Annual CR Report

Annual Consulting Rosarian Report- 2010

compiled by Dave Long, Yankee District CR Chair

Consulting Rosarians are required by the American Rose Society as part of the Society’s continuing educational mission to submit to the District CR Chair an annual report using a form supplied by the ARS. There are currently fifty two (52) CRs in the Yankee District with thirty seven (37) submitting reports this year representing thirty (30) gardens.
The reporters were: Altman, Candler, Cannistraro, Chute (2), Corbin, Cunningham (2), Dorschel, Ehrenreich (2), Fisk, Fraser, Fuss, Gammon, Jung, Long, Macneil, Madden, Martin, Martorelli, Mattia, Mendes, Mosher, Nickerson (2), Osborn (2), Paniccia, Parsons (2), Rhodes, Rogers (2), Russo, Suvari and Swanson.
These reporters grow a total of (5100) roses (yes, the total evened out at 5100), which included 1693 HT/GF, 784 FL, 504 CL, 727 Mini, 1056 Shrubs and 336 OGR.

MOST FREQUENTLY MENTIONED GARDEN VARIETIES
(In order by the number of times mentioned – at least 4 reports)

MOST FREQUENTLY MENTIONED EXHIBITION VARIETIES
(In order by the number of times mentioned – at least 3 reports)

Frequency of roses ‘Mentioned’ varied widely, with the longest list of varieties in HT/GR both ‘Garden’ and ‘Exhibition’. Second longest list of varieties was FL again in both ‘Garden’ and ‘Exhibition’. Shortest list of varieties was in CL for the ‘Garden’ list and OGR for the ‘Exhibition’ list. Once again, the variety preferences reported did not vary that much with recent past reports. Julia Child and Hot Cocoa are still ‘hot’ on the FL listing. Julia Child is first on the ‘Garden’ and ‘Exhibition’ lists, while Jeanne Lajoie and Rose de Rescht are each first on both lists in MINI and OGR categories respectfully.
The reporters that grow the largest number of roses are: Oz & Audrey Osborn (585), and Irwin & Cindy Ehrenreich (540). The fewest number of roses grown by any reporter is (40).

RECOMMENDED CULTURAL PRACTICES:
Fertilizing programs range from one-quarter of a cup to one cup 10-10-10, (some reported using 12-12-12), Rose Tone or Omoscote – May, June, July with some people cutting back to zero or ½ cup in August. A number of growers supplemented the granular fertilizer with periodic applications of liquid fertilizer. Roses grown in containers received liquid fertilizer once a week (some people go every other week) in reduced volume so as not to flood the pot and run out the bottom. Bayer Advanced Granular is popular used monthly May to August. Also Neptune’s Harvest and Epson Salts are used. Some supplement with horse/cow manure, compost and fish emulsions. Some use RESPONSE and Epsom Salts. Wood ash used to control ph. Miracle Grow liquid fertilizer used on bedded and container roses.
Sprayers ranged from Fimco battery operated 4 to 10 gal. cart mounted to 6 gal backpack. Echo, Mantis, Hudson – 2 or 3 gallon hand pump.
Water Systems: Nearly everyone uses a hand held wand. Overhead Sprinklers are used by one reporter. Many have underground weeping hoses (6 inches between holes) and some have above ground Drip Works emitters. Dramm Dribble Rings with black poly pipe. Water at least 1 to 2 inches a week. Timed drip hose for container roses.
Winter Protection: Most reporters use one or combination of: mulch, compost, soil, seaweed and manure mounded 8 to 12 inches. Wrap climbers and other bushes as needed with burlap for wind protection. Make sure the rose you plant is suitable for your zone. Plant roses deep – maybe 2 to 3 inches below grade. Metal or plastic 10 – 12 collars used around bush packed with leaves.
Mulch: Pine bark shredded. Scott’s Forest Brown. Composted cow or horse manure (or both). Grass/leaves/vegetable scraps compost. Mushroom compost.
Other: Combination of compost and composted manures used when planting with original soil. Soil tests in March/April and checked through out year. Adjust ph accordingly. Use of oak leaves packed at base of Minis. Keep beds clean and apply 2-3 inch mulch. One reporter uses bales of chopped Alfa – sold as horse feed – as mulch.

PEST CONTROL RECOMMENDATION:
Pesticide: Some reporters use nothing. Most follow Integrated Pest Management Principles (IMP) – spray only when identified. Many use Bayer Advanced Disease Control and Bayer Insect. Bayer Advance 2-1 Rose and Flower. Some use Bayer All-In-One with Manzate powder for everything. Orthene is used by some. Merit also used by some. Some use the Bayer 3 in 1 hose end sprayer over the entire season – applied at dusk when there are no bees. Isotox used by one.

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS:
Insects: Midge is a problem for many – chemicals used include: Spectracide ‘Trizicide’.
Bayer Advanced Rose Insect Killer. Also used: Bayer Complete Turf and Soil Granules for midge. Merit has the same active ingredient (Imidacloprid) – good for Midge. Japanese Beetles are ‘picked off’; others use Milky Spores for beetles. Some only use insecticidal soap for insects. Rose Pride is used by some also Malathion is used by others. Some make their own home brewed soap for aphids, also Bio Safe nematodes used to control Japanese beetles.
Mites: Chemicals reported: Avid, Floramite. Water wand at three day intervals at first note of presence.
Mildew-Powdery: Bayer Advanced Disease Control for Roses, Flowers & Shrubs. Banner Maxx. Baking Soda and Neem used by some. Banner Maxx with Mancozeb every two weeks. Some use Green Cure also Rubigan. Some use Immunox. Some home brew Physan as needed.
Mildew-Downy: Some reporters do nothing. Banner Maxx is used by some. Baking Soda and Neem usage reported, also Mancozeb. Alliette used by some as well as Subdue by others. Green Cure used by some – also Stature-PM by others.
Rust: Not reported in our growing areas.
Blackspot: Bayer Advanced Disease Control for Roses, …, alternating with Daconil. Some use Banner Maxx. Baking Soda and Neem reported, also Immunox by some. Some use Banner Maxx and Mancozeb alternating with Compass and Mancozeb every two weeks. Green Cure also used. Some use good garden hygiene ONLY.
Other-Specify: Some only use Neem Oil or Horticultural Oil for control. Lime sulfur sprayed on roses and ground used in late fall to reduce fungus carry over into spring.

SUGGESTION(S) ON HOW A CR CAN BE MORE EFFECTIVE:
Reporters submitted the following: Speaking to different garden groups. Make presentations to Master Gardener groups. Write articles for newsletters and newspapers. Offer advice at different nurseries when new rose growers have questions. Go on radio garden program to talk about roses. Make yourself available to guest and new members at rose meetings. Give garden roses to local merchants for above average service – use this as method to initiate discussion of CR information. Some carry books in their car and use them as a teaching aid if an opportunity occurs. Be enthusiastic and stay current. Keep your presentations and conversations simple – do not overwhelm the new rosarian. Grow good roses and be an example. Interest young people in growing roses – such as Boy and Girl Scouts. Plant a rose garden in the front yard so it is visible, attracts interest and dialog with community. Suggest roses for fund raisers and also enhance school grounds with roses.
I what to thank everyone who participated in this survey, I only wished that we had 100% of CR participation. We have (52) CRs and only (37) submitted and we have a dwindling number of CRs – in 2004 we had (77) CRs in Yankee District. Any ideas you may have on how to increase our number would be appreciated.
National ARS is in the process of making major changes to the CR program along with changes in the reporting, i.e., the CR Annual Report that should be coming out within the next couple of months. I will keep you abreast of any new developments.

Respectfully submitted by:
David R. Long
Yankee District CR Chair
February 23, 2010