My roses will not bloom…?

Question by LORI: My roses will not bloom…?
I planted some “Don Juan climbing roses” probably 9 months ago and the stems, thorns and leaves are beautiful it has doubled in size and climbing like crazy but it hasn’t bloomed yet. I have not pruned it at all and it has the best spot in the yard to get plenty of sunlight, water and rest. So it just looks like greenery, pretty greenery with no blooms can someone give me some tips please.

Best answer:

Answer by Yarddoccarol
Rose ‘Don Juan’ is one of my favorite roses. It’s tough, has little problem with black spot and tends to bloom all the time – usually.

For best blooming roses ned at least 6 to 8 hours of sun a day, regular water and fertilizer. Also, they should not be sheared when pruned. Since you said there is plenty of sun, water and they have not be pruned, then it must be something else.

My best guess is in your statement “the leaves are beautiful it has doubled in size.” This indicates the possibility of not of sun or too much nitrogen. Leaves and plants stretch in low light, so check your light again.

Most likely you have been very kind applied lots of fertilizer. If you have lots rich, dark green leaves and rapid growth this would indicate lots of nutrients. Unfortunately, some plants are lazy. Growing flowers is hard work, if you have an abundance of nutrients around why do the work of growing flowers? Cut back a bit on the nutrients and you should see a few blooms.

Don Juan rose profile – http://www.learn2grow.com/plants/rosa-don-juan/

What do you think? Answer below!

April Is The Natural Time To Plan

April is a busy month in the garden. Even though spring is late this year, there are still signs of the season about to start in earnest. April is the month for planting, sowing, feeding and weeding, so make sure you spend as much time as you can preparing the garden for the season ahead.

April is the natural time to plant. Every keen gardener would agree that there is always room for a few more plants. A visit to the garden centre during April will reveal a wide choice of fabulous spring flowering trees and shrubs. These will have been grown in containers and although they can be planted almost all year round, it is much better to plant them in spring or autumn. Improve the planting soil with a quality planting compost, this will help the plant roots grow easily into the surrounding soil and provide essential drainage and nutrients to the roots. Water thoroughly after planting even if it has rained as this will settle the soil and compost around the roots and help your plant establish more quickly. After a week or so, top up the compost around the roots where it has settled and mulch the area with an appropriate mulch.

Give trees and shrubs a spring feed to support strong and healthy growth. Use a general balanced feed such as growmore, it’s granular so can be sprinkled around the base of your plants. Organic gardeners can choose pelleted chicken manure, fish, blood & bone, seaweed meal or bone meal.

Weed around the base of trees and shrubs, removing any grass and perennial weeds that cover the root area. Then apply a thick mulch around the base after heavy rainfall to suppress weed growth, improve the soil moisture retention and insulate the roots from extremes of temperature.

Feed flowering shrubs and roses with a dedicated rose food to encourage plenty of rich green foliage and masses of wonderful flowers.

Keep a watch on early shoots for the first signs of pests. Many pests such as aphids coincide their lifecycles with the growth pattern of your plants, so as your roses and shrubs burst into growth this provides vital food for the first generations of this year’s pests. Be vigilant and deal with them as soon as you see them.

If you want to garden organically, feed the birds to encourage them into the garden and plant plenty of brightly flowered annuals to attract beneficial insects into the garden.

Many shrubs can be pruned in April. Dogwoods (Cornus) respond particularly well to hard pruning, as this encourages plenty of fresh coloured stems to develop. Spring flowering shrubs such as forsythia, flowering currants, weigela, deutzia and early clematis should all be pruned after flowering as they all actually flower on stems made last year. If you remove these stems before the flowers have opened you will stop the plants from flowering this season.

Plants that flower on this year’s stems should be pruned in early spring to encourage plenty of new growth and flowers this season, these include roses, the butterfly bush (buddleia), Hydrangea paniculata, and caryopteris.  Feed after pruning.

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For easy crops to grow in April choose a mixed salad seed that can be sown weekly in small pots of compost in a greenhouse, cold frame or even on a windowsill. You can easily grow enough for several family servings of salad from one packet of seed and you can’t get it any fresher than home sown salad, simply pick it on demand.

In a cool greenhouse or propagator sow tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, courgettes, runner beans, French beans, sweetcorn and half-hardy annuals. Sow into small flowerpots full of good quality seed compost, or for large seeds such as sweet peas, beans and peas use Root Trainers that allow the roots to develop undisturbed until they are ready to plant out.

Outdoors, if the soil is crumbly and not stodgy, sow broad beans, leeks, summer cabbages, cauliflower, summer spinach, French beans, peas, celery, parsnip, and Brussels sprouts. Make a shallow trench in the soil about 1in (2.5cm) deep, line the base with a loam based multi-purpose compost, water gently and then sprinkle the seed thinly on top. Cover over with more compost and protect with cloches or fleece tunnels.

Beetroot, parsnip, peas, spinach, turnip, lettuce, carrots and radish can be sown in shallow drills lined with compost, without extra protection. However if you are in an exposed position, or the weather is particularly harsh, a covering of fleece or a cloche will help speed germination.

Plant onion sets out into the garden 10-15cm apart.

Plan to sow a few seeds of each vegetable every two weeks so that they mature at different rates to provide a succession of produce for the table. Some crops such as carrots can be sown in small amounts right through until July so that you get plenty of fresh carrots all through the summer and autumn and into winter too.

Feed permanent crops such as herbs, artichokes, asparagus, rhubarb and fruit in early spring with a balanced fertiliser such as growmore.

Continue to plant potato tubers 5-6in (12.5-15cm) deep and about 12in (30cm) apart. Cover over with fleece to protect emerging shoots from frost. As shoots appear cover them over with more soil. This encourages more tubers to form underground.

Keep the garden weed free. Weeds not only compete for any available food and water, but they also provide shelter for a number of garden pests and diseases. Dig out any perennial weeds making sure to remove all the roots and hoe off any annual weed seedlings as they appear. Always hoe when the soil is slightly dry and on a sunny day so that the uprooted weeds seedlings will quickly wither.

Protect fruit bushes, especially currants and gooseberries from bird damage. Cover with fleece to keep the birds off while the new buds are bursting. Remember to remove the protection as the flower buds start to form, otherwise pollinating insects will not reach the flowers, and you will not get any fruit.

Pot up Dahlia tubers, Begonia corms and rooted cuttings and keep in a frost-free environment until the last frost has passed. Choose other summer flowering bulbs such as lilies, gladioli and Eucomis from the wide range on offer at garden.

If the soil is still warm and not waterlogged then continue sowing annual bedding plants in their flowering positions in the garden. If you are new to gardening it may be better to grow them in a greenhouse or cold frame and get them established before planting out. Sow them into pots of seed compost as these are formulated to give the seeds the very best possible start and everything that they need to start growing.

Don’t be tempted into putting out half-hardy bedding plants into the garden. A warm spell can be very encouraging; especially to beginner gardeners, but at this time of year a cold snap won’t be far away. Keep them in a frost free greenhouse and harden them off before planting out. If your plants are shooting early they may need a little additional protection. Place a layer of horticultural fleece over any plants that are unexpectedly beginning to develop strong spring growth, especially if a frost threatens.

Dead head any early spring flowers and bulbs as they die off. Feed the plants after flowering with a balanced general fertiliser such as growmore so that the plants can build up the bulb for next years’ flowers. Don’t be tempted to cut off the leaves of bulbs that have flowered, simply bend over the foliage to ground level and allow them to dry out and wither naturally. The leaves manufacture essential food reserves to ensure that the bulbs can over winter and flower again next spring.

Divide overcrowded perennial plants and replant the pieces around the garden.

Check on overwintering plants such as geraniums and fuchsias in the greenhouse. It’s too early to put them outside but they may be sprouting new growth that is perfect for taking cuttings. Pot the plants up into fresh and start to water them gently, ensuring that they are not too wet and not allowed to dry out either. As the new shoots start to develop take softwood cuttings.

If you are growing your container plants from seed then make sure you sow them now so they are established by early June. There’s a huge variety that can be sown during April and May that will flower this year. Alternatively take cuttings of existing plants or visit the garden centre and choose some contrasting plants for containers. These will need greenhouse protection until the danger of frost has passed.

Outdoor Plants Gardening Information

FREMONTODENDRON

This fast-growing evergreen has beautiful yellow flowers from spring into autumn. Prune regularly if it is on a small fence or wall, ensuring the roots are not too wet.

CHINA ROSE

This vigorous China rose is popular, for its dark purple shoots, coppery young leaves, and lovely fragrant summer flowers. It will grow taller than usual against a wall.        

DESMODIUM

From late summer into autumn, long racemes of pink flowers project from soft, downy leaves. Except in cold areas, old growth is best pruned back every spring.

ITEA

On warm evenings from late summer into autumn, long greenish catkins give off a honey-like aroma. The dark green, glossy, holly-like leaves are evergreen.               

SOLANUM

Vigorous and scrambling, this shrub is evergreen in, warmer areas. Loose clusters of star-shaped flowers appear over ,a long period in summer. Needs support.              

PINEAPPLE GUAVA

The summer flowers of this interesting evergreen shrub have fleshy, edible petals and crimson stamens. Edible, egg-shaped fruits are produced after a hot summer.

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ROSE ACACIA

Large rose-pink pea-flowers are borne in drooping clusters from late spring into summer. The leaves, with numerous lush green leaflets, are held on fragile stems.

Shrubs for Sunless Walls and Fences

ROME GARDENERS may perceive a wall or fence that does Ono receive direct sunlight as a curse, and consider it unsightly. It need not be a problem, however, as long as it receives some light. Many shrubs (and climbers) will thrive, and some even prefer the normally cooler conditions of such a site, while others                flower freely in or out of the sun.

WEEPING FORSYTHIA

A vigorous, rambling shrub, this requires regular pruning and training to prevent it from becoming overpowering. Star-shaped flowers wreathe the branches in spring.

ORNAMENTAL QUINCE

Superb in spring, when the previous year’s branches are hidden beneath brilliant red flower clusters. Like `Moerloosei’, best pruned and trained close to the wall.

ORNAMENTAL QUINCE

A reliable, adaptable, and vigorous shrub, this carries large flower clusters in spring and early summer, followed by aromatic fruits. Prune, and train on wires.

SILVER QUEEN EUONYMUS

A handsome evergreen shrub, low and bushy in a bed, but rising higher against a wall if trained. Glossy dark green leaves have broad, irregular creamy margins.

CHINESE ANISE

The aromatic leaves of this slow-growing evergreen are joined by loose clusters of yellow, star-shaped flowers in spring. The wood also has a strong, agreeable aroma.

AZARA

This elegant evergreen will grow to small tree size if allowed. Arching branchlets are clothed with leaves and, in late winter or spring, tiny vanilla-scented flowers. 

SILK-TASSEL BUSH

From midwinter through to early spring the branches are draped with long tassels, which s;emble in the slightest breeze. This shrub-has leathery evergreen leaves.

 

 

Clematis Care

Clematis are excellent for training on trellises, fences, porches and posts. Particularly effective used with climbing roses or scrambling through shrub roses and deciduous shrubs. They require support to climb. Prefer evenly moist, well drained, rich, slightly alkaline soil. Ample moisture in summer and early autumn is particularly important. The foliage and flowers prefer a sunny location, while the roots prefer a cool shaded situation. Annuals, perennials, ground covers, but not mulch, are satisfactory to shade the roots.

Pruning practice is related to flowering time and is divided into three groups with the corresponding Roman numeral appearing after the varietal name.

Group I: These clematis are the earliest to bloom, with the buds coming from the previous season’s stems. Thin and lightly prune to shape immediately after bloom.

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Group II: These include many of the most spectacular and longest blooming of all clematis. They bloom primarily from the previous year’s stems, and therefore should not be pruned too heavily. Prune every year, in early spring just as the leaf buds start to unfurl. Remove dead or weak growth; prune only as far back as the first strong leaf buds. Spread and loosely tie the vines to their supports immediately after pruning. The Group II varieties are usually midseason bloomers, with later blooms coming on the current year’s growth. After the initial bloom fades, a light pruning enhances this rebloom.

Group III: These late-blooming clematis produce their flowers on the current season’s growth. They are best rejuvenated with heavy pruning every two to three years. Prune back to the lowest strong leaf buds (9 to 18 inches above ground level) in late winter or early spring. These varieties tend to make one very spectacular display. Delaying some pruning until March, or even April, will extend their blooming season. In years when rejuvenation is not required, a light trim in spring is beneficial. These are the best varieties to use intermingled with roses or other shrubs that require frequent pruning.

Two or even three contrasting varieties, with the same pruning requirements, planted together make an incredible display.

Poem: keeper of roses…. does this sound right?

Question by Amanda: Poem: keeper of roses…. does this sound right?
Any thoughts, comments, or improvements are welcome. Idea on a title? Thanks :0)

Wind-rocked remontant
Prune out your despair
Grafted in a slant
But not without care

Unmatched to fit growth
A Sucker un-torn
Knows not a good oath
When Chaos is born

Snit, Balled, or broken
Hips push the roughing
Truth is unspoken
Give up on nothing

Deceptive attacks
Shame, lonely with woes
Blind Shoot and Diebacks
Lame a budding rose
When I started this poem it was without rhyme or a theme. Growing up…my mom would always compare the hardships of life to a rose and its thorns. I don’t know how to grow roses…so I found a website with “Rose Terms” and went to work. Again thank you all for your comments. :0)

http://www.rosemagazine.com/pages/roseterms.asp

Best answer:

Answer by Friedrich Wilhelm
A rose is a rose is a rose and sometimes not…

What do you think? Answer below!

Where can I learn how to care for my CL Don Juan climbing rose bush?

Question by AMBER: Where can I learn how to care for my CL Don Juan climbing rose bush?
I have wanted a rose bush so my friend got me one. I’ve been looking on the internet trying to find how to care for it (its a Don Juan) and having some trouble. I would like if you could recommend a couple websites to try. I’m a little worried because what I’ve found is that they are sort of difficult to care for. I need to know how to support it, protect it from winter, how to plant it so it’s well drained, and other basic information. I have never had a rose bush so I want to succeed with this one. Also I need to know if there is a good video you can recommend about how to prune roses.

Best answer:

Answer by eanne94
You have a very thoughtful friend!
Here is a site which talks about this variety
http://www.ehow.com/how_6064448_plant-don-juan-climbing-roses.html This site is really good as it explains how roses need good sunlight to flower. On the same page you will find detailed instructions on how to prune it etc, but don’t worry you won’t need to prune for quite a few months yet!

Add your own answer in the comments!

People Enjoy Drinking Wine

People enjoy drinking wine because it’s relaxing, a great meal partner, and has healthy effects on the body. Before deciding what type or brand of wine to buy, there are some things that you need to know. Always make sure that you are buying the best bottle. Here are some things that you should check before purchasing a bottle of wine.

Quality

Most wines on the market right now are made for mass consumption, therefore making it more “acceptable” to general taste. When you are out searching for a bottle, be sure to consider its brand or type. In this country, a sparkling wine is usually called “Champagne”. We all know that Champagne is a place in France where great sparkling wines are made. Good sparkling wines don’t carry the name Champagne on their labels. So be sure to look for descriptions of this kind before purchasing.

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Taste

Most starters like sweet wine. However, as you get familiar with the taste, be sure to try different kinds. The first thing that you should consider is the wine’s color. Red and white wines have different tastes, and a rose wine has a whole different kind of taste. Aside from this, various wines can be partnered with different meals too. Wines have many different tastes and it’s best to try them to find your favorite.

Terroir

Although this has been a debate over the years, most wine drinkers believe that the wine’s terroir has a great effect on its quality. Terroir is defined as the soil and the environment where the grapes are harvested. People believe that the wine’s from well known terroirs are better than most wines produced in other places. So if you want to be more sophisticated in choosing your wine bottle, make sure they come from a well known terroir.

Personalize

Visit your local wine shop and ask the owner about wine types that you may like. As you try different types, make a list of the wines that you find interesting. In this way, you will have your own ‘criteria’ and before you know it, you’ll be an expert when it comes to your own tastes buds.

There are many things to enjoy when drinking wine, just make sure that you don’t drink too much at a time. Although most wines don’t contain great amounts of alcohol, it is best to drink it in moderation. However, the best thing about wine is that it is far more enjoyable than the other alcoholic drinks. So join the club and start drinking wine!

The Different Kind of Wine

It is a pleasure to the palate and it teases the senses when you combine fine dining with a glass of good wine. White wine is excellent when you are dining on fish or chicken, while red wine goes perfectly with red meat dishes. 

You might be confused when it comes to classifying the kinds of wine manufactured by vintners.

Wine-makers use the word “varietal” to refer to the type of wine made, as there are many variants to choose from.

France and Italy are amoung the leading countries when it comes to exporting wine all over the world. In the United States, you can find great wine producers in California.

Wines can be named according to the wine-maker, the vintage – which indicates the year when the grapes were grown – and the place where the wines were made.

However, most wine names are derived from the grape they are made from. 

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Here’s a quick look at the general types of wines that you can choose from to suit your taste:

1. Sparkling wine

This is more popularly known as champagne. Sparkling wine takes the form of a bubbly clear liquid which is most often used to signify a celebration. They are further divided into different types. There is a type of sparkling wine which is very dry and they are light and a bit sweet when tasted. There are champagnes made from white or red grapes, and they are more popularly known as Blanc de Blancs.

2. Aperitif

These are wines drank as an appetizer before the actual meal. Vermouth and dry sherry are a couple of examples of an aperitif.

3. Red wines

Red dinner wines are best served with red meat dishes or pasta. Cabernet Sauvignon is a popular red wine brand.

4. Rose dinner wine

This is related to the red wine variety and is also known as “blush wine” or pink wine. It has a lighter color and a sweeter flavor than the regular red wine.

5. White wine

White wine best complements fish or chicken meal. It brings out the natural aroma of food and further enhances flavor when served chilled. Chablis and Chardonnay are examples of white wines.

6. Table wine

Table wines can be red, white or pink wine which have no more than 14% alcohol content.

7. Dessert wine

Sweet sherry is an example of a dessert wine which is mostly of the sweet variety.

8. Cooking wine

Cooking wine is not intended for drinking because they contain salt.

From all these wine types and more – you get to take your pick of which bottle you would like to take home, sip and enjoy.

2 Oprah is Jealous Talk Show Starring Fay Koprah! c/c?

Question by BG: 2 Oprah is Jealous Talk Show Starring Fay Koprah! c/c?
Fay Koprah – Welcome to our second show! We have two guests today! Our guests are the lovely poetess, Sin, (thunderous applause) and esteemed critic, The Genuine Mighty Iano! (…………………. canned applause)
Fay Koprah – Uh, well. Well, Sin, we are so pleased you were able to be here today!
Sin – My pleasure, Fay! Entirely!
Kay Koprah – (checks notes) My, I see you are quite the prolific poetess! I, personally have read you faithfully and find your words so enriching, so pleasurable! You have quite the talented pen! (thunderous applause) It isn’t your turn, Dear Iano, but if there’s a problem with your trousers, wardrobe will help you. (off camera, two security guards deftly duct-tape TGMI’s mouth and drag him off stage.) Now, Sin, I applogize for that. This is taped live, and we often have little…uh, unfortunate interruptions.
Sin – Quite alright, Fay.
Fay Koprah – Sin, I was particularly intrigued with one of your latest writes – your gardening poem about pruning roses and all? I think our audience would enjoy knowing how you were inspired to write it. (thunderous applause)
Sin – Why, thank you. Well, I had this seed of an idea, played with it awhile, gave up, returned to it…. I was so frustrated; all these words I wanted – NEEDED – to say. After toying with it for days, the words came so fast they fairly exploded! What a relief!
Fay Koprah – Oh, dear. I had no idea poets had to work so hard to produce their poetry…
Sin – Oh, it’s true. And then, of course, we put it out and the critics rip into us before the ink is dry. (Fay grabs tissue, wipes her eyes, honks) Oh, don’t feel sorry for us; it’s our lot in life. Most great poets aren’t discovered until years after their deaths… At least I can look forward to (sob) that!
Fay Koprah – My Dear Sin, I am FAY KOPRAH; Your books – all of them – will be reviewed on my Oprah is Jealous Talk Show and you will be a bestsell…(stagehand interrupts, whispers to Fay & hands her a phone) Uh, excuse me, Sin, Audience…
Fay Koprah – (to phone) Well, I’ll have to ask her… Hold a sec… Sin, would you be available Friday? Michelle is requesting you give a read…
Sin – Michelle?
Fay Koprah – Oh, here…(hands Sin the phone) Obama, Dear! Michelle Obama… Please remind her not to call when we’re taping the show! How rude is that? See, we’re out of time! So sorry we didn’t have time for……uh, Hiram? Yes, Happy Hiram, to do his half of the show. Next time, maybe. Ba-bye for now!
(from back stage)…mmmmmPaaaaannnnnnnnnnnntttssssss…

(Any resemblance to persons living or dead is entirely intentional…but all done in affectionate fun.)
Thanks! Eye’ll keep my I on you.

Sin, did you not know t’is an *honour* to be pantsed by TGMI. Oh, for the days he knew I was alive… (Hi, Iano. Know you peeked in to read this. You dere, Iano?) sigh*.*
But I need a fake oprah…er… Fay Koprah, Ma. Nah, I be jest fine living in Anonymousville, where everyone’s an Iano (and pays me no mind) and I can stay in my jammies allllll day. It’s comfy.
Plain or extra butter, Gideon?
Neon want a guest spot on Fay’s show, heh heh heh…

Best answer:

Answer by Eye
I fully expect a weekly show, same place, same time.

What do you think? Answer below!

Who are the Wine Makers

For centuries now, vintners and great wine makers have been tirelessly fermenting grapes, other fruits and flowers to produce the wine that is served at feasts, parties and dinner tables.

There are thousands of varieties or types of wine to choose from. White, sparkling, red or rose wine are just some of the “colors” that you can choose from. 

Wine making is a very lucrative venture because there is a worldwide market. France, Italy, Australia, Spain, Chile and the United States have their share of the worldwide market and are the leading countries which export and produce wine.

Meanwhile, South Africa, Argentina, Portugal and Germany aren’t far behind.

California is the state which boasts the most of wine producers in the US. Vineyards are mostly found in Sonoma Valley, Monterey, Paso Robles, Santa Ynez and Napa Valley.

Here are just some of the popular wine makers in the country:

1. Greenvale Vineyards & Winery

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This vineyard is located in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. They produce red and white wines located from grapes which are locally grown.

Chardonnays and Cabernets are produced from the fertile soils of Greenvale Vineyards.

2. The Mount Pleasant Winery

Located north of St. Louis in Augusta, the Mount Pleasant Vineyards and Winery produces the best wine out of quality grapes.

With Chambourcin grapes, a Nouveau-like wine is aged and fermented. Chambourcin is a type of red grape grown mostly in states located on the East.

3. Domaine Drouhin

Located in the Red Hills of the Dundee in Oregon, this vineyard claims a sense of history since it is owned by the Drouhin family. 

Their wine has received worldwide recognition due to class and quality. The Pinot Noir wines that they produce have the distinct flavors of berries and vanilla for an exquisite taste.

4. Savannah Chanelle Vineyards

Located in the mountains of Santa Cruz in California, the Savannah Chanelle vineyards produce Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir.

Pinot Noir is mostly produced in the vast vineyards of Savannah Chanelle and are on the top of the list when it comes to this type of wine.

5. Chappellet Winery

California, being the wine-producing state in the US, includes the Napa Valley region.

This is where the Chappellet Winery is located and they produce Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. This winery produces wines which undergo as little processing as possible.

6. Sanford Winery

This vineyard is located in Buellton, California in the Santa Ynez valley. They make Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

When deciding which wine to serve your family, consider the bottles produced by such popluar wine makers and you can’t go wrong.

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