Remember to maintain the Triforine spraying programme once a month to prevent Black Spot. A word about feeding roses. They will survive very well as long as they have adequate water supplied to them, but for best blooms, some feeding will keep them thriving.

There are two soil types to consider, sandy or impoverished soil, and clay/loamy soil. On sandy soils the main problem with maintaining roses is moisture loss through transpiration. This problem and a feeding programme can be addressed with the application of fowl manure, at least 10 cms. deep over the entire rose bed. Covering the soil in this way helps to prevent moisture loss, and provides a slow release of nutrients for the next twelve months. Any associated unpleasant odour soon disappears. As well as helping retain moisture, this covering also aids retardation of weed development. Heavier soils can be treated as above. I prefer this treatment secure in the knowledge that the work associated with the feeding programme is kept to a minimum.

The work above is all that is necessary to keep the roses thriving. If you are wishing to show your roses at a horticultural show or some special event, you can use a foliar feeding programme to produce superb blooms. Such an exercise requires that you use an ingredient containing a high degree of potash, say N.P.K. of 8:4:14. Apply this as directed once a fortnight. It may be mixed with other materials during your spraying programme.

Large-flowering roses ought be disbudded, that is, any side-buds at the flowering head are cleanly removed. The shoots are very brittle at this stage of their development. Just break them off. If clusters of blooms are required, only remove the large central bud. This will ensure an even opening lateral buds, though a little later on.