I’m writing this a little ahead of time because when you receive it, I’ll be in Europe. I do want to bring you up-to-date on the progress on trying to reserve the Filoli Estate or other venues for a fall 2020 Northern California Nevada and Hawaii (NCNH) Rose Show and Conference. Several people are helping to look at the options, costs, and possibilities for different locations. Any others who would like to be on the team are welcome. We hope to have a firm proposal for the PRS to host with estimates in October and commit before the end of the year. This allows some of us to check out the logistics of the Auburn September 27-29 NCNH 2019 show and conference before we commit. While we hope to have things at Filoli, it could be a very expensive venue. At best, we might have the show itself there (on Saturday during the day), but that could be a logistical problem with other events at another site. If we do have it at Filoli, the best space may be the Lecture halls attached to the Visitors Center. Even if we do not hold the event at Filoli, we can arrange group tours and possibly get Jim Salyards (Filoli Head of Horticulture) as a keynote speaker. A number of the people we talk to from other societies seem interested, but is much more typical to have the event in our hotel. Another nice venue option is Canada College which a group of us toured in early August. Logistically this could work well. We still are researching hotel options. And since out-of-towners need rooms, having it at a hotel would be typical (the Auburn show this year is in a hotel.) Stay tuned. Here is a photo of the Filoli garden showing the Sally Holmes on the arch (Tiffany rose in the foreground).
I’m going to miss the September judged show at PRS, but I hope you are getting ready. Remember to look at your roses a few weeks ahead (look for buds that may be good a week or two ahead. Disbud early for single roses and take out the center (terminal bud) for sprays. Give plenty of water and some extra liquid / foliar fertilizer a week ahead.
Another thing we will be doing in September is asking for officer/ BOD nominations from the meeting floor. A Nominating Committee needs to be formed. I will be term-limited and out as president. We will need a couple of Board Members as well. Please tell a current BOD member if you can spare some time on the second Tuesday of the month to get together with the BOD. Priya has asked for someone to take on the Corresponding Secretary role as well.
I hope you have been enjoying your summer. I did a bit better job deadheading and found I got a better second bloom in late July (mostly after the Picnic of course ☺). The June hot weather has not been repeated (as of this letter drafting), though I have seen a bit more mildew. After you have finished your second bloom, deadhead and fertilize for a third flush. Deadheading, summer pruning stimulates growth.
Happy Gardening, Stu Dalton