On 5/9/10 10:56 AM, mleblanca wrote:
On May 9, 9:25 am, ncstockguy wrote:
Our Mr Lincoln Hybrid Tea rose has put out beautiful fragrant blooms
for years. But it has gradually faded. It now puts out only small,
rather shapeless not fragrant red blooms. Would appreciate any
suggestions on what to do to bring the original blooms back.. if
anything can be done. Thanks

I would guess that Mr. Lincoln was a grafted rose, and has now died.
The rootstock is now blooming and is not grown for its attractive
blooms.
Dig it up and replace it with a new Mr. Lincoln.
Emilie

Check the base of the bush. If the shoots are growing from a knob (the
bud union, where it was grafted), then it is still Mr. Lincoln. If the
shoots are growing from below the knob, then you have lost it.

Roses need ample water but not soggy soil. They need ample nutrients.
They prefer an acid soil. And they need severe pruning before the start
of the growing season.

Nutrients and an acid soil can be provided through the use of ammonium
sulfate plus iron sulfate. Alternatively, use any lawn food that does
not contain an herbicide; then add soil sulfur mixed with a little
compost.

Soggy soil can be improved through the use of gypsum.

If there are few or no new shoots from the knob, feed it with about 2
tablespoons of Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate). Magnesium promotes new
shoots.

If the plant has been in the ground more than 15 years, give it
phosphorus (either bone meal or superphosphate), which promotes flowers.
Phosphorus does not dissolve and leach through the soil; instead, it
must be applied where the roots will find it. See the 28 January entry
in my garden diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary/JanFeb10.html
to learn how I applied superphosphate to old roses.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary