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laura81_gw

Lady Banks roses

Laura81
10 years ago

My Lady Banks has not grown one bit since I planted her 6 months ago. She is in the sun most of the day. She is losing leaves and looks like crud. I am planning to take her out if she keeps doing nothing. She is on a drip line. Suggestions?

Comments (25)

  • tomatofreak
    10 years ago

    I'm at a loss; this is one of the most vigorous plants I've ever had. Too much water, perhaps? Try and wait till this hellish heat is over and see what happens then. I predict we'll all perk up!

  • Laura81
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    I know I'll perk up. She is watered everyday so is it too much? I had heard such good things about them and I am really disappointed. Thanks for the response!

  • campv 8b AZ
    10 years ago

    This is what you will end up with.
    Camp Verde

  • Laura81
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Wow, campv, that is what I want. Beautiful!!

  • richsd
    10 years ago

    Laura, keep in mind, campv is gardening in a different (cooler) zone than we are in. Most everything does better out of this oven heat we call home (except tender stuff, of course.)

    I don't think overwatering is your problem, unless the plant is well established. But I wouldn't call a plant only 6 mo. old established.

    My sister has a few of them in (Ahwatukee) and I notice zinc deficiency on their leaves. Maybe that's your plant's problem, too.

    I can't believe Home Depot or Lowes doesn't even sell zinc sulfate (dummies.) I order mine online.

  • Laura81
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Thanks, richsd, I often wondered why people here just have rocks and not plants in their yards. It is just too much of a hassle to try to grow anything. Ugh! Thanks for the info!

  • jaspermplants
    10 years ago

    I planted a lady banks rose a couple years ago and it have taken awhile to get started, so I would suggest you give it more time.

    In my opinion, people here don't bother to learn about how to grow plants in this area, and rocks and dirt are just easier. However, that landscaping is extremely boring and HOT!

    Although gardening in Phoenix is not my preference (would prefer a cooler climate with RAIN), you can grow stuff here.

    Here is my yard last spring.

  • Laura81
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Wow, jaspermplants, Your roses give me some hope. They are just fabulous.

  • aztreelvr
    10 years ago

    Try watering three times a week while the weather is hot, tapering to once every two weeks in winter. The amount of water will depend on the size of your Lady Banks but I imagine it would need at least 4 gallons each time you apply, perhaps a little more. As your rose grows its water needs will increase of course.

    It's important for the soil to dry out just a tad before you apply more water. Soggy soils can prevent plants from absorbing nutrients like iron, nitrogen and zinc. In addition I'd recommend you add a 3 inch layer of organic mulch over the root zone, being careful not to pile it up against the trunk or base of the rose.

    By the way, the world's largest Lady Bank's Rose lives in Tombstone, AZ.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Landscape plant watering

  • Laura81
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Thanks, aztreelvr, I will give it a try.

  • richsd
    10 years ago

    Yes, it's true the biggest Lady Banks rose is in Tombstone, however, Tombstone does not have the same hellish hot climate Phoenix does. So it's not a fair comparison.

    Lately, more and more I'm blaming the municipal water suppliers in the valley (City of Phoenix, City of Mesa, etc etc.) for our gardening failures. They provide saline, alkaline water and we're expected to grow beautiful plants with this crappy water. Excuse my language and hostility, but if you really want to get angry, take a look at the water quality in cities such as Sacramento, Denver, or even Salt Lake. They all have much, much better water quality than we do (and more beautiful gardens likewise.)

    I put in a call to the City of Phoenix Water Dept. today to express my frustration over this issue. They said they'd have someone get back to me. I realize they (Phoenix) doesn't have the same natural resources (and clean water) that cities like Salt lake and Denver have. However, it seems to me they could reduce the water's alkalinity by adding sulfuric acid to it.
    When you consider how many trees and landscapes die due to the high alkalinity of the water here, adding sulfuric acid to the water is cheap IMO.

    Who else, if anyone, has gotten worked up over this?

  • jaspermplants
    10 years ago

    Good job, Richsd, calling the water department. The citizens of Phoenix (area) are not usually an activist lot, so I'm glad you made the complaint. Please let us know what you find out and/or if you need more voices to add to yours. I'm always ready to lend my voice to a needed cause.

  • Laura81
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    I think the water is also the problem most of the time. When it rains everything just perks up so much more.

  • aztreelvr
    10 years ago

    Rainwater washes away accumulated dust so plants naturally look better. But during thunderstorms the electrical discharges of lightning split the nitrogen molecules transforming them into a plant-usable form. Rainwater carries the nitrogen to the plants who benefit from this boost of nutrients. Cool, eh?

  • Laura81
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Very cool indeed!!

  • lazy_gardens
    10 years ago

    Laura - It's probably establishing a root system. Don't give up on it until it's been in the ground for a couple of years.

    Typically the first year of a shrub is little top growth, the second year is a small showing and the third year on is much faster.

    Do NOT water it every day a tiny amount. Next year, set the drip system (adjust the timer or change the drip heads) so it gets a couple gallons per watering but only twice a week, starting in the spring when you see new growth.

    The third year ... more water per session, but even less frequently.

  • Laura81
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Lazygardens, Thanks for the input. I'll adjust my expectations and the amount of water.

  • ChasingCenturies (Arizona 9b)
    10 years ago

    @ Laura81: You shouldn't water anything every day. If a plant actually needs water every day, better to just let it die, as it will probably do just that before long anyway.

    Lazygardens has this well-surrounded. Adjust your drip to two times per week, 90 minutes per session next spring, then keep a close eye on everything and adjust accordingly. You cannot make that change now, wait until early spring. Plants new in the ground trying to establish may need 3-4 weeks of watering three times per week.

    One more small point: It is generally a poor idea to introduce new plants to your landscape during summer. It can be done, but typically results in mass casualties for all but the more experienced gardeners here.

    Lady Banks Rose does well here -- once established -- but reacts poorly to our heat until established. Just try to keep it alive for now with no expectations, then establish it with the watering regimen detailed above next spring. Good luck!

  • Laura81
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    GermanStar, I water everything once a day except cacti. I am such a beginner. I am also an impulsive garden shopper if it looks interesting I buy it.

  • ChasingCenturies (Arizona 9b)
    10 years ago

    Your plants will never establish as long as you continue that regimen. If the existing root system is supplying all the water needed all the time, no reason to grow more roots. You are also inviting fungal infections by not allowing soil to dry thoroughly between waterings. The reasoning behind infrequent deep watering is to place water deep beneath the plant to encourage deep root growth toward that water source. Once that happens to the degree at which good foliage growth resumes, the plant is considered established.

    You might benefit from a good SW gardening book to explain the basics and act as a handy reference. There are many fine choices; my recommendation is Arizona Gardener's Guide by Mary Irish, a fellow Agavephile.

  • Laura81
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Thanks for the book recommendation. I feel sorry for the plants in the hot sun and I want to water everything. Not logical.

  • greyongray
    10 years ago

    This thread is helpful, since I killed two LBRs that I unwisely planted during the summer. The photos on another thread of MaryMCP's covered chain link fence have got me wanting to do the same to our large run of chain link! So this thread is encouraging me to try again and that if I can get the plants established, they will be able to handle some neglect in the future.

    Because the only thing left after that is cats claw ;)

  • dblcross
    10 years ago

    I have a Lady Banks that is 3 yrs old. It's outside in a very large pot on a deck. Last spring it flowered. Last winter was freezing for a number of days. This spring the lady does not show any signs of life. The main branch is brown but the small branches are pale green and do not snap when broken. They look alive. I hate to pull it so what should I do?

  • campv 8b AZ
    10 years ago

    Ok I am the one with the lady banks picture on the cement block wall.(about 20 blogs above).
    Here in Camp Verde it can get real cold a couple of years back it got down to 12 degrees and those temps lasted for about 3-4 days. Mine came back as I suspect yours will as well. It is also possible that the roots could of froze in the pot. Give it a little more time see if it doesn't leaf. If it doesn't leaf by mid April, then I think it might be a goner.Sorry

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