Edition 20th March, 2025

20th Mar 2025

HELLO DEAR ROSE FRIENDS ...

We finally had 9mm of rain this past weekend … ah, the sound of rain on the tin roof and water gurgling down the pipe to the tanks was blissful! The cockatoos were so entertaining as we watched them swinging precariously from the branches enjoying their first bath for months …

it’s definitely autumn with our first morning of 4 degrees earlier this week so we’ve picked all the ripe tomatoes as soon enough, we’ll probably experience the first frost. We’ve done the last trim of all the potted roses and oh, they look sensational as they put on their autumn display with magnificent depth of colour and huge flowers.

ISSUE WITH CLIMBING ROSE …

Hi , I’m not much of a gardener, but I purchased a climbing roses from you over a year ago, even though the vine is spreading nicely, I’ve never had any roses, I was just wondering why, and how long does it normally take before budding?

Kind Regard,
Maree

My response:

Leave it, don't prune it ... what variety is it? Lots of climbers need to establish the longer canes and then they'll flower prolifically ... please do tell me what variety ...

Well, Maree didn’t get back but either way, lots of climbers will settle in and produce lots of branches and then once tied to their support structure, they’ll flower on the laterals – some varieties will only flower in the second year so it’s important that you don’t harshly prune those branches!

Monthly applications of Fair Dinkum Seaweed Gold with Bloom Boom will enhance the possibility of flowering more quickly - order products in our online store: www.rosesalesonline.com.au or they’re readily available at good garden centres.

The general rule-of-thumb with climbing roses is YOU BE THE BOSS – tie down or prune unwanted or unruly branches and once a climbing rose is flowering prolifically, keep it nicely trimmed and it will be an absolute pleasure like this Bantry Bay which we see from our lounge room and bedroom windows …

Have a giggle

Q. Where does a peacock go when it loses its tail?
A. To a re-tail store!

SPECIAL OFFER THIS WEEK ...

These two perfectly formed tiny flowers will pack a punch with fragrance – ideal to pop them together into a large tub just outside the door so you can constantly pick bunches of blooms for a vase … so sweet!

Have another giggle

Q. Why is tennis such a noisy game?
A. Because everyone raises a racket!

Have a lovely week in your autumn garden …

cheers from us all at Silkies Rose Farm.