Rose blindness

Rose blindness is a disorder that diverts the plant's energy so it is not able to produce rose blooms.

Flowering shoots develop normally, but fail to develop a terminal flower bud

A bud is a small, undeveloped shoot that contains the potential for new growth. Buds are typically found on stems, where they can be apical (found at the tip) or axillary (found between leaf axils) and may develop into leaves, shoots or flowers. . Occasionally, a flower case may be form but be empty or dry.

Leaf and stem growth can appear perfectly healthy, with no sign of dieback.

The cause is unknown, but could be linked to environmental factors such as adverse weather conditions damaging the shoot tip or the plant being grown in an excessively shady area.

Where rose blindness is a problem:

• Cut a blind shoot back by half to a strong bud
  A bud is a small, undeveloped shoot that contains the potential for new growth. Buds are typically found on stems, where they can be apical (found at the tip) or axillary (found between leaf axils) and may develop into leaves, shoots or flowers. to stimulate further growth. This should produce flowers later in the season
• Remove a proportion of older wood to encourage new growth, leading to better flowering. This is ideally done with annual pruning, often in winter
• Improve growing conditions by feeding with a proprietary rose fertiliser and mulching
  Mulch is a layer of material, at least 5cm (2in) thick, applied to the soil surface in late autumn to late winter (Nov-Feb). It is used to provide frost protection, improve plant growth by adding nutrients or increasing organic matter content, reducing water loss from the soil, for decorative purposes and suppressing weeds. Examples include well-rotted garden compost and manure, chipped bark, gravel, grit and slate chippings.
• Ensure roses are grown in a sunny, open position

Susceptible: some rose cultivars are particularly prone to this problem: 'Peace' ( a large-flowered hybrid tea rose) and 'New Dawn' (climber), which often has a poor first flush (a surge in the production of flowers) of flowers.