Temecula Valley Rose Society

President's Message

Unexpected costs for plumbing problems, fallen tree removal, and full payment of new liability insurance have caused the budget overrun. Monies raised or donated for Rose Haven can only be used for garden operations. Therefore, if we are to continue to have Rose Haven provide the community with a beautiful garden that we all can take pride in, we should contribute to that cause by either purchasing a ticket to the event, and enjoy the festivities at the garden, or DONATE that same amount to garden maintenance. Pride of ownership also comes with commitments. Lets ALL do our part to make this fundraiser a big success.

I hope you haven't forgotten to start growing your cuttings for the fundraising event to be held at Rose Haven on the 19th of September, which is the first annual Plant Sale. We have only 3 weeks to generate some plants, and if everyone does their part we will have a nice selection for sale on the 19th. Plan on bringing your plants for sale to the garden about 8 a.m. on the 19th for setup and any last minute changes.

Ann Coates has hand painted some clay pots for your use if you need them to place the plants in for the sale. Some other very nice pots have been donated and will be used for the sale, too. Don't forget to identify your plant with at least the common name and a suggested price. Lets make our first attempt at a plant sale a success by propagating some plants so we can generate some additional revenue for Rose Haven. The sale starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 11 a.m.

One more event in September to attend is our regular program meeting on September 17th at the public library at 30600 Pauba Road, Temecula. It will feature photographer and travel agent Pierre Mainguene. He will present a slide show and lecture on the outstanding gardens of France, from Normandy to the French Riviera. You don't want to miss these beautiful gardens.

We have been notified that the Roripaugh Foundation is considering us for a grant, but we will not know the results until the end of September. Additionally, we have prepared and submitted a grant request to the Abbott Labs Fund to developing the hilltop at Rose Haven. We should know whether it has been approved within eight weeks.

Open Call for Volunteers

I'm involved in many projects with TVRS. I need lots of volunteers. Please step forward with your talents…or discover your hidden ones! Without your help many projects won't get done–some won't even get started. You don't have to be athletic for many of these tasks. Your ideas could make a difference! Please ask me how you can get involved. Send me an email at roseguy2000@aol.com and let me know if you are interested. We'll work together to match you with an activity that fits your interests and time availability.

A Call to Action

Planning for the 2010 TVRS Rose Show is beginning and the plan is to have all facets decided, and the schedule printed and released, by February. The theme is "A Moment of Magic." I need many people and their ideas for themes for arrangements and tables, monitors and "runners", registration, membership solicitation, security, sales, and other important functions. Help make this the TVRS's best rose show ever and help expand our club and the enjoyment of roses! You can contact me at the monthly meeting, or at roseguy2000@aol.com.

Our Mosaic Splendor

By definition, a "mosaic" is a picture made of small bits of colored stone, glass or tile, while "splendor" equates to richness. Thus, my title, describing our TVRS membership as a diverse group, made up of many small bits of talent and personalities, which then creates the splendor!

What "bits" can YOU contribute to the beautiful pattern? How can you help your club?

1. Stay in the group a while, after you've learned all you want to know about caring for your own roses. Don't walk away before you have a chance to welcome the newcomers, and then help to teach them.

2. Add committee membership to your activities, depending on your own interests. Accept responsibility when asked.

3. Mention our club in conversation whenever possible. Extend an invitation to a meeting. Visibility in the local community is always needed.

Think about it - have you added your "bits" to the mosaic?

San Diego Fall/Home Garden Show

Ron and I attended the show last year and saw some great gardens, with lots of great ideas. Whatever your next house or garden project is you'll find the experts at this show. Bring your garden pest and disease problems to the Master Gardeners. Other experts are available to answer all of your questions. Check out the Garden Market Place at the show where you'll find beautiful plants, unusual drought tolerant plants, orchids and more for sale. All are at very reasonable prices, and there are many varieties that you cannot find in your local nurseries.

You will find lots of literature on water conservation, equipment savings, and waterwise landscaping. Of course they also have interior designers in the Home section of the show, who are available to answer your decorating problems. There is a tram that picks up along the show route and will drop you off near your car. Hope to see you there.

All about...

Denise Vacarro, one member of our Board of Directors, is a big supporter of Rose Haven Garden. She recently made a donation that will allow a redesign of the Hall of Fame area in the name of her family. Her mother was a great gardener and her own public service continues at the Garden.

Denise was born and raised in Yonkers, in New York City. She studied art and painted in oils at the Hudson River Artists. She studied at Hunter College on a scholarship, married and raised five sons. In one of the great ironies of art education she was allowed to teach wood and metal shop classes, but not allowed to teach art due to her pregnancies.

From the bastion of art and culture in New York, 1958 found the family transplanted to Phoenix, Arizona. The culture shock was intense, and Denise and her family responded by becoming founding members of the symphony and zoo associations there. In 1969 they followed the lovely summer vacations in Newport Beach to a home there. Since her teaching credentials weren't accepted in California she found and purchased a business in San Juan Capistrano, a travel agency she ran for 21 years.

This was a very exciting time to travel, as China was just opening up to the West and Denise got to travel there. It is easy now to forget just how unknown and mysterious that Communist giant was just a few decades ago. Her work with the travel agency led to deep ties with Rotary. She was honored and proud to represent Rotary at the United Nations. That job led to many trips to Washington to promote women and economic development.

When the Vaccaro's moved to Temecula they were looking for a place for some big dogs and green trees. They found that a lovely avocado grove made a fine home for their needs. Many of our founding members were her neighbors and so, about ten years ago, she became a part of our community, where she continues to work for culture and art, and lots of roses.

Who Wants to be an Angel?

“Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity.” ~Lindley Karstens, noproblemgarden.com

Member Meeting Program

Our speaker this month is TVRS member Pierre Mainguene. Pierre was born, raised and educated in Brittany (northwestern France). He came to the United States in 1972 and lives with his wife, Carolyn, in Temecula.

Pierre's presentation this month will focus on the gardens of France, from Normandy to the French Riviera. At the top of Pierre's list are the formal gardens at Versailles. We will also discover a lesser known section of Louis XIV's sumptuous estate, Marie Antoinette's Hamlet, complete with its own idyllic mini-farm, fish pond and grotto. Right outside the city limits many of us will be especially interested in Les Jardins de Bagatelle, a 60 acre park with a world class rose garden.

Not far from Paris we will also take a look at the chateaus and gardens of Chantilly, Fontainebleau and Vaux le Vicomte, and we will also travel to Giverny, where Claude Monet, the master Impressionist, lived and painted. We will visit his colorful garden and lily pond.

Pierre will then take us to the Loire Valley and the world famous Renaissance castles and gardens of Chenonceau and Villadry. The French Riviera will complete our tour with the high point being the villa of Baroness Ephrussi de Rothschild on Cap Ferrat, near Nice–a veritable "Garden of Eden," on the Mediterranean. Don't miss this one!

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

September Birthdays

Welcome New Members

Uninvited Hitchhiker

A tiny disease-carrying insect is heading north from Mexico. It's the Asian Citrus Psyllid and it can spread a devastating bacterial disease that goes by many names: "citrus greening disease," aka "huanglongbing" or "HLB." The disease ruins the flavor of fruit and juice and then kills the tree. If it becomes widespread it has the potential to destroy California's citrus industry (along with our personal citrus trees).

The psyllid has already been discovered in some parts of California but none of the specimens was carrying HLB. Not yet, anyway. This insect pest is worldwide and can hitchhike with plant material people hide in their luggage—recently FedEx discovered it in a duffle bag that contained curry leaves shipped from India.

The psyllid can go dormant for as long as a year, but it tends to move around in the fall because it lays eggs on the new growth of citrus trees. It may take years for symptoms of the disease to become obvious on your plants, so whenever you water, prune, or harvest from your backyard citrus trees, have a magnifying glass handy and carefully examine the new small leaves. Look for brownish, aphid-sized bugs with red eyes; also look for uneven, yellow mottling of the leaves.

If you see these signs, act quickly to call the Department of Agriculture at (800) 491-1899 to have an inspector determine if the plant has the decease. If possible, put specimens in a clear, sealable plastic sandwich bag for the inspector. Any diseased plant material must be destroyed.

You can get more information at www.CaliforniaCitrusThreat.org.

The ARS Palm Springs Convention

After that date the cost of convention registration will increase by $10.00. Early registration not only ensures the lower price of $85.00, it also guarantees better access to the tours, features and post-convention seminars and other opportunities. Convention data may be accessed at www.desertrosesociety.com.

Rose Haven Update

The garden is bubbling and buzzing this time of summer. The pond is a quiet refuge and the view from the gazebo is unsurpassed on these clear days. Several volunteers have been working away at keeping each area neat and tidy. We still need some people to dead-head and rake a little in the Original Rose area so the garden will be in tip-top shape for the "Last Rose of Summer" event. New member Xiaoxia Lau has joined us several Saturday mornings, and what a great help she has been. Thank you so much, Xiaoxia.

We applied earlier this year for a grant from the Roripaugh Foundation. They are to vote in September as to who the winner is, and we hope it's us. The grant will be used to develop the Entry area which, as you can see by the photo, really needs enhancement. The beautiful arbor, designed and built by David Granlund, still has no plantings or walkway to make this a grand entry. Cross your fingers for TVRS to win.

The recent development of the Children's area has incurred a few setbacks. Rebecca Weersing and several others placed arbors and planted sunflowers one Saturday. The next morning, to her dismay, rabbits had eaten every plant before the wire enclosure was finished. Then Barb Purdy and her husband John planted pumpkin seedlings nearby and squirrels climbed the enclosure and ate all the blossoms. We would appreciate any solutions you may offer to protect the Children's area project.

Our regular garden monthly meeting is Wednesday, September 23rd at 9 a.m. All are welcome to attend. The address is 30500 Jedediah Smith Road . Please see our website for additional information and photos.

When you feel that the threat of extended hot, dry weather has passed, sometime in September, you should do what we call a "mid-season pruning." It's a minor operation that's more than deadheading and less than the radical pruning you'll do at the beginning of the new year.

First, get ready by cleaning and sharpening your pruners. Use a little elbow grease, a soft clean cloth, and some 70% rubbing alcohol (from any pharmacy) to remove dried plant juice and debris. (Did you put your pruners away dirty last time you used them? Don't let that happen again!) If the mess requires stronger stuff, use 0000 steel wool instead of the cloth. You can buy the steel wool at any hardware store.

Once clean, get your pruners sharpened. You can have this done at some feed and fertilizer stores, but because your pruners should be sharpened every 100th cut or so, it's worthwhile to learn how to do it yourself. It's an acquired skill. Use a diamond grit file–also sold at feed and fertilizer stores; they come in fine and medium. Start out with fine and, if that isn't enough, try the medium. Carefully follow the bevel of the blade and don't press down too hard.

Second, inspect your irrigation system. Make sure each plant is getting enough water and that there are no leaks in the lines. Give them a good watering before you prune, and keep them irrigated to sustain the new growth that is going to take off after pruning.

Third, have fertilizer on hand; that will allow you to get the entire project done in a weekend without interruption.

Now about the mid-season pruning: As the year has passed, your roses have had two or three bloom cycles, and they've sprouted two, three, or more small canes at the end of each major cane you left on the plant at the beginning of the year. Do your best to prune these off, leaving just a single cane. Also, remove any canes growing into the center of the plant, as well as twiggy growth–none of it is going to be productive anyway, and it improves air circulation to prevent mildew and rust as the weather cools and we get more dew at night.

Clear all the pruning debris away, along with any stray dead petals and leaves, and beef up your composted mulch to 3" or 4" where needed. Then give the plants a good irrigation. The next day, feed them. As you may recall, I recommend two feedings a month. I use diluted fish emulsion for one of those feeding (see container instructions), at a rate of 2 gallons for each standard rose and 1 gallon for mini roses; if the mini is 4' tall or taller, you can feed it like a standard rose. Two weeks later, feed with an 8-10-8 granular organic fertilizer. Continue this feeding program through October. (If you notice any roses producing the grotesquely misshapen flower centers that are typical of too much Nitrogen, cut back on their feeding.)

One last thing: Please avoid any injuries when working with roses. The risk of serious and even life threatening infections is very real, especially as we grow older and our immune systems weaken. Wear protective clothing on your legs, arms, and hands. If you get a puncture or scratch, immediately use that 70% rubbing alcohol to cleanse the wound, no matter how superficial it may seem, then go in and wash the injury with soap and water, treat it with an antibiotic ointment, and cover it with a bandage. And talk with your doctor about getting a tetanus booster!

After all this work, consider making a relaxing visit to a "SoCal" rose event; to find dates and times, go to the American Rose Society Southwest District website at www.pswdistrict.org/text/calendar.html

Better yet, plan to exhibit some of your blooms at a Southern California rose show listed on that site! You'll find links to the individual rose societies to get the rules and guidelines for their shows.

Also, take some time to visit the Temecula Valley Rose Society (TVRS) public garden, Rose Haven. It's free! It is located in Temecula at the intersection of Jedediah Smith Road and Cabrillo Road at 30500 Jedediah Smith Road.

For a really great time from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. September 26th, attend TVRS's annual "Last Rose of Summer" fund raiser at Rose Haven. You'll be able to stroll the garden and partake of food and beverages al fresco while enjoying the music of the 17-piece Valley Winds Swing Band. There will also be a silent auction for some fabulous gift baskets. For tickets call Bonnie at (951) 676-6135. Tickets are $25 per person.