Temecula Valley Rose Society

President's Message

Now regarding the LAST ROSE OF SUMMER, we had the same enthusiasm by those who participated in the event. For the enjoyment of the participates, we had a program that included Bob Coates Band playing thirties, forties, and fifties big band favorites; plenty of food; wine from our local wineries; and an opportunity to take home a gift basket. I'm sure everyone who was in attendance fully enjoyed the event. Too bad so many members missed the event.

I want to recognizes a couple of people who worked very hard on this event, first, Kathy Tergeon who was successful in arranging articles about this event in 14 of our local valley area newspapers and additional county coverage in the Press Enterprise. The event was even mentioned on a local radio station.

The second lady, Ann Coates, nearly single handedly orchestrated this event by securing the band, preparing the food, collecting donations, acquiring the wine from local wineries, and the preparation of the many of the gift baskets that were on the opportunity table. Also, I would like to thank those board members that provided very nice gift baskets for the opportunity table.

Ann Coates and Kathy Tergeon deserve a tremendous amount of credit and Kudos' for the success of the event.

Now that it is October, and the weather is hopefully cooler, we can deadhead and fertilize our roses and attempt to promote some nice roses for the holidays ahead. These recent, very hot days have not been kind to our roses at least not mine anyway. Hopefully, I'll get some improvement shortly. Have a great fall season.

American Flags Available

If there are any of you who do not own a flag, or you have a torn one that you would like to replace, I will have purchase forms available at our next meeting. These flags are a fundraiser for the Murrieta Rotary Club to benefit our future Veteran's Memorial next to our Murrieta City Hall in Town Square, as well as "Murrieta through Time" (history walk) project.

The flags include a 3x5 foot pole, and a ribbon will be attached with the name of the person that you are honoring, whether military, police, fire fighters or first responders. These flags will be displayed at the Town Square Park from Nov. 8 through Nov. 14.

During the eight days that the Field of Honor is on display there will be several special events including the City's Veteran Memorial ground breaking on Veteran's Day, after the Parade. The price is $35.00, of which $10.00 goes to the affiliated agency or organization selling the flags, so not only are you honoring a loved one but you are also helping our Rose Society as well.

Checks should be made payable to Murrieta Rotary Foundation, and I will turn them in all at once. You will be able to pick up your flag on Sunday Nov. 15th between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. If this is inconvenient for you I will be happy to pick yours up. Thank you.

In Memoriam – Murray Triplett

One of our newer members, Murray Triplett, passed away July 18, 2009. He was the husband of Jean Triplett and they drove quite a way to join our meetings from Hemet.

In a note from Jean, she says "Roses were one of the loves of his life." Previously they had lived in Green Valley, AZ and were very active in the rose society there. Murray had won "Best in Show" with his "Touch of Class" many times. They both agreed that some of the nicest people they had ever known were Rosarians.

Our sympathy goes out to Jean and the family on their loss.

Member Meeting Program

In her 30 years in the Garden Industry, Gisele has accumulated a wide range of experience and knowledge. Schoniger will share her wealth of gardening wisdom as an educator to the industry and consumers all across the West. Her workshops are upbeat, educational and entertaining.

She will be presenting some of her recent topics on "Breakthroughs in Natural and Organic Practices: Understanding the Importance of Mycorrhizal Fungi and Building the Microbial Life of your Soil." You will also learn how Kellogg Garden Products are the true suppliers of "Green." Bring your friends and neighbors and don't miss this one!

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

October Birthdays

Welcome New Members

Rose Haven Update

At last it's Fall. Plants at the garden thrive in the cooler days and it's great to see them perking up. Although we watered, dead-headed, and watered again in September the roses looked pretty wilted after all those hot, hot days– and so did our volunteers. Thanks to some creative fencing by Barb Purdy and Kathy Katz, the sunflowers in the Children's Garden have popped their heads up and they look fabulous. Our activity focus in October will be erosion control, and will be part of our Third Saturday Workshop along with youth gardening. We invite you to join us and see what's going on.

There was a group of young visitors to the garden recently. Girl Scout Troop #307 held a graduation ceremony for one of the girls, and they wanted to let us know how much they all enjoyed the garden and felt it was a perfect setting for the ceremony. In an e-mail to us, Leader Chelsey Novak says the girls would love to come back and spend more time in the garden. We are delighted with this news.

The "Last Rose of Summer" event was terrific. The refreshments, band, auction, and fun company made the occasion enjoyable for all. The proceeds are so appreciated and will be used for maintenance of the garden. A loud "Thank You" to Chairperson Ann Coakes and her team who worked non-stop to make the party so pleasant. Photos of the event are posted on our website.

Our regular garden committee meeting is Wednesday, October 28th at 9 a.m. All are welcome to attend. The address is 30500 Jedediah Smith Road, Temecula. Please see our website (at temeculavalleyrosesociety.org) for additional information and photos.

October is a good time to do a major garden clean up. Pick up all cuttings, dead leaves, weeds, and other debris and put it in the curbside green waste bin: Don't compost it. Most people's compost never gets hot enough to kill the many disease organisms, pests and seeds that rose debris can harbor, and these can over-winter in the compost pile to infect your garden next Spring. Add a new layer of composted mulch at this time, if you have it.

Pruning stimulates the plant to put out new growth, so keep an eye on your roses' water needs. Even though the weather will get cooler as the year comes to an end, we all know that there will be periods of intense heat and drying winds that can be unkind to tender new growth.

Roses still need feeding. From now until late November, use fertilizers that are slightly higher in Potassium (the "K" in the NPK printed on the bag or box). The potassium will work with the phosphate applied earlier in the year to make the root systems more vigorous so they can withstand whatever heat or cold come their way. Remember, never feed a dry or water-stressed plant: Thoroughly water the plant 24 hours before applying fertilizer.

October is also a great time to evaluate your rose garden. Decide which plants are non-performers for you and find them a new home. Plan for removal and prepare the site for the incoming bushes in late December or early January. Seek catalogs of rose and make your selections now to be certain to get your choices. Many new roses are available, and some will be exhibition winners.

For ideas visit TVRS' Rose Haven garden at 30500 Jedediah Smith Road, Temecula, as well as our web site: TemeculaValleyRosesociety.org/index.shtml.

On Monday, September 13th, 2009 the rose world lost one of its finest champions. Born in Visalia in 1907, a then sleepy hamlet just south of Fresno, California, Ralph quickly showed a great passion for roses by his keen interest in growing them while still in high school. His grandfather was credited with teaching the young Ralph the art of propagation from cuttings rather than via the traditional budding techniques. This habit caused Ralph to search for breeding stock that would impact more hardy, disease resistant characteristics as well as be easily propagated from cuttings. Almost seventy years ago Ralph Moore started Sequoia Nursery in Visalia, which was to become a 20th century Mecca for rose lovers with Ralph as its oracle.

Creator, Dreamer, Great Composer...
are all terms that have been used to describe the Herculean contributions of Ralph S. Moore to the development of modern miniature roses. Heralded by his peers in the world of rose hybridizing, Ralph was “The Father of Modern Miniature Roses.” In 1935, he began by building upon the experiences of such European breeders as Dot of Spain and De Vink of Holland. His main thrust, however, was completely devoted to the concept of producing miniature roses in a wide diversity of color and form with a pleasing low bush habit to equal the traits of the popular large flowered varieties.

Ralph had a propensity to name roses for his friends and family or a logical name to describe his latest creation. Among his 500 plus miniatures you will find a large number named for prominent rose people – ‘Rose Gilardi’, ‘Don Marshall’, ‘Anita Charles’,’ Annette Dobbs’, to name but a few.

Dedication to the cause of volunteer service in the name of the rose was second nature to Ralph, never failing to offer whatever help he could, under whatever circumstances. He was a quiet private man, never uttering an unkind word to anyone – a rare commodity in today’s socio-political environment. For him, the act of volunteer service was seemingly reward enough. Ralph was recognized by the Royal National Rose Society in 1990 when he was awarded the Dean Hole Medal ^* – a great thrill for him for he was only the second American in history to be so honored! Both the American Rose Society and the World Federation of Rose Societies have bestowed their Gold Honor Medal upon Ralph for services to the rose.

This is not the time to recount the infinite services of this true champion for the list would be as inexhaustible as his energies. From the very first day you met Ralph, you instantly recognized he was a gentle man of high integrity with a deep respect for shared values and lasting friendships. There has been no one who has not been touched by his gentle, sometimes admittedly passionate manner and kind words as he meticulously wove his love and passion for roses into the fabric of your private life bringing the joy of roses much closer as well as its shining reward of camaraderie. Now that he is gone, the legacy of his lifetime will do no less. How much he has done – how much still unchronicled! We dare not try to tabulate the many lives he touched, the problems – known and unrecorded – he solved, the afflicted he comforted, the people he gave radiance to, by his manner and attention.

No eulogy can do full justice to a man of this high caliber, for his character and achievements are extensive indeed – a quiet father with his heart and soul devoted to his family and roses. We are all left with fond memories of a truly great man and a true rose champion. Life cannot remain the same without dear Ralph, a living legend in his own time and a fixture we all took for granted. Remembrance of who and what he stood for may be the guiding beacon of light by which others will continue to emulate his gentle character and manner thereby celebrating the life of a great man by their example. Ralph Moore is survived by daughter Eleanor Bergthold, another daughter, Mona Sorenson of Eugene, Oregon; a son, Keith Moore of Visalia; and 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Albert Schweitzer once wrote, "No ray of sunlight is ever lost. But the green which it wakes needs time to sprout. And it is not always granted to the sower to live to see the harvest. All work that is worth anything is done in faith." Ralph lived long and saw his harvest in the faces of those who loved and admired his rose varieties. He did leave behind a wonderful book of poems and somehow had planned in 1998 for his own Epitaph, “When It Comes My Turn,” summing up his philosophy in life and its meaning to him.