Frank Brines / ARS Master RosarianJanuary and February were “unseasonably” warm. Rose growth and development are dependent on weather, and flower production is particularly affected by temperature, sunshine and water.Typically, the first flush of blooms was expected eight to ten weeks after the major pruning in January/February, but temperatures across the Southwest were so warm that the two rose shows in Phoenix last month had a disheartening paucity of blooms: Nearly every rose bush had bloomed out a week or two before!These past few weeks we've seen abundant sunshine and cooler days and nights (relatively speaking), and that can bring larger blooms – so I hope your roses are starting to surge!The cool nights can cause more dew and, with that, the risk of mildew. Th
