Temecula Valley Rose Society

President's Message

Kathy Katz has kept us all well informed about the doings up at the Tree of Life Garden, including the efforts of the many teen volunteers. In addition, the "Weed Brigade" (Phyllis and Bonnie) have systematically chopped, yanked, and pulled hundreds of weeds across much of the rose garden. Betty has diligently been pruning and maintaining the plants along the entry and the Boos Courtyard. (Many thanks to those of you who came out in March to plant the donated plants that she has been tending. They are doing great – come out and see for yourself if you haven't already!)

Carol having tended the iris garden for many months is now leading an effort to rejuvenate it; September 7 will be a digging, separating, and replanting party. Anyone interested in helping and/or taking away left over rhizomes are encouraged to contact Carol. (See your members' roster.) Ray Jacque and his helper have been faithfully maintained and kept clean the lower gardens adjacent to the sheds. Wayne and I are really pleased with how the hardscaping around the Gazebo/Romantic Garden is shaping up. We're happy to report that the final set of stairs will be ready for use well before the Last Rose of Summer festival on SUNDAY October 6th. This is open to all and will include a catered meal. Please look for more information on the website – and put it on your calendar!

Many new ideas and projects have been suggested to TVRS through last month's strategic planning meeting and committees. Committees will be even more important in the future in planning and implementing programs as they become more active and exploring. Please consider joining a committee that matches your interests and help with decision making.

You may not realize this, but our parent society – the American Rose Society (ARS) – provides non-profit status for local societies (including TVRS).

Hal Reynolds from Palm Desert, ARS Pacific Southwest District (PSWD) Director, and Liz Strong of Tucson (PSWD Membership Chair) are asking district societies for assistance with a drive to boost ARS membership, and I am joining them in asking you to consider becoming ARS member too! There are many benefits, such as two issues of the ARS magazine "American Rose" filled with a ton of information for everyone, reduced admissions to public gardens, access to quarterly email bulletins (previously by paid subscription only), and discounts up to 30% at merchant partners.

So why not subscribe to a four-month trial membership – valued at $86 for just $10! This is an inexpensive was to discover if full membership is for you. (Honestly, you can't afford NOT to!) You can join online at www.ars.org/resources/trialmembership or www.ars.org/resources/membership or by phone, (800) 637-6534.

Families in the Garden

We will be presenting a program featuring the alpacas of our friendly neighbors, Mariane and Douglas Guy. We will be meeting September 21st from 9:30 to 10:30 at Rose Haven Heritage Garden. A hike around the garden will be included along with a craft project, if time permits.

This program is for children under twelve and their families. All members of the Rose Society are also encouraged to join in on the fun. Please see our announcement on Facebook at Gardening for Kids in Temecula.

Grocery Cards Benefit TVRS

Dear Members: I trust that you have made a determined effort to use Stater Bros. Script/Gift Cards for your everyday normal purchases. Even in these financially difficult times we all must eat. Purchasing a $100.00 Script Card will let you spend $100.00 for groceries at Stater Bros. There is no extra expense or donation coming out of your pocket and the Rose Society will get a $6.00 donation for the upkeep of the Garden. Your support is greatly appreciated. See Ann Coakes to order Cards or phone (951) 693-5635.

Save The Date For The Last Rose Of Summer

Please plan to join your fellow Rose Society members and guests for a made-to-order taco stand dinner at Rose Haven on October 6, from 4:30 p.m. until dusk.

View the new stairways and retaining walls, admire the roses and companion plants and then enjoy dinner in the garden.

The menu includes 3 choices of meat, Mexican rice, refried beans, cheese quesadilas, guacamole, chopped onions, fresh cilantro and limes and is being prepared and served by Olivera's Catering.

Water and a dessert will be provided and you are welcome to bring a beverage of your choice.

The charge for this all you care to eat event is $10 per person. More details will be available at the September member meeting.

Member Meeting Program

Laura Simpson has been a Master Gardener since 2002, and her husband, Jim, has been a Master Gardener since 2006. Together, they maintain an edible landscape in French Valley on an 8500 square foot lot. They grow over 120 varieties of edible plants, including many fruit trees, an herb garden, and a large vegetable garden. Laura has a bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology and worked in the biotech industry for a number of years before having children. Her husband is a Locomotive Engineer with Union Pacific Railroad.

October Program: Herbs Through the Season: How to Grow Various Herbs through the Year, and How to Use Them. — Christine Lampe, Riverside Master Gardeners.

November Program: Companion Plants for Roses that share similar watering, fertilization, and exposure requirements to that of roses. — Cynthia McCabe, Riverside Master Gardeners.

A light buffet luncheon will be served around noon. Guests are welcome.

September Birthdays & New Members

Start Your Engines!

Let's get the show on the road! We will have our first 2014 Rose show committee meeting on October 2nd at 1:00 p.m. at the Assistance League. Bring all your ideas and we'll get a good head start. See you there! For more information phone me a 951 694-8968 or e-mail me at ljblack3@verizon.net.

Make a Difference – Join a Committee!

Our Society has many committees and sub-committees. If you are interested in attending a committee meeting please send an email or call the committee chair to verify the time and place of the meeting. Sometimes changes are necessary and we wouldn't want you to make an unnecessary trip!

The Finance Committee will meet on the second Tuesday of September (10th) from 1 to 3 p.m. Contact Rebecca Weersing at temroses@gmail.com or 951-595-7046 for the location. The Finance Committee is tasked with monitoring the financial health of the Society, budgeting, ways & means, grants, donations and endowments/planned gifting. The song "Money Makes the World Go Round" says it all for this committee. To achieve the mission of the Society we need to work together to provide the funds to insure things happen for many years to come.

The Board of Directors meets on Thursday, September 12th from 10 a.m. to noon at the Assistance League, located at 28720 Via Montezuma in Temecula. Contact Frank Brines at roseguy2000@aol.com or 951-315-9632. Members are welcome to attend the Board meeting.

The Membership Committee will meet in Room B at 1 p.m., Thursday, September 19th (after refreshments on our member meeting date). Contact Kathy Turgeon at kathymurrieta1@verizon.net or 951-551-5505.

Rose Haven Planning Committee will meet at Rose Haven on Wednesday, September 25th at 9:00 a.m. The committee meets at Rose Haven. Contact Phyllis Bettelheim at phyllisb32@verizon.net or 951-694-1198.

The Youth Gardening Tree of Life Committee will be meeting with the Chaparral High School Green Thumbs Leadership Team on Tuesday, September 3rd and Monday, September 16th at Chaparrel HS. The student volunteers are interested in working in the garden, fundraising for the garden, and creating awareness about the garden. The YGToL Committee will mentor the students to develop their gardening skills and leadership skills. Attendance is limited so phone Rebecca at 951 595-7046 for more information and to make a reservation.

The Rose Show Committee will meet Wednesday, October 2nd at 1 p.m. at the Assistance League, 28720 Via Montezuma in Temecula. Contact Linda Black at ljblack3@verizon.net or 951-694-8968.

Make a Difference – Join a Committee!

Rose Care FUNdamentals

Well, the summer heat arrived in the Temecula Valley. The forecast is for mid- to high-90s for the next few weeks. If you are participating in my prescribed practice of allowing a summer of rest for your roses, you still have several weeks to take it easy before a mid-season pruning. As a wise man once said, "Predicting things is difficult, especially in the future," but one can only assume it will look a little like the past, especially with the weather. So I'll give it a try: If a mid-season pruning is done after the second or third week of September, you can expect two bloom cycles this year. If you would like roses for a special occasion, count back 6 to 7 weeks from that date; the date you land on will be when you need to have your pruning accomplished. Remember, a mid-season pruning is light, removing the many branchings back to the main cane to an outward facing bud (found at the base of a leaf where it joins the cane).

A common problem when hot, dry, dusty condition prevail is the appearance of spider mites. They are small-adults measuring as small as 1/50th of an inch,so they are often very difficult to detect, but you can recognize the damage they do: brown, stippled and/or yellowed leaves, most often nearer the ground, and water stressed plants are particularly susceptible.

Spider mites congregate on the under sides of the leaves where they suck the cell fluids. If you suspect the presence of spider mites check the underside of the leaves; they may look slightly webby with many tiny dark dots. Lightly rub the leaves between you fingers — spider mites will feel gritty. If you tap the leaves over a piece of white paper you will see small dots that maybe colorless, cream, red, brown, yellow, or green.

Spider mites have many natural enemies (beneficial insects) so if you apply a broad spectrum pesticide you may actually end up with more spider mites because you killed their predators! Fortunately mites can usually be easily removed with a strong water spray directed upward at the under sides of the leaves. Check the leaves periodically over the next few days. If the mites have returned, you may want to try a simple homemade insecticidal soap solution: In a spray bottle mix three capsful of Ivory dish soap, Murphy's Oil Soap, or Castillo soap with one quart of water. When temperatures are relatively cool-such as early morning or early evening-spray the under sides of the leaves with the soap solution. Continue to check each day and reapply as needed.

When you have a moment to spare, or feel the need to get away, or when the day cools down, take your favorite beverage, a picnic basket, and visit Rose Haven Heritage Garden, 30592 Jedediah Smith Road, Temecula (the cross street is Cabrillo Avenue).

For more ideas, visit TVRS' Rose Haven garden at 30592 Jedediah Smith Rd., Temecula, as well as our web site at Temecula Valley Rose Society Home Page.