ROSE RAMBLER 04.08.2017 …
Hello dear rose friends on this Thursday in the first week of the last days of winter …
As I turned the calendar, this is what gloriousness presented itself –
I think the rose might be WEDDING DAY but it might be one of the other species roses which display a most spectacular single flowering just once every year … however, for something seriously beautiful which flowers continually through the whole season, one of our most favourite roses is SALLY HOLMES which has a breathtaking display of up to 50 blooms on a branch and makes a most wonderful display in large vases! Happiness is having SALLY HOLMES flowering in your garden …
Time is going so fast and it’s very interesting to share some emails from customers who haven’t got a clue when to prune … neither do we …???
Hi! Diana & Graham, I usually carry out my annual winter prune on the last day of July. However I cannot remember when I still had roses and some buds still on some of my roses? Can I go ahead and prune as usual? Best regards Ron – Brisbane
Graham responded to Ron .. “Like I said in the Rose Rambler last week … the weather will keep us all talking and pondering and wondering when to do what … just do it when you can and when you feel like doing it and I’m sure it will all work out ok … cheers… Gra”
I had coffee with friends this morning at the Rose Café in Kilmore and Marilyn told me her roses are still flowering in Craigieburn so when should she prune??? I suggested we all take Graham’s advice and do it when time permits and you’re in the right mood for pruning! Be sure and glove up because this is another email we received this past week …
Hi, Thank you, my roses they arrived this week. I would like to warn fellow rose growers about the dangers of fungus infections from roses. I always wear gloves however a thorn went through my glove into my index finger. The thorn came straight out and I did not think of it anymore until the next morning, which was a Saturday, when I woke up and found my finger and thumb very swollen.
I went to the GP who put me on antibiotics and said to come back on Sunday so he could check my finger. The swelling had not gone down so I was sent for a scan first thing on Monday morning. I then went back to the GP who after seeing the scan sent me to emergency at the local hospital. Within 3 hours or arriving at emergency I was in the operating theatre having my finger opened in three places and washed out. I was in hospital for two days as the antibiotics had to be changed as there was no initial response to treatment for the fungus infection and the bacterial infection. I responded to the new anti fungal medication.
After discharge from hospital I had to attend hand therapy for three months to get movement back into my index finger. I now have movement in the my finger although I does not feel completely normal. I have to continue with therapy at home. One has to be very careful when handling roses. I have been growing roses for 10 years and have 300 roses. I have never had this problem before. Apparently it is a fungus specific to roses. Kind Regards ..Desley
Thank you Desley for sharing! Fortunately, in more than 30 years of rose pruning, neither Graham nor I have had serious issues and we always stress the importance of protective clothing when working in your garden – we use and highly recommend the MADE IN GERMANY gloves which we have used for more than 25 years … they have greater protection over the knuckle zone and come in FOUR sizes which are suitable for MOST hands … these gloves are available online at www.rosesalesonline.com.au
GRA’S GARBLE …
Gardens need many different plant species to remain healthy – microbes in the vicinity of plant roots increase the availability of minerals and trace elements required to maintain healthy vitality of all plants!
All living things – above and below the ground benefit when the plant:microbe bridge is working effectively.
Q. What has four wheels and flies? A. A garbage truck!
Feeding your soil with organic fertilizer and applying layers of mulch such as pea-straw and/ or lucerne increase microbial activity, stimulates worm cultivation and thus improves soil vitality which ensures all the plants in your garden thrive. Any mulch is better than bare soil; no mulch … definitely not recommended!
Incorporating a diverse range of plant species to your garden assists with managing plant health – amongst your roses I encourage you to grow garlic, alyssum, calendula, lots of bulbs and perennials – vegetables like silver-beet and kale – soon, you can plant tomatoes and other summer veggies – be creative and adventurous!
Q. What’s the worst vegetable to serve on a boat? A. Leeks
Get your kids involved in planting veggies which they will be inspired to harvest, cook and eat – great family time together and way better and more constructive than watching TV.
Research has shown that using chemicals in your garden will inhibit biological soil activity so I urge you to consider which products you purchase when next visiting your garden supplier – yes, there is ‘quick, easy fix’ for most issues which occur within our gardens at times during every season … please take a look at the Sustainable Gardening Australia website and be sure you make INFORMED DECISIONS when it comes to which products you use in managing your garden!
WEEPING ROSES ARE NOW AVAILABLE …
PICK UP ONLY …
We have a lovely selection of these magnificent roses – there is no more spectacular sight than a weeping rose which flowers prolifically from October through to May/June.
Provide a well-drained, open sunny location at least 2.5 x 2.5 metres around and you will enjoy years of glorious display – all these roses should be well supported with a very sturdy ring and pole kit available here at Silkies Rose Farm.
MY FAVOURITE WEEPING ROSES …
Freely produces the most amazing flushes of clusters of apricot blooms which fade to cream and literally smother the bush with flowers throughout the season on relatively thornless canes. This highly versatile rose can be used to cover arches, adorn fences of variable height and is so easy to maintain because of the beautiful flexible canes.
PinkieCluster of mid-pink flowers all season. Lush healthy foliage on thornless wood. Dense foliage cover.
Seafoam
It produces small pretty white flowers throughout a very long flowering season. It is thorny but don’t let this deter you. Highly recommended for a healthy, pretty feature weeping rose in your garden.
All our weeping rose varieties are my favourites because they’re all really spectacular – you MUST come to the Rose Farm to collect one and get the support kit too!
Remember to use seaweed solution, fish emulsion and other organic liquids like worm-wee, compost tea and other brews to increase ‘soil-life’ which is guaranteed to ensure you produce the most healthy roses, plants and veggies to guarantee YOUR HEALTH!
cheers from us here at Silkies Rose Farm, Clonbinane
