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To: katieanna
The systemic I've used before was put out by Ortho, and it didn't last 6 weeks either. This new one caught my eye because it's supposed to prevent diseases, too.

I use the systemic insecticide once a month, and water it in per the instructions.

At the next watering, I use plain water.

The third watering after the insecticide treatment, I use water containing a fertilizer (such as Miracle grow or Hasta grow)

Keep alternating the plain and fertilized water until it's time again for the insecticide treatment.

It gets pretty hot here during the summer, (plus they're in a raised bed) so they can get up to 10 waterings between treatments.

As a general rule, I try to water at the base of the plant and avoid spraying the foliage, particularly when the humidity is high.

Another old rose growers trick I've discovered is to put Epsom's salts on the roses about every month to every 6 weeks during the growing period.

Just mix a 1/4 cup with the soil around each bush.

I know it sounds weird, but Epsom's salt contains MASSIVE amounts of magnesium. Magnesium is used by roses to help the plant absorb other nutrients, so your kind of 'spinning your wheels' so to speak if your feeding your roses something they can't fully use.

Epsom's salt can be used on other plants for the same purpose, but the size of the plant would determine how much the plant would need.

Guess it brings us back to the 'experimentation' thing again, doesn't it?

LOL!

536 posted on 04/14/2005 8:00:11 AM PDT by MamaTexan (NATURAL LAW........If it was good enough for the Founders, then it's good enough for me!!)
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To: MamaTexan

Very helpful tips friend. I thank you! peace


537 posted on 04/14/2005 8:57:47 AM PDT by katieanna (I Know That My Redeemer Liveth!)
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