By Carol Wong, President
Jim Crowther’s theme for rose arrangements this month is, “June is Busting Out All Over” and some of our roses may have recovered enough from their spring flush to be blooming once again. Please bring at least one of your blooms or an arrangement to share with us, whether or not it is in perfect shape. We love to see them! Our speaker for the June 21 membership meeting will be Barbara Gordon, who will give us excellent reasons for “Leave the Prickles on the Roses”. She always brings many examples of her topic, so you will see what she means. Our own Marie Hubbell will be judging.
As learned from the May ARS power point programs on Rose Diseases by John and Mitchie Moe, or the IPM (Integrated Pest Management) of Rose Pests by Baldo Villegas, one good way to rid your plants of diseases and pests is to remove the damaged leaves and let the plant start over. Selecting for and maintaining healthy roses was another suggestion. The new rose introductions of 2016 included many shrub roses. Jerry Georgette encouraged members to think about taking on the jobs of Consulting Rosarians.
Judging from the popularity of our display, copies of our newly revised “Favorite Roses of the Peninsula Rose Society” and postcards about our meetings, our participation in the Filoli Flower Show was a success! Kudos to Pam Schenk whose show expertise with Filoli helped us plan and execute a beautiful display.
Our field trip to the San Jose Heritage and Municipal Rose Gardens so inspired us that we are going to make a contribution to the Heritage Rose Garden to support the work of the many volunteers who work as docents and pruners. David Giroux and Mary Ann served as docents, and Cynthia Chuang accompanied us and added her own contribution. The beds of old and new roses were thrilling to see in their variety and colors.
Priya Kamath is encouraging members to go to the open houses of Monterey Bay Greenhouse Growers on Saturday, June 18. She is recommending Pajarosa Roses for hothouse roses, Kitayama Brothers as well as a succulent nursery. Use this website to plan your own carload if you are interested.