What is Chelated Iron and Why Should I Care?

What is Clorosis?

If you notice yellowing between the veins of the laves or if the leaves appear to be a lighter green than normal, your plant may have chlorosis caused by an iron deficiency.  If a plant cannot take in iron from the soil it cannot for chlorophyll which is what makes healthy leaves look green and strong.

An iron deficient plant will be hightly susceptible to diseases it would normally resist, such as Downy Mildew in July.

Two Eden Climbers.  The plant on the right is showing severe iron deficiency and was treated with both a soil drench and a foliar spray.

The same plants two months after chelated iron treatment.  Notice that the plant on the right has regained its color and vigorous growth.

What is Chelated Iron?

Chelated iron has been treated to make the iron soluble in water and more readily available to a plant for easier uptake after being applied.  In other words, it makes the iron immediately available to the plant and helps the plant form chlorophyll which will create healthy green leaves.  We all like healthy green leaves!

What are the Symptoms of Clorosis?

1. Yellowing starting between the veins on the leaves (interveinal chlorosis)
2. Brown edges on the leaves
3. Poor plant growth and lack of flowering
4. Tough, brittle leaf texture and marginal curling of the most heavily affected leaves

10 different rose varieties, all showing various degrees and stages of iron deficiency.

Two months after treatment, the dark green color has returned and the roses have begun to flower again.

How Do I Use Chelated Iron?

Applying chelated iron will temporarily reverse the chlorosis but a soil test is the best way to find out why your plant or plants seem to have an iron deficiency.  The underlying causes vary from high pH to over fertilization to waterlogging.  The soil test results will suggest steps that can be taken to improve the soil and prevent iron deficiencies in the future.

Liquid chelated iron my be applied either as a foliar spray or a soil drench around the drip line of the plant.  Foliar sprays will be faster and more effective than soil drenches, especially if the soil is very dry.  One caution - it is important to spray the leaves when the temperatures are cooler, preferably in the mornings, to avoid burning the leaves.  If you decided to apply iron to the soil, add the recommended amount of a gallon of water and apply at the base of the plant.  For severe cases, performing the soil drench AND the foliar spray will provide the benefits of both treatments to the plant.

Foliar Spray 

Acts quickly to restore the color in the leaves 

Soil Drench

Moves slowly upwards through the plant to provide sustained greening throughout the canes

Now you know what chelated iron is, why you might want to use it, and how to apply it safely to your plants.

Let's hear a cheer for healthy green leaves!

Witherspoon's Virtual Tour of Rose Gardens: Patty Roger's Garden

Welcome to Patty Roger's Garden

There is an excitement that surrounds waiting for a blossom to open.  Anticipation draws a gardener toward the bud over and over again in hope of catching an early glimpse into what that bud will blossom into.  This anticipation is one of Patty Rogers’ favorite things about growing roses.  As I spoke with Patty, I began to sense the joy she gets from her rose garden and how it fills a special place in her life.

Being a professional photographer, Patty is always searching for the perfect flower shot.  I can see her now, camera in hand, strolling through her garden on a quest.  Since About Face and Double Delight are two of her favorite roses, I am certain they are her first stops on her quest for the perfect shot.  When asked what about these roses she most enjoys, she replied with “Both the beauty and fragrance.  The appearance draws you in, while the fragrance holds you there.”

Patty is fairly new to growing roses, but she knows the joy of producing something so beautiful from your own backyard and enjoyment that comes from watching it grow.  As a young girl, she would work next to her Grandfather, who was an avid gardener, but while she was living in Chapel Hill, North Carolina she never had enough sunlight to grow roses.  She would stroll through the Sarah P. Duke Gardens to visit the roses.  The appearance of the roses would draw her in to visit, and the warmth of the fragrance would hold her captivated.  The time came when she moved from Chapel Hill to her new home on Real Quiet Lane.  Finally!  There was enough sun to plant her very own rose garden!  Now she is able to visit her roses every morning, which is by far her favorite thing about growing roses.  Even to the point that she feels a little selfish because she is jealous over her roses! 

As our conversation drew to a close, I asked her if she had any advice for people who are just now beginning their journey with roses.  The advice she gave was to visit other rose gardens before you plant your own in order to gain a better understanding of what you really like in a rose garden.  It is easy to become overwhelmed with all of the rose varieties and want to plant one of every variety in your bed.  So, she suggested that one consider planting an entire bed of the same variety for mass impact.

Patty’s journey began as a young girl learning to garden by her Grandfather’s side and it continues as she begins her new journey with growing roses.  She feels that there is a certain peace surrounding roses that embodies the name of her lane and considers her rose garden to be the crown jewel of her home on Real Quiet Lane.

Would you like for your garden to be featured in our virtual tour of gardens?  

Email Kelley Triplett at ktriplett@witherspoonrose.com

Witherspoon ships premier roses to all 48 contiguous states February- April.  

Visit witherspoonrose.com for product details

Witherspoon also provides professional rose care services.  We offer preventative and corrective spraying for pests and diseases, fertilizing, pruning, mulching, and planting.

Give us a call at 1-800-643-0315 to request a FREE onsite estimate.

What's Beneath Your Feet?

Soil Samples 

What’s Beneath Your Feet?

In the long run there are only two things that are always touching your rose bushes, soil and air.  If that air happens to be relatively dry and 75 degrees your bushes will thrive.  On the other hand, if that air is 95 degrees with 95% humidity your bushes will struggle.  The same is true for soil.  Healthy soil is the foundation for your bushes and it can mean the difference between thriving and barely surviving.  Soil is the only thing that delivers nutrients to your rose bushes which makes it the most important factor in growing beautiful roses.

Soil chemistry is extremely complicated and there are a lot of factors that go into healthy soil.  As with most things simple is better so we will concentrate on the big factors.

pH – it is important to know the pH of your soil.  For roses you want the pH to be between 6.0 and 6.5.  pH will affect how nutrients are made available to your rose bush.  Proper pH will let your bushes get the most out of the nutrients in the soil and the fertilizer that you put down.  Use the Digital Soil pH Meter to check your soil throughout the growing season.

Nutrients – we ask a lot from our roses.  They are always growing new roses for us to cut and enjoy.  All of that growth takes a lot food and roses are definitely heavy feeders.  A good base of lots of cow manure when you plant your rose bush is extremely important.  Composted cow manure delivers a large variety of nutrients to your rose bushes over several years.  It is well worth it to spend a little more at the beginning to give your plants the nutrients they need for years to come.

Fertilizer – fertilizer is the main course for your roses.  The N-P-K delivered by fertilizers allows your bushes to continue to thrive and bloom.  Whether you use Witherspoon Premium Rose Fertilizer or an organic option it is important to remember that the fertilizer is delivering nutrients to the soil and the soil is delivering them to the plant.  Sandy soils don’t hold on to nutrients like clay based soils do so you may have to increase your fertilizing regimen for those types of soils.  If you are not receiving a lot of rain, make sure that your irrigation system is set up in a way that will help the fertilizer deliver the nutrients to the soil.

Texture – roses like to stretch.  They want to spread their feeder roots as far as possible to find every bit of nutrition they can.  If not preparing a full bed for your roses, it is important to dig a wide hole and diligently prepare the soil.  In this case sandier soils have an advantage because the roots easily move through the soil.  On the other hand, compacted clay soil does not grow happy roses.  When planting roses, we recommend planting with our Witherspoon Premium Planting Mix.  Whether you have sandy or clay soil, Witherspoon Premium Planting Mix is great product to use.  It is a mixture of cow manure, soil conditioner, and PermaTill (a product that helps keep clay soils from compacting).

Our roses offer us so much joy.  If they are not happy in their soil, they are unable to get up and go find a better spot.  They depend on us to prepare and maintain their growing environment for them.  Spend a little extra time and money to properly prepare the soil when you plant your rose bush, check it each month, and it will thank you for years to come with bountiful bouquets of beautiful blooms.

2014 Rose Introduction

Meet the New Roses!

I know you don't want to think about this, but the winter months are right around the corner.  Between the shorter days and the cold weather, it is hard not to long for the warmer days of spring.  Let Witherspoon help you get through these tough months!  Take time to curl up in your Snuggie with some hot apple cider and the Witherspoon 2014 Rose Catalog.  Now is the time to dream about your new rose garden and begin to make your plans for next year.

So grab that cider and sit with me for a while so I can introduce to you the new roses we are carrying this year.  We are excited to introduce six brand new varieties along with two varieties that have returned after a long absence!

Brand New for 2014

Happy Go Lucky
Hybrid Tea

The charming, old fashioned pure yellow blooms will brighten your day, and since it is such a prolific bloomer, your days will never be dull!!  To top it all off, this bush has great disease resistance and a moderately fruity fragrance.  (3'w, 3-5'h )

Good as Gold

Hybrid Tea

This rose is not for the faint of heart!  With daring golden orange blooms, long stems and a sweet citrus fragrance, Good as Gold is a bold addition to any garden.  (3'w, 3-6'h)

Jump for Joy

Floribunda

Luscious clusters of peachy-pink blooms will have you jumping for joy in your garden.  Not to mention, the mild apple fragrance and long lasting blooms that will certainly bring a smile to your face!  (3'w, 3-4'h)

Sweet Sunblaze

Miniature Rose

Sweeten up your life with this disease resistant mini! The flourishing double blooms are the clearest pink in the Sunblaze family, and with a slightly spicy fragrance, you will have a little sugar and spice which makes everything nice!  (18"w, 1-2'h)

Lady of Shallot
David Austin

Orange red buds open to reveal a stunning old fashioned chalice bloom with a salmon pink center and a golden reverse.  This hardy and disease resistant rose will also tantalize your sense of smell with the fragrance of warm tea and spiced apples!  (3.5'w, 4'h)



Munstead Wood
David Austin

Enjoy the mystery of this rose as light crimson buds gradually open to reveal a deep velvety crimson center!  This excellent repeater is disease resistant and has a strong fruity fragrance.  (2.5'w, 3'h)

Welcome Back!!

Melody Parfumee

Grandiflora

This grandiflora has clusters of deep plum colored buds that unfurl to reveal rich purple blooms which soften to lavender on this prolific bloomer.  These beautiful blooms paired with a strong old rose fragrance and disease resistant foliage will have you singing throughout your garden.  (4'w, 5'h)








Radiant Perfume
Hybrid Tea

If the deep golden yellow color of this roses doesn't draw you i for a closer look, the strong citrus fragrance most certainly will.  The long stems are great for cutting and the rich green foliage creates a perfect backdrop for the radiant blooms!
(3'w, 5-6'h)

To celebrate these new additions to the Witherspoon Rose Family, I am giving away a R.K. Witherspoon Rose!!

That's right...you heard me... a FREE ROSE!  I know you are wondering what you have to do to be entered into the drawing for this FREE ROSE.  It's easy... just follow our blog!  At the end of October I will enter the names of all our followers into a randomizer in order to pick a winner!  Isn't that easy?

UPDATE 10/16/2013

I have added a followers section to the top of the right sidebar so it should be easier to find where to follow the site!

The winner of the R.K. Witherspoon has been notified via email!  Congrats and we can't wait to hear from you!

Stay tuned for more giveaways!!  

This could be your rose!

If you are interested in learning more about our new roses, check out this video introducing our new catalog!

If you would like to receive a 2014 Catalog from Witherspoon

CLICK HERE