Temecula Valley Rose Society

Co-President's Message

Please bring two things to our August meeting: a friend and a rose. For our friends, we will share the joys of being involved in our Rose Society. We offer friendship, opportunities for learning and sharing about our common gardening interests, and food. For our roses we will create a bouquet of summer blossoms while discussing our different approaches to displaying our favorite flower.

Last December, when we all shared ideas of what to do this year, many people expressed interest in a garden day trip. We have scheduled a visit to Myrtle Creek Nursery in Fallbrook for our Thursday, October 20th meeting. More information about this will be given as the time gets near.

Hope to see you, a friend and a rose on Thursday, August 18th at 10 am at the Library.

Roses Past and Present – V

In the previous issues we discussed the names of Old Garden Roses including the characteristics of the bloom, and the location that the rose originated. For examples, "hybrid perpetual", and "Alba" versus "China" and "Damask". We now turn our attention to roses and their contact with people.

For nearly two thousand years roses and most plants were not traded on the international market. They might have been moved about in a localized area but the concept of large distance trade was unknown. Thus, roses and indeed most plants, were contained within a very small area, and completely unknown outside that area.

The earliest probability of roses being moved from one geographical to another was when European armies went to the Middle East to fight the "infidels" in the famous Crusades beginning in the 11th Century and continuing for at least four centuries. These European military people came in contact with Middle East culture and gardening and brought much of these things back to Europe where they were very popular.

Later, it is reported that Marco Polo (1254 - 1324) brought rose plants back from China when he visited the East during his visits there. This might well be the introduction of the famous China rose to Europe.

Next time we will take a brief look at the rose in cultural settings, including the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians and early Europe.

Rooted Roses On Rise

Such flowers are ideal for smaller gardens, less susceptible to disease.

In recent years, rose breeders have developed rose varieties that are more resistant to common diseases, diminishing the need for grafting to the old rootstocks.

Actually, any gardener who has taken a cutting from a friend's rosebush, rooted it and enjoyed the resulting rosebush, has already been growing a rose on its "own roots." In reality, growing roses on their own roots is not a new concept, only the commercial application is.

Most roses on their own roots do not grow quite as vigorously as those that are budded, but for smaller gardens, this may be an advantage. Their form is more rounded and softer in appearance.

There are other advantages, too. With own-root roses, there are no undesirable rootstock suckers to deal with. Also, the incident of rose mosaic virus, which is most commonly transmitted during the budding process, is virtually eliminated. Finally, should your rosebush be pruned to the ground or freeze all the way to the ground, it will come back from the roots.

If you take pride in exhibition-size roses, then own-root roses may not be for you, but for most gardens, they are a good choice.

Volunteer Needed!

Membership: We are looking for someone to take over the position of Refreshments Chair. Micha needs to step down as chairperson at the end of this year, though she will continue to assist whoever takes over as head of the committee.

Please consider volunteering to fill this position. If you can take on this very important post (we all love the luncheons, don't we?) contact Bonnie, Micha, or Rebecca.

Member Meeting Program

A light buffet luncheon will be served at 11:30. Guests are welcome.

August Birthdays & New Members

Birthdays Ellen/Lois Noell, Lyse McGonigle, Patricia Hirsch, Ben Jahanbani, Francesca Calabro, Roberta Costa

New Members There are no new members this month.

August Member Meeting: Roses! Roses!

Our August meeting is usually our strategic planning meeting, but the board will take care of that this year in its own meeting. So, to close out summer, our August meeting will feature roses and more roses and lunch. There will be no Little Rose Show in August, but we want EVERY member to bring a rose to "build" a big bouquet. Keep it fresh in a container of water. Frank Brines will show us how to make a bouquet that all of us could create, maybe more than one. Miniatures are welcome for a mini-bouquet. Bring a rose with a long stem, if possible, and Frank can cut them to his specifications. Virginia Boos' Octoberfest was "Rose of the Day" for June. Congratulations! The Little Rose Show will resume in September; maybe our roses can recover from the recent heat wave by then.

Rose Haven Heritage Garden

Whew, has it been a hot summer. The roses in the garden seem to be stunned but are still surviving and some have plentiful blooms. Pictured are two heat lovers, the rose "In The Mood" is a vivid red and the Crape Myrtles along the hillside path are a glorious fuchsia in full bloom.

Recently we enjoyed the "Night of the Luminaries" hosted by the City of Temecula and our Society. There were a great number of visitors enjoying the garden, light refreshments, music, and fun. Please follow this link to see photos and the accompanying article from the Press-Enterprise on this event. Click here.

Our next garden committee meeting is Wednesday, August 24th at 9:15. The meeting location is at the garden, 30592 Jedediah Smith Road, Temecula. We will discuss projects to improve areas in the garden. Members interested are always welcome to attend the meeting.

In The Mood

Crepe Myrtle trees

Grocery Cards Benefit TVRS

Rose Care FUNdamentals

This does not mean forgoing soil amendments such as applying a layer (at least 2") of mulch. You won't make it without mulch! True, it does provide a bit of nutrition, but not enough to push the plant into a major growth spurt. Its main benefits are to help the soil hold moisture longer by spreading it out in the root zone, as well as moderating soil temperatures. These are essential during our Southern California drought.

Mulch can include anything that shades the soil. I prefer to use composted mulch, available in bulk from various local suppliers, because its nutrients are readily available. You can also use a combination of leaves, grass clippings, coffee grounds, pine needles, etc. (Pine needles are terrific because they tend to be very airy and allow water to penetrate easily, and they eventually break down to acidify the soil.) Shredded wood products are often available for free or at a low cost from arborists, the county, or municipalities.

Another big help during the hot summer months is a drip watering system because it delivers water so efficiently to the root zone. You'll want to survey your plants regularly, however, to monitor the system's output: Watch for individual plants that show signs of wilting or stress, and look closely to determine if that plant's emitters are operating properly. If the entire bed seems stressed, increase the duration of the watering time.

Also, schedule watering for before sunrise so your plants are well hydrated before the heat begins. It is a myth that watering roses in the evening or at night fosters disease; such watering is harmful only if your already dusty leaves (which harbor mold spores) are splashed with water. Drip watering keeps the water down on the ground where it can't do any damage.

If you are an intrepid exhibitor and want roses for an upcoming show, count 6 to 8 weeks back from the date of the show and dare to do a mid-season feeding and pruning—but stay vigilant for any signs of water stress! I prefer to use organic fertilizers and I look for a higher level of phosphate in the products I use. It is also a good time to make your second application of the year of magnesium sulphate (Epsom salts). Apply three-quarters to 1 cup around the base of the plant to each plant, and scratch and/or water it in. (Note: You can also remove rose thorns from your fingers by soaking them in an Epsom salt solution!)

Editor's Note: This is reprinted from the August 2008 newsletter.