Sunday, November 8, 2009

Ooopps!

Well, I finally did it! I repeated a rose I posted. It was Maman Cochet. It is just so hard to keep track of all I have/ and have written about.

Anyways, moving on.........

I have mentioned this rose before. But, for her balling in cool, damp, or humid climates. She is petal packed!. So I usually don't even look at this rose until second flush. And, she is worth it.

I was told years ago, by a Texas Rose Rustler, that this rose is a small rose, BUT, in time, all teas get big. Words worth remembering.

Mlle Francesca Kruger, is affectionately called Freddie Kruger, dubbed the name from a very funny and clever cajun in Louisiana, who used to post on the GW. Our 'Freddie' is eight years old and and is about 5'x5' and when in full bloom is a show stopper. A very care free grower here at Frogview, and clean. If you can put up with some balling, she is worth making room in the garden.

In checking references on this rose, I've noticed spelling errors. Please ignore the misspelling on the last two photos. Taken, 2008. The first two, are 2009.

Mlle Francesca Kruger, Tea
Nobonnand, 1879






Saturday, November 7, 2009

Answered Questions


I would like to respond to comments left a couple of days ago in one post. It might just be, that the information will be useful to others. That being said......what I do and say is NOT written in stone and adjustments might need to be made for YOUR particular area or clime.

There is a very well known and respected rosarian on the west coast who is very generous with her knowledge. The only thing is, her writing style made me crazy! It took me years (and I mean years) to decipher what this woman was saying. And, what she was saying was brilliant. I should email this lady and apologize for being what some would consider rude, as I would dismiss her because of MY lack of ability to interpret her down to earth (though antidotal) style of writing.

For spraying, I get my chemicals from the website www.primaryproducts.com . I use their formula and regime. Other spraying and fertilizing stuff, I get from www.rosmainia.com .

Purchasing the chemicals can be pricey for the initial investment. But if stored properly, will last for years.

I do use supplements. Both foliar and through root. One that I use is SuperThrive. It is a multiple hormone complex that gives a kick start to spring growth AND, I have never lost a plant using this stuff when transplanting. I also use Response. A fish derivative (I believe), that you have to be careful with. Too much is not a 'good thing'. Another I use, is Messenger. It speeds chemical exchange to leaf absorption.

I think the main thing with the chemical sprays...is consistency. It ain't gonna work if it ain't used. By the middle of summer, it is difficult to continue after the once bloomers are done. And, it has to be below 85f to spray, or you could burn the foliage. Plus, the shrubs should be well hydrated prior to spraying.

On a final note.....Roses are easy and care free to grow, IF, you find the rose that is suited for YOUR area, or clime. It is collectors like me that grow plants that aren't suited for an area, just to have a certain shrub in the collection. That equates work!

BTW......Ola! from Frogview Cottage. I hope you like Latin music. I love the Latin culture and people. Hard working, hard partying, and enjoying life! Always happy!

Friday, November 6, 2009

Maman Cochet

I have a love/hate relationship with this rose. Ilove the huge shell pink blooms that cover the shrub. But, She is a BIG girl!. Maman Cochet is the largest tea we have. She is eight foot plus, and I struggle to keep her there. She has shaded out grass and left the ground bare. Other rose growers that have this rose say she is a shy rebloomer. Not so , here at Frogview Cottage. She blooms from Spring til Fall.


These photos are 2008 and 2009.

This first photo is of her in bud at the top of the stump that is cut at eight foot.

Maman Cochet, Tea
Cochet, 1892







I am still waiting for my auger (sp) to arrive. They said Wednesday........They lie!

And finally........Betty819; you must be exhausted from reading my blog from start to finish in one night! I posted ALL your comments but I lack the time and energy to to go back and hunt them out to respond appropriately. I hope you enjoyed yourself , and thanks. I hope you continue to follow.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Margeret Lane (Slave) Cemetery Part II

Most of these photos tell their own story. Broken, defaced markers. In all fairness, some could be weather damage over the years.

I never did see (or find) this head marker. A souvenir perhaps.

What I like about this photo, or marker, is, it has her date of birth. Mary was loved.

This mass marker done in 1987, blows me away. Names, no dates and room to add more names if found.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Slave Cemetery

I'm really not a macabre person. But in my hunt for old roses, cemeteries are the place to look. It was very common to plant a rose at the headstone of a dead loved one up until about 1930. Although you might find some later. The roses got in the way of riding lawnmowers and weed eaters, so most were mowed down to make lawn maintenance easier. I do not know of any cemetery that allows planting now a day.


There has been talk about "planting" (landscaping) the slave cemetery, but no one knows for sure how many or where the slaves and the descendants are buried. I estimate the slave cemetery to be about 1 1/2 acre.


This is a corner that remains intact. I can;t figure out why the fence is on bricks.....Oh!, that grass and weedeating thing again.

This is a lone stone marker with nothing on it. The forgotten.
A couple of more photos to follow......

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Georgetown Tea

It has been a wonderful day (morning) to work in the garden. It is cool, misty and very damp. I planted about 100 tulip bulbs so far in the the 'Outback' garden. I was starting to get sloppy with planting so I decided to stop for the day. My hands were hurting, and I've got lots of dirt under my nails, as well. Hope I'm not sore tomorrow.

I've decided to plant all 200 tulip bulbs in the 'Outback' because of the deer. It would only take one night for the deer to have dessert if I planted them in the 'Outfront' garden. I'm also wondering if it is a good time to transplant glads and lilies from the 'Outfront' to the 'Outback'? I'm still not done with my deer deterrent idea. But, I have to wait until the grass is not cut anymore this year. The neighbors will probably complain, but, screw'em. My garden comes first!!!!
Where I was going to plant the tulips, I think I will plant more mullein. Deer don't like that. I hope.

Georgetown Tea is a found rose. I could have sworn, in my past reading, that this rose could be the same as Dr. Grill. Although, in comparison with the good Dr. that grows here in my garden, the outer petals are not as dark rose in contrast as that of Georgetown Tea. In my looking up for accuracy for this post, now I read that it is believed to be the same rose in commerce as Madame Lombard ( which I do not have). Ah......the world of the old rose.

These photos range from 2007 to this morning.

Georgetown Tea
found






This photo was taken this morning. I think the fall coolness makes this bloom more'pink' than salmon pink in the earlier photos.
I have five large bags of candy. The kids will be coming in from all over the county. It should be a busy night. Jesse is deserting me to go see his mother.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Survivor

When I was a kid, if my eyes were open, my feet were on the ground and I was going! I can remember catching caterpillars on the oleanders, and sucking the nectar out of the ixora. I never thought much about the flora of South Florida growing up. I was into 'doing'. And I mean doing like, riding my bike with playing cards attached with clothes pins, while riding behind the fogging trucks spraying DDT all through the neighborhoods for mosquitoes.
Today, if my eyes are open, my feet are on the floor; but I'm moving a little slower. I still play with chemicals, as I spray my roses, and my dogs are the 'noise making' playing cards. Some things never change.

While I was walking by the camellia with the double pink flowers, I saw a seedling, actually there are quite a few, that bloomed for the first time. It was so different from the parent. I think I'll move it to the 'Outback' garden for Fall colour.



And finally, the last of my crew. Diddy. Diddy rides the short bus. He still hasn't learned how to jump on the bed or sofa like the others. He cries to be picked up to join the others, and us. What he lacks in smarts, he makes up in sweetness. He likes Jesse more than me. I think he knows I would have put him down as a pup due to his mental dificiencies. Lucky dog!

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