Question
I am looking at getting into Rose growing when I move to Uganda next year. I have managed to pick up that the conditions are good, but am wondering what to be aware of in very high humidity?

Answer
Hello Nic:

I don't  know what heat zone Uganda is - but I assume it is hot.  And it if it humid - you will want to pick very disease resistant roses.  Blackspot disease flourishes in a climate of high humidity.  I would pick the following roses: shrub roses (e.g. Belinda's Dream, Knockout rose, Caldwell Pink, Royal Bonica); Old Garden Roses (chinas, teas - which are drought resistant and disease resistant; hybrid musks and species roses); florabunda roses (Gene Boerner, Gruss an Aachen, Nearly Wild); and the more disease resistant hybrid tea roses (Chrysler Imperial, Veteran's Honor); and disease resistant grandifloras (Queen Elizabeth, Gold Medal, Love, Fame etc).  Stay away from run of the mill hybrid tea roses - unless you like to spray for blackspot every other week.  Also - using flood irrigation works better than sprinklers because it keeps the water off the foliage, and reduces the risk of disease.

Good luck - remember you can order roses through the mail - try Chamblees rose nursery in Tyler, Texas or the Antique Rose Emporium in Brenham, Texas.  Have fun - remember roses are the Queen of all flowers!