Vol 1/Issue 1 April 2003
To Contact: WCFRS
C/O Patti Hartzell
217 Salt Brick Court
Wilmington, NC 28411-7855
E-mail: WCFRSNC@aol.com

Welcome! to the first edition of the Wilmington Cape Fear Rose Society (WCFRS) newsletter, The Costal Rose. We hope to provide you with information about WCFRS and other local society rose events, as well as informative articles about growing and enjoying roses in the coastal North Carolina area.
 
Suggestion and questions are welcomed.  We encourage you to submit them to us using the e-mail or postal address listed above.

Check out our web page at: http://carolinadistrict.org/WCFRS/index.htm

President’s Message

Hi there Rose Buds!

I am so pleased to have the opportunity to lead the Wilmington Cape Fear Rose Society through its first year.  Our charter membership totaled over 45 family memberships, with over 74 people inclusive.  This is an outstanding success for our first meeting!

Congratulations, new charter members, on becoming part of a new beginning for our rose society.  We encourage each one of you to bring a friend into the society.  Our goal is to reach 100 family memberships by December 2003.  Let's make it happen!  Get involved!

Spring is finally here and there are a few chores you should complete:

Cut back your rose bushes by the end of March.  The rule of thumb in Wilmington is to "Cut back when the forsythia blooms!" 
Fertilize and top with horse manure before adding new mulch.  A small handful of Epson salts around the bush at the drip line will encourage new basal breaks.
Replace the mulch under your roses with fresh.  This will reduce black spot problems. 
Spray your roses once a week, starting now.  Keep up your spray schedule.  We are prone to black spot in Wilmington.  

This is a great time to choose new roses for your rose beds!  Select good clean healthy plants with at least 3 canes.  Make sure they are grade 1 roses.  If your rose does not have a good root system started, take it back
right away since it may not survive.

Don’t fertilize your new rose until it is established.  Give it time to set its roots. 

Patti and Bill’s Favorite Roses:  Veterans Honor, St. Patrick, Moonstone, Pearly Gates, Dream Weaver, Ballerina, America, Double Delight, Fairhope, and Incognito.

Start making a list of your favorites and watch it grow.  Get hooked…plant roses!  Have fun!

Finally the Rose Garden tour in May is going to be so much fun!  We will be selling tickets for a "Rescue a Rose" raffle to benefit our new Wilmington Cape Fear Rose Society.  We will need help in digging up the donated roses, so please get in touch with me if you can help.  This will give you a chance to see what you may choose from if you have a winning ticket.  We estimate there are about 60 bushes.

I want to thank everyone who attended our first meeting.  Jump in and sign the committee sheets and be a part of our success.!  We need you…all of you!

See you at the April 26th meeting.  Witherspoon Roses has a wealth of information we all can use.
Patti

First Meeting: "Budding Out"

The Wilmington Cape Fear Rose Society (WCFRS) of North Carolina is a group of people united by their interest in roses. We promote the appreciation and growing of roses through rose meetings, programs, tours and educational programs.

We had our first exciting meeting on a rainy March 15, 2003, Saturday.  We believe the angels were crying for joy because a much needed and desired new society was beginning in Wilmington North Carolina!  We voted unanimously to become an Affiliated Rose Society. Officers were voted in and Chairpersons jumped in to support our society.  "Wilmington Cape Fear Rose Society" was voted on unanimously as our society name.

Chemical Disposal, Storage and Use
By Ruth DiOrio, CR
West Pasco Rose Society

Something about Spring compels me to check our garden chemicals and dispose of the ones that are out-of-date.  Remember to dispose of these hazardous materials at the appropriate waste disposal facility for your area.  Call your county office for the locations.  DO NOT POUR THE CHEMICALS IN THE SOIL OR DOWN THE DRAIN.

After purchasing new chemicals, it is a good idea to use an indelible marker to write the purchase date on the container.  I also write the dosage amount in large clear letters because it saves us time.  Check the expiration dates on the packages.  This is especially true if you use biological controls, i.e. predatory mites, lacewings, etc. They all have a limited shelf life. 

Chemicals are best stored in cool dark areas where temperatures are regulated.  Powdered chemicals should be sealed. Year round storage in most Florida garages will cause most chemicals to become unstable.  Many gardeners use small refrigerators (like the ones for college dorms) in their garage for their outdoor chemicals.  All chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, etc.) must be stored in original containers.  Mix powdered products in warm water in a jar with a screw top lid (like a mayo jar) before pouring the solution through a strainer into your sprayer to help prevent the sprayer tip from clogging.

(Originally published in the February 2003 volume of “The Rosette” from the West Pasco Rose Society, Peter and Ruth DiOrio, Editors.)

Rose Exhibiting for Beginners

Rose exhibiting is one of the most exciting events for rose growers, whether you enter or attend a rose show.  There are a few things that you should know before entering your prize blooms.

Six weeks before a show
Cut back all your blooms on Hybrid Teas.  It takes about six weeks from the time you cut until the time you get new blooms on most roses.  Heavily petaled roses such as Uncle Joe and Lynette take longer to recycle.  Those with fewer petals will take less time. 

Tip:  Keep a record of when you cut each bush back and you have the beginnings of a good calendar for your cutback in the spring.

Fertilize starting six weeks before the show, using the following schedule. 

6 Weeks Before:  Use a highest first number (nitrogen) of the three numbers on the product, like 30-10-10. 

3 Weeks Before:  Use a balanced fertilizer such as 20-20-20 or 18-18-18.

2 Weeks Before:  Use a fertilizer with the highest middle number, such as Superbloom, which is 12-55-7. 

Tip:  Brands do not make a difference, and there are several, such as Bloom Buster, that have the same type formulation.

1 Week Before:  Use a highest middle number (Potassium) like 10-60-10. 

This method will insure a proper fertilizing balance from cutting to bloom.  Using a chelated iron product such as Sprint will insure the dark green leaves the judges love.  This feeding schedule will ensure a proper fertilizing balance from cutting to bloom.

Spray every week for black spot and watch for aphids and any other insect that could be damaging your bush.  Spray accordingly.

One Month Before a Show
This is the time to start watching your roses for potential show roses.  You will be looking for straight strong stems.  Disbud as they grow.  This process removes the side buds that form between the stem and the leaf.  A gentle push of the thumb should remove the bud, but be careful not to remove the leaf.  Disbudding allows all the energy to go to the exhibition bloom. 

When showing a floribunda spray, remove only the center bud and leave the side buds for your spray.  Make sure the stem is not close to other stems, which can damage leaves by nearby prickles.

Continue to water and spray.

Two Weeks Before a Show
Watch for thrips damage.  This causes the bloom to not open, and if they do open, the blooms will be discolored.  Thrips are tiny insects you will not be able to see until the bloom is fully open and the damage is done  To prevent this, prepare a spray of 1/8 tsp. Orthene (fire ant) powder to 1 pint of water in a spray bottle carefully misting the buds only.  You must do this daily at least a week before the show.

Prepare your Grooming Kit
My grooming kit has more than I need but I or a fellow exhibitor sometimes run into jams and need something, so I come fully prepared.  This is what I bring:

Pens and pencils erasure
Highlighter
Twist ties
Rubber bands
Soft brush
Felcos & Sharpener
Regular, Fingernail & Cuticle scissors
Regular and needle nose tweezers
Plastic straws
Exacto & paring knives
Thorn remover
Deckle scissors
Rubber bands
Cotton Balls
Q-tips
Foil, Plastic wrap
Packing peanuts or styrofoam wedgies
Soft cloths
Wet cloth
Hand towel
Zip-Loc bags
Small return address labels
ARS Handbook for selecting roses
Rose Show Schedule
Camera for later in the show

One Week Before a Show
Start selecting your roses and marking them, if needed.  You can also protect them from the dew at night and the sun during the day with very light garden fabric. 

Three days before a show
If I have roses that look like they will mature too early, i.e. 1/4 - 1/3 open, I remove them.  I cut them on a 7:1 ratio, with the stem being 7 times longer than the height of the bloom.  This allows for re-cutting later.  Cut at an angle with a sharp pair of pruners.  Immerse in a full bucket of tepid water just below the bloom and re-cut, allowing the rose to drink what it needs. 

After an hour, place the rose in a bucket of with a conditioner of Floralife or Chrysall in 3 inches of water.  Cover the bloom with a plastic baggie, blowing it up using a straw inserted in the bottom.  Remove the straw, seal with a twist tie, and place in the refrigerator. 

Eat out the rest of the week because by this time you will be convinced that your roses are more important than food. 

Continue this until the day before the show.  Toss out the ones that look worse than the ones you just cut and replace them with the new blooms.

The Day Before a Show
Take one last stroll through your rose beds and cut the late bloomers that will surprise you!  Condition and wrap your roses in a florist bouquet wrap or wax paper cone, careful not to staple the leaves to the plastic.  Place them in water. 

Each rose should still be individually marked even if you believe you will know which is which later.  Place them in a bucket in a small bathroom and turn your AC as low as you can stand.  At this point you will probably not need to refrigerate your roses any longer. 

Gather your grooming kit, directions to the show and get some rest...if you can!

The Day of a Show
If you are an early riser and can't resist the temptation of prowling around in your rose garden in the dark with a flashlight, then you can cut more blooms the morning of the show. 

Plan to arrive early, register, and set up your table.  Gather your vases and any other items you will need for your entries.  Have a show schedule furnished by the show committee and follow it to make your entries. 

Place your entries in a vase filled with water so that it is in proportion with the height and bloom size.  This can be adjusted by moving it up or down in the vase but be sure that the stem is still in the water. 

Wedge your bloom in the vase, if it is allowed and required, and be sure your wedging material is below the rim of the vase. 

If your bloom is too tightly closed you may insert Q-tips or cotton balls to help it open before staging it on the show table. 

If a bloom breaks off the stem, save it for a floating rose in a bowl entry.  Polish each leaf with a small soft cloth supporting it with your finger behind the leaf.  Brush off any debris that may be visible and trim the edges of the petals with scissors or deckles to remove torn or brown edges. 

Place your completed exhibitors entry tags on each vase with a rubber band, making sure the entry is correctly spelled and entered in the correct category.  This is where the address return labels come in handy when filling out your information. 

Make one final check of the appearance of your entry, making sure you have not left a cotton ball or Q-tip in any of your rose entries.  Place your entries on the tables, careful not to disturb any other entries. 

Do not touch any other entries that are already placed. 

Clean up your work space, return any unused vases, or other materials that you did not need, see if any of your other rose friends need help or at least watch the experienced exhibitors to learn something.  Have breakfast and relax. 

If you get the chance, try to clerk at the rose shows because this is where you will learn the most.

There will always be someone on hand to help you with anything that you need during the show, from choosing your entry rose to clapping for you when you receive your ribbons and trophies!

Good luck and have fun!

Patti

Rosey Events

April 26
Wilmington Cape Fear Rose Society
Guest Speaker: David Strictland from Witherspoon Roses
Topic: "Growing Roses With Success In North Carolina"
Arboretum Auditorium 10:00 ~ 11:30 am
Questions? Call Bill Hartzell @ 910-686-1871

May 24
Wilmington Cape Fear Rose Society
Wilmington Rose Garden Tour
Join us at the Arborietum by 9:00 am as we tour various members rose gardens in Wilmington. Bring your most comfortable walking shoes, camera, a chair and a sack lunch. Our last garden will be at Bill & Patti Hartzell's where we will eat our lunch and have a "Rescue a Rose Raffle" Carpools recommended.
Questions? Call Bill Hartzell @ 910-686-1871

May 10
Eastern North Carolina Rose Society
Rose Show
Twin Rivers Mall, New Bern
Co-Chairs: Lori Hardee -252-514-2539
e-mail: lollie@cconnect.net
and Eleanor Jack

May 17
Raleigh Rose Society
56th Annual Rose Show
Prime Outlet Mall
Morrisville, NC
Contact: Darrell Kohlmann - 919-557-0100 cdkohlmann@mindspring.com

Meet Your Officers

At the first meeting of the WCFRS, the following officers were elected:

President: Patti Hartzell
217 Salt Brick Court
Wilmington, NC 28411-7855
Phone: 910.686.1871
 email: NCRoseLady@aol.com

1st VP Program Chair: Bill Hartzell
217 Salt Brick Court
Wilmington, NC 28411-7855
Phone: 910.686.1871
email: NCRoseLady@aol.com

2nd VP Membership Chair: Ginny Patrick
210 Gull Road
Hampstead, NC 28443
Phone: 910.270.4515
Email: RNEELPAT@aol.com

Secretary: Jennifer Arcuri
109 Cale Court
Wilmington, NC 28411-7855
Phone: 686.1432
Email: jlmjlm@bellsouth.net
 
Treasurer: Kim Landis
108 Stonehead Court
Wilmington, NC 28411-7855
Phone: 910.686.3025
Email: TOWILA59@yahoo.com

Historian: Cindy Black
102 Stonehead Court
Wilmington, NC 28411-7855
Phone: 910.686.0545
Email: Cacob0545@aol.com

Newsletter Editor: Amy Padgett
622 Baldwin Elkins Road
Clarkton, NC 28433
Phone: 910.645.6417
Email: amy@amypadgett.com
Gardening web site:  www.amypadgett.com

Co-editor: Annie Brittin
1735 Fairway Drive
Wilmington, NC 28403
Phone:910.815.2941
Email: Brittin@dellepro.com

Hospitality Chair: Bob & Pat Moore
4114 Kittiwake Court
Southport, NC 28461
Phone: 910.253.7519
Email: bobrtm@earthlink.net

Parlamentarian: Tom Landis
108 Stonehead Court
Wilmington, NC 28411-7855
Phone: 910.686.3025
Email: TOWILA59@yahoo.com

Email Chair: Jack Hudson
1610 Cottswald Court
Wilmington, NC 28411
Phone: 910.793.0114
Email: jmta1@ec.rr.com

Publicity Chair: Marla Trobaugh
209 Salt Brick Court
Wilmington, NC 28411-7855
Phone: 910.686.9077
Email: trobaughm@uncw.edu

Photography: Nell Crosby
6300 Red Cedar Road
Wilmington, NC 28411
Phone: 910.686.9998
Email: captjoekc@aol.com