If roses turn black after winter – what to do?

If you're panicking because your roses have turned black after winter, what should you do? Our tips will help you return your beauties to normal. After winter, uncovering roses should be done promptly. Late uncovering can cause the bushes to rot. Mold will develop, making it difficult to revive them. But there's no need to rush—the threat of frost or extreme cold can seriously upset your beauties. Winter dormancy is stressful for roses, and they need to be brought back from this stress not only promptly but gradually.

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When to uncover roses after wintering

Of course, climate conditions vary from person to person. You need to be guided by the weather, but there are some specific deadlines. Around mid-March, you should begin removing the covering from the bushes, but gradually—first uncover the top side walls, then the bottom for ventilation, then the side walls, and continue uncovering the bushes over the next week or two. At this time, the buds are already swelling, and the roses are preparing for spring. It's best to choose a day with little sun, or even better, an overcast day, for the full uncovering, to prevent the strong sun from scorching the bushes.

How to properly prune and treat rose bushes after winter

If you didn't manage to uncover your beloved bushes in time, or if something bad happened to them during dormancy, you can still fix the situation. Don't worry, pruning and a potassium permanganate solution will do the trick. Blackened shoots should be removed promptly. Carefully wash any wounds with potassium permanganate. If a shoot can't be removed, carefully apply a bandage to the affected area after treatment to prevent spreading the infection.

If mold is found, it should be carefully removed and washed with potassium permanganate (a weak pink solution). Remove dried and broken branches from the bushes, removing everything down to the first bud showing life. Then treat with Bordeaux mixture (use a 3% solution) to protect the roses from fungal diseases. Before budding, our beauties may be bothered by caterpillars, and aphids may cover the bushes and begin sucking their juices. In this case, stock up on insecticides, such as Intavir or Decis. It's also a good idea to treat the soil around the roots with Prestige.

How to spray roses after winter hibernation

After winter, our beauties are hungry—they need feeding to build strength for lush blooms. Apply nitrogen or mullein in early May, and repeat the process a couple of weeks later. When buds begin to form, feed the bushes with calcium nitrate (1 tablespoon per bucket of water) at a rate of 3 liters per bush. Water your beauties frequently, avoiding drying out—they don't like this—and it's a good idea to mulch the soil. If you follow these simple rules, your favorite flowers will thank you with their beauty and fragrance.

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