rose and other bushes in only one corner of yard stay small

CarolynB

I have a red double knockout rose that I planted in late summer about a year and a half ago. It looked somewhat stressed when I bought it, but I thought I could revitalize it. However, it has never done well. It hasn't gotten significantly bigger, and although it puts out some leaves it stays very sparse-looking. It blooms a little, but not much for a rose that's supposed to be very floriferous. I don't know if there's something wrong with the plant itself, or if the problem is the soil it's in. A couple of other roses nearby are doing better, but a couple of other bushes (not roses) closest to the knockout have also remained unusually small -- so I wonder if there's something wrong with the soil in only that corner of the yard. It that possible? Does anyone have any advice or insights to offer on this?

Newt · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 9:27 pm Post subject:

Hi Carolyn,

As I was reading this my first thought was the rose was so stressed that it can't recover. Then you mention that a couple of other shrubs aren't doing that well either, so my thinking has taken a different course. I would suggest a soil test for that area. They are very reasonable through your local extension service. If there isn't a specific reason then adding compost to the area should help increase the drainage, tilth (texture) and add good microbes. Here's a link to find your extension service.
http://ucanr.org/ce.cfm

Newt

opabinia51 · Mod Joined: 21 Oct 2004 Posts: 4676 Location: Victoria, BC

What are the light levels like in the corner of the yard that you have the Rose in?

Also,have you tried spraying the plant with an aerated compost tea? This will not only supply the plant with nutrients but, it will also give the plant foliage a healthy population of flora and fauna that will help fight disease.

lefty317 · Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 4:10 am Post subject:

roses are heavy feeders, and don't care for alot of competition. you didn't say what the other bushes were, but apparently, you expected some size out of them. the roses knockout roses that we put in at church took a full year to get acclomated, and they were very healthy container plants. also be advised that as a general rule, some knockouts don't get all that big.

i would make sure the soil is in good shape, and give it some more time

CarolynB · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:08 am Post subject:

Sorry it took me a while to reply to your replies.

With regard to light level, that area of the yard gets several hours of sun per day, both where the plants are bigger and where they stay smaller.

I haven't heard of aerated compost tea. Where do you get it and what do you use to apply it?

The other bushes are dwarf mockoranges and heavenly bamboos. They and the roses are all a few feet apart from each other, with bare ground between.

I'm not so much concerned about the knockout staying small, other than as a possible sign that something is wrong. But I am concerned that it has stayed very sparse-looking for the whole year and a half I've had it, and it has bloomed very little.

Thanks for any insight you can offer.

Newt · Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:36 pm Post subject:

You can use it as a foliar spray or to water your plants. You might want to consider having a soil test done for the area where the plants aren't thriving if all other things seem to be the same.

Newt