Excerpt from the ebook.. Organic Rose Care:
Organic Rose Baiscs
by
Andy Lopez
Invisible Gardener
Understanding the simple basics of growing roses and applying it, is the mark of an excellent organic rose gardener.
Getting Started
The first thing you have to do is address the nutritional needs of your property as well as that of the plants. Proper nutrition is the KEY to natural pest control. Anytime you treat the cause, you will be controlling its effects. Ask yourself, "What am I doing to the soil?". Stop using chemical fertilizers. Stop using pesticides that are not made naturally. Avoid high nitrogen at all costs. Yes, you will have to switch to Organics if you want to regularly control thrips, aphids, and other pests naturally. Organics and chemicals do not mix well. You may getaway with good results for a few years longer than if you were completely chemical but sooner or later you will pay for it, in the form of one pest or another, or one disease or another. Not just the plants and soil suffer; you will also suffer from exposure to the chemicals in the fertilizer or pesticide, etc.
Roses with High Bric levels are healthier. Just remember that you want your roses to have a bric level of OVER 18 in order not to get attacked by pests and diseases. Learn to keep your roses between 14-18 bric level (above 18 is better), with a combination of organic nutritional sprays, rock dust applications.
Avoid high nitrogen at all costs
Organic or Chemical?
Fertilizer exposure can be as dangerous as pesticide exposure. So decide now if it's organic that you want to do it. Remember, you can't be organic only when it suits you to do so. Organic demands that it become your way of life.
Take Good Care of the Soil and the Soil will take good care of your Roses!
If you are a first time rose grower there are many things we must agree upon before starting. How much time do you plan to spend on your roses? Are you a part-time rose lover or are you going to really go at it? There are many good books available on the subject of growing roses. Take an organic rose growing class. Growing roses for show is a great deal of fun and also lots of work. You will also have to decide if you are growing organically or if you will be using chemicals.
copyright all rights reserved
Andy Lopez,
The Invisible Gardener

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