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Sterile Roses

watertec@ asks:

Question

Hi. Last year I was given several climber rose bushes. They have grown prolifically all Summer but not a single rosebud appeared. Do I wait another year or dig them out and start again. Rgds Neil New Zealand


Answer

I would give them sometime, they could be going through a bit of transplant shock. If the climbing roses continue to not produce flowers there are a few common reasons.

Common Reasons Roses Won't Flower

1) Lack of sun, roses do best in full-sun, which is 6 or more hours each day during the growing season. The more sun the better. If you find that the roses are not receiving a sufficient amount of sunlight try relocating them to more sunny location.

2) Over-fertilization, it may seem counter intuitive however over feeding often leads to the production of leaves and not flowers. Many over the counter brads of fertilizer are high in nitrogen and when most flowering shrubs are given excess nitrogen they tend to produce leaves, hence more fertilizer does not equal flowers. If you find that over-fertilization maybe the reason your roses won't flower I recommend using a rose specific fertilizer and following the recommended application rate.

3) Over & Under Watering can both be the root cause of the lack of flower production on roses. If you insert you finger in the soil it should feel moist not wet. Roses species prefer a well-drained location for best results. Overwatering can lead to many different disease, fungal and insect problems. Underwatering is far less detrimental to the overall health of the rose plant, however it will cause the rose bush to go into a dormant state and will not produce flowers and may drop the majority of it leaves.

4) The ideal soil pH for roses is around a 6.5 pH, if your area is known for having a high or low pH you may consider having a soil test done. Once your soil has been tested you can amend the area in the desired direction.

HAPPY GARDENING


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