The Rose Exhibitor's Calendar

This calendar is by courtesy of Don Charlton from his book titled "Growing and Showing Roses":-

This is a month by month reminder of the most important tasks. It is based on conditions in the north-east of England so dates will be about four weeks earlier for south-west England and two weeks later for north-east Scotland. It is also useful to have long term records, so keep a notebook covering feeding, spraying, pruning and assessment of varieties.

This column, by Martin Double et al, Indicates variations and additions to the northern calendar to suit rose exhibitors based in the Southeast of England.

January

  1. Continue planting new bushes and rose rootstocks, when the soil is not too wet or frosted.

  2. Give all rose bushes and beds a winter wash, using Jeyes Fluid.

  3. Join a local rose society and the Royal National Rose Society if you have not already done so, or renew membership.

  4. Obtain supplies of fungicides, insecticides, fertilisers and Oasis in readiness for the coming season.

  5. Make bloom protectors.

January

Discard all out of date supplies of insecticides and fungicides etc.

Use all chemicals strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Apply good housekeeping every month i.e. weeding, and keeping the ground clear of fallen leaves, watering when dry.

Keep a good record of all significant routines and results throughout the year.

 February

  1. Continue planting rose rootstocks when ground conditions permit.

  2. Refirm soil around any bushes loosened by frost.

  3. Start pruning newly planted bushes and Cluster Flowered varieties during last two weeks of the month. Delay this operation during periods of hard frost.

  4. Head back rootstocks budded during previous season.

 February

Newly planted bushes could well have been pruned at the time of planting in which case check for any die back and re-prune accordingly.

If you are considering rose shows in early July then postpone pruning cluster flowered roses until March.

If you find you have some gaps to fill buy in potted roses for planting now.

 March

  1. This is the last month for planting new bushes safely; prune stems before doing so, to save stooping later.

  2. Continue pruning Cluster Flowered roses. This should be completed by the end of the second week.

  3. Start pruning Large Flowered varieties, following previously estimated dates. Try to complete pruning by end of the month.

  4. Firm soil around bushes loosened during pruning.

  5. Dispose of prunings by burning if possible. Do not compost, as prunings may carry diseases upon them.

 March

Prune Cluster Flowered roses during the middle to the end of the month for blooms early July.

Start pruning Large Flowered varieties towards the end of the month for end of June shows, but leave until next month for July shows.

Apply the first application of fertiliser after pruning, water in well if dry, and apply mulch now.

 April

  1. Prune all Miniature roses during the first week.

  2. Apply fertiliser dressings to rose beds.

  3. Mulch beds with well-rotted farmyard manure, peat, hops or garden compose, preferably after rain to trap the moisture.

  4. Spray remaining rose stems with fungicide to kill off any over wintering blackspot, mildew or rust.

 April

Prune Large Flowered varieties during the first half of this month for July shows.

Prune Miniature Roses, mid month, for their first flush to occur at the end of June / early July. Alternatively prune in early March in the hope that the second flush will occur in July. Experiment with this to find out what suits your location and requirements best.

 

 

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