QuestionI live in Northwestern Illinois and have several knockout roses. Last winter I piled about 12 inches of fluffy compost on them. When the compost was removed two of them had died and all the others show lots of damage to the stems from mice eating them. They are coming along nicely but I'd like to treat the stem damage with a dressing of some kind. Is there any product that could be used?
AnswerWhen a rose suffers damage to it's canes, it goes immediately into action and cures them either by sealing the cuts or activating a chemical which acts as an antibody. Using any chemical will just stop the rose's natural defense. Water them well and use a liquid fertilizer so they get instant nutrients to help them grow stronger.
