THE ROSE GARDEN

Evening Star, Issue 23219, 18 March 1939, Page 23

THE ROSE GARDEN

Although many plants have been a failure during the past summer, the moist conditions have suited roses, and many of the varieties have bloomed in a remarkable manner and are still making flower buds which will carry blooms into the late autumn. There are some varieties, such as Golden Emblem, which are not a success in every garden. This rose seems to have deteriorated from what it used to be when first it was placed on the market. There are no doubt various reasons for this. It may be the stock on which it is worked, or soil, or' even climatic conditions which affect the growth. It has been said of a great Irish orator that he was ineffective talking to people other than his own and away from home surroundings. It certainly appears some plants are similarly influenced, for we know of roses and many other plants which do not come up to the form in which they are first exhibited. This may seem curious, yet scientists tell us that plants have hearts. The possibility is. therefore, that some get these broken through leaving home. There is no doubt that no one understands a particular . variety as does its originator, who has watched it from infancy. When a new thing is introduced the wording as to its merits is plentiful as well as rosy, but generally the faults are ignored. One would think that Golden Emblem has been with us long enough for all to understand it, but most likely many of us are as far off as ever. Now is the time to make a selection for future planting, and the wisest plan is to take a note of varieties which are a success in gardens in and around Dunedin. Often mistakes are made in planting a variety which has just been placed on the market without havipg been tested as to local conditions, etc. To the person who exhibits roses and wants to keep bis stock up to date, this is another matter, but to the persons who require good displays ui their gardens 1 would advise them to plant only the varieties -which have been proved a success in their districts. Those who perhaps did a little budding in early January should look over the stocks and they will find that some have started away. If that is the case, it is wise to loosen and then to unwind the raffia which was placed around to keep the inserted bud in position. Where the budding was done at a Jater period no doubt the buds will remain dormant until next spring, when they will come away very strongly, in cases where the buds are found to come away very quickly and form flower buds, these should be pinched out at once or else the growth becomes weak. When buds develop in this way supports should be used, as the wind or even birds settling on them may cause them to break off. The support can be tied to the stem of the briar,