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May In The Rose
Garden
Can it really be May already! Hot weather is just around
the corner. In fact w have had a little of it already. That means we need to be
sure our roses are getting plenty of water, especially if we are growing some,
or all of our roses in pots.
I suggest you water your container grown bushes every day,
as I do, at least through September, also your bushes will appreciate overhead
sprinkling or regular hosing during the hot weather. This will also help control
the spider mites, which proliferate during the hot weather months.
I recommend you continue to fertilize on a regular basis at
least once per month-but cut the amount to about ½ the usual amount. Organics
are always in order, and this is a good time to feed some espson salts or
Sul-po-mag to stimulate basal breaks.
On a need basis, continue to spray for aphids and thrips. I
am now using Cygon, since Orthene is no longer available. If you see any scale
insects, primarily on the stems, use Volk oil to knock them out. If you have not
already talked with Ed Audley about the destruction scales can cause, ask him
about his experience.
Of course, black spot will be even more of a problem during
the hot, humid summer. Do not let up on your spray program. Once a week is still
the best frequency.
If there are some new varieties you want to add to your
garden, it is not to late to plant container grown bushes. Again be sure you
keep the new bushes watered as they settle into your garden soil or the larger
containers you plant them in.
Some of the newer minis I am enjoying are: Soroptimist
International (dark pink and white) Hilde (pink and white) Sam Trivitt (light
yellow to apricot) Autumn Splendor (red, pink and yellow) Ruby (red), and Merlot
(red and white).
I hope you will be able to participate in our Mothers Day
Rose Sale on Saturday May 10, 2003 including contributing some blooms. I am
afraid my second cycle of bloom will not quite be ready by then.
Please continue to bring your best hybrid tea, floribunda,
and mini and any other type of rose you have in bloom to our in-house rose show
at our next regular meeting. You have been bringing some very nice blooms for
the past few months. Keep up the good work.
Happy Rose Gardening,
Ed Gracia
Home Depot Seminar
The seminar at home depot the first Saturday in May was
very successful. There was a good turn out to hear Ed’s talk on the basics of
growing good roses. Many questions were asked and there were a lot of prizes
given away by the Orthene rep and Home Depot.
Keith Acuff the Orthene rep shares his knowledge and his
products. He also seems to be learning a lot about growing good roses.
Thanks to Ed Gracia and the other members who came to help
and support this seminar.
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