Posted on

ROSE RAMBLER 19.12.2013

ROSE RAMBLER 19.12.2013

Hello dear rose friends … in case you haven’t quite got things sorted for last minute Christmas gifts, remember that we can still send a gift voucher and the original offer is still valid …

GIFT VOUCHER CHRISTMAS SPECIAL*

FOR EVERY $50.00 YOU SPEND, WE WILL INCREASE THE GIFT VOUCHER VALUE BY ADDING

AN EXTRA $30.00 TO THE REDEEMABLE VALUE OF THE VOUCHER

OFFER VALID UP TO 22nd DECEMBER, 2014

*MAXIMUM 2 GIFT VOUCHERS PER CUSTOMER

GIFT VOUCHERS ARE PRESENTED ON BEAUTIFUL ROSE CARDS AND ARE VALID FOR SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE DATE.

GIFT VOUCHERS CAN BE POSTED DIRECTLY TO THE RECIPIENT WITH YOUR CHRISTMAS MESSAGE … EMAIL info@rosesalesonline.com.au YOUR MESSAGE WILL BE COPIED AND PASTED INTO THE GIFT VOUCHER

Between now and next week Thursday, Christmas dinner will be done and dusted and you’ll be needing some respite so what better than to spend time in your garden.  Oh, the peace – just you and the roses!

ANOTHER YEAR JUST SLIPPED ON BY…

It’s been a wonderful year for us here at Clonbinane!  We’ve settled the roses into their new ‘home’ and gotten used to the idea that our business is different – we speak to you weekly through this newsletter which continues to be a real pleasure for all of us, lots of our roses leave the nursery packed in a box rather than the boot of a car, we grow more of our own food now and rose gardens are being planted here.  We have new chooks, the Langshans and a miniature poodle puppy, Mooi.  Life is grand!

Graham is more understanding about me spending time at the computer and is slowly learning how to read more on this screen.  The old saying:  “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” has happened for Graham.

GRAHAM’S TIPS FOR HOLIDAY ROSE CARE…

  • Soak, like really soak the garden beds before you go and make soaking them one of the first chores when you get home;
  • Potted roses can be left with a deep saucer of water under them but will need attention at least every second day;
  • If your whole-garden mulching hasn’t been done yet, place a thick layer about one-metre square around each rose bush;
  • Dose each rose with liquid seaweed which ensures 3-5 degrees greater heat tolerance!

Generally tidy up the garden before you go to make your place look ‘lived-in’ and less attractive to intruders!

Last joke for this year:  Q. What do cats eat as a special treat?  A. Mice creams.

Have a really lovely holiday season – a break in sending the Rose Rambler will give me time to research more information and find some great jokes for 2014 … see you then
– Gra

Following are our hours for this Christmas trading period:

CLOSING: MONDAY, 23rd DECEMBER, 2013 AT 4.30PM
RE-OPENING:  FRIDAY, 3rd  JANUARY, 2014 AT 9.00AM

We are grateful for your ongoing support of and contribution to our business and wish you and your family all the joy of Christmas along with good health and happiness in 2014.

This rose is called: “CHILD’S LOVE” and we hope that you treasure your moments with all children this Christmas.

With love and best wishes from Graham, Diana and Mooi (say: Moy) at Clonbinane

Posted on

ROSE RAMBLER 12.12.13

ROSE RAMBLER 12.12.2013

Hello dear rose friends … yes, it’s close to Christmas but why not take a few hours to go and visit this beautiful garden at Eltham – lose yourself in the glory of a space which you didn’t have to do the work in and maybe you will enjoy the pleasure of helping somebody else at this Christmas time!

There’s a story behind this open garden so take a look at the website.  Enjoy!!!

TIPS FOR SPRAYING THE ROSES …

Usually Graham does the rose spraying but since we’ve been here at Clonbinane, I’ve been working alongside him to learn more about the plant-management side of things – it’s been most interesting.

Because the spray liquid is a dirty colour (liquid seaweed), I found myself not spraying the rose flowers and it has made a significant difference – we used to go around after spraying and trim the affected rose blooms.  It is really quite easy to have a good cover of spray without spraying the flowers – if you think about it, good foliage cover is the principle aim of the program.

REMEMBER NOT TO USE THE ECO SPRAY PROGRAM WHEN THE WEATHER IS FORECAST TO BE MORE THAN 30 DEGREES AND ALWAYS SPRAY BEFORE 10.00AM.

So, can you spray in the evening after a hot day?  Well yes, you can, however, during hot weather the plant shuts down which means that the stomata (likes pores in our skin) close to protect the hydration of the plant.  Since we are spraying the foliage and we cannot see whether the stomata is open or not, we suggest that your rose spray program be done first thing in the morning before 10.00am to ensure maximum benefit to the roses.

THE SPRAY PROGRAM …

Apply at least monthly
To 10  litres of water add:
          ¼ cup Eco-rose fungicide powder (mix with some water to dissolve)
          ¼ cup liquid seaweed (check pack details for exact measure – they vary!)
          ¼ cup Eco-oil insecticide (also ‘sticks’ spray liquid to leaves)

Mix all the products together and stir well.  You can add Eco-aminogro (fish based fertilizer or say, Charlie Carp) which will act as a foliage fertilizer.  Eco-neem can also be added if there is a significant outbreak of certain insects that bite or suck the plants – within 48 hours the insect population will be controlled.

This spray program is suitable for most plants and should DEFINITELY BE USED ON THE FRUIT TREES AND IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN!

HOT OFF THE PRESS …

A lovely catalogue THE AUSTRALIAN ROSARIAN is now available and you are welcome to email your address details so that we can send you a copy – it is now available for download here or visit rosesalesonline.com.au!

Thank you to Rose Rambler subscribers who sent through photos of their roses – I could have made a catalogue from those alone!  However, only the back page was allocated for customer pics … hope yours is on there!

GRA’S GRUMBLE …

Okay, so now I’m 70 and you all know!  Thanks so very much for all the messages of congratulations which made the occasion extra special.  The day/night at the Werribee Zoo with our kids and grandchildren was great fun while being a treasured learning experience too.

Here’s a photo of the site Diana and our son Eric managed for the wonderful State Rose and Garden Show which was held on the Sunday in the State Rose Gardens – treat yourself and take the family to this wonderful destination for a fantastic day out!  A hidden treasure at Werribee.

Q. Where do sheep go on holidays?  A. To the baa hamas!

IN CLOSING …

When it all gets too busy and the world seems to be going just too fast, pick up the secateurs and close out all of everything but grooming your roses … speak with them while they tell you about themselves – a more interesting conversation could not ever be had!  Enjoy your garden this week.

~ Diana, Graham and Mooi at Clonbinane
Posted on

ROSE RAMBLER 28.11.2013

ROSE RAMBLER 28.11.2013

Hello dear rose friends … the last days of Spring, 2013 and it really doesn’t quite feel like we are ready for Summer – crazy weather but the roses are growing beautifully and producing lots of magnificent growth and blooms.  On the glorious days when the air is still and the sun is shining on the potted roses in the nursery it is blissful to walk around and be intoxicated by the heady fragrance of the roses.

Pick a day like that to come to the Rose Farm … when you go through the ‘booze bus’ on the way home, you’ll register zero but might still be asked to “Please step out of the car and walk in a straight line” … they’ll know you’re high on something.

MULCH … SO IMPORTANT …

There are two really important tasks to be carried out right now in the rose garden – the hot weather WILL come:

  1. Check and repair, as necessary, the watering systems; and
  2. Buy quality lucerne or pea straw mulch for immediate application

Once you know the watering system is all ok and before you apply the thick layer of mulch around the roses, give each rose a good handful of complete organic fertilizer which will be spread over the entire root-zone of each rose bush – definitely not ‘dumped’ at the base of the rose!

When the fertilizer has been liberally distributed over the entire soil surface, apply a nice thick layer of quality mulch – in order of preference :

  1. Lucerne (ask for second or third cut because it will have fewer weeds)
  2. Pea Straw (if it seeds, just see this as an opportunity for another layer of mulch and know that once you have pulled the ‘pea weed’ out, it will not re-seed)
  3. Any other mulch material

Remember last Summer when it suddenly got intensely hot and our plants were totally unprepared for the onslaught?  Avoid this type of stress on the roses in your garden this year and be prepared for all weather variables – give regular doses of liquid seaweed which should avail your roses of between 3-5 degrees of greater heat stress tolerance.

GRA’S GARBLE …

Did you know that lemons are like roses?  They need the same amount of food and an even amount of watering.  Both LOVE liquid seaweed poured over their leaves and if you add 2 caps each of Eco-Oil and liquid seaweed, you’ll deal with most bugs too!

Rose petals and lemons are loaded with Vitamin C so squeeze half a lemon into a cup of warm water first thing in the morning – the acid tasting lemon alkalises your system.

Use rose petals in salads to give the dish some pizzazz.

While I’m talking about food, use lots of Turmeric in your chicken, beef or lamb dishes;  add garlic and onions – said to be anti-inflammatory (ie reduce face wrinkles) and reduces swelling associated with rheumatoid arthritis – also an antioxidant.  Look out for the bulbs like mini ginger in green grocers now – it can be grown in the southern states from November through to May.

Q. What do you do if you break your toe?  A. Call a toe truck!

7 LITTLE WEE DO’S – WHY WE ARE SO DIFFERENT …

We guarantee our roses for 3 months after purchase
We grow roses without using chemicals
We are specialist rose growers
We can send roses around Australia in the post all year – except to Tassie/WA
We sell all Australian-made products
We are a registered Sustainable Garden Centre
We are not cheap but we sell all types of top quality roses!

Check out our quality roses and products at www.rosesalesonline.com.au

Hope to see you at Werribee this Sunday …
Graham

IN CLOSING …

Graham’s wish for his 70th birthday was to spend the whole day in the State Rose Garden at Werribee … he’ll be there for two whole days because we are celebrating with our children and grandchildren at the Werribee Zoo Slumber Safari on Saturday and then, (by sheer coincidence), we have a site at the State Rose and Garden Show on Sunday (Vasili will be there too! Gra and Vasili in the same place will be a hoot so you must come!)

See you soon …
            ~ Diana, Graham and Mooi (say: MOY … not MOOEY – silly me for not thinking!)

Posted on

ROSE RAMBLER 5.12.2013

ROSE RAMBLER 5.12.2013

Hello dear rose friends … in the lead up to Christmas, let’s talk about how you can buy a beautiful rose and have it delivered anywhere in Australia (except Tassie or WA) in time for Christmas.  ORDERS TAKEN UP TO 19TH DECEMBER.  Here are a few testimonials from customers who have had roses posted to them very recently:

“Diana I would like to say what a fabulous service you provide and I am SO excited about my roses. Thanks again Jenny”

“Hello Diana, Thrilled with the Pierre de R and Naheema climbing roses. Arrived 2 days after phone call, beautiful specimens in fantastic condition. Many Thanks  Mary”

Yes, we sure can send the potted roses and yes, they will have flowers on,  they will be beautifully gift wrapped and yes, they will survive whatever Australia Post throws at them!

Take a look at rosesalesonline.com.au for a complete list of varieties or to make your gifting easy, as a very special Christmas gift, we selected the magnificent rose “SUMMER MEMORIES” to be the most beautiful rose for gifting this year – a rose to suit EVERY garden with a name to remind the person you gift it to of the joy of Christmas in Summer in Australia!  The pure white is a ‘safe’ colour to gift and for just $49.00 your gift will be treasured …

This rose is such a healthy plant which produces masses of incredibly pretty and fragrant blooms, can be planted in a tub, mass planted as a hedge or become a ground-covering mound of stunning, carefree beauty which will flower for months on end with the least amount of attention – easy rose for any garden situation, anywhere!

 

GRA’S RAMBLING …

SUMMER ROSE PRUNING … or is it doing what the goats, sheep and kangaroos would do in the natural environment?  Those animals would munch the tips of the roses where rose hips are setting after the rose has flowered because they are so full of nutrition.

Yes, roses produce seed pods (hips) which can be taken from the rose bush when they are orange or red in colour, seeds removed and the pulp crushed then added to yoghurt or juice – more nutritious food you could not get!  Loaded with Vitamin C and bioflavonoids.

Research in New Zealand highlights that hips from Rugosa roses, Frau Dagmar Hastrup and Scabrosa, produce high levels of Vitamin C.  These roses also flower for 8 months of the year, are exceedingly tough with no black-spot or mildew problems, create wonderful hedgerows and will attract bees into your garden too!

If you don’t have any of the above animals in your garden to do the summer trim, you’ll have to don the gloves and secateurs and remove around 1/3 of the height of the bush – doing this trimming over consecutive weekends will promote continual blooming with each trimmed stem re-flowering within 45-60 days depending on variety.

The weather, nutrients, watering and other environmental factors all play a part in the time it takes for the roses to bloom again after a good trim so if you are planning an event, say a wedding in your garden, focus on keeping the rose bushes healthy with regular applications of liquid seaweed – constant dead-heading will ensure the roses are flowering for the event!

Roses developed thorns to protect themselves … how clever is that?  ROSES ARE SMART!

Did you hear about the family that actually put candles on the Christmas tree and lit them?  Obviously, the tree and all the presents caught fire – everything was gone so the family had to put Christmas on the back-burner for next year!  Ha Ha … Enjoy setting up your Christmas decorations this year … Gra

ROSE BREEDING …

If you would like to know how to create a brand new rose you should consider joining THE AUSTRALIAN ROSE BREEDERS ASSOCIATION INC. and to do so, contact Mr. Laurie Newman on 03 5798 1466 or ausregistrar@yahoo.com.au.  They produce a really interesting quarterly magazine and annual membership subscription is $20.

 

GIFT VOUCHER CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

FOR EVERY $50.00 YOU SPEND, WE WILL INCREASE THE GIFT VOUCHER VALUE BY ADDING AN EXTRA $30.00 TO THE REDEEMABLE VALUE OF THE VOUCHER  *LIMIT THREE GIFT VOUCHERS PER PERSON
OFFER VALID UP TO 20th DECEMBER, 2014

GIFT VOUCHERS ARE PRESENTED ON BEAUTIFUL ROSE CARDS AND ARE VALID FOR SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE DATE.

GIFT VOUCHERS CAN BE POSTED DIRECTLY TO THE RECIPIENT WITH YOUR CHRISTMAS MESSAGE …

EMAIL info@rosesalesonline.com.au YOUR MESSAGE WILL BE COPIED AND PASTED INTO THE GIFT VOUCHER

 

IN CLOSING …

Take some quiet moments in the garden during this busy time – the energy from your garden will sustain you and keep you sane.  I drove the ride-on mower at a really slow speed yesterday and realised myself that going fast isn’t always the most pleasant way to go – amazing how much I experienced during my slow journey back to the shed!

We hope that Silkies Rose Farm can make your Christmas gift-giving a lovely process this year … see you soon

~ Diana, Graham and Mooi (moy) who is loving the rose petals!