President's Message - November 2024

Hello Fellow GRS members and friends,

I want to start off by thanking those of us who worked on and supported the DSD/GRS & MCRS Convention and Rose Show. Even though it was a success for the most part, we did not profit all that much as in past years. Higher expenses and fewer attendees has really shown how these events are losing favor with our longtime convention supporters.

The good news is we did not finish out in the red. My message last month related to the possibility of dispensing with our annual rose show. As mentioned, this proposal has been discussed with the GRS Executive Board and CR’s. The consensus was unanimous to bring this action to the Society for a club vote. If passed by a majority, then we will proceed in disposing of the show supplies. All of the left over show awards will then be offered as raffle items until they are gone.

It truly breaks my heart for us to be in this position, but there is no way Jean or I can keep up the pace that is required for successful rose shows. Plus, we have no new blood wanting to pick up where we leave off. Please be sure to come to the November meeting and let your voice be heard if you disapprove of this proposed action.

The Newberry Master Gardeners Expo, although it was good exposure for GRS, it was not what we had hoped it to be as far as making a few dollars for the club. GRS sold 22 of the 57 roses we had purchased from Nelson’s Roses. I still have 7 roses in 3 gallon pots left for sale at $30 each, or $75 for 3 plants. I will bring a few to the November meeting just in case some of you want one or two. Call or email me if you want to know which varieties I have.

The tip of the month. Our roses are still in need of regular watering. Just because it has cooled off, does not mean they don’t need to be watered. They still need regular watering, just not as much at this time of the year.

Fall is the very best time here in Florida to plant new roses, either replacements or new beds. Fall planting will give your new plants a head start on forming a new root structure before the heat of summer arrives. This gives far better success for healthy plants.

Hoping all our members come to the November meeting. See you at the library.

Ralph Stream, Master Rosarian, President 

President's Message - October 2024

Happy October Folks,

Well, here we are with less than a week before our Fall Convention that a few of us have been working on all year. It is now up to the rest of you GRS member to come and support our effort and make this a successful event. It is never too late to come and pay registration cost on site. Even to attend the banquet, we probably can get the hotel to add a couple extra plates if you decide to pay for a meal. We would love for you to enjoy this special time together.

With so little participation in the GRS Rose Show, a few of us are thinking it is now time to dispense with our yearly rose shows. There is no fun for one or two people winning all the awards. We will have some discussion on this at our next board meeting, the perhaps a society vote. The storage for show supplies has become too expensive to keep as well, especially with our limited GRS funds.

Now that the weather has begun to cool down some, our roses will be showing their happiness by providing better blooms for us to appreciate. But, they still are in need of care, watering is number 1, then a last fall feeding before November 1st. I usually apply a soluble fertilizer of Peters 20-20-20 at the rate of 1 TB per gallon, one to two gallons per plant, according to the plant size. Also with cool damp nights comes fungal diseases, so one or two applications of fungicide is recommended. Do not feed plants after November 1st. This may cause the plant to start new growth too late before any freezing temperature arrives. You don’t want new stems dying off; this only weakens the plant and causes stress that will weaken them too.

Please keep up with the GRS newsletter for upcoming programs and events.

I hope to see a lot of you at the convention, remember it replaces our October meeting.

Happiness is a smiling rose!

Ralph Stream, Master Rosarian, President