I Am Starting a Tradition

Whenever I go somewhere (like road trip..not like to Walmart but I like the way you think)..for good or bad I am picking up a rosebush or bushes :). I chose roses because if need be you can find them at a Safeway but in the last two cases I found them at local specialty garden stores. I am trying to get only own root instead of grafted.

When I went to St. Paul, OR for the Miss Rodeo Oregon pageant I got a Cassie (in honor of daughter competing), a Portlandia and a Stars & Stripes Forever.

This week when I went to WA & ID to help with Dad I got a Moonlight and a Rockin' Robin.

Next week I am going to visit where our horse is buried...(Yes one of those tragedies I mentioned...there were a bunch all in 2 weeks time) I'll get something big and bold and fun like he was.


Ginger

Ginger - I have discussed own-root roses with a wonderful Rosarian at a local nursery. She told me that you can "create" your own-root rose from ANY rose, simply by burying it 3-4" below the bud union. The canes will grow their own roots and take over. The grafted portion will eventually perish as it will no longer be needed. I have purchased many roses the past 2 years & have buried them as she instructed. Those that were existing, I have dug up & replanted, or raised the level of the soil. The only type she cautioned about were the Hybrid Teas - some of them are too "weak" & need the grafted roots. They will live for a while, but either the graft will take over, or the plant will croak.
I had remembered ordering from a place in California - the only place I could locate "Sutter's Gold". This was about 20+ years ago. They instructed me to do the same with all the Hybrid teas : bury them about 4" below, which is standard practice for the colder zones. That Rose grew so healthy & put out the most wonderful blossoms, but met its demise when crushed by a tree in a windstorm.
My mom has a few roses, (some English some HT's) and in the past 15 years has not had any issues with the very cold, dry Bend winter weather.

WOW.. that is great to know...

One of the ones I bought has a great big seed pod looking thing on it and I did not cut that off until I find out it's possibilities.

Ginger

Roses are good to collect. We collect bird statues where ever we go.
Sorry about your horse also. That's tough.

Great advice Kayte!
I didn't know that. Guess I spent so many years growing "grafted" roses that you DON'T want to bury below the bud union lest ye encourage sucker canes! That would explain a few things about
a very hardy mini-rose I have that I accidentally planted too deep
last year. It was breaking OVER WITH BLOOMS this summer.

I grow quite a few roses and my best advice to "beadmom" is to do yourself a favor and look for disease resistant roses. I have grown maaaaaaaany roses for the love of the bloom, but after awhile constantly battling black spot and powdery mildew gets old.

I got some roses from Hortico this year and they are beauties. I believe they are own root roses too. They are in barrel halves at the moment, but will go into the ground next Feb. As much as I love growing roses in tubs...they tend to be mucho happier in good ground.

GOOD LUCK with your collections...what a fun idea.

GInger, just had to pop in and give my condolences on the loss of your horse. So sorry that it happened - and on top of more tragedy. That IS tough.

I love that you will plant a big, bold rose for him.

Kathy

I am a horse lover, had to sell mine. As had no time for him, he is with a 13 year old girl now. But I miss him so bad. Its so sad to lose any animal no matter how it comes about. But the real loss is harder.
I have your true pain.
And roses are wonderful, they loved to eat them. at least mine did and he love little kids, and was mean to big people.

I'm always posting in a hurry...and I missed commenting on your loss. I did see your comment about your horse beadmom. This is the first time in my life I HAVEN'T owned a horse and I miss them every day.

That's a super neat tribute growing a rose for your wonderful buddy.

Thanks everyone.. He was HUGE (18-2) horse that was afraid of goats and chickens but loved people and jumping.

We miss him. He belonged to my daughter that is teaching in France right now. She's heartbroken.

Dad is doing better though!

Ginger

Glad to hear Dad is doing better.

That is a HUGE horse. My Tarbaby was 16 hands.

Boots was only 15 hands and a big butt. LOL