Roses

[@siamnuyan9090]

😍😍😍😍😍

[@nikkonch]

Thank you.

[@Lin_Greenfinger]

Hi Nik. Fantastic collection of healthy roses !

[@peterhaymaker7562]

A 'For Your Eyes Only' rose! I have one too Nik. Mine's in the ground and is just about to start it's second flush. Yours looks so really good. Iceberg's doing very nicely too, as are all your roses - so healthy. A very nice combination of planting. Cheers! P.

[@nikkonch]

Thanks Peter. I have two other roses of the same type but different colours - Peter's Persica and Eyes for You/Blue eyes (which I was disappointed to find is not blue at all, more maroon/mauve/violet). Each one seems to have an impressive and fairly short flush, followed by a fairly long rest period. Not sure how I feel about them yet. I tend to take Iceberg for granted - it always seems to be in flower, but for me it's a supporting character not a star.

[@peterhaymaker7562]

@@nikkonch I have a Climbing Iceberg, not in the best of positions but it's doing quite well this year. I have a New Dawn (Cl.) that always has a very long rest period as does the Red New Dawn (Cl.) Having said that, I don't think my roses get the love and attention that your's, it would seem, do. Your Iceberg I'm sure you'd miss if it decided to melt. P.

[@nikkonch]

@@peterhaymaker7562 🤣 Melting Icebergs - good one Peter!

[@wendybartlett6717]

Looking good Nik. Do you ever get a chance to just sit in your garden? It's the one thing I never seem to do as I'm always deadheading or inspecting the plants. If I had views like yours I'd definitely be sat outside with a glass of wine in my hand. I have new neighbours and the two children are really noisy and seem to scream a lot. I'm dreading the next six weeks as the schools have broken up for the holidays. Sitting outside would not be a pleasurable experience at the moment! Have a great weekend Nik.

[@nikkonch]

Thanks Wendy. Not sure if it's the poor weather, noises of building work nearby or what, but I seem to be spending less time sitting enjoying the view this year than ever before. I tend to sit down with a drink and then be up again 10 minutes later to carry out some gardening task. Perhaps some earplugs or, even better, some wireless earphones linked to radio, wi-fi or a phone to listen to music or the radio might get you through the school holidays? Surely the kids will be away for a fortnight in Spain or wherever too? Good luck!

[@MegaMoflis]

Hi Nik, do you spray your roses with anything? they are super healthy!

[@nikkonch]

Hi MM, Yes I have sprayed the roses with Roseclear twice so far this year and I have recently (after their first flush) given them a second handful of Toprose granules each to encourage growth and health (the first handful was applied as growth was starting). I would love to take the credit for their healthy appearance but I think modern rose breeders play their part by producing more disease-resistant varieties (DA have retired their 1985 rose Abraham Darby which does seem to attract disease in the UK climate, and the 1945 Peace rose is another one whose stricken leaves I am frequently removing). I think the weather here may have also helped this year, with the lack of hot, humid days - but I may be wrong. Also, of course, it is still comparatively early in the rose season and disease does get more likely as the year goes on. I try to give them sun, water, and space, deadhead almost daily and try to remove diseased leaves fairly swiftly, but I do think that luck plays its part.