Roses tend to
suffer quickly if they lack enough water in
the soil around their roots. Therefore, it
is important to keep them well watered
throughout the growing season especially
during the hot, dry part of the summer.
There are
many different techniques used to irrigate
rose beds. The key is to remember that it is
the soil that needs the water and not the
leaves of the plants. Many roses, especially
most
hybrid teas, are susceptible to a
fungal leaf disease called
black spot
disease. As
with all such diseases, it is encouraged by
wet leaves. You can't control the rain or
the dew but you can limit how much you wet
the leaves when you irrigate.
Of course,
the best approach is to use some type of
drip irrigation system which only applies
the water to the soil. The leaves are not
touched at all. These types of systems can
also be automated to deliver water without
any human assistance. Be sure to calibrate
them so that enough water is delivered to
soak several inches into the ground around
the root zone of the roses.
If you want
to hand water using a hose, get a long water
wand so that the water can be delivered
directly to the base of the plant and not
onto the leaves. Each plant will need a
thorough soaking at least once a week...more
if the temperatures are high.
Sprinklers,
of course, may also be used to water the
roses. In this case, it is important to
complete the irrigation early on a sunny
day. This will allow the leaves to dry
before sundown. If the leaves are wet going
into the evening or if it is done on a
cloudy day, the chance of fungal spores
germinating will increase greatly. That
means more black spot disease.
