Get to the root of problem

It is often best to dig a trench around plant or dig it up.

- Ludwig Taschner

After all the lovely, dam-filling rainfall, most garden roses are sprouting fresh new leaves. But what about those that are still not performing?

A likely reason is poor drainage, in beds or in pots. At the rose farm we noticed a standard rose "Red Cascade" that was growing in a tall pot and had stopped performing as it should.

We dug the rose out of the pot and discovered that most of the roots were rotten. Once all the soil was out, we found that there was no proper drainage. Quite a few stones at the bottom of the pot, that had been placed there for drainage, were covering the drainage hole and it was totally blocked.

We made a cover with lots of holes to place over the main drain hole. Alternatively, one could use a piece of weed guard cloth or 60% shade cloth to prevent the soil running out. We mixed the soil with peanut shells and extra small concrete stones placed towards the bottom of the pot and planted a new "Red Cascade" standard.