by Candylei Yap

Created on: April 27, 2008

We've seen the famous, old master's paintings of young maidens, their eyes closed, holding a rose in one hand and their head slightly tilted back. We know the emotion of smelling that fine, old rose fragrance so rich and spicy. There is no doubt that those roses were chemical free in that day when they were painted. What has changed down through the ages that chemicals are promoted for roses and gardens in general?

Definitely roses are bred now for more blooms, bigger blooms and in some cases it has made them weaker and more susceptible to diseases. Then there's the wild roses that grow along fence lines. They are so hardy, genetically unaltered and vigorous. In the breeding of the new modern roses it has made some roses weaker and more prone to diseases if not cared for properly.

Roses are only as good as the soil you plant them in. This is the roses nourishment. You must start amending your soil and adding compost, sand, and organic fertilizer. If the roots are healthy usually the plant in general is healthy. Roses are known to drown or suffocate in clay soil because it too heavy and holds water like a vase. Rose roots need good circulation. Adding compost and sand helps to make your soil friable and loamy and the roots can breathe. Adding organic fertilizer can be from fish, composted animal manure, or plant material. Decomposing plant material is great because it doesn't contain any animal parasites that can remain in the soil for up to 6 months. Toss a banana in the planting hole as they contain potassium and it will slowly release potassium into the soil. Crushed egg shells can be added to for calcium.

Birds are a rose gardener's friend. Both wild birds, chickens and ducks. If japanese beetles and grasshoppers are a problem these birds are an asset and will devour all these insects they can reach and catch. Wild cardinals also eat Japanese beetles. These beetles not only eat the leaves, but also the flower petals. Some gardeners carry a bucket of water and shake the beetles off into the water rather than spraying with chemical sprays. A sad fact about chemical sprays is they also kill beneficial insects. A few beneficial insects are praying mantis and ladybugs.

If fungus such as powdery mildew is a problem in your area because of high humidity in the summers be sure to space your rose bushes further apart so there can be air movement. A small amount of baking soda in water can be used as a deterrent for powdery mildew. Baking soda is sodium, or salt, so you want to be careful in the amount applied.

Prune off any diseased branch or wilted branch immediately. It will help keep diseases from spreading beyond that point. All black spot leaves that have fallen at the base of the bush should be picked up and removed and disposed of. Never add diseased branches or leaves to your compost pile.

The great old roses seem to be less susceptible to diseases and these bloom once during the season, but what a show it is. Others bloom once and then sporadically thereafter. Again these are very winter hardy and flourish where other modern roses tend to be squeamish. The old roses are grown on their own roots and not usually grafted onto another root stock. Organic gardeners have proven though that even the more problematic roses can be successfully grown organically and chemical free.

After a few seasons of organic gardening you will notice a vast difference in the health of your roses. The first season may be the hardest. You are not only helping your roses by organic practices, but also yourself and your family's health. You are in a partnership with nature.

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