Show#9

Dr. Rick has some ideas for correcting problems with Crepe Myrtles if they were pruned incorrectly earlier in the season.

Here's a quick easy way to fix your crepe myrtles if they have been pruned incorrectly. Remember that when we prune any branch that is larger than a pencil, we get this fingering type of growth. What we want to do is identify one small shoot that parallels the existing larger branch and remove all the other ones around it. That way all the energy will be transferred to it and it will grow quickly and in line with the existing branch. It may take a few years but you can restore it to its original sculptural form of this terrific southern heritage plant.

We visit the Antique Rose Emporium. Did you know some roses have lived up to 1,000 years? We look at roses such as: Ballerina, Martha Gonzales, Petite Pink Scotch, Baltimore Belle, New Dawn, American Pillar, Sea Foam, The Fairy, Belinda, Carolina Rose, Gabriella.

http://www.antiqueroseemporium.com

Evelyn Rose, Master Gardener, welcomes us to her garden.

She shows us easy to grow Roses (Simplicity, Care Free Beauty)and the China Rose that changes color throughout the season. Her list of the 10 best Roses for the South are: Gold Medal - has big blooms, Oregold, New Dawn - a climber, Bonica - blooms in clusters, Miss All American Beauty - large blooms, Double delight -two colors and her favorite, First Prize -a cutting rose, Tiffany - an old favorite and fragrant, Garden Party -white with Pink edges, Peace -old classic-yellow/sometimes Pink.

Do you have a problem with Aphids on Roses? We'll give you some tips for getting rid of them.

Dr. Rick's Timely Tips - Black Spot - If you have roses you've had Black Spot, Dr. Rick tells us how to deal with the problem.

Black spot is the bane of all rose growers. Its caused by a fungus that overwinters on rose canes and dead leaves which is a good reason to rake up all the infected leaves and cut back your plants during the late fall or winter.

When black spot starts it appears on the young leaves as black circles with irregular margins. These are the fungus colonies and they tend to grow to about � inch across with a yellow halo around them. As the fungus gets worse roses tend to drop all or most of their leaves.

So what can you do? First, the fungus can spread from one plant to the next by splashing water. So no over head irrigation and make sure that you water early in the day to make sure that there's no water on the leaves after dark.

Black spot thrives where there is little air movement so make sure that you don't put them in any walled or enclosed area. Limbing up your tree limbs and thinning your surrounding shrubs can also help.

If you do have susceptible varieties, plants them in their own space especially if you plant to plant other plants that can get the disease.

It's really best though to select varieties that are more resistant to this disease. Some of my favorites are Bonica, Carefree Beauty, Carefree Wonder, Flower Carpet, Lady Banks's rose and Mrs. B.R. Cant.

Here's one other that's pretty black spot resistant. It's known as NEW DAWN and it's a sport of an old timey variety known as Dr. W. Van Fleet.

Back in the early 1900's Dr. Van Fleet was a rose breeder who began introducing Rosa wichuraiana also known as Memorial Rose into existing varieties.. This is a variety that is evergreen unless it gets really cold and can be a great ground cover even in poor soil.

New Dawn was introduced back in 1930 and it is a repeat bloomer. It has a good looking light pink blossom and its slightly fragrant. This guy is a rambler and can get up to 20' long over the growing season.

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