Plant Doctor Archive

Droopy roses

Question I BROUGHT some new David Austin roses last year, and this year they are growing really well and look healthy, but for some reason the flowers seem to be “droopy” and not a firm stem. Is there something wrong with them — lack of water, or something else? The flowers are really good-looking apart from being droopy.

Answer THERE could be a number of reasons for this happening. Roses require regular watering — at least 2–3 times a week. Deep watering is preferable to light sprinklings so that the roots penetrate deep down into the soil and do not remain on the surface. Mulching in spring and autumn will also help keep the soil cool and moist. Even though we have had a bit of rain lately, the ground does dry out in a matter of days.

Roses are gross feeders and so require regular fertiliser applications during spring and summer. A specially blended rose fertiliser is best.

If it isn’t feeding and watering, then it could be the weather conditions we have been experiencing lately and a lack of sunshine hours.