Hello!
My 1 year old heirloom Eden Climber and Pretty in Pink Climber seem to have browning of the main stems at the top. One of them have buds but very less foliage. Both seem to be not growing vertically. I live in Oklahoma City, zone 7. I gave them fish fertilizer at the beginning of spring. Should I cut these portions of the stem? Is this normal?
Climbers, in general, take 3 years before they grow vigorously, however, did you just dig one hole for these roses or did you dig out a bigger bed? In your photo, looks like your soil is heavy clay. Also one dose of fish emulsion is not enough. What else do you plan on fertilizing with? Did you have your soil tested before you planted the roses? Do you know the pH? What amendments did you put in the soil when you planted the climbers?
I just dug a hole twice the width and used garden top soil. Pretty new to gardening and never had the soil tested but it seems like it does retain water. Where can I get the soil tested? What are your recommendations on fertilizing it?
Thank you!
Your county extension might be a good place to start for a soil test including pH. Those results will help you determine what is lacking in your soil and therefor what fertilizer is needed. Adding compost to your soil will help overall for all your plants. That is where I would start.
After a hard rain, watch the area to see if it puddles water and observe how long it takes for the water to totally drain. Rose roots don’t do well when they stay wet for long periods of time. If you find out it stays wet for many days, you will need to create a raised bed to help the water drain away from the rose roots. Are there any rose societies in your area?
I also live in zone seven in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I have an Eden climber and during its first year, which was last summer. My garden was 126° as measured with the temperature gun. Before knowing how hot it was, Eden was more or less frying in the heat, and I really had no idea that I was not watering enough last summer. I have a heat shield cloth against my western wall, where the rose is and so far it’s flourishing in its second year, but Eden I’ve learned is a very slow grower. It’s not a fast grower. I agree to get your soil tested so you know what you’re dealing with and perhaps give it. Some miracle grow rose fertilizer, but always water first and then fertilize.
