“THE BEST IN ROSES" 
27 
be found to be dry. soak in water twenty-four hours, or bury entire plant in 
wet soil for two or three days. Do not expose roots to sun or wind when planting. 
Any bruised or broken roots should be cut off. 
DRAINAGE 
Roses require good drainage. If soil has poor drainage use several inches 
of coarse sand or gravel below where the rose is to be planted. Should the 
entire garden have poor drainage, tile drainage should be used. 
SOIL 
Roses prefer a fairly heavy slightly acid soil, although they will grow in 
almost any well drained ground. They will not grow well in a soil where there 
is an excess of either acid or alkaline. As most of our soil in California is more 
or less alkaline, it is quite necessary to use some substance to acidify the soil. 
Sulphur at the rate of lb. per sq. yd. twice a year is very beneficial. If soil is 
quite alkaline, use y 2 lb. of aluminum sulphate per sq. yd. once a year. 
PLANTING 
Several weeks in advance of receiving your roses it is advisable to spade the 
bed at least two feet deep, giving the ground a chance to aerate and settle before 
planting. Dig holes from 14 to 18 inches wide and 18 inches deep. A cup of 
steamed bone meal incorporated in the bottom of the hole with a few inches of 
surface soil is all the fertilizer advised to use at this time. Tramp the soil 
down well and cover with six inches of surface soil. Make a cone shaped mound 
in the center of the hole and place the crown of the roots on the apex of the 
mound. Spread roots to cover as much surface as possible. Pill just above the 
roots with surface soil and tramp down firmly. Fill hole with water two or 
three times so as to close up any air pockets that there might be. After the 
water has settled, the hole may be filled up level. Be sure to have bud union 
level with the surface or slightly above the ground. Plants have been moderately 
pruned ready for planting. 
PEST CONTROL 
Roses, like all other plants, have pests and diseases which may be controlled 
with a little effort. The most common of the diseases are mildew, rust, and in 
some sections, blackspot. In a warm climate dusting lightly once a week with 
a mixture of nine parts of dusting sulphur to one part of arsenate of lead will 
control these diseases. 
In a cool climate a spray consisting of 1 tablespoon of Volck and 1 tablespoon 
of Bordelo to 1 gallon of water, or 4 tablespoons of Bordelo to % teaspoon of 
Grasselli Spreader to one gallon of water has been proven to be very effective. 
Ortho mildew spray is also very efficacious. 
Remember this, it is much easier to prevent than to cure diseases. Sprays 
and dusts left on the shelf are not effective. DO NOT use any oil emuision 
spray or sulphur compound within a month of each other. 
Aphids are easily controlled by spraying with nicotine or pyrethrum, follow¬ 
ing instructions on the bottle, whenever the pests appear. Nicotine dust is also 
very effective on a warm day. 
CUTTING ROSES 
When cutting roses, leave three or four buds (above each leaf is a bud) of 
the new wood. Cut to an outside bud so as to keep the plant open which will 
help to prevent mildew and rust. 
Cut roses either late in the evening or early morning. Split or mash stems 
and plunge immediately in deep water up to the neck. Allow to stand for several 
hours to absorb water. Single roses should be cut in tight bud when color is 
just beginning to show between opening sepals; double roses as they start to 
unfurl. 
