ANNUAL CONSULTING ROSARIAN REPORT FOR 2005

March 5, 2005
Jerry Cinnamon, Yankee District CR Chair

            As part of the educational mission of the American Rose Society, Consulting Rosarians are required to submit to the district CR Chair an annual report using a form supplied by the ARS. There are currently 71 CRs in the Yankee District, and there were 35 respondents representing 28 gardens.  The reporters were as follows: Berg 2, Brazzell (2) Breed, Candler, Cannistraro, Chapin, A. Chute, M. Chute, Cinnamon, Cohen, L. Cotton, D. Cotton, Dorrakian, Dorschel, Cunningham (2), Emmons, Fisk, D. Fuss, M. Fuss, Fraser, Goldstein, Hempel, Long, Lowe, Martin, McKeown, Morin, Parsons, Rhodes, Shamoon, C. Rogers, S. Rogers.

            These reporters report growing 4237 roses (including 942 Lowe).  There were 1093 HT, 89 GR, 526 FL, 176 CL, 847 Mini, 878 Shrub (including 400 Lowe), 829 OGRs (including 400 Lowe) for a total of 4387 roses. Dave Berg adds seedlings to the total. James and Joan Brazzell who maintain the Rose/Wedding Garden in Boothe Memorial Park and Museum in Stratford, Connecticut tend 300 HT, 50 GR, 55 FL, 40 CL, 20 Mini, 50 Shrub, and 50 OGR for a total of 565 roses. Reported rose varieties are listed in the frequency reported when reported by more than one Rosarian.

TOTALS MOST COMMON GARDEN VARIETIES

MOST COMMON ROSE EXHIBITION VARIETIES

Fertilizing

Many Yankee District Rosarians use 10-10-10 every three or four weeks during the growing season until the end of August with variations on this formula during the season. Many supplement this periodically with commercially available water-soluble fertilizer during the heaviest growing season, and perhaps apply Epsom Salts in the early spring. A limited number use time-release fertilizer alone or supplement with water-soluble fertilizers. A limited number mentioned foliar feeding, horse manure that may serve the dual purpose of winterizing and fertilizing, or alfalfa pellets. Most stop their fertilizing program in time to give roses time to go into dormancy before the coming winter.

Most Rosarians use a hand carried 2 to 3 gallon pump. Others use hose end sprayers and a few use electrical powered sprayers.

Many Rosarian use water wands, or soaker hoses. The use of Drip Works systems appears to be growing.

Rosarians hill their roses or cover them with Styrofoam cones. A few noted that they grow hardy varieties, wrap their roses, count on snow for additional protection, or move exhibit hybrid teas into buildings that remain near or above freezing.

Rosarians mulch with cedar or pine bark mulch, composted horse manure, or composted leaves and grass clippings. A few Rosarians mention applying lime in the fall.

Rosarians employ a range of chemicals that act systematically, on the surface, or by contact.

·          Insects: Responses include the following:  Orthenex, Sevin, Horticulture Oil, Insecticide soap, Diazinon, Knockout, Isotox, Orthene, Bayer Advanced or All in One.

·          Mites: Rosarians primarily use a water wand to spray the underside of leaves, as well as the chemicals: Malathion, Avid, Orthene Systematic Insect Control, Floramite when damage is seen, Isotox, Kelthane. At least one Rosarian indicates that they do not use chemicals.

·          Mildew-Powdery: Grow resistant varieties, plan adequate spacing, use Banner Maxx and compass, Funginex, Rose Pride, Immunox, Manzate, or Neem Oil as an alternative.

·          Rust is relatively rare in the Yankee District; prune it away.

·          Blackspot: Funginex, Banner Maxx, Immunox, Bayer Advanced.

Suggestions on how a CR can be More Effective

                Rosarians generally recommend interacting with the rose growing public and a few Rosarians comment on the good job that we do. Suggestions include grow roses in your front yard or taking roses to the office to inspire interest and questions. Let people know that you are a CR and available for questions, stay active in your own rose society, give talks at local nurseries or garden clubs complete with handouts, attend and conduct garden tours, and generally meet people. When you do so teach the basics without complications, and particularly encourage people to grow winter hardy roses and disease resistant roses.