Rose Spray

• Rose Spray varieties originated from crossing polyantha and hybrid tea roses, creating compact plants with clustered flower formations. They typically grow 60-120cm tall with bushy, spreading habits.
• Multiple smaller blooms appear in clusters rather than single large flowers, providing extended colour displays throughout the growing season. Each spray can contain 5-15 individual flowers.
• Gardeners love spray roses for their reliability, disease resistance, and continuous flowering performance with minimal maintenance requirements. They're ideal for mass plantings and cut flower arrangements.
• These roses adapt well to Australian conditions and come in virtually every colour except true blue, with many varieties offering delightful fragrance.

• Water deeply twice weekly at soil level during growing season, reducing to weekly in winter. Check soil moisture 5cm down before watering.
• Position in full sun locations with morning light priority and some afternoon shade in hot climates. Minimum 6 hours direct sunlight required.
• Plant in well-draining soil enriched with compost and aged manure. Ensure pH levels between 6.0-7.0 for optimal nutrient uptake.
• Feed monthly with balanced rose fertiliser from September to March, supplementing with liquid seaweed solution fortnightly during peak growing periods.
• Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage continuous flowering and prune lightly after each flush. Major pruning in July-August.
• Maintain good air circulation around plants and apply organic mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth.

• Plant in morning sun locations with afternoon shade protection, especially in hot Australian climates. Ensure at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal flowering.
• Water deeply twice weekly at soil level, avoiding wetting foliage to prevent fungal diseases. Increase frequency during hot summer months and reduce in winter.
• Apply thick organic mulch around root zone to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Keep mulch away from stem base to prevent collar rot.
• Feed monthly with rose-specific fertiliser during growing season from spring to early autumn. Supplement with Epsom salts for magnesium deficiency.
• Prune lightly after each flowering flush to encourage new blooms, with major pruning in late winter.

• Aphids cluster on new growth and flower buds - spray with insecticidal soap or introduce beneficial insects like ladybirds. Check plants weekly during spring growth periods.
• Black spot appears as dark circular spots on leaves - improve air circulation, water at soil level, and apply fungicide spray in humid conditions.
• Thrips cause silvery stippling on petals and leaves - use blue sticky traps and neem oil treatment. Remove affected flowers promptly.
• Powdery mildew creates white powdery coating on foliage - ensure adequate spacing between plants and treat with baking soda solution.
• Scale insects appear as small brown bumps on stems - scrape off manually or apply horticultural oil during cooler months.