Temecula Valley Rose Society Newsletter for April, 2021

Co-President's Message, by Judy Sundermann

I I was lucky to purchase a home five years ago that came with twelve rose bushes. It took me a few years to realize how well roses do in our climate and how little I knew about taking care of them. Thanks to the Rose Society my roses are not just surviving, but thriving. At each meeting I've learned better practices and because of our temporary way of meeting (GoToMeeting) we've been fortunate to learn from the best. Bob Martin (February), current President of the ARS, and Jolene Adams (March) an ARS Past-President (54th), brought us information from their experiences with great detail and answered our questions from their knowledge of growing roses in California. They understand the weather and the soil that we deal with. I'm purchasing the Fogg-It Nozzle #4 spray device, the water wand and the brass turn off device that Bob recommended to spray away insects from the underside of the rose leaves. Jolene mentioned growing carpet roses in hanging baskets. That's now on my list for my patio. Her talk on planting in containers pointed out that she moves her potted roses that are looking their best to an area of her garden that is the most visible. I moved a potted Clivia that is blooming to my front porch today and will move my miniature roses that are in pots as soon as they begin blooming. Plus, I am replanting them into bigger pots because of her information. I'm writing all this because I hope to inspire more members to take advantage of the great upcoming programs. If you haven't tried to sign in, Linda Freeman will be happy to tutor you through the process. You don't have to have your picture on the screen and you can call in by phone instead of through the internet. When you come to the meeting you can show off a favorite vase in our Show Your Vase activity. We would love to see your favorite vase with or without blooms!

My Appreciation

by Virginia Boos

To say that I am delighted with the care and maintenance of Rose Haven Heritage Garden would definitely be an understatement. The many volunteers are doing so much to keep everything in good shape. The courtyard and labyrinth are especially satisfying to me. To see this special place, after 30 years, makes me so happy, and I do make occasional trips to take in the view, with my old memories to recall.

Phone calls are coming to my home number, as it's on the website, but I enjoy getting them. The calls help me remember that I'm still part of the garden. Even though I tell visitors that it's not in bloom now, they still want to walk around enjoying the atmosphere.

My thanks to all for the enthusiasm. The future looks secure.

How Does Your Garden Grow, by Rebecca Weersing

Cork tree after trim

Cork tree before trim

"People who will not sustain trees will soon live in a world that will not sustain people." Bryce Nelson's quote will not apply to us at Rose Haven. We have trees and we are working to sustain our trees. The Pepper Tree at the corner of Jedediah Smith and Cabrillo Avenue was growing on the property easily ten years before we started gardening at the site. There were several Pepper Trees but over the years they suffered mishaps of wind damage and disease, leaving our lone tree providing shade to picnickers . This article is not about a tree already on the property before we arrived, but rather a tree that we planted during our expansion in 2006 to 2008.

A number of trees were planted with our expansion, including a Cork Oak Tree (Quercus suber). Yes, cork as in cork wine bottle stoppers, corkboards, cork flooring and cork cores in cricket balls. There are over 5 million acres of cork forest worldwide, mostly in Portugal, Spain, North Africa, France and Italy. Cork trees live between 200 and 250 years. Growing 24 to 36 inches a year, Cork Oak can become a large heritage scale evergreen tree reaching 30 to 60 feet tall and 40 to 50 feet wide. Harvesting of the cork begins at about 25 years and are then harvested every 10 years or so. Also, cork can be recycled. Wow! What a tree!!!

According to a Chinese Proverb "The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now." Fortunately, we do not have to settle for second best with our Cork Oak Tree. However, we are five years shy of the best time to plant since our Cork Oak is only now reaching 15 years old. Recently Phyllis Bettelheim was reminiscing about the early years of our Cork Oak when it was having issues keeping a grip on the spot it was planted in. It regularly needed staking because of the constant and sometimes strong winds. Although we had a bench under the tree the shade was barely enough for one person.

Last fall our Cork Tree demanded attention. Although it was bigger it also had some branches with lots of dead leaves. And the bark looked really unusual. I immediately went to the internet for a diagnosis – which was dire, of course. Calls went out to local tree businesses. This was not something they did; however we were referred to Sims Tree Health Specialists in Riverside. Sims came out with soothing words and swift action, bringing the tree back to health. This past Monday E.L.M. Tree Care came out and shaped the tree.

Kathy Trudeau and Byron Webb are donating a circular tree bench that will seat six to twelve, depending on COVID restrictions. The Rose Haven Committee members weighed in on the color of the bench. We chose a cedar color that matches the veining in the bark.

Painter Bob Ross said "You know me, I think there ought to be a big old tree right there. And let's give him a friend. Everybody needs a friend." Take time to befriend our Cork Oak Tree.

April 2021 Program

Presenter : Suzanne Horn – Suzanne Horn is an avid rose lover, exhibitor and educator from Glendale, California with a background in entertainment. Suzanne has been growing roses since February 14, 2000, and they are all in containers. She is a successful exhibitor, winning District and National trophies since her first two years of exhibiting. In 2003 she became a Consulting Rosarian and shortly thereafter an accredited ARS Horticultural Judge. In 2014, Suzanne became a Master Rosarian and was named "Outstanding Consulting Rosarian" for the Pacific Southwest District. She is a frequent columnist for the American Rose Society and Pacific Southwest Region newsletter.

TVRS will have a member meeting following Suzanne's presentation with Rose Haven updates, raffle and Rose Society business. Don't forget "Show your Vase" – Take a tour around your garden and show us what is growing and display it in a vase! We will be doing this monthly to share what is growing in our gardens. In between meetings, please send a picture of your vases to Linda Freeman with names of the roses and other flora in your vase .

GoToMeeing is an online meeting program very similar to ZOOM. If you have used ZOOM recently you will be very comfortable using GoToMeeting. The program is also available by phone. Also, visit us on Facebook for roses from around the world as well as Rose Haven pictures and videos. If you would like to practice using GoToMeeting, please contact Linda Freeman at 951-204-6141.

Show Your Vase

by Linda Freeman

Thank you to Judy and Ann for their Vase displays of what is growing in their gardens. Ann Schryer has a fabulous Simplicity Rose in a Roseville Hollyhock pattern pottery vase.

Judy Sundermann displayed her Spring flora in a Californian Bauer vase. Judy added that she has luck growing her Gerbera Daisies in a container.

Simplicity Rose

Gerbera Daisies

TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER

by Linda Freeman

The American Rose Society has a wonderful online program about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the French white roses used in France to select the unknown soldier for burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

The President of the American Rose Society, Bob Martin, did the research and the French family related to the rose is still growing roses and has now named a rose "Never Forget" from their Arizona test gardens to use in the 100th anniversary of the Tomb this year at 11am, 11/11/2021 . It is also being sold for personal gardens.

HistoryNet has more information about the family - The American Rose Society has a special bond with French Rose hybridizers. https://www.historynet.com/never-forget-rose-created-for-tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier-centennial.htm

The video is on the American Rose Society website https://www.rose.org/videos or on the American Rose Society YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2nuKCR4cf8 The YouTube channel has Centennial Tidbits about the Unknown Soldier Tomb https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFZH0hYa1ik which has wonderful tips for remembrance gardens and a Tidbit about the language of flowers as remembrance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=274Kpgdz-vk .

The ARS is educating people about the Tomb Honor Guard Centennial and suggesting "Never Forget" gardens as great way to remember the Centennial as well as memorialize family and events from our personal lives in personal and public gardens. The American Rose Society in Shreveport is restoring a "Never Forget" garden at their 118 acre rose garden and has resources on their website to start remembrance gardens. Hopefully the "Never Forget" rose will be more widely available in 2022.

President Ronald Reagan named the rose as the National Flower by Resolution in 1986 and the American Rose Society is the largest plant society in the world, with 14,000 members ! Keep checking the ARS YouTube channel for more Centennial Tidbits and remembrance garden tips.

New Entrance Sign Installed

by Nancy and Roger Fitness

We are so excited to inform the membership that the last of our new signage has been installed at the entrance to the garden. It is the largest and most impressive in size at 76" x 36" held up by 4" x 6" powder coated aluminum posts. This 2-sided monument sign welcomes visitors to our garden, "A Temecula Valley Treasure", and lets them know that we are open daily from dawn to dusk. It makes our guests aware that the garden is owned and maintained by the Temecula Valley Rose Society and states our Rose Society mission of "Building community connections through nature – encouraging the appreciation, study and cultivation of roses."

This installation was made possible with the help and collaboration of our Rose Society friends Kathy Trudeau and Byron Webb.

 

 

Member Wins Online Raffle

by Linda Freeman

Kathy Budd wins a Bob Martin Ruth Tiffiany rose at our February online member meeting. Kathy was able to pick up the rose in person and reported :

"Here is a photo of me with Ruth Tiffany rose from Bob Martin.I had a wonderful tour of his place. He was so generous with his time. He was so informative and answered all my questions. He showed me all his roses and the "nursery". The roses were in the pruned and not yet mulched stage. He was getting 30 yards of mulch the next day. What a beautiful place he has. I really enjoyed seeing the roses without the foliage and flowers. I am looking for just the right spot for her in my garden."

April Rose Haven Flora, by Bonnie Bell

Graham Thomas

As we welcome our first blooms at Rose Haven Garden one that particularly stands out is Graham Thomas with its very full cupped yellow blossoms. This David Austin English rose has it all. Lovely form and fruity fragrance with tall canes, medium green leaves and super vigor.

Graham Thomas can be found in our beautifully renovated Hall of Fame garden with many other beautiful roses found around the world. Come out for a visit – the roses would like to see you. ;)

Graham Thomas rose has parentage of the dynamic Iceberg with an unnamed seedling cross, and was introduced in 2005 by Austin with an ARS rating of 8.2. It grows particularly well in our area.

Upcoming Spring Plant Sales

by Linda Freeman

UCR Botanic Gardens Spring Plant Sale starts with online ordering at midnight April 10 with plant pick up later in the month at the Botanic Gardens -they have some Miniature roses on their plant inventory list -you can visit their website for more information https://gardens.ucr.edu/news/2021/01/27/spring-online-plant-sale. The Inland Iris Society Plant sale will be April 24 and April 25 at the Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center - you can visit their Facebook page for details https://www.facebook.com/Inland-Region-Iris-Society-298772923660887/

Rose Care FUNda­men­tals, by Frank Brines

by Frank Brines, Master Consulting Rosarian

Many gardeners are having (or are about to have) their first flush of blooms. Climate change is influencing the weather and effecting the accustomed pruning schedule. The erratic temperatures also have a bearing on the growth of our plants. Roses didn't stop growing this past winter. I was one of those gardeners who pruned later than I had hoped.

Even so, I have buds opening on the bushes that got pruned on schedule. Now the conditions for fungi are present, and rust and/or mildew which will need control with fungicides - and even stripping infected leaves if the infestation is heavy. I have had reports of rust and thrip activity in some areas, so inspect for these daily. The prediction for higher than normal temperature for the next two weeks may help with fungi problems. Other things to watch for are rose mosaic virus, black spot and Anthracnose.

If you want the fullest blooms possible, supply plenty of water to your plants, but don't flood them. For larger blooms, apply greater amount of water when buds begin to swell and show color. But pay attention to the drainage of your soil-roses like plenty of water but they don't respond well to soggy soil. The optimum time to irrigate is early in the day.

Roses love food. Preferably good quality food on a regular basis. Not all fertilizers include all the micro/macro nutrients needed, so read the label on the packaging. Alternating the major fertilizer with fish emulsion every 2 weeks will help provide some of the micro nutrients. As I always say, organics are much better for your soil and ultimately for your garden and the environment. Sprinkling 1 cup of Epsom Salt (Magnesium of Sulfate) around large size plants, 1/2 cup for smaller plants, once in Spring and once in Fall can assist in getting new basal breaks (new canes from the bud union).

The soil needs a supply of organic material such as humus incorporated into the depths. That isn't easily accomplished in established gardens, however adding a 3 to 4 inches of a good composted mulch over the entire garden, leaving a 12" diameter circle open around base of each bush will go a long way to enriching your soil overall because over time earthworms help transport that mulch down into the soil where the microbiology is complex and multi-tiered.

A healthy garden soil system is teeming with beneficial microbes that inhibit, compete with, and consume disease-causing organisms. This creates a sustainable soil "immune system." In fact, plants grown with organic fertilizers are themselves more resistant to pests and diseases. In addition, when you feed those beneficial organisms, they feed your roses. That's because they are busy breaking down organic matter and releasing mineral nutrients slowly and reliably. I've recently learned that extra phosphate in the fertilizer that you use is most important in assisting in creating a soil environment that aids immensely in helping plants to be resistant to pest and diseases. Also helping plants to develop hardier root systems and larger blooms.

Many gardeners become discouraged when they first experiment with organic treatments while still using chemical fertilizers. It is difficult - in fact, almost impossible - to have it both ways. Chemical fertilizers negatively impact the soil food web by poisoning entire portions of it. The fact is, chemical fertilizers are salts! What gardener hasn't seen what table salt does to a slug or snail? Salts absorb water and dehydrates the soil microbes which are the foundation of the soil nutrient system. Once you've used chemical fertilizers regularly you must keep adding more because the soil microbiology is weakened and unable to do its job of releasing naturally available nutrients to your plants.

Rains help to leach accumulated soil salts from the soil, provided there is sufficient drainage. Organic fertilizers and amendments (such as manure, compost, or mulch) break down slowly, generally staying where you put them, and don't contribute to ground water pollution (as long as you prevent run off into drains). In addition, they improve the soil food web, so in the long run you end up using less product.

Chemical fertilizers are artificial growth stimulants and, in the long run, harm your soil and pollute local waterways because as dissolved salts they quickly leach through the soil (becoming unavailable to your plants) and enter the ground water. How about swearing off chemical fertilizers for the rest of the year and starting to use organics? Give it a year. See if your roses don't reward you! Fish emulsion is also a good amendment to apply either foliarly or onto the soil around each bush.

You may have had some blooms already. Keep spent blooms cut away. Cut the cane back to a outward facing bud at a 3-5 leaflet leaf for new growth. Air circulation is important to help prevent fungi diseases. The small spurs growing inside the bush can easily be finger pruned to keep the center of the bush free of extraneous growth.

Giving the bush an early morning shower to rinse off the leaves may help to avoid powdery mildew. Do this early enough that the leaves will dry prior to hot sun. It is possible that with night time dew a disease called Botrytis can appear as discolored spots on the blooms, especially on blooms with 40 or more petals. Remove these as soon as disease is noticed. Even with great observations and preventive methods, fungi may become a problem and chemical treatment may be needed to keep disease at bay. Make sure to deep water. An extended slow watering is more beneficial than a frequently short application.

With the relaxing of social distancing and masking, rose societies are beginning to hope for regular meetings and maybe even rose shows. San Diego Rose Society is planning a June district rose show. Much depends on availability of venues. There may be other rose happenings still unannounced, watch for any opportunities in the next month or two to attend local rose shows and see, learn, smell different varieties.