Garden vandals attack

[Dorsetmike]

Due to a spell of poor health earlier in the year I didn't get to prune my roses this year, one of them, American Pillar, is a big climber on trellis on top of the back wall alongside an access lane to some garages, I went out the back two or three weeks back and the rose in question was just starting to develop buds. Went out there this morning and the whole plant is dead, leaves dark brown and shrivelled except for a couple near the end of a branch furthest from the lane.

I suspect somebody decided to prune it with glyphosphate or similar plant killer, must have been either a heavy dose or a really strong mixture, the plant was well established, main branches near ground level the best part of 2" thick and spread over 20' along the trellis and side of the garage, it's been there for over 15 years

I've now cut it right down almost to the roots in the hope that there is still some life down there. Any other suggestions? Maybe sprinkle the lane with some of those tyre shredding things?

 

[Krummhorn]

This is so sad to read about Mike - I know you love your roses and from the pictures you've uploaded here they are absolutely beautiful plants.

Maybe small amounts of Ammonium Sulfate, especially if the suspected plant killer had a dose of high pH in it

 

[teddy]

Sad to hear that Mike. I lost a beautiful Magnolia about four years ago. Found out it had been planted (about 45 years ago) over a well and died from drought as the well had not been filled in and there was insufficient earth for the roots. To lose a plant such as yours through sheer vandalism is inexcusable. I know what I would like to do to the ********.

teddy.

 

[marval]

That is a downright disgrace, I would love to catch the mindless hoodlum. Whatever do they get out of doing something like that?

I feel for you, after all the hard work you put into your roses.

If you ever catch them let me know, I will come down there and make them see the error of their ways. (Marval does not usually like violence.)

 

[teddy]

But is willing to make an exception.

You might say that this is a case of flowers being killed by vegetables!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

teddy

 

[Krummhorn]

At the very least, the rose thorns should be packed into a cartridge of a 30-30 and conveniently 'placed' in the vandals derriere ... buckshot becomes thornshot