind in the early morning, which means less spray drift coming back at you. If you have decided to spray your plants with chemicals, plan an appropriate schedule beginning in February and ending by mid-April. Do not plan to spray with any more than water during the summer.
Look For Aphids
Start looking for aphids on your new blooms. The season is young, but early detection and treatment can save you from needing to dig out your sprayer. Aphids love to chew on roses. You only need to spray for aphids when you see them. Walk your garden daily and wash the aphids off your roses with a blast of water.
Prevent Mildew
Mildew is about the only fungus we contend with in Central Arizona. Mildew is much easier to prevent than remove after the roses have it. If you choose to use a fungicide to avoid mildew on your roses, it will need to be sprayed every 7-10 days. Use as directed on the product label. Or wash off the mildew spores with water in the morning and let dry.
Begin With Organics
Roses will appreciate an application of fish emulsion (5-1-1) around mid-February. Then, in late February, apply one cup of alfalfa pellets around each bush (1/2 cup for miniatures) and water in well.
Feed Your Roses
One week after pruning is completed, apply a handful each of alfalfa meal, Epsom Salts, and Milorganite around the base of each plant. Then water these products in.
Fertilize every two weeks from mid-February until the end of April, with Magnum Rose Food (1 Tbsp to 1 gallon of water) around the base of each plant. Fish Fertilizer can be applied to the soil during the alternate weeks.
Refresh Your Mulch
Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of each plant to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and prevent weed growth. Keep mulch a few inches away from the canes to prevent rot.
This month is when it again starts to get exciting. Once the temperatures start to rise and the soil warms the rose bushes will begin to leaf out. It’s a great time to be in the garden. There is plenty to do, but the weather is at its best. The hard work is over and now we can enjoy coaxing our roses into the new season.
