Mulching and Fertilising

We like to think our quieter season has started here at the nursery, but in reality it's still a busy time, just in a different way; more creative, I'd say, as we are preparing the Catalogue and the budding list for 2020.

The most exciting and challenging thing, in this period, is certainly to discover all the new varieties that will be on the market next season and decide what we'd like to grow for you.

Not an easy task, believe me, as they all look amazing!

Potted Roses are back!

There's another big job that's keeping us busy this month: preparing our Potted Roses for sale during Spring and Summer seasons.

We've potted new varieties, some of our 2019 releases and all the plants left from winter, and now we have something like 5,000 bushes and 3,000 standards roses ready to be mailed to you.

All bush roses will be $32.50, plus postage.

Our Potted Roses are packed individually in special boxes, in order to arrive safely to your address.

So, if you've missed some varieties last winter and you'd like to add more roses to your collection, go online now to see what's available, and remember we'll add more varieties very soon and we are organising special boxes for standard roses as well, which at the moment are available only if collected from the nursery.

More Standards next year

Every year we run out of standards (mainly 90cm and 120cm tall) early in the winter season and we regret not having planted more rootstock for them.

Well, this year looks like we are on track to fix that.

We planted over 13,000 rootstocks for standards and they're looking great.

Now you'll see only sticks in the ground, but in November we'll start budding and in a few months, all these sticks will have beautiful foliage and flowers on their tops.

Stay tuned to see their progress!

Why Mulching is so important?

With the weather warming up, it’s time to mulch your roses, to control weeds, retain moisture and grow better plants.

“Mulch retains moisture around the plant and reduces watering, puts some organic material back in the ground and it’s the perfect environment for earthworms – explains Brian Wagner in this video - It’s perfect to improve growth and reduce fungal problems, and the result is a healthier and bigger plant”.

Best kinds of mulch are lucerne or legume straw (like peas’ beans), or any other kind of hay.

When you apply mulch, remember to leave a bit of space around the base of the plant.

Roses need good food

Roses are thirsty plants, especially when they’ve just been planted, but they’re also very hungry and need to be fed regularly and with a varied diet.

“If you can, choose an organic-based fertiliser – explains Brian – with high NPK and trace elements”.

NPK is for Nitrogen (for general health and leaf growth), Phosphorus (that stimulates root growth) and Potassium (for flowering and disease control); these three important elements can be given to your roses twice a year, in spring and summer.

“Every couple of weeks, if possible, use also liquid fish and kelp as a foliage spray; it’s very beneficial for maintaining your plant vigorous and healthy – says Brian – Adding composted bird and animal manure is also good for the roses; just make sure it’s very well composted and dry otherwise it could damage your plants".

Did You Know...?

Some climbing roses seem to grow all in one side, or with big gaps in the middle.

Did you know that you can actually help the plant to shoot new growth where it's missing or where you'd like to have it?

In the gap area of the climbing rose, find a dormant eye - like the one in the picture - and cut a 1mm thick line just above it.

In a few weeks, you should have a new growth right from that eye.

In this video, Brian will show you how to do it.

Such an easy and simple trick!

If you enjoyed reading this Newsletter, suggest it to your friends and rose lovers around you.

We send out our News every 1st day of the month.

If you have a question or a particular subject you want us to write about, please let us know.

Send an email to [email protected] and we'll do our best to help you.

Grazie e a presto!

Benedetta