We just moved into a house that has 17 rose bushes of all different kinds. HELP!?

I know they need to be pruned occasionally, fed and treated for insects and plant diseases. I just don't know when, how to prune, what to feed them, etc and I am so afraid I will finish them off cuz some of them look rather sickly already. I got some advice at the garden center but they are too busy to really spend any time. I am also trying to find stuff out in books from the library, but I am hoping some of you out there can make what seems really complicated, easier to deal with. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

We just moved into a house that has 17 rose bushes of all different kinds. HELP!?
I prune my roses in the spring to remove any winter kill. I usually cut out the dead branches only and then once the rose is blooming if I want to shape it, I just cut a longer stem for the rose on that branch. I have had good luck with Miracle Gro Roses. Just follow the directions on the back of the box and add the scoops to water and pour over the plant. Watch for but damage. If the plant starts looking yellow or holes in the leaves, you have bugs and you will need to find out what kind. The local extension office can help you out there. They also have master gardeners who will help pass on their knowledge of growing plants.
Reply:The American Rose Society's website has a section on rose care: http://www.ars.org/About_Roses/rose_care...



If you go through the articles, perhaps you will find what you need.



Pests and diseases vary greatly around the country. Some have major problems, my area has relatively few problems (thankfully). So giving an answer that would suit everyone would be impossible.



Instead let's concentrate on water and feeding. Roses are not drought tolerant. For better blooms they need regular watering. If nature doesn't provide, you must. Daily watering, no. Two times a week very well would be better.



Feeding: any flower fertilizer would work fine. There are also fertilizers with systemic insecticide in it that also kills some of the insect problems. Once a year this is fine, but regular use tends to build up in the plants. As for fertilizing, start after the leaves emerge and then every six weeks until August 15th. You have to let the plants stop growing and start preparing for winter.



Speaking of which, in cold climates the roses must be protected. Hopefully those articles on the website will explain that.



Pruning is done around February March and first removes dead, then damaged or diseased. The goal is to create an open bowl so new canes can have room to grow without rubbing on one another. The stems should also be finger thick or at least pencil thick. Anything smaller is discouraged.



Actually many rose clubs have pruning demonstrations and classes. I urge you to attend one just to see how radically roses can be pruned without harming them.



Also when you remove blooms, cut the blooms off just above a 5 leaf cluster. This allows the bud contained in that cluster to form a new stem and flower. If you prune back to a 3 leaf cluster, it doens't have the bud. The plant would have to go back to the 5 leaf bud to start a new stem and the 3 leaf section would never produce another flower.



Reading and perhaps being shown some tricks of the trade will be all that's necessary to grow nice roses. Don't panic, these are tough plants.
Reply:I'm the oddball gardener on my block. Somewhat lucky with roses. I try to keep the dying flowers cut off along with the branch it is on. I know many people like to prune way back before winter but I don't. I leave them intact and that way I have more to work with if there is a problem. This may not work in your case as none of my neighbors can seem to cultivate the same plants that never die in my yard. I've also been able to cut a wayward branch off a rose bush and stick it in the dirt and end up flowering the next year. The roses are smaller but they are still roses
Reply:I found this site that seems to have good advice - try there:



http://www.rosebuddies.com/pruning.html
Reply:Roses are very hardy plants. You can cut them down to the stump and they will grow back the next year. You can buy rose food just about anywhere. Water, fertilize and water again. If they don't do well this year cut them all the way down and they will come back next year.