ROSE RAMBLER 1.8.2013
Hello dear rose friends … Another month of Winter gone – some would say, finally! I rather love the glory of the Winter garden and all the changes that occur during this beautiful season – a time of ‘tidy up’ … prune, fertilize, mulch and within a turn of your back, everything starts to come alive with enormous bounty … joyful!
SERVICE AND SMILE … By now, a whole lot of the Winter orders have finally been processed and due to the late and very warm Autumn, the roses were dug later than usual and this caused distress to some of our customers for which I am eternally sorry!
Apart from the lateness of the season, there were problems with the interstate orders which required the roses be sprayed to comply with quarantine regulations – more delay! Then a whole bunch of the parcels we packed were rejected by Australia Post and had to be processed by a courier – more delay!
Let me assure you that Silkies Roses are the most lovely quality roses you can buy and our service and smiles together with our vast knowledge about roses and their culture guarantee your rose purchase will be most rewarding – there were however, obstacles which prevailed this season completely beyond our control … in the history of the business I cannot remember a time when I apologised so frequently and sincerely; for the (hopefully!) last time, I am truly sorry if you were caused any inconvenience by our service this season.
When the roses bloom, I am sure you will forget any misery associated with their delivery!
This is an email I received from one of my understandably disgruntled customers:
Hi Diana … The roses you sent me (Tassie) arrived this morning. They were in very good condition and the quality as you said is outstanding. Thanks again for the great effort you put in to get the roses to me. Sorry for the inconvenience I put you through but I can tell you that I am a very happy customer.
Kind Regards …. Arnie
GRAHAM’S ROSE TIPS …
- Ladybirds are our very best friends in the rose garden! They help control aphids and they actually eat some fungus … yes, amazing! Once you have pruned the roses this Winter (it’s NEVER TOO LATE!) start your spray management program using ¼ cup of each: Liquid Seaweed, Eco-Rose (fungicide) and Eco-oil (insecticide) to 10 litres of water and spray or pour over the plants – you are giving the ladybirds and other insects and birds a hand with insect control. You can apply this environmentally safe management program in the morning and pick and eat your veggies for the evening meal on the same day!! Brilliant Australian researched and made products … go Aussies go!
- While you’re out pruning standard roses, check the ties and secure with double-sided Velcro – the UV stabilized shiny side facing outwards. We can post this to you 3 metres: $18.50 5 metres: $24.50 plus pack and post. See this pic …
- Time to fertilize the garden with COF –Complete Organic Fertilizer – great thing about applying organic fertiliser – the plant only takes up the feed when it needs it!
Have a laugh and enjoy your garden this week … why did the banana go to the Doctor …? Because it wasn’t peeling well …
(Note from Diana, Editor: You keep talking about these crazy jokes which only encourages him … when you stop laughing, let me know and I’ll delicately tell Graham to take them back to the grandchildren!)
PRUNED ROSES … Nearly all of the potted roses have been pruned to less than 15cms of growth and this will encourage massive water-shoot development and lovely rounded bushes with lots of blooms come Spring.
If you are thinking of ordering more roses in the coming weeks, keep in mind that we’ve done all the hard work for you – the packs will be smaller because the roses have been heavily cut back and ready to plant without any work on your part!
IN CLOSING …. Stay warm and cosy while you enjoy this last month of this crazy Winter – if you want some advice about pruning your roses and/or fruit trees, pop up to the Rose Farm and Graham will happily allay all your fears … love the snip, snip, snipping
Regards from Diana & Graham Sargeant at CLONBINANE