| Author | Message | ||
     Riku Helin (Riku) Bug Squisher Username: riku Post Number: 58 Registered: 01-2006 |
Well once a really nice Texan lady bet me a bug dinner that it would not make it through it first winter ... she honoured her bet but it was only a tiny Texas bug compared to Alberta bugs - and she said the bet was finished. I really liked her suggestion of getting a atrium but there is no good areas left with all useable annexes facing north. The thing about this result (it's what I call one of my "fun" experiments) is contributed to making me mature on this winter protection approach and realize it is only about saving the graft or crown for the most part on zone 6 and above ... the greatest benefit is if I use it on zone 5 and below (benefit being defined as resulting in blooming roses at least 3 feet high) - above zone 5 just bring them in if one can put up with the challenges of indoors growing ... a really mad example of the later is the 19th centuary obsession of the Europeans with hot house, out of zone, flora culture best described in the book "Seeds of Fortune" ... coal and labour I assume were affordable back then to keep the fires stoked. | ||
| stephen scanniello (Steprose) Supreme Crown Gall ! Username: steprose Post Number: 552 Registered: 01-2006 |
I wonder what sort of reaction we'll get from those warm zone gardeners....... | ||
| Riku Helin (Riku) Bug Squisher Username: riku Post Number: 57 Registered: 01-2006 |
Yes sir it is a monster, leaving the lewisia far behind. In 1 month of breaking dormany it getting close to being bigger than my own root potted Baronne Henrietta de Snoy, Mlle F. Kruger, Mrs Dudley Cross and Mrs Joseph Shwartz that I have taken in for winter growing for the last two seasons ... I suppose the effect of being grafting and a climber. | ||
| stephen scanniello (Steprose) Supreme Crown Gall ! Username: steprose Post Number: 550 Registered: 01-2006 |
wow, love how big these roses can get! | ||
| Riku Helin (Riku) Bug Squisher Username: riku Post Number: 56 Registered: 01-2006 |
This observation probably sums up best the erratic nature of out of zone protection and it's result. I had Maréchal Niel through two winters. Last year it never bloomed but this year it has decided it will. It is planted in the most friendly area in my gardens for out of zone roses. South wall and sheltered from north, west and east winds. But to put things in prespective the plant is only 12 inches high.  |