rose issues...trying to get to the bottom of it

[Jennabeth77]

Hi :)*
I am a fairly new gardener but have researched some...I have an unusual question!!!

I moved into a home about a year and a half ago, really excited that I had a rose bush only to have it flop...it barely flowered towards the top of it...there are scallions that seem to be all around the base...are these choking it out?* The person before me seemed to prune it...interestingly...they kind of cut wherever, not right above a shoot, but several inches above...the parts that were pruned now look dead and hollow...there are branches that are dead and some that still have life...

Are any of these things likely to cause it issues?* Is is worth trying to "rescucitate" it, or should I dig everything up and start over...our neighbor has a similar one and it flowers beautifully months longer than mine...

Thanks!

[Newt]

Hi Jennabeth,

I would guess the scallions might be chives.* They were probably planted to keep pests away.* You could remove all or some of them if you like.* Dig carefully so you don't disturb the roots of the rose.

It would be best to prune off all the dead canes.* Since you don't know which rose it is or what type of rose, you could try to see if you can get it to come back.* Here's how to prune a rose.
http://www.peterbealesroses.com/arti...ing_roses.html
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/roses/prune.html

Here's a video on how to prune roses.* Keep in mind that it's in Australia, so their summer is our winter and vice versa.* When they mention to do this in July, that would be winter here.
http://www.magicgardenroses.com.au/

Hopefully you will have some blooms this year. Once you do you can try and search here for which rose you have.* Just click on 'Search'.
http://www.everyrose.com/everyrose/index.lasso

Lots of helpful info here on roses too.
http://www.backyardgardener.com/rose/index.html

Newt

[Jennabeth77]

Thanks!* I watched that pruning video and that helped...I didn't realize you were just sort of supposed to hack it back...well, in a gentler methodical sort of way!!!* :)* I had runed everything dead off yesterday and found there IS still life there, so we'll give it a go...I know it is later than they recommend for really cutting it back, but it just felt necessary, so we'll see what happens!!!
And we have rabbits everywhere, so that makes some sense!!!* :)*
Thanks again!!* :)

[Newt]

You are so very welcome! Better to prune back a little late then not at all.* :)* I hope you get more roses this year.* Do try some of the organic metihods to boost the soil around the rose.* That should help too.

Newt

[Jennabeth77]

Any organic rose food suggestions?

[Newt]

Compost worked into the soil in spring and fall is great for your roses.* I prefer organic to synthetic fertilizers since they feed the soil that feeds the plants.* Synthetic fertilizers are like sterioids for your plants and can cause a juicy flush of growth that will attract insect pests.* Synthetics also leave behind residual salts.*

You can also work some well rotted manure into the soil.* Fish emulsion mixed with sea weed is great too if you like liquid fertilizers.

Use milk for powdery mildew.
http://www.backyardgardener.com/tv/mildew.html

For black spot you can use apple cider vinegar or baking soda from here.
http://www.ghorganics.com/page15.htm...ar%20Fungicide

Newt