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ORGANIC
ROSES
Growing roses organically was a challenge I hesitated to undertake
for many years. If the use of chemicals was necessary for roses,
I chose to put off cultivating them.
When I moved to Pike County, PA, my new gardens were lush with perennials,
bulbs and ornamental shrubs. Aside from these treasure I acquired
a rose garden of thirteen rosebushes. I was put to the test of how
successful my roses would grow naturally. As it turns out, roses
have not been anymore demanding then other plants in creating a
healthy environment for them to flourish. Each season my senses
are filled with the beauty and sweet scent of their blossoms.
All plants need a healthy soil to absorb the nutrients and minerals
required for healthy plants resistant to disease and insects. Adding
organic matter to the soil renews nutrients that are absorbed by
the plants during the growing season. Chemical fertilizers feed
the plant for a short time but actually depletes the soil of its
nutrients. Roses should be planted in a sunny location with at least
6 hours of sunshine. The soil for roses should be light and porous
and excellent drainage is important.
Roses do not want to sit in wet heavy soil. The pH should be more
acidic of 5-6. When planting roses or adding to the soil of established
roses a mixture of two parts dried blood, two parts fish meal, one
part cottonseed meal, one part woodash and one part bone meal should
be added to the soil. This mixture creates the balance of phosphorous,
potash and nitrogen required of rosebushes.
Rosebushes should not be watered in the evening. This can cause
mildew and fungus roses can be prone to. Rosebushes should be watered
in the morning. The hose should be allowed to slowly soak the base
of the plant. This should be done at least once a week but allowed
to receive a good soaking at each watering.
Roses absorb their sugars during the day and should be cut in the
evening. The stored sugars will enable the cut rose to live longer
when cut at the end of the day.
To deter insects that can be attracted to roses I plant garlic around
the rose garden. Garlic can be used in any garden plot to deter
insects.. I also use a soapy water spray on the foliage for aphids
or any other leaf sucking insects that maybe bothering the rosebush.
one tsp. liquid soap to one gallon of water and sprayed all over
the plant is the mixture I use.
Japanese beetles are the only pests that do damage to my roses.
Their life cycle is at their peek when it is mid-summer and my roses
are full with the second blooming. I hand pick the beetles and dispose
of them. This year I am planting geraniums in the rosebed as I just
learned geraniums deter beetles.
Although I get upset when my roses have suffered damage from the
beetles, I understand they have a significant role in the natural
balance of nature. They are food for birds and chemical insecticides
can injure birds and their food supply.
Earthworms are also damaged from chemical fertilizers and insecticides.
The earthworm is the breath of the soil. They burrow deep into the
layers of earth allowing oxygen to be absorbed by the plants roots.
They also eat and digest the soil. The recycled soil they leave
in their castings contains a greater amount of nutrients and minerals
then before the earthworms ingesting it. It is important to attract
earthworms into the garden and avoid their destruction.
We have to learn to live with our natural environment and not control
it and to learn to respect all the creations of nature.
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STARTING
SEEDLINGS
It is very fulfilling when you see beautiful flowers in your garden
and realize it came from that tiny seed you had
brought to life weeks before. The first step is to select
the seeds you would like to grow. My favorite seed catalog
is http://www.johnnyseeds.com
Their seeds come from organically raised
plants.
CONTAINERS
Gather your planting containers, flats, plastic cups, egg
cartons or whatever you choose to use. If you decide
to use recycled containers you must wash them good in a solution
of 1 cup of bleach to 9 cups of water to kill any bacteria that
maybe on the container. I prefer using peat pots and use empty
flats for holding the peat pots. At transplanting time,
the roots of the seedlings are not disturbed when they are
in the peat pot and you plant the whole container. All of
the peat pot must be under soil level or it will dry out quickly.
POTTING
SOIL
I prefer using potting soil without chemical fertilizers since I
am and have been an organic grower for the last 25 years.
I want the seedling to get the natural supplements it needs
right from the start. I purchase a quality brand potting mix
(for starting seedlings) with a combination of at least two or three
of the following ingredients: peat moss, perlite, spaghum
moss, and compost. A healthy starter mix will ensure the seedlings
ability to hold moisture and to support its growth. Pour the
mix in a large bowl and moisten it.Do not make it too soggy.
When the water is mixed evenly fill your containers. Gently
pat the soil to remove air spaces but Do Not press the soil down
You want the mix to stay light and fluffy and evenly moist.
Now that your containers are filled with the moistened mix
its time for planting the seed.
SEEDS
Follow the requirements on the seed pack for the depth the seed
should be planted at. Keep in mind to plant tiny seeds shallow
and heavier seeds deeper. Plant one seed per container.
LABELING
It is important to label the containers with the type of seed
planted so you can identify what type of plant the container has.
You can write on the container with permanent marker or use Popsicle
sticks and label them and stick them in the container.
SPROUTING
Now the fun begins as we wait to see the first tiny sprout come
through the soil. Place the flats or containers in a warm
room (70-75 degrees is a good even temp), light is not needed
for germination. Cover the containers or flats with
plastic wrap to keep in moisture. Check daily if the
soil dried out-
WATERING
Mist with tepid water (I keep a spray bottle of water
by the seedlings so it is handy when I notice the soil drying out).
A
steady supply of water is needed for the seed to soften the coat
of the seed and trigger the hormonal stages the seed needs to go
through for germination
TRANSPLANTING
When the seedling has four or more leaves it is ready to be
ransplanted to a larger container, if the container used was
very shallow. When the seedling has it first two true leaves
( the first two leaves that appear are not the true leaves) the
seedling should be in a sunny window or under fluorescent lights.
At this time you can add plant food to the water (follow directions
for seedlings) My preference since I am an organic gardener
is a very nutritious supplement of fish emulsion /sea weed I purchase
through a mail order, and internet organic garden supplier
http://www.gardens-alive.com you can purchase wonderful products
for the garden, home and pets that are all environmentally friendly.
Enjoy your start in planting the seed for a lifetime of pleasure.
Lenore
Fasula
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