Growing Roses in Florida

MARION COUNTY GOVERNMNT
December 2014
Table of Contents:
Growing Roses in
Winter
These Are a Few of My
Favorite Things ...
Plant Clinic Mysteries
Moth Balls: A Potent
Pesticide
Upcoming Events
Published by Norma Samuel
UF/IFAS Extension Marion
County Horticulture Agent
Timely Gardening Tips for
MARION COUNTY
by Josephine Leyte-Vidal, UF/IFAS
Extension Marion County Master
Gardener
Look up! Now that leaves
are falling, we have the
opportunity to examine our
trees for dead limbs,
diseases, crossed branches,
parasitic plants such as
mistletoe, or interference
with power lines. Clean
your tree with care but be
sure to call a professional to
take care of anything
beyond your reach from the
ground.
A dead limb may be a sign
of disease or physical injury
to the tree. Is someone
parking a car under your
tree? Has there been any
digging done near the tree?
Growing Roses in Florida
by Linda Porter, Master Gardener
Roses are a lovely plant with a bad reputation. So often we think of roses as needing
a lot of fuss and bother, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Roses are a perfect
example of how the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles can be applied.
Principle #1 is “Right Plant, Right Place.” Choosing the right rose variety for our
climate will save time, energy, and money. It will also benefit the environment
because less water and fewer chemicals
will be needed. Roses suited to Florida
are bred for resistance to pests. There
are rose varieties that will grow well in
Florida without excessive amounts of
water, fertilizer, and chemicals. Think of
the beautiful and vigorous Louis Philippe.
This Old Garden Rose from the China
class has rich red color and blooms
heavily. It is also known as the Cracker
Rose because it is found, still blooming,
near abandoned cabins and old Belinda’s Dream: marion.ifas.ufl.edu
homesteads. Another Florida favorite is
Belinda’s Dream. This beautiful pink shrub rose has a spicy fragrance and is ever
blooming. It is both cold hardy and heat tolerant, great assets for our changeable
climate
Unlike many other plants, desirable roses are often grafted onto the rootstock of a
different variety of rose. Research from the University of Florida has shown that
roses grown on Fortuniana rootstock are more vigorous, produce more flowers
and live longer than roses grafted onto any other rootstock. The Fortuniana
rootstock also provides resistance to nematodes, microscopic roundworms often
present in our sandy soils. Old Garden Roses can perform well on their own roots,
but will often do better when grafted.
Once you’ve selected the right rose, make sure you put it in the right place to keep
it healthy and attractive. Roses need at least six hours of direct sunlight. Morning
sunlight is best as it dries the dew and makes fungal diseases like black spot less
likely. Place roses in an open, breezy location for good air circulation which also
helps keep black spot to a minimum. The best soil is one that is well-drained as
roses do not like wet feet. Our sandy soil does drain well, but often lacks the
Page 2
Growing Roses in Florida
Timely Gardening Tips for
MARION COUNTY
by Linda Porter, Master Gardener
by Josephine Leyte-Vidal, UF/IFAS
Extension Marion County Master
Gardener
(continued from page 1)
Crossed branches may cause
a damaged area where the
two limbs rub together,
which will allow bacteria or
insects to enter the tree.
Removing one will solve the
problem.
Mistletoe, known as a
“cancer”, will grow into a
limb and live off the tree’s
nutrients. As the clumps
multiply, the tree becomes
more debilitated and
susceptible to diseases.
Most clumps are found near
the top of trees; out of your
reach.
Lastly, power lines are a
danger to the tree as well as
to you. Wind causes contact
with the power lines, which
may cause the tree to catch
fire or the limb may break
and snap the line. Never
attempt to prune or clean
limbs near power lines.
To learn more about these
conditions, call the Master
Gardeners at 671-8400, visit
solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu
or contact a professional
arborist.
(continued from Page 1)
nutrients roses need to support strong growth and flower production. Amending
the planting bed by adding organic material like compost helps the soil retain water
and nutrients. Feed your roses by using a slow release fertilizer containing
micronutrients. Fertilizer is needed by the plants during periods of the most
growth, usually mid-February through mid-November. Fertilize at the rates on the
product label to avoid excessive growth and the resulting pest problems and higher
water requirements.
Roses are susceptible to fungal diseases like black spot, Cercospora leaf spot, and
powdery mildew. The fungal
pathogens need wet foliage to
thrive, so keep leaves dry by
following good irrigation
practices. Principle #2 of
Florid a-Frien dly
Landscaping™ is “Water
Efficiently.” Roses need about
an inch of water a week,
including natural rainfall.
Adjust the automatic timing
of your irrigation system to
avoid overwatering. If
possible, use drip irrigation Louis Phillipe Roses
Photo Source: Terry Holt
under the roses to keep the
foliage dry. Water in the early morning and follow restrictions issued by your
water management district.
If disease or pests do occur, take an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach
rather than reaching for a chemical spray. IPM means monitoring your plants to
catch problems early, knowing which insects are beneficial and which are truly
harmful, deciding what level of damage can be tolerated, and choosing the least
toxic solution first. Sanitation is helpful with roses. Keep your plants groomed by
removing fallen leaves promptly, deadheading spent flowers, and pruning out
diseased canes. A two or three inch layer of mulch will prevent fungal spores from
splashing back up onto the foliage. Of course, selecting a disease resistant rose
variety is the first line of defense.
For more information on growing roses in Florida, call the Master Gardener Plant
Clinic at 671-8400. For more about the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Principles,
visit http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu.
Happy Gardening!
Page 3
These Are a Few of My Favorite Things ...
by Audrey Edwards, Master Gardener
This is the time of the year when flowers associated with the holidays begin to
appear in the nurseries and big box stores. A few of my favorite holiday plants
include the Christmas cactus, amaryllis and poinsettia. These lovely plants can be
given as gifts or used to decorate your home. If they are in the right place in your
home, the blooms will last for a few weeks to months. As the weather warms, the
amaryllis and poinsettia can be moved into your garden.
The Christmas cactus, Schlumbergera bridgessii, is a
type of succulent plant that is native to Brazil. It is a
member of the flowering plant family Cactaceae
which has 90 genera and some 1,800 species. It is
commonly believed the Cactaceae plant family
evolved some 30 to 40 million years ago. Cacti are
succulents commonly associated with the desert
areas of North America; however, there are also
rainforest epiphytes which are succulents, surviving
on tree branches. Even though these rainforest
epiphytes are exposed to high amounts of rainfall,
the water quickly drains off their stems, leaving them
Photo Source: Clemson.edu
in a “dry” condition most of the time. The long
stems of the Christmas cactus carry out the process of photosynthesis in addition
to storing water for the plant.
It is often said these plants thrive on neglect, making them the perfect living plant
for the person with a black thumb. They do not require a lot of water nor do they
need a lot of light. For blooming to take place, the mechanism of photoperiodism
must occur. This is when the plant initiates flowering in response to the length of
daylight. For the Christmas cactus, buds will start to appear as the length of
daylight shortens, with blooms occurring around the day when daylight is the
shortest, December 21st. The blooms have a wide range of colors: yellow, white,
pink, salmon, purple, red and fuchsia. And with their pendulous stems, they lend
themselves as a great choice for hanging baskets.
There are a few simple steps to keeping your Christmas cactus healthy. The right
placement for your plant is where it will receive diffuse light. Water your cactus
only when it is completely dry. Keep away from drafts or the buds will fall off.
The Amaryllis (Hippeastrum x hybridum) is another popular holiday plant with
stunning blooms. Many years ago, this was a plant that was given to me as a gift
during the holidays. I did know at the time of receiving this beautiful plant that the
amaryllis is a spring bloomer and was forced to bloom for the holiday. After
several years of trying to force the amaryllis to bloom during the holidays, without
success, I moved the bulbs to my garden.
The Amaryllis, belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, is native to South America
and South Africa. In North America it is grown as a potted plant; however, this
subtropical bulb can be grown year round in central and south Florida.
UPCOMING
LECTURES/EVENTS:
Educational seminars and events
are presented by UF/IFAS
Extension Agents and/or
Master Gardeners.
Unless otherwise indicated, to
pre-register, please call
352-671-8400 or e-mail
[email protected].
December
Master the PossibilitiesMaster Gardener Series
Garden Design
December 5
8:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.
Master the Possibilities Learning
Center, On Top of the World
8415 SW 80th Street, Ocala
Master the PossibilitiesMaster Gardener Series
Roses
December 19
10:00—11:30 a.m.
Master the Possibilities Learning
Center, On Top of the World
8415 SW 80th Street, Ocala
January
Fort McCoy Library
Master Gardener Series
Raised Bed Gardening
January 17, 2015
10:00-11:00 a.m.
Fort McCoy Public Library
14660 NE Hwy 315, Fort McCoy
Forest Public Library
Master Gardener Series
Edible Gardening
January 24, 2015
2:00-3:00 p.m.
Forest Public Library
905 SW Hwy 314A, Ocklawaha
Page 4
These Are a Few of My Favorite Things ...
by Audrey Edwards, Master Gardener
University of Florida
18th Annual Poinsettia
Show and Sale
Thursday, Dec. 11th
8am - 5:30pm
Friday, December 12th
8am - 3pm
More than 5,000 plants
will be available during
the 18th annual Poinsettia
Show and Sale Thursday
and Friday, which will
take place in the
greenhouse complex
behind Fifield Hall on
Hull Road.
Hosted by the University
of Florida’s environmental
horticulture department
and the Environmental
Horticulture Club, the sale
will feature more than 140
poinsettia varieties.
More than 1,500 people
are expected to attend the
event. Parking restrictions
are lifted inside the
complex for this event.
(continued from Page 3)
The flower is trumpet shaped and can grow up to six inches across. Colors range
from red, orange, pinks to pure white. The blooms can also be striped and multicolored.
There are a few things to know when purchasing
amaryllis. The size of the bulb will generally indicate
the size of the flower. The size of the flower
dictates the size of the pot. The pot needs to be
large enough to support the stalk and flower. Big
bulb means big bloom; big bloom means big pot. To
prevent the plant from tipping over as it blooms,
place pebbles or rocks in the base of the pot as a
pot stabilizer. Plant the bulb one half to two thirds
above the soil line and water. Do not water again
until the plant starts to sprout, and then water only Photo Source: ndsu.edu
as needed. At this point move the plant to a sunny location where daytime
temperatures are 75-80ºF. Pre-forced amaryllis plants will bloom in 3-6 weeks.
After it has bloomed, move the plant to a bright spot. Fertilization during
blooming is not required.
Holiday decorations would not be complete without the poinsettia. The poinsettia
is synonymous with the Christmas holidays. They provide colorful foliage during
the bleak winter months, making them great holiday gifts. Native to Mexico and
Central America, the poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), was named in honor of
Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States ambassador to Mexico who first
introduced the plant to the United States. The showy portion of the plant is its’
colorful leaves called bracts. The bracts are traditionally red, but can be found in
white, pink, orange and even purple. With care, the poinsettia may stay colorful
until March.
Poinsettias are NOT poisonous and not toxic. However, there are people who
may be sensitive to the latex found in the sap of the plant. The plant itself is not
considered edible; however eating the leaves will not cause illness. It is
recommended the plant be kept out of reach of children and pets when used as an
indoor plant.
Indoor care includes keeping the plant away from drafts and cold air, in a well lit
area. Direct sunlight and hot lights will easily dry out the plant. Colorful foils and
plastic should be removed and a drainage saucer should be place under the plant.
Water the poinsettia when the soil is dry to the touch, being careful not to over
water as this will kill the plant. Adding a humidity tray will help prolong the plant’s
color and life span. Do not fertilize the poinsettia while indoors as this will
decrease the quality of the plant. At the end of the holidays, you may want to
consider transitioning the poinsettia to the outdoors. Today, poinsettias are
labeled for indoor or outdoor use. The outdoor poinsettia has been cultivated to
have stronger stems to withstand the pelting of rains and strong winds.
Page 5
Plant Clinic Mysteries: Clerodendrum indicum
by Amber Reece, Master Gardener
Last month, several people visited the Master
Gardener Plant Clinic for help identifying an unusual
plant. Our volunteers were unfamiliar with it, so the
pictures were sent to the UF Herbarium, where it
was identified as Clerodendrum indicum (common
name: turk’s turban or skyrocket).
It is a semi-woody perennial shrub that grows to be
6-9 feet tall with some reports here in Florida of it
growing to 15 feet. It reminds me of Allamanda in its
growth habits, tall with no branches and the
tendency to topple over if there is no support. The
stems are hollow and the 6-8 inch elliptical leaves
grow in a whorl of 3-5 on the stem. The flower
Photo Source: tamu.edu
clusters can be two feet long in a terminal cluster
consisting of many tube-like snow-white flowers. The
tubes on the flowers are about four inches long and droop downward. When the
corollas expand they can be about two inches across. What a show! After
blooming and the tubes have fallen off, the
star-like calyx enlarges and turns red as
the fruit develops. The fruits are dark
metallic blue drupes.
Clerodendrum indicum grows in zones 8-11
and likes a moist, well-drained soil in full
sun to partial shade. You can propagate
the plant by seed, from root suckers and
by cuttings. The upright non-branching
habit of the plant makes it good for Photo Source: hort.ifas.ufl.edu
groupings where it will have the support
and camouflage of the surrounding plants. Some good companions would be
scarlet hibiscus, sunflowers and castor bean. The bark of the root has medicinal
qualities according to Ayurveda.
Photo Source: pick.uga.edu
The plant is a native of Malaysia. It has been
naturalized to South America, the West
Indies and here in the Southern U.S. where it
grows in disturbed sites and along roadsides.
It has been widely cultivated as an
ornamental mainly for the flowers as the
plant itself is rather unattractive. It can be
invasive and a nuisance. In fact one of its
cousins (Scented Glorybower or Cashmere
bouquet) is listed on the Florida Exotic Pest
Council list of invasive weeds.
For those of you born in
December—your birthday
flower is the Narcissus. The
Narcissus’ flower meaning
is "respect, modesty, and
faithfulness." Long
celebrated in art and
literature, the narcissi are
associated with a number of
themes in different cultures,
ranging from death to good
fortune.
Page 6
Items below are
available for purchase at
the UF/IFAS Extension
Marion County. We also
have many other items
available in our Shop
Extension store. The
store is open Mon-Fri
from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Please come to see these
environmentally-friendly
products, as well as many
other agricultural-related
items.
Moth Balls: A Potent Pesticide
by Dr. Fred Fishel, Professor, Agronomy, and Director
UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office
We have been getting a lot of consumer complaints
lately in regards to the use and/or misuse of moth
balls. I spoke with a consumer the other day who
told me that he had contacted his “large” pest
control company because he had a snake get into his
commercial building. He stated that the pest control
company told him that they did not handle snakes,
but made a recommendation that he use moth balls
around the exterior structure to repel the snakes.
I have a big problem with this for a couple of reasons; First of all outside use of
these products is prohibited in fact the applications are limited to an airtight space
or well sealed container such as a garment bag. Unfortunately applications are
being made in locations not listed on the “pesticide” moth ball labels; such as attics,
walls, voids, crawl spaces, gardens, closets, or plastic garbage bags. These uses are
violations of the labels and are illegal!
A lot of consumers and pest control operators don’t seem to be aware that moth
balls are a pesticide and regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
(FDACS). Moth balls are made from paradichlorobenzene or napthalene, both of
which are toxic to humans and other animals.
For more information, please contact: FDACS (850) 617-7882, National Pesticide
Information Center (800) 858-7378, Poison Control Center (800) 222-1222,
Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Epidemiology, Pesticide Surveillance
Program (800) 606-5810.
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