Hello dear rose friends … another week of perfect Victorian weather living up to reputation, has seen our roses sweltering at 45 degrees with north-westerly wind blowing a gale one day then less than 15 degrees the next day – we marvel at the roses adaptability – so long as they have water!
GRA’S GARBLE …
I didn’t cope so well with the 45 degrees – lost my sense of humour well and truly by 4.00 in the afternoon but the roses prevailed and here are three varieties which absolutely staggered me:
Just to let you know my sense of humour is back in place:
Q. What is the difference between a television and a newspaper?
A. Ever tried swatting a fly with the tellie?
KNOCKOUT
This modern shrub rose deserves to be planted wherever you have a blank space to plant a rose and is especially ideal as a hedge! Amazingly healthy, robust in all weather, extraordinarily free flowering and a stunning colour to brighten the dullest area of your garden … the potted specimens of KNOCKOUT did not bother one bit about the scorching sun and howling hot wind –
LORRAINE LEE
Bred in 1924 by Alister Clark at his property in Bulla, Victoria, this rose queen is still in demand because it is so suited to Australian conditions – it’s most prolific flowering can be during February when some roses like to have a bit of a spell after the hot summer. LORRAINE LEE produces masses of fragrant, smoky apricot-pink blooms in flushes throughout the season on a neat shrub to around 1.5 metres.
There is also a climbing form which is most suited to a tennis court fence or similar large structure as the climber can reach massive proportions and requires very little attention!
produces a stunningly continual display of medium sized open blooms of the brightest orange petals with yellow at the base complimented by a boss of crimson pollen-laden stamens which are so attractive to bees. TINTERN grows into a neat mound, is very appropriate for potting into large tubs and is one of our HIGHLY RECOMMENDED roses, yes, it actually also has a lovely citrus fragrance!
ROSE MAINTENANCE DURING HOT WEATHER …
If you need to spray the organic management products, especially if you experience humidity which can induce black pot/powdery mildew, do so, but ONLY WHEN IT IS NOT GOING TO BE OVER 30 DEGREES and we highly recommend morning application.
ECO-OIL is a very effective insecticide – it also makes ECO-ROSE FUNGICIDE and seaweed solution STICK TO THE FOLIAGE to improve efficacy of the products. It will BURN FOLIAGE if applied during hot weather!!!
If you notice brown/crisp edges on foliage, check soil moisture and be sure to apply at least 20 litres of water per plant AT EACH APPLICATION once a week – not 5 litres per plant every day! Such watering is pointless as it doesn’t reach the root-zone which is where roses require water.
Q. How do you fit more pigs on your farm? A. Build a sty-scraper.
To increase the healthy vigour of your roses and have them produce quality blooms throughout summer, deep soak your plants to ensure their roots travel way down into nutrient-rich clay sub-soil – there are usually good reserves of moisture down in the sub-soil! Good watering will ensure a healthy cover of foliage which is the absolute ‘life-force’ of your roses!
Please feel free to email photos of your roses to: info@rosesalesonline.com.au if you need advice or have any concerns about the health of your roses … or just to share photos and brag about your roses, of course! Meantime, enjoy all the beauty in your rose garden!
~ Cheers from Graham, Diana & Mooi
