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Your Rose Garden Planting
June 14, 2007
Posted in General Recreation & Leisure @ 11:00 amQuickly bookmark Your Rose Garden Planting at:
Sometime during the year you will probably plant roses in your rose garden. There are many opinions on how to do this but I will tell you what has worked for me. First let me distinguish planting rose into the rose garden that are dormant plants compared with those grown in pots or containers. Roses which are dormant and bare roots grow well but usually don’t bloom as long as those in the containers or pots. The latter are usually growing and not dormant. If you are buying dormant plants make sure that you are getting #1 grade. These will give you a much better crop during the summer to your rose garden. Preparing The Soil Pick an area that will get at least 5-6 hours of sunlight a day. Sun is a very important part of the growth cycle of your rose garden. The soil should be a good loam and can be mixed with some clay. The loam should be down to a depth of at least 12-15 inches. Dig the soil out for the plant so that it will fit the plant with no damage to the roots and that the first bud spike will set about an inch below the surface. I would also suggest that at the bottom of the hole you use a fork to loosen the dirt. Now The Planting Before setting the plant into the hole in the rose garden, I suggest that you mix some farm manure into the loosened dirt at the bottom. Trim any damaged roots and then set it into the hole. Now that the rose is set into the hole be sure that the loam you put put around the plant is loose as well. Fill the hole to about 2/3 - 3/4 and tap it down. Water the plant and the dirt. Let the water settle then add the rest of the loam. Be sure that the first bud spike is at least one inch below the surface. For dormant plants mound the soil over the plant so it will not dry out. For plants that were in pots or containers there is no need to mound the soil in the rose garden. It is fine to have a few inches of mulch around the plant base as this contains the moisture. Watering Roses should be watered about every 7 - 10 days and you need to water the base of the plant. If you water the flower it is easier for the plant to have disease infect it. Although this presents as a diversion from orchids it is definitely in line with our additional items we have added. Planting Season Planting can take place between mid October and mid May. You should not plant or transplant after mid May until October. Good growing in your rose garden. About the Author Bob has become fascinated with orchids. Once it gets into your bloodstream it’s hard to turn it off. Over a year ago I developed Orchids Plus More Web site full with information and also our Orchid Store. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Resource Box: Sign up for tips in our monthly Orchid Newsletter and get your copy of “All About Orchids” e-book and your 10% Discount on an orchid. orchids-plus-more/orchidaeae.html
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Use Climbing Roses For Vertical Beauty
June 7, 2007
Posted in General Recreation & Leisure @ 7:00 pmQuickly bookmark Use Climbing Roses For Vertical Beauty at:
Add drama and color to your home with climbing roses. They can be trained around a trellis, a column, or a boundary. You can even let them climb up a wall of your house. Some gardeners are leery of climbing roses because of concern that climbing roses can be damaged by cold weather; also because some types take years to reach full maturity. However, a wide selection of climbing roses can sustain harsh weather and bloom beautifully. Rose Planting Time The best time to plant any type of climbing rose is early spring. This will give your roses 6 months or more to get established before the cold sets in. Before choosing your climbing rose, get acquainted with the 3 distinct categories of climbing roses: rambling roses, trailing roses, and true climbing roses. Ramblers The most intrusive climbing roses are the ramblers. These exuberant roses can grow up to 20 feet in 1 season. Although most of the roses from ramblers are quite small, many of the newer varieties produce larger roses. Unfortunately, ramblers tend to be susceptible to mildew. Trailers If you’re looking for a climbing rose that is tougher and less prone to mildew and disease, you might prefer a trailing rose. These climbers look great planted alongside walls. You should stake them, otherwise the long canes will grow along the ground instead of upright. Trailing roses typically have blooms 2 to 3 inches in diameter. 2 of the more popular trailing roses are the cultivars and Rosa Wichurana. True Climbers If you enjoy climbing roses with large flowers, true climbers fit the bill. These types of roses produce flowers in large clusters. There are 2 categories of true climbers: bush climbers, and climbing hybrid teas. Bush climbers will bloom throughout the season, while climbing hybrid teas may last only a few weeks. The bush climber has more resistance to mildew and disease than the climbing hybrid teas. How to Plant Roses Planting your roses is an easy task. The first thing is to pick your area. The hole should be approximately 1 foot from your trellis or wall, and be about 1 foot deep by 1 foot in diameter. Once you’ve dug a hole, you’ll need to add organic matter. Well-rotted manure or compost are good. Next, carefully remove the rose from its container. If you come across tangled outer roots, gently untangle them with your fingers. Place your plant in the hole and fill it in with any extra soil. Then water it thoroughly. How To Water & Train Your Roses You should water your climbing roses at least once a week, saturating the soil. Once your rose’s canes have grown long enough to reach the trellis or arch, tie the canes to the structure. Unlike a vine, which is equipped with tendrils, climbing roses need help to attach to a structure. You can tie them with a soft cloth or string. Remember to give the canes enough room for growth and expansion. Be sure not to tie them too tightly. Choose the right climbing roses and they ll beautify your home for years to come! About The Author Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Visit grow-roses-now to learn more about this fascinating hobby. Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.
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How to Make Soy Candles
June 4, 2007
Posted in General Recreation & Leisure @ 9:00 amQuickly bookmark How to Make Soy Candles at:
Many people who enjoy exercising their creativity by making candles, are discovering the joys of making them from soy wax instead of the traditional paraffin. The key attraction is that soy wax can be cleaned up with plain soap and water, with no scraping off the upper half of your double boiler. In fact, all your utensils can be safely run through a cycle in the dishwasher when you’re done.
Soy candles can be made in the same metal molds or milk cartons as paraffin candles, but because they do clean up so easily, they are often made in Mason jars, which can be covered to intensify any scent you’ve added, or to keep the dust off the top. To add to the candle’s country air, you can cover the top with a gingham circle cut with pinking shears, and tuck some dried flowers into the ribbon or wool you tied the cloth “cap” onto the jar with.
Melt your soy block after cutting it in chunks, or using the flakes, which are easier to handle. If you choose to scent the candle, a good rule of thumb is to add .5-1.0 ounces of essential oils for every pound of wax. Make sure to anchor your wick in the mold or jar first, by putting a dab of melted way on the tab, and sticking it in the center of the bottom. It should be cut 2″ longer than the depth of the mold, to allow for trimming after.
Soy wax is just as easy to decorate as paraffin, so when it is starting to cool, feel free to insert sea shells, dried flowers, colored crystals or whatever takes your fancy.
About the author:
Visit http://www.learnhowtomakeit.com for instructions on how to make just about anything you can think of.
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The Rose: Christina Aguilera’s Favorite Flower?
June 1, 2007
Posted in General Recreation & Leisure @ 11:00 amQuickly bookmark The Rose: Christina Aguilera’s Favorite Flower? at:
The rose has long been a favorite flower of many women, but is it the favorite flower of Christina Aguilera? The truth is, I don’t know, but judging by the elaborate floral chuppah of brightly colored orange, yellow, and burgundy roses conspicuously present at her wedding and the thick bouquets of hot pink roses and rose petals surrounding her wedding cake, it’s a sure bet the rose ranks high on Aguilera’s list of favorite flowers. What is it about the rose that makes it such a popular floral choice and a powerful symbol of love, war, and politics? Perhaps the answers lie in its long and varied history. Fossils show that roses have existed for about 35 million years. However, cultivation of the rose for gardening purposes began about 5000 years ago in China. It didn’t take long for their popularity to spread, and during the Roman Empire, roses played a significant role in the Roman society-but not just for their beauty. Along with being admired as an ornamental piece, roses were also used for food, medicine, and perfume. As a symbol, they were used to honor heroes who would be showered with petals and attend celebrations where the floor was carpeted in petals that would release their fragrance each time a step was taken. Roses became such an important part of the Roman culture that the Romans invented the greenhouse specifically for growing roses. China and Rome were not the only areas of the world to be touched by the beauty of the rose. Roses also appear in ancient Hindu stories. In these stories, Brahma, who created the world, debated with Vishnu, who protected the world, about whether the lotus or the rose was the more beautiful flower. Brahma argued that there was no flower more exquisite than the lotus while Vishnu believed the rose to be the most beauteous. Brahma, who had never seen a rose before, conceded upon first seeing one and created a bride for Vishnu using 108 large and 1,008 small rose petals. Europe, too, fell under the spell of the beautiful rose. During the seventeenth century, they were considered so valuable that roses and rose water were used as legal tender. Josephine Bonaparte, the wife of Napoleon, was so taken by the rose that she developed an enormous collection of roses at an estate just outside of Paris. In America, roses are often associated with our own American royalty-celebrities. In fact, there are numerous roses named after American celebrities. Among them are the: * Marilyn Monroe: A gorgeous light apricot-colored rose that blooms well in hot weather. * Judy Garland: A sweetly yellow rose that blushes out to a hot orange and scarlet red. * Grace Allen: A delicately pink rose. * George Burns: A lively yellow rose striped with red. * Josephine Baker: A deep red rose with a soft fragrance. * Cary Grant: A stunning orange rose. Whether or not the rose is among Christina Aguilera’s favorite flowers, it’s clearly among the favorites of the world. About The Author Wesley Berry is the President of Wesley Berry Flowers, a successful multi-million dollar business that was established in 1946. He is also the Headmaster of the Professional Florists’ Institute, a floral design school located in Michigan. Visit Wesley Berry Flowers on the web at 800wesleys.
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