Hello dear rose friends … oooohhh, it’s so cold and bleak with rain showers and then lovely sunny breaks – such typical autumn weather in Victoria and our roses are shivering so hard, they’re defoliating at a rapid rate. Do we go around and remove all that spent foliage? No, of course not! It would be physically impossible to do so but we also believe that even though there are mildew spores on the felled foliage, the soil, being a complex mass of fungi, deals with those spores and probably welcomes the addition of rose fungus to enhance the existing range … is it possible? I seriously think so!
Also, as soon as the roses are pruned sometime from June-August, we commence the organic spray management program and because there is no foliage on the rose plants, the spray will cover the mulch/rose leaves/soil with fungicide and seaweed solution reducing the possibility of fungus proliferation.
GRA’S GARBLE …
RECYCLE – REUSE – HOW CLEVER!
Want to hide an ugly wall with a climbing rose? Whilst visiting our friends Lynda and Chris we saw this brilliant idea in several locations in the gardens they manage so beautifully – fencing panels which might otherwise have been sent to the tip, attached to brick walls by means of a few metal hooks screwed into the brick render. Looks fantastic, offers enduring support for a climbing rose and is so DIY easy …
Q. Did you hear about the father who drowned in a bowl of muesli?
A. A strong current pulled him under …
These guys are dealing with possums eating the roses so Chris devised this maybe not so visually inspiring but seriously effective method of stopping the possums from chewing PIERRE DE RONSARD which was screeching out …
THANK YOU, THANK YOU and performing beautifully since the possums were stopped from running along the post – the barrier was created using a plastic rubbish tin lid!
Thanks to Chris and Lynda for sharing their magnificent gardens with us – we hope that if we ever need to go into an Aged Care Facility, it has such delightful gardens as what they have created for residents at Lynden to enjoy and be inspired by!
Q. Why have you got a light bulb on your head? A. I’m trying to get some bright ideas!
GROWING ROSES FROM SEED – SEMINAR
It’s the most rewarding fun to see your own rose seedlings emerge and I would love you to come and learn all about this and a whole lot more about roses on…
SATURDAY, 16TH MAY
– 11am – 2pm BYO lunch
and we’ll put the billy on for a cuppa … $25.00 per attendee – we’ll donate this money to CLONBINANE CFA. Book NOW because I will restrict numbers for this session – call Diana, my Secretary, on 03 5787 1123 to book your place!
IN CLOSING …
If you would like to donate to the Nepal Disaster, let us suggest a very ‘safe’ place to donate – the ROTARY CLUB OF SOUTHERN MITCHELL will put funds towards SHELTER BOX (a fully self-contained, Australian made survival kit) and I promise you that when you donate money to a Rotary International Project, ALL your dollars will go directly to the cause you intend so please donate now:
Southern Mitchell Rotary Club
BSB – 063 698
Account Number – 10175830
Please provide your name and “Nepal Shelter Box” when doing direct debit.
Have a beaut week in your garden … cheers from Diana, Graham & Mooi
