PLanting Roses

We will be getting our Roses in shortly to pot up .So now is a good time to give a little advice on planting them. If they get off to a good start you and your Rose bush will be very happy!.



*Planting Roses

* Selecting the proper site for your rose will improve its success. Roses perform best with a minimum of six hours of direct sun daily. There should be air circulation through the foliage to keep it dry and discourage diseases. Plant the bushes away from large trees or shrubs, which compete for nutrients, moisture, and sunlight.
* You should dig a hole twice the width and the same depth as the rose container. I have found it better not to fertilize in the hole because it is to easy to burn the roots.You can fertilize the following year using granular or slow release fertilizer.
* Remove the rose from the pot by holding the rose at the base with one hand and tapping the top of the container until it comes loose. Wearing gloves may be wise.
* Taking care not to disturb the roots, place the rose bush in the hole so that its bud union is one to two inches below ground level.
* Backfill with a mix of existing soil and 1/2 soil amendment thoroughly mixed. In sandy porous soils, use sphagnum (Canadian) peat moss. In dense clay or poorly drained soils, use soil conditioner (finely ground pine bark). Fill the hole to the top of the root ball. Firm soil. Cover entire planting area with a two to three-inch layer of eucalyptus or cypress mulch.
* Water thoroughly. The first two weeks is very important that the soil does not dry out. Sometimes what happens is the soil around the root ball is wet but the root ball itself has dried out.

Life in a greenhouse

Stay tuned for day by day activity in the greenhouse. Watch plants grow from seedling to huge displays of color. Pictures will be posted as the plants are growing in our greenhouses.

Cactus and Succulents

There might be a foot of snow outside and it is very cold but if you are growing some cactus and succulent gardens inside you can pretend you're in the dessert!! They are very easy to grow requiring little attention.In the winter provide as much light as you can.Grow light as some sort is good also. Only water when the soil is very dry.It has been my experience that the only way you can kill cacti and succulents are to overwater them.They can survive for months without water!!Use any good potting soil you don't need special cactus soil unless you have it.
YOu can buy the garden already made up or buy small plants and create your own.Experiment with containers and different plants.For great greenhouse supplies http//www.mazzoccasgreenhouse.com