Mrs P

[fozzie]

I appear to have 5 alpina, the only way I know is that one still has the seed case clinging to the coty whatsit leaves I guess it will be easier when true leaves arrive. I'll be going to your site to check what to do next. Germination has taken 5 monthsish is that normal, they were sown in Nov. They have been up for about 3 wks now. Have not mentioned them before as do not like to count chickens ............, I've made that mistake many times.

Fx

[Plocket]

Hurrah - congratulations!!! Little baby alpinas! I've just sown some so hopefully I will have some success too. 5 months sounds about right - some clem seeds can take years!!! Clems are crafty little whatsits Fozzie and you are right to have some respect for them - I took cuttings from one of mine last year (Wesselton) and they died back over winter, as expected, but didn't do anything this spring. I left them be, knowing how deceptive they are, and lo and behold I noticed tiny little leaf buds yesterday. Fingers crossed yours do well, but make sure you watch out for slugs and snails - they'll be on those babies in a flash if they get the chance! ;D

[Chuckles]

Brill news Foz, don't you just love that feeling when you have been successful growing something like that

[fozzie]

Yes BB is a lovely feeling and no matter how many times before each new seedling has the same effect.

Fx

[fozzie]

Protection in place Mrs P, they are apprx 6 foot off the ground with barbed wire. netting, vaseline, inverted plastic cups on the legs of stand with copper tape and the odd strategically placed half grapefruit.
We also have Mr and Mrs Harry as a natural ally. Saw them for the first time, this year, about a week ago.

Ave been 'ere abou 5 year now an never seen a snail, not complaining just fought you'd like to knaw. See ow I slipped back into London accent den.

Fx

[Plocket]

Gordon Bennett Fozzie you are serious with your precautions!!! But who are Mr & Mrs Harry? I'm assuming that they are hodgehedges? We could do with one of them but until one visits I'm making do with garlic pellets, garlic spray, copper tape, egg-shells...... Anything but blue pellets really

Which reminds me - we've got a couple more roses. I think I told you that we got the Moschata one you recommended - we'll we planted that today so it can clamber all over a horrible hedge thing we have but can't remove (too difficult!), and today OH bought Complicata to grow fairly nearby. I hope it's going to get enough sun but it's gorgeous. I think OH is addicted!!! Really though I'm not complaining as it's making him more interested in the gardening. He likes tulips too!

Px

[fozzie]

Your right P, Harry Hedgehog always a pleasing sight. Never knew how noisey they can be. Mrs F has a thing re slugs, I'm more philosophic. I really do hope you like Moschata. OH is getting a keen eye for a fine Rose. Its a glorious pink fading to white, one of the biggest single flowers, may compete with your clems and reach 5 inches across. Once stablished it will really get going, has been known to "ramble" through its neighbours, with some stems reaching upto 10 foot!!

Fx

[Plocket]

Hia Fozzie!

I couldn't touch a slug and I get really miffed when they eat my clems (stick to roses - they seem much less vunerable!) but I don't want to see them dying. Ah well!

Oh and I was the one who chose Complicata ;D I also suggested Hyde Hall to OH (although it isn't really to my taste) but he luckily likes the same simple roses as me - phew!!!

I'll let you know how they get on - they are in some horrible compacted clay soil which OH had to get the pick-axe too at the weekend, but we've added lots of nice compost and stuff so hopefully they will settle a bit before reaching the hard stuff!

And I like the sound of rambling through neighbours - that's what we want! It's near a couple of holly trees, a wigelia (sp?) bush which is huge, and a wisteria that we need to start training. Hopefully it isn't planted too close to Moschata

Px

[fozzie]

I keep explaining to Mrs F we need a balance. If we get rid of too many slugs, then no Mr Mrs H. She is so protective of her veggies. I only have aphids, blackspot and leaf cutter bees on the roses. I don't really worry about any of them,especially the leaf cutters, which are fascinating to watch if you are lucky enough to be there at the right time! As for the aphids I'll get rid of them if I see them whilst wandering around the garden, although I'm a great believer in food chains! Blackspot I tolerate unless really bad. waffling again.

Clay, usually good for roses, keep them well watered through this first year like you would your clems, if OH not already fed them at planting then give some now and again in late June. You have heard me say this before "I use blood Fish and Bone", now in June I have been known to make up too much tomato feed.

As long as they are not cheek by jowl they'll be alright. They like company

Fx

[Plocket]

They are about 4 ft apart - do you think that's ok? And part of the reason I'm fairly happy about planting roses in clay soil is because our neighbour has a garden FULL of roses, and his look spectacular from the bedroom window: if he can grow them, then so can I!! ;D I've warned OH about watering but with the rain we have at the moment it won't be a problem, for this week at least

I use Blood Fish & Bone on my clems so the roses can join in the feast! I love how they are similar needs! ;D

I could live with just aphids, blackspot and leaf-cutters (not that I've ever seen them in action) but trust me to choose something that's like nectar to slugs and snails Like you I believe in food chains which is why I prefer to put the slugs off using copper tape rather than blue pellets. There are plenty of hedgehogs around because unfortunately we see the odd one squished on the road outside, but I don't think they can be bothered to clamber up the garden wall - although I believe they are capable of it?

Just a thought - how many different roses do you have Fozzie?

I'm the one waffling now!

Px

[fozzie]

Hi P 4 foot apart no problem, in time they will blend into each other wonderful! As I have oft said they are not difficult plants, they do have a reputation for being time consuming and needing lots of care. A hang over from those pesky HTs I'm afraid'

I had no idea on my roses so I made a list

Rosa Alba semi plena Species
Albertine Wichuriana Rambler Clem
Allister Stella Gray Noisette
Rosa Anemone Species
Blanc Double de Coubert Rugosa
Bobby James Rambler (Mrs F liked it!) Clem
Cecile brunner China
Rosa Centifolia Species
Comte de Chambord Portland
Rosa Ecae Species
Rosa Fedtschenkoaona Species
Felicite parmentier Alba
Rosa Filipes (Kiftsgate) Species will have clem
Francesca Hybrid Musk
Rosa Gallica officinalis Gallica
Gloire de dejon Climbing Tea Clem
Golden Chersonese Hybrid of R.Ecae
Gruss an Aachen China
La Reine Victoria Bourbon
Maidens blush great Alba clem
Mme Hardy Damask
Mme Isaac Pereire x2 Bourbon
Rosa Moschata Species will have clem
Rosa Moyesii Species will have clem
Mrs Oakley Fisher Hybrid Tea
Rosa Omeiensis Pteracantha Species
Parkdirekor riggers Modern Climber (Mrs F again) clem x 2
Quatre Saisons Damask
Roseraie de L'Hay Rugosa
Rosa Setigera Species
Sombreuil Climbing Tea Clem
Souvenir de la Malmasion Bourbon
White Wings Hybrid Tea


Only been here 4 years so list will grow in time. I do not know the names of the clems will have to check records

Fxx

[Plocket]

Hia F!

That's an impressive list! I recognise the Moyesii name because that's one we looked at - gorgeous flowers Do you have them around the whole garden, or do you have a rose area? And is there room for any more???

Don't worry if you can't remember the names of the clems but if you do I'd be interested to know. I'm wondering now whether I can put a clem in once our two new ones are established. I checked them this morning and they looked fairly happy

Can you believe that we've got 12 roses???

Px

[fozzie]

P,
the climbers and ramblers are either around the fences or on the pergola. The others are in a single bed which is approx 12 foot by 50 ish I say that because wherethis"bed" meets the corner of our plot it deteriorates(?) into a wild area where I have the bird feeding station, piles of wood for Mr/Mrs H and anybody else who wishes to seek refuge. I have also put two silver birch in this corner.The roses are planted with the species nearest the "wild" corner, then working back up the bed we have the species hybrids then the more "formal" roses. If you look up R.filipes you'll see its a monster (60+ ft). The other side of the fence from the long side of the "bed" is Public Open Space, but has no access its does however have a small copse, that is where R.filipes grows to she can climb into the trees and overhang the bed, well thats the plan when she and the trees mature a bit more. One more thing, between the fence and the bed I have planted a mixture of blackthorn and hawthorn as a hedge the Dog Roses and R.arvensis are already in place to grow through it.

There is always space for a new Rose as you are well aware re your darlings. I have to find homes for two more Moschata and Maidens Blush. Must stop taking cuttings... no chance.

As you know I murdered James Mason I will be going back to my local Clem Nurseryman (he also loves Roses) for another JM.
Pink Perfection shares her beauty with Gloire de Dijon and Riggers, Henryii and Nelly share with only Riggers, Perle d'Azur shares her beauty with Riggers and Allister Stella Gray, Alpina shares only with Allister. Brunette clambers through Cuisse de Nymphe, The other name for Maidens Blush, hows your French, I'm too embarrassed. Bobby James and Albertine are slowly covering the pergola and they have the company of Huldine and Etoile Violette respectively.

When we have these little chats, its seems to go very quiet and no one talking but I get the feeling we are being watched. You know that hair on the back of the neck thing!

Fx

[Plocket]

Hia Fozzie!

PML at being watched - we aren't doing anything naughty though!

Your roses sound lovely and the R.Filipes positively rampant - 60ft is bigger than my whole garden!!! I imagine a blackthorn and hawthorn hedge with dog-roses would look just devine, especially surrounding all your other roses. The garden must have a wonderful scent when they are all in flower. And you've got a nice selection of clematis with some of yours too.

I haven't a clue about Maiden's Blush so we'll stick with that hey?

Px

[fozzie]

P,

Only been in house for about 4 years so some plants are still feeling there way around underground . This yrwar should be better as I can see they are filling out. The species were last years addition so maybe a year or two for full flower power, still I can wait!
Fx

[Plocket]

Have you ever posted pictures of your garden Fozzie? I'm not pushing - just asking

[fozzie]

I have a few but theyare sort of before /after . I'll dig a few out for you.

Fx

[fozzie]

P,
discovered the problem with my camera - in a word ME! Now fixed so will take a few more pics and put them int' gallery section.

Fx

[Plocket]

HURRAH!!!! I'll keep an eye out Fozzie!

My first rose of the season is about to bloom - I can see the red of the buds on Anna Ford

Px