Earwig Treatment & Eco Seaweed
ROSE RAMBLER 26TH NOVEMBER, 2020 – Hello Dear Rose Friends, we continue to get a good soaking rain on our rose garden … 22mls this past weekend, which will suffice for another few weeks.
CUSTOMER INQUIRY: Subject: Needing some advice …
"I’ve purchased the Eco Neem and Eco Oil but not sure if it’s safe to spray during hot weather as we live in Rochester, near Echuca. Could you also advise what you recommend for treatment of earwigs? They are everywhere in the garden and in my rose flowers!
Also, I have purchased the Eco seaweed but not sure if this is all they require. I have heard roses are heavy feeders so wondering if I could give some aged cow manure?
I’m hoping to come for a visit in the not too distant future. Regards … Janet. PS. I enjoy your weekly email with tips and advice."
GRA'S RESPONSE: "No, you shouldn't spray the oils on hot days!!! With earwigs you need to clear around the base of each rose and perhaps apply a smear of Vasoline (petroleum jelly) to the lowest stems - earwigs crawl up into the flowers and they cannot (or won’t) traverse the jelly ... still clear all debris which houses the blighters!
We say constantly that Eco Seaweed (or any seaweed solution product) is not fertilizer – it is a tonic to the soil and will assist to maintain healthy foliage and plant roots ... it will reduce transplanting shock, etc. etc. ... Use it at least once a fortnight on potted plants or monthly in the garden.
Placing animal manure (hopefully aged!) is great for the soil but you should still apply a complete (organic) fertilizer so that the roses have a good balance of major and minor nutrients along with some trace elements ... quality fertilizers will state all this on the packaging and tell you how frequently to apply such ...
Hope this is helpful ... cheers, Gra"
Our giggle for this week:
Q. What do you call a fly without wings?
A. A walk.
Gra’s Blue is a multi-award-winning rose which was bred here at Clonbinane by Graham. Because we loved the rose and were confident it was worthy of registering in 2013, five plants were sent to the Australian Rose Trial Grounds in Adelaide where it was assessed for two years.
At the 2015 National Rose Trial Ground Awards, Gra’s Blue received a bronze medal as well as the highly coveted Governor of Gifu (Japan) Award for being the most highly fragrant rose of the 2015 Trials. We understand how important fragrance is in roses!
Gra’s Blue blooms prolifically on rather long stems for a mini-patio rose and is gorgeously long-lasting as a cut flower for vases to fragrance your home.
Enjoy all the beauty in your garden and surrounds … best wishes from Gra, Diana, Mooi at Clonbinane …