Rose of Sharon Issues
 

Hi all,

I live about 20 miles north of Boston, Zone 5 and have a large ROS in my
yard that has done well for many years. This year I've got NOTHING, no
buds, no leaves, no signs of life. I just cut two large branches off of it
(from the ground up) - it was getting way too large and I'm thinking maybe
that will scare it into doing something :-)

There are no signs of disease or bugs or anything, and the large sections I
cut appeared to be alive - it's hard to tell though, when it's dormant it's
so stiff.

It usually leafs out late, but this is ridiculous.

Anybody have a ROS go quiet for a year then come back?? Or is this thing
gonzo?

Thanks
LeeAnne

Rose of Sharon Issues
 

On Mon, 21 Jun 2004 09:33:11 -0400, "LeeAnne" wrote:

Hi all,

I live about 20 miles north of Boston, Zone 5 and have a large ROS in my
yard that has done well for many years. This year I've got NOTHING, no
buds, no leaves, no signs of life. I just cut two large branches off of it
(from the ground up) - it was getting way too large and I'm thinking maybe
that will scare it into doing something :-)

There are no signs of disease or bugs or anything, and the large sections I
cut appeared to be alive - it's hard to tell though, when it's dormant it's
so stiff.

It usually leafs out late, but this is ridiculous.

Anybody have a ROS go quiet for a year then come back?? Or is this thing
gonzo?

Thanks
LeeAnne



Scratch the bark with your fingernail. If you see a little green just
under the bark, it's alive! My ROS has just started blooming one week
ago, 8 feet tall, and growing like a weed. In zone 7, east TN.

Rose of Sharon Issues
 

In article says...
live about 20 miles north of Boston, Zone 5 and have a large ROS in my
yard that has done well for many years. This year I've got NOTHING, no
buds, no leaves, no signs of life. I just cut two large branches off of it
(from the ground up) - it was getting way too large and I'm thinking maybe
that will scare it into doing something :-)

There are no signs of disease or bugs or anything, and the large sections I
cut appeared to be alive - it's hard to tell though, when it's dormant it's
so stiff.

It usually leafs out late, but this is ridiculous.

Anybody have a ROS go quiet for a year then come back?? Or is this thing
gonzo?

I've never seen that happen but I have seen old and very old ROS just die
one year for no apparent reason. Mine (in Zone 5 Chicago) don't bloom or
bud until mid July but they're in full leaf mode now and growing out. I
maintain a hedge and help seedlings along so if mom suddenly dies one
year, there are many redundant ROS to take her place.

Rose of Sharon Issues
 

On Mon, 21 Jun 2004 09:33:11 -0400, "LeeAnne" wrote:

Hi all,

I live about 20 miles north of Boston, Zone 5 and have a large ROS in my
yard that has done well for many years. This year I've got NOTHING, no
buds, no leaves, no signs of life. I just cut two large branches off of it
(from the ground up) - it was getting way too large and I'm thinking maybe
that will scare it into doing something :-)

There are no signs of disease or bugs or anything, and the large sections I
cut appeared to be alive - it's hard to tell though, when it's dormant it's
so stiff.

It usually leafs out late, but this is ridiculous.

Anybody have a ROS go quiet for a year then come back?? Or is this thing
gonzo?

I live not far from you. The past winter was the worst for plants for
30 years (some say longer, no matter). If your ROS was in an
exposed area it may well have had winter damage. The leaf buds may
have been killed.

Follow the advice of another poster - scratch the bark with a knife.
If you see green it is alive, if brown it is dead. Remove all dead
and see what happens with the rest. In the fall, after dormancy
starts, cut it to the ground.

John

Rose of Sharon Issues
 

We scratched, it is alive - Is there any special fertilizer or anything I
should be doing for it?


"John Bachman" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 21 Jun 2004 09:33:11 -0400, "LeeAnne" wrote:

Hi all,

I live about 20 miles north of Boston, Zone 5 and have a large ROS in my
yard that has done well for many years. This year I've got NOTHING, no
buds, no leaves, no signs of life. I just cut two large branches off of
it
(from the ground up) - it was getting way too large and I'm thinking
maybe
that will scare it into doing something :-)

There are no signs of disease or bugs or anything, and the large sections
I
cut appeared to be alive - it's hard to tell though, when it's dormant
it's
so stiff.

It usually leafs out late, but this is ridiculous.

Anybody have a ROS go quiet for a year then come back?? Or is this thing
gonzo?

I live not far from you. The past winter was the worst for plants for
30 years (some say longer, no matter). If your ROS was in an
exposed area it may well have had winter damage. The leaf buds may
have been killed.

Follow the advice of another poster - scratch the bark with a knife.
If you see green it is alive, if brown it is dead. Remove all dead
and see what happens with the rest. In the fall, after dormancy
starts, cut it to the ground.

John

Rose of Sharon Issues
 

On Tue, 22 Jun 2004 10:40:10 -0400, "LeeAnne" wrote:

We scratched, it is alive - Is there any special fertilizer or anything I
should be doing for it?



ROS likes lots of water and sun. Weed the area and apply mulch to
help retain moisture. Miracle Grow applications help, but only apply
it when you know the plant is healthy.

Rose of Sharon Issues
 

On Tue, 22 Jun 2004 17:17:08 GMT, Phisherman wrote:

On Tue, 22 Jun 2004 10:40:10 -0400, "LeeAnne" wrote:

We scratched, it is alive - Is there any special fertilizer or anything I
should be doing for it?



ROS likes lots of water and sun. Weed the area and apply mulch to
help retain moisture. Miracle Grow applications help, but only apply
it when you know the plant is healthy.

Save some money. Buy a bag of balanced fertilizer (10-10-10 is
common) and use that. 50 lb. bag is $10 here. Use the savings to
treat yourself to your favorite cold beverage.

John

Rose of Sharon Issues
 

LeeAnne wrote:

Hi all,

I live about 20 miles north of Boston, Zone 5 and have a large ROS in my
yard that has done well for many years. This year I've got NOTHING, no
buds, no leaves, no signs of life. I just cut two large branches off of it
(from the ground up) - it was getting way too large and I'm thinking maybe
that will scare it into doing something :-)

There are no signs of disease or bugs or anything, and the large sections I
cut appeared to be alive - it's hard to tell though, when it's dormant it's
so stiff.

It usually leafs out late, but this is ridiculous.

Anybody have a ROS go quiet for a year then come back?? Or is this thing
gonzo?

Thanks
LeeAnne


I live just west of Boston. I, too, thought my RoS might be
defunct, but it has just started leafing out.

--
Jean B.

Rose of Sharon Issues
 

I'm hoping mine comes back next year. The buds don't look so good.

"Jean B." wrote in message
...
LeeAnne wrote:

Hi all,

I live about 20 miles north of Boston, Zone 5 and have a large ROS in my
yard that has done well for many years. This year I've got NOTHING, no
buds, no leaves, no signs of life. I just cut two large branches off of
it
(from the ground up) - it was getting way too large and I'm thinking
maybe
that will scare it into doing something :-)

There are no signs of disease or bugs or anything, and the large
sections I
cut appeared to be alive - it's hard to tell though, when it's dormant
it's
so stiff.

It usually leafs out late, but this is ridiculous.

Anybody have a ROS go quiet for a year then come back?? Or is this
thing
gonzo?

Thanks
LeeAnne


I live just west of Boston. I, too, thought my RoS might be
defunct, but it has just started leafing out.

--
Jean B.