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  • Problems with rose plants

    Created by Shade everywhere on April 26, 2007 at 9:26 pm

    My yard has shade 50-100% of the day. The soil is acidic from the fir trees, the soil is compact so that the plants will not flourish. There’s also some sort of critter that eats the plants. I think a skunk or squirrel. My rose bushes do fair for the first blooming and then in the front yard something totally eats the foliage. What ever it is can not be seen.

    What to do besides hiring a back hoe and digging it all up?

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  • April 26, 2007 at 9:26 pm #13791

    Mole Farmer
    Member

    Ugh! I've been dealing with the same thing. Planting in shady-acidic soil can be difficult at best. You may want to consider building some raised beds where you can control the pH and quality of your garden soil. If, not consider acid loving plants, like azaleas, rhododendrons, blueberries, and holly. Roses like a slightly acidic soil and should do well there too! Just make sure they get enough sun.

    I can't tell what's eating your rose plants from your description, but once you ID the little buggers, they shouldn't be too difficult to keep under control. Here are a couple of other suggestions:

    • Add lime to adjust your soil pH
    • Add plenty of compost – it will build your soil and tends to neutralize pH
    • Trim the lower branches of your fir trees to allow more light through

    Good luck and let me know how it turns out!

    June 28, 2016 at 12:05 pm #202944

    Eric Vinje
    Keymaster

    Check out our tips and tricks to obtain the perfect rose bush here!
    https://www.planetnatural.com/rose-gardening-guru/

    To control the bugs, I would recommend a product called Azamax. It should knock the little buggers back and help stop the defoliation of your bushes after first flower. Find it here!

    https://www.planetnatural.com/product/azamax-azadirachtin/

    Happy Gardening!

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