AboutLynnette Payne Expertise I am knowledgeable in all aspects of growing roses, especially their disease problems. I can also help with organic growing of roses.
Experience I have grown roses for over 40 years, worked in a rose nursery in the Pacific Northwest and now, thanks to retirement, have managed to stuff over a 800 roses into an acre of land.
Organizations Vice president of a large garden club.
Publications Have written the modern and antique FAQs for Gardenweb. Answered Questions on AllExpert when it first started and have a rose information website with photographs which is still being expanded.
www.theoldrosarian.com
Education/Credentials I studied under a British Rosarian in regards to rose history, blood lines, identification, breeding, diseases and propagation.
Expert: Lynnette Payne Date: 7/2/2008 Subject: ROSE BUSH PROBLEM
Question We planted a rose bush early this spring, and it had big-beautiful peach colored roses when we planted it. Two months later it still blooms, however, the roses look like miniature roses instead of the big blooms it had before. We used a Bayer product that provides fertilizer and insect protection, and the instructions not to reapply for six weeks. I feel this poor rose bush needs some nutrients, what do you suggest? Thanks for your advice!
Answer The main reason a rose will make smaller blooms is to save itself from lack of water and the other reason is that it is under stress from a high heat. Roses make their best blooms when the temperatures are springlike then if they get high heat quickly, they re-act by shutting down and that is when you get small and not so double flowers. Fertilizer and high heat don't go together as the roots also shut down and won't take the fertilizer up. I would just water it well and give it a rest and when it has got used to the difference in the weather, it will produce large blooms again.
