This month (June) of roses is going to be more or less exciting, because we are beginning to hear from some of our rose friends who have not been so “rosy” for several years.
To begin with, I’m going to ask those who read with me to use this June rose time to make some serious comparisons. For reasons that need no discussion here, you may find commercial rose suppliers completely sold out. But there’s no reason, it seems to me, why we should not study the roses we already have or may somehow acquire and honestly compare the old and the new – particularly the very old and the very new.
This is not, of course, going to be an attack on rose novelties. I’m too firmly on record as believing that rose varieties are gradually but definitely improving, I think, to have any fears of being accused of that! On the other hand, however, I’m equally opposed to the idea that all the new things should be accepted and all the old discarded. And I honestly believe that if all my observing friends who love roses with me will occasionally look backward as well as forward we shall all benefit.
One good thing that is likely to result if we all keep a close watch on both new and old roses is that we shall make some progress in the control of rose troubles. After all, when one analyzes the causes of failure, it has to be admitted that, while we can give our plants the best treatment possible, we still can’t always fully insure them against the ravages of such diseases as black spot.
Face it, black spot is controllable. But is has always seemed to some of us, probably because we are too lazy to dust or spray sufficiently, that there ought to be some other and better way. Indeed, discussion is always ongoing as to the possibility of breeding the disease out of roses. Some varieties are known to be resistant to black spot, while others seem to invite it. Studying both the old and the new varieties, then, should be a good occupation for all those who are interested enough in having better roses and more of them.
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