Organic rose gardening is becoming progressively popular among rose enthusiasts. Roses have been grown by individuals for 1000s of years before artificial chemical substances were ever invented and hence these chemicals do not have to be depended on to have a exquisite garden of roses. By maintaining an organic yard you are able to increase the longevity of your roses and keep your family, pets, and wildlife away from damaging chemical substances.

The earth, plants, and wildlife has been around millions of years doing fine on its own without the support of man. It is only when man gets it in his head that he can do better than nature when things start getting out of balance. Ordinarily, plants absorb nutrients and water from their roots. The leaves of the plant go through photosynthesis which is the process of utilizing water and sunshine to make energy. Soil naturally holds bacterium, fungus, nematodes, worms, plus other organisms. These organisms breakdown dead materials that enrich the soil. Using chemical plant foods, herbicides, and pesticides destroy natural soil organisms and disrupt the natural relationship of the roses and the soil. Without helpful bacteria to protect rose plant roots, damaging fungi can go in and damage the plant. Plus, it is feasible to get your roses addicted to chemical fertilizers. The more you use chemical substance to invigorate your roses, the more the roses will depend on the chemicals.

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In the Deep South roses during May are now perhaps in full bloom; in the Louisville area large buds are about to burst forth in a blaze of glory; in the extreme north new growth is very small and tender; but wherever you live nature is doing her best.

Many things help produce blue ribbon winners, but three things are absolutely necessary if rose plants are to grow even halfway satisfactorily and continue blooming after the spring or early summer crop.

Lets have a look. Without sufficient water no plant part functions properly; fertilizers and nutrients cannot be taken up and digested; living cells especially in the foliage cannot divide and increase but decrease in size and amount, the process of manufacturing food via the green matter in the cells and sunlight is limited. In fact if the soil becomes too dry, the moisture already in the plant may be drawn back into the soil and in due time the plant will wilt and die.

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Let’s Face It

We may as well face it, almost a century has passed since we dipped into Rosa X odorata (tea) blood and the modern rose passed into a new phase. The genes have been wound so many different ways from an ever increasing number of species roses. (Should you call me a hybrid Irishman” just because a remote ancestor named Dennis” came to America some 200 years ago, and his offspring intermarried into French, English, German and Welsh families?)

Where do the modern large flowered bush garden roses get their robust stems? Not from tea! Where do the sturdy big flowers come from? Not from tea! From whence do they get some cold resistance? Not from tea!

If we must single out some ancestor common observation would move us to use the name “hybrid gallica.” But this leaves us with the current problems. For in addition to gallica the modern roses have a fair representation of seven other major species roses in their genetic makeup.

It’s Gone- Let It Die In Peace

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Better Now

When the term hybrid tea was coined, it was used for roses that set a new standard for reliable repeat bloom. But progress in continuous bloom has far surpassed many of the original hybrid teas. Indeed, our progress is such that most recent introductions are properly called continous bloomers.

This point is stressed because it is a fact that the public often calls continuous blooming roses, monthly roses (hybrid tea) but my roses are so fortified by Rosa gallica that, in this climate it is a shame to call them monthly (hybrid tea). If you can find a well grown rose hybrid minus bud or bloom during the blooming season I will eat my words.

Progress ” Past and Future

Hybridizers will be the first to welcome simplification of names. For we realize how (genetically) wrong they are. The die-hards will be the exhibitors who, most often are not so interested in horticulture.

They will say, “Look at the classifications of 100 years ago and be thankful for the improvement we have.” That is just like telling a man who is sitting on four sand burs not to move or complain because once there was a man forced to sit on ten sand burs! My great-grandfather rode a horse until he was offered a Model T Ford.

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Rose planting can be started in the southern part of the south during the last half of the month. If you have not ordered you should do so soon, as newer varieties are usually in scarce quantity by now. The old favorites, however, should be in good supply. Do not be afraid to try the new varieties and the All”America selection for the current year.

Birds: This month is usually very hard on birds in the garden. Provide a place for water and see that it is kept filled every day. Also, provide some food in the form of small grains. Put these items near a window and let the children enjoy “bird- watching.”

Pruning and spraying: There are always enough mild days in January to do remedial and heavy pruning. Be sure to prune for a purpose, not just for the sake of exercise! Prune to remove dead or diseased wood, or to correct the pattern of growth. Cuts over one inch in diameter should be painted with a waterproof paint to prevent decay or entrance of insect pests.

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Two kinds of people use the stars. The first romanticize their beauty and dream by them, the second use them to steer their course by. It is much the same with roses. There is much to be done in this world to beautify both the garden and spirit of our fellow man with roses.

We can devote our time to simple enjoyment of the joys we have found in roses or we can set about the vitally important task of bringing this pleasure to more people. With a new year unfolding before us we might well take stock and see which path we have followed in the past and if we are willing to enrich the lives of our fellow men by following the second course.

If we find the challenge of the latter course inspiring there is one factor which will help greatly in gaining successful results. That is the importance of retaining an affirmative attitude. I used to hate the fact that my garden soil is full of rocks until I found these came in mighty handy when I issued forth with my trusty sling-shot to ward off the innumerable rabbits which plagued our new rose plants.

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Want to have a good night’s sleep? Smell some roses in your garden and you’ll get rosier dreams.

This rosy connection was discovered by researchers from the University Hospital Mannheim in Germany who said that what you smell may influence your dreams.

Their new research was presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation in Chicago. It is the first study that shows the impact of olfactory function on dreams.

“If odor has a strong effect on your emotions when you’re awake, it makes sense for it to have a strong effect on your emotions when you’re asleep,” said study author Boris Stuck.

To prove this, they recruited 15 healthy young women in their 20s – the period when the sense of smell is strongest.

The volunteers were fitted with olfactometers. Tubes leading to their nostrils constantly pumped air as the subjects slept.

“The subjects’ brain activity was also being monitored. When they reached the rapid-eye-movement stage of sleep, when most dreams occur, a shot of scent was administered via the olfactometer for ten seconds,” reported Rebecca Carroll of National Geographic News.

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