242 TEE PRINCIPLES OF FLORICULTURE 



295. Subsequent care of roses. The surface soil of the 

 benches should be stirred frequently to keep down the 

 weeds, to assist in aerating the soil, and to regulate its 

 moisture contents. As soon as the surface soil becomes 

 filled with the feeding roots, care should be taken not 

 to stir it too deeply or these roots will be injured. 



The plants should be watched carefully and all diseased 

 leaves removed. This is very important during the first 

 few weeks after planting, for the plant's vitality is low, 

 due to its change of environment, and if a disease is present, 

 it will spread rapidly. When the plants have become 

 established and all the vital processes are normal, the 

 danger of disease is lessened. 



The first six weeks after the roses are planted are impor- 

 tant ones. Every effort should be made to promote a 

 strongj healthy root and foliage development. The plants 

 are not allowed to bloom, the temperature is kept low, 

 and abundant ventilation is given. About the first of 

 September, a few of the stronger buds on each plant are 

 allowed to develop. When flowers are desired for a special 

 date, the shoots are pinched out about eight weeks previous 

 in the winter months, and six weeks previous in the late 

 spring and mid-summer. Most growers prefer to have 

 a succession of bloom in the houses, therefore, certain 

 sections of the house are disbudded so they will come 

 into flower at a given date, and other sections a little later. 

 This enables the grower to supply his customers with a 

 continuous bloom. 



When the plants become well established in the benches, 

 provision should be made to support them. No. 18 wire is 

 run lengthwise of the bed about three feet from the soil. 

 No. 9 galvanised wire stakes are placed in the soil beside 

 the plant, and are held to the wire above, by a wire clip 



