BIRMINGHAM ROSE SOCIETY APRIL 2011
GARDEN FACES AMERICAN ROSE SOCIETY AFFILIATE Editor: Glenda Boudreaux ambghbmsn.com (205) 337-7100
CR REPORT By Glenn Hodge, CR
This is usually a very hectic month for our rose society members since everyone is working very hard to get their roses ready for the upcoming show the first Saturday of May. Most exhibitors are wondering whether or not their roses will peak at the right time. Since we can’t control the weather we try to time our pruning to give us a better chance. There is never a sure thing, so worrying is not productive. The things we should be doing in April are spraying regularly on a weekly basis with fungicides and as soon as insects are present, including an insecticide. We should also begin our fertilizing program at this time. The most important thing in any chemical, insect and disease management program is to use the right protective gear for skin, eyes and internal protection. Read all the directions for use, application and disposal of the products. I use Honor Guard and Compass for fungus control (alternate), Manzate (Pentathlon) to kill the spores and Merit and Malathion for insecticide. This is also the time of year that conditions are ideal (cold nights and hot days) for Powdery Mildew and you should be alert for a powdery, whitish substance on the leaves of the roses. There are several commercial products for controlling Powdery Mildew from Rosemania but there is also a homemade remedy that is much less expensive. I have not had personal experience with it but I have talked to people that say it works. The recipe is to mix a 0.5 percent solution of baking soda. Use 4 teaspoons of this solution per gallon of spray. Thrips are very damaging to light colored roses and you should be on the lookout for these at this time of year. They prevent the blooms from fully opening. Rosemania has several products they claim are effective against Thrips. Good luck on growing and enjoying your roses.
SPRING PLANT SALE By Clayton Richard
While we don't have results for the entire Plant Sale - we can tell you that the Rose Society's part of the sale was a big success. Bob Eskew and I ordered 474 roses for the sale and we sold 458 - all at the regular price (none marked down) - which is $8,090 in sales. As soon as we have more information on the total sales, we'll let you know. Thank you to all the members that helped make the sale such a great success.
BRS ROSE SHOW By Clayton Richard
The 59th Annual Rose Show is on Saturday May 7th and Sunday May 8th. The brochure has been printed and anyone that needs a copy before the regular meeting on Monday April 25th can call Clayton Richard at 807-0762. If you need the information from the Sections or Classes of the Horticulture, Arrangements or Photography you can get them by going to our web site http://www.birminghamrose.org and click on "2011 Birmingham Rose Show" and look under "Entry Guidelines". Set-up Friday evening always requires lots of help. Plan on being at the Botanical Gardens by 4:00 p.m. to help unload the truck. There are tables to cover, vases to fill, awards to set-up - something for everyone - we need all the hands we can get. We will buy pizzas to share for our meal (with everyone contributing to the cost). Come and enjoy the fellowship and help your society prepare for a great show.
MINUTES OF THE MARCH 28TH MEETING OF THE BRS Submitted by George Ann Hamilton, Recording Secretary
Chris VanCleave, Vice President, called the meeting to order. We had a total attendance of thirty. Larita Giles and Jane Hinds, the hostesses, were thanked for providing refreshments. The people who came to Pruning Day in the Rose Garden were thanked for all their hard work. The Botanical Gardens really appreciates our help. Robert Eskew reminded everyone about the Spring Plant Sale April 14th-16th. Please come and help and buy roses. Jim Calloway was the Consulting Rosarian this month. He told us about a new useful product he found- Clevis, a black spot curative at a cost of $22. Also he recommended using Conserve for thrips. He answered questions from the members. The minutes from the February 28th meeting were approved as printed in Garden Faces. The treasurer’s report as of March 28, 2011, the checking account balance is $5,188.37 and the CD is unchanged at $5,000.00
Old business: The Photography Division to be added to our rose show was voted on. All present voted unanimously in favor. The tabled motion from last month’s meeting passed. Chris VanCleave, Vice President, introduced Gloria Purnell who led our program “How to put on a Rose Show”. The panel consisted of six of our members. Clayton Richard is in charge of our show brochure. He explained what has to be done to get it ready for the show and into the hands of the judges and exhibitors. Judy Williams is in charge of ads in the show brochure. The ads help pay for the rose show. Harold Settle explained how to get your roses ready for the rose show. You need good buds, straight stems, no disease or insects. He fertilizes on schedule and uses every chemical known to man to keep insects and disease away from his roses. Bob Eskew explained the schedule in the brochure. He uses the rose show manual. Dean Hodge explained the Arrangement Section in the brochure. This year the theme is “Prom Night with Roses.” She will hold a workshop for those interested in exhibiting an arrangement this year. Ann Jones, the awards chairman, explained the how the awards are given for the roses that are the best in the show and chosen to go the awards table. There are sixty awards give in all categories and nineteen awards for arrangements. Gloria Purnell explained that for this year’s show we would have fourteen judges and one photography judge. The judges are given a luncheon in the Ireland Room and presented a gift of $25.00 to show our appreciation. On Friday night we set up for the rose show and pizza will be provided for all who attend to help set up. Clayton Richard explained classification. The placement committee is in charge of placing roses in the proper classifications that are marked on the tables set up on Friday. Exhibitors are not allowed to place their roses. Exhibitors may go around the room to make sure their rose has been properly placed. Harold Settle stated the exhibitor is ultimately responsible for his or her rose being in the correct classification. The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 P.M.
Stay connected to us online: Visit us on the web at www.BirminghamRose.org Become a fan of Birmingham Rose Society on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter @BhamRoseSociety While the advice and information in this newsletter is believed to be true and accurate at the time of publication, neither the authors nor the editor accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The Birmingham Rose Society makes no warranty, expressed or implied with respect to the material contained herein.