From our perspective, your soil is not merely dirt; it is our home, a complex living ecosystem. We require rich, well-aerated, and biologically active soil to thrive. By nourishing the soil with compost, well-rotted manure, and organic mulches like leaf mold or straw, you feed the billions of beneficial microbes and fungi that form symbiotic relationships with our root systems. These mycorrhizal fungi, in particular, act as extensions of our roots, helping us absorb more water and nutrients, especially phosphorus, in exchange for sugars we produce through photosynthesis. A healthy soil biome is our first and best defense, making us resilient and less susceptible to being overcome by stressors.
Planting us in a monoculture is an open invitation for pests to feast. Instead, we ask you to employ companion planting, which from our viewpoint creates a diverse and protective community. Strongly-scented herbs like lavender, thyme, and garlic act as a natural aromatic shield, confusing and repelling common pests like aphids. Planting members of the aster family, such as marigolds and chrysanthemums, is particularly beneficial. Their root systems release a compound called alpha-terthienyl into the soil, which suppresses harmful nematodes that could attack our roots. This biodiversity also attracts a host of beneficial predatory insects, creating a balanced garden where no single pest can gain a dominant foothold.
A rose that is fed a balanced, organic diet is a strong rose. We are best fortified from the inside out. Synthetic fertilizers often provide a rapid, excessive burst of nitrogen that promotes weak, sappy growth that is highly attractive to pests like aphids. Organic fertilizers, such as alfalfa meal, kelp emulsion, and bone meal, release nutrients slowly, building our strength sustainably. Regular foliar sprays of compost tea are immensely beneficial from our perspective. This isn't just food; it's a topical application of beneficial microbes that colonize our leaf surfaces, effectively outcompeting and preventing the establishment of fungal spores like black spot and powdery mildew before they can take hold.
How and when you prune us directly impacts our vulnerability. Pruning creates wounds, which are potential entry points for disease. Always use sharp, clean tools to make precise cuts that heal quickly. More importantly, from our point of view, the practice of good sanitation is crucial. Fallen leaves and spent blooms left at our base harbor fungal diseases over winter. By consistently removing and composting this debris (hot compost only to kill pathogens), you break the disease cycle, drastically reducing the inoculum that would re-infect us in the spring. This simple act of cleaning up is one of the most effective preventative medicines you can provide.
