THE coming days mark a crucial time for those who want to enter the rose section of February’s Tyrendarra Agricultural Show – if you want the best blooms it’s time to start pruning those bushes.

With the Show making a welcome return on February 12, this weekend marks a significant date for roses.

Rachael Matuschka of Treloar Roses knows plenty about getting the best from rose plants, and she shared her tips for doing so in time for the Show.

“When you cut a bloom it will take between 6-8 weeks to re-flower,” she said.

“That will depend on the weather. I recommend people stagger cut because you can’t predict what the weather’s going to be.

“Don’t cut the whole bush at once. Over the next week or so cut different stems from the plant that you want to show so you’re not relying on one timeframe.

“That way you’re more likely to have blooms when you want them.”

And reckon this cool weather means there’s no need to water? Think again.

“Even though it is cool it is dry,” Ms Matuschka said.

“Keep up the water to your roses, at least 10 litres twice a week.

“Give them some food now was well (Treloar Roses uses Sudden Impact).

“It’s always good to feed them after they have a flush of flowers and spray them for thrip or aphids because they’ll destroy your blooms.”

Anyone growing David Austin roses should pick them when they are a little tighter in the bud “because they’ll open up quite quickly” and all entrants should make sure they leave some foliage on “because the leaves of the roses really will add brownie points to your rose”.

Judges considered roses without foliage a pointer to the possible poor quality of the bush, Ms Matuschka said.

And there was one final and important piece of advice on growing a flower perhaps analysed by home gardeners more than any other.

“Really enjoy the experience,” Ms Matuschka said.

Roses are just one of the many flowers that can be entered at the Show.

Dahlia, geraniums, gladiolus and even a sample of a flowering shrub to name a few can be entered to make up a display in the cut flower section – Show organisers say that at the time of the event flowering gums look beautiful as well.