President's Message - March 2025

Hello Fellow GRS members and friends.

As I sit here, I’m thinking about what I could recommend that would help our roses through the extremes of summer heat. For the past three summers we have had nearly three-digit heat degrees for most of the spring and summer months. Keeping them hydrated and cool will be the best path to lessen plant stress. I would suggest making sure there is plenty of mulch around each plant, three to four inches deep/thick. Another thing, unless you have an automatic watering system, being gone from home for extended periods, the roses may suffer from loss of moisture. I have seen in these cases where if you place a couple coffee cans, with very small holes, on each side of the plant. When it rains the can could fill up and provide seeping water up to a week. Hopefully it would rain at least once a week in order for this to be effective.

Last month was our annual pruning meeting here at the Stream’s Garden. There were a few who took part in cutting back 8 to 10 roses and learned how Ralph does his pruning. Thanks to CR’s Kathy and Wayne for helping to demonstrate their pruning skills too. If you missed out, you can still drop by and take a look. The entire garden is now finished and starting to show red growth.

This year’s DSD Mid-Winter Meeting has been moved to February 28-March 2nd. It is now too late to participate in the Saturday night banquet, but you can still register at the desk and take part in all other activities, programs, vendor sales and raffles. Plus, the opportunity to make some new friends.

Our March 9th program will be on Thornless and Shade tolerant roses, presented by Consulting Rosarian, Kathy Porter. Kathy always does a great job, so please be sure to come and lend your support.

Don’t forget your raffle items on the 9th. This helps GRS earn a few dollars. Thanks to all who bring items and buy tickets.

Take care, and I look forward to seeing you soon.

President's Message - February 2025

Hello Fellow GRS members and friends,

Well, we sure got the cold weather so far this winter. Way colder than Jean and I can handle in regards to outside work. As a result I am way behind in keeping the roses and garden clean and nice looking. I heard on TV weather station that January 2025 has set an all time recorded record for average 30 day degree temperatures. We lost a few tender annual plants and all the rose blooms are now mush. Up to this past week our garden was full of huge lovely blooms which now all need to be cut off. You will see this at our pruning in February. I hope you and your plants made it through the past hard freezes.

I need to remind all GRS CR’s, they need to start attending our monthly meetings. It does not set well for you, our leaders not coming and supporting our efforts and participate in the interaction of our members who have questions.

Our pruning demonstration this February is at the Stream’s garden and it is a tad early this year. In the past, March has been our month for this yearly program. Hope it will turn warm outside for this. Remember to bring your favorite pruners if you want a hands-on experience how Hybrid Tea roses are to be pruned. I can go over how to sharpen your blades if that interests anyone.

I still have three roses left from our fall rose sale. If you would like any or all three, give me a call and you can pick them up at the pruning day. I really need to find these a home. The close-out price will be $20 each. They are Perfume Delight, a Hybrid Tea, Lavender color and very fragrant. Christian Dior, a Hybrid Tea, Red, very tall plant with classic floral shop form, long lasting blooms. Last is Our Lady of Guadalupe. This is a Floribunda that has loads of soft pink bloom, grows up to five foot high and is very disease resistant. It carries an 8.1 rating. All three of these are on Fortuniana rootstock and will grow here in Florida conditions for many years with minimal care.

We will be having a raffle at the pruning meeting if you want to bring an item or two. I hope you can make it.