Raleigh Rose Society
An American Rose Society Affiliated Organization 
Organized April 21, 1947
January's Newsletter

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 January 15, 2002

January Meeting Announcement

The next meeting of the Raleigh Rose Society will be held on Tuesday, January 22, 2002, at 7:00 PM at Fairview Greenhouses & Garden Center on Holly Springs Road in Raleigh.

 Meeting Agenda includes:

·        Introduction of new Officers

·        Update on Junior Rosarians

·        Update on 2002 Rose Show

·        Reminder about Winter District Meeting

·        20 Minute Q & A - Ask your Consulting Rosarians

·        January Program. Darrell Kohlmann will share information from Rosemania about treating blackspot, what chemicals are most effective for insects … for disease, fertilizers & foliar sprays.  Also - Soil Testing Clinic.  Lisa Locke will show each of us how to test the PH of our soil and we will have a discussion on what makes good soil.  Please bring a soil sample with you.  There are directions on how to take a soil sample inside this newsletter.

Please join us as we share with each other and learn more about the Queen of Flowers.

 

Letter from the President

By Rich Radic

President, Raleigh Rose Society

. In 1986, The United States Congress passed a resolution designating the ROSE our NATIONAL FLORAL EMBLEM!  Now, in support of our National Flower, Congress has passed a joint resolution designating 2002 as THE YEAR OF THE ROSE. You can find out more about this by visiting the website:

http://www.rose-2002.org

We are planning along with the American Rose Society some additional activities, which should benefit both societies as well as the promotion of the Rose.

This April, I hope you will plan on attending activities at one of the Raleigh area Home Depots. The main purpose here was designed to promote membership for the ARS; however, we can also use this opportunity to increase membership in our own society.  We will be looking for some volunteers to help at one of the membership tables.

This summer, we are adding two new programs to the agenda. In July and August, Rose photography at the Raleigh Rose garden and Propagating Roses with Steve Singer of Wisconsin Roses.  The later will require RSVP and a small registration fee.

Membership in our society is down more than 30% this year. I am asking for your help in promoting our society and acquiring new members. As a reward, anyone enlisting at least two new members will receive free membership for 2003. Details will appear in the next newsletter.

As always, anyone with any questions or suggestions can contact me or any other society officers.

I'm looking forward to the challenges of the New Year and hope to see you all at the next meeting,

Rich

 

A Primer on Soil

By Richard Hedenberg, ARS Consulting Rosarian

(Reprinted and Condensed from the ARS website)

 

Organic amendments are any materials that have ever been alive either as plant or animal. Nutrients from organics are not immediately available to the plant. Soil microorganisms change nutrients through bacterial action into forms the plants can use, giving a steady supply of nutrients over a long period of time. However, some, such as fish based products become available quite quickly in warm moist soil. Organics are primarily a source of nitrogen and trace elements, but many also provide some phosphates and potash. When used in quantities of up to one third of the total soil volume are very beneficial to the soil structure and should be replaced at the rate they are used.

 

ALFALFA MEAL (3N-lP-2K)  - Alfalfa meal or pellets is one of the green manure crops and contains small amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, which feed the plant. The biggest benefit of alfalfa is from the work it does in the soil. Alfalfa contains the hormone, Triacontanol, a plant growth regulator and can be top-dressed and watered in. But quicker benefits are had when alfalfa is brewed into a tea. The primary boost comes from the millions of microbes in the fermented meal that activate the soil organisms that then convert nutrients into forms available to plants. Roses love it. Only apply alfalfa to the surface. If placed in the root zone, the rapid decomposition of alfalfa will generate heat which can damage the roots

 

BLOOD MEAL (12-2-1) - Blood meal is a slaughterhouse by-product and an excellent source of quickly available organic nitrogen, when used as a top dressing and watered in. Completely soluble, it can be mixed with water and used as a liquid fertilizer. Meal fertilizers, when not brewed, work best when they are scattered on top of the bed and watered in. All meals are used up fast.

 

BONE MEAL (2-12-2) - Bone is used as a long-lasting source of phosphorous as well as low levels of nitrogen, potassium and calcium. The extremely slow availability of nutrients from bone meal makes it a very safe fertilizer.

 

COMPOST  - Compost is the decomposed, cured form of organic matter. Compost, worked into new beds or top dressed and watered into established beds, increases microorganism activity and improves soil character and moisture retention.

 

COTTONSEED MEAL (7 2-2) - Cottonseed meal is a good natural fertilizer with a high percentage of organic nitrogen. It is easily obtained at your local feed store. The nitrogen is broken down slowly to be used by the plant over a period of time. Cottonseed meal acidifies the soil.

EARTHWORMS  - Worms are nature's own tillers and soil conditioners. Their main benefit is to soil structure where their many tunnels loosen the soil, improving aeration and drainage. Worms don't make the soil healthier, but are an excellent indication of healthy soil. If your pH is way off, earthworms won't stay around.

 

FISH EMULSION (8-12-2) - Fish emulsion is an all-natural organic fish fertilizer with a reputation for eliminating plant doldrums. Many exhibitors refer to it as their secret to growing show-winning blooms. When used as a liquid drench, results are quicker than with other organics. It is a low-nitrogen concentrated liquid food containing a wide range of trace elements that will green foliage, grow vigorous roots and big blooms while also enriching the soil.

 

FISH MEAL (8-12-2) - Fishmeal is a great natural fertilizer, high in phosphorous and high in organic nitrogen. Fishmeal is quick acting, offering a sustained supply of nutrients. Don't scatter fish meal, because of the strong odor; plug it in a series of holes about ten inches deep and then be covered with about four inches of soil.

 

GROUND TREE BARK  - Ground bark is sold as a soil conditioner which improves drainage. It has good water holding capacity and eventually breaks down to humus. Tree bark reportedly has a deterrent effect against nematodes. Many rosarians like to use it in an chunk form for mulch. Its use will cause a temporary drop in nitrogen levels in the soil so additional amounts of nitrogen must be added.

 

MANURES - Manures are a good source of nutrients and organic matter. Aged horse manure is the preferred manure. In addition to being an organic source of nitrogen, decomposing manures are chelating agents that function to make trace metals available to plants. Dehydrated cow manure (2-1-2), dried and pulverized comes in fifty-pound bags. It has been heat treated to kill weed seeds and is convenient, easy to apply and long-lasting. Manures may be high in salts. About half of the nutrients remaining in manures will be available each year.

 

MILORGA NITE (6-2-0) - Milorganite is 100% natural organic heat dried activated sewage sludge in a fine granular form. Heat-treated for sterilization, it is inoffensive and easy to handle. A high nitrogen source that is also a good source for iron and trace elements that are slow release. Milorganite is easy to top dress with and water into beds and also won't burn roots when used in a soil mix.

 

SEAWEED PRODUCTS - Kelp meal (1-0-8) is a dry fertilizer made iron of seaweed, very high in potassium and trace elements. An excellent source of plant hormones to stimulate plant and root growth. Liquid seaweed (4-2-3) has the same characteristics as kelp meal, is a quick boost for greening foliage. When mixed with fish emulsion, it


ARS Carolina District Winter Meeting

It’s not too late to register!!!  The District winter meeting will be held Jan. 25 - 27, 2002 at the Holiday Inn, Airport, in Charlotte, NC and hosted by the Charlotte Rose Society.  Topics to be covered include:

     

 

Other activities include the vendor exhibits and sales, annual dinner and awards, a dance exhibition, dancing and a silent auction.

 

Don’t forget that Consulting Rosarian School will be held again at the District Winter meeting. For more information contact John Dunn at ((704) 366-2566.

 

Pick up a registration form at the next meeting of the Raleigh Rose Society or call Terry Ellis at 919-676-0561.

Gardening Tips for January - February

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February -