July Update
Update for the July 2024 period, including details this month's meeting, and our following event.
The July meeting of DBHS was a presentation about Roses by Iain Silver from West Linton. Iain is a member of the Rose Society and has more than 300 different varieties of roses in his garden, which is impressive.
He told us who we should by them from, how we should buy them, root wrapped or bare rooted is best, don't buy them in pots, which will have restricted the root formation. He showed us how to plant them and that they like well-rotted manure and a heavy loam type soil. There are several types of feed recommended, all products generally available on the market. He treats his roses with a monthly spray against aphids, black spot and mildew. Mulching helps keep any fungal conditions, which may be in the soil away. It is not a good idea to replace a ick rose with a new one. It will most likely suffer the same problems.
Pruning is an art. Don't just tickle them, you are unlikely to kill the plants by pruning. Prune just a wee bit above a bud and at an angle away from the bud to deflect rainwater. Shape the shrub so that it has an open centre. Cut out old wood and dead wood to keep the bushes healthy. Some readily available pesticides were recommended.
Iain showed us how to graft a rose onto root stock, which is the most common way of propagating and also showed that propagation of soft cuttings is possible.
To see a spectacular display of roses, Tollcross Park in Glasgow is superb. Hazelhead Park in Aberdeen is another good place to visit for roses.
In August, Lesley Gordon will tell us all about Gardening for Wildlife, which, I know is an interesting talk because I have seen and heard it. That will be on Friday 2nd August 2024.
Dalgety Bay Horticultural Society (DBHS) holds meetings on the first Friday of each month at 7:30pm in Dalgety Bay Community Centre. You are welcome to come along to our meetings and, who knows, you may be convinced to join us. Alternatively click on About DBHS > Resources, then membership form, fill it in then send it back. Membership is good value at £5.
If you think you may be interested in joining, please phone me on 07949 505456. Please note the new phone number. I will give you all the information you require.
The “Jobs for” July part of the DBHS report is on the tips page to see what jobs you should be doing at this time of year.
Sincerely,