Hopefully I will be making a start on repotting or up-potting my roses. At the same time I will attend to pruning them, the potted ones haven't had a short back and sides yet. I intend to upgrade from 15Ltr pots to 30Ltr. I will be using multipurpose compost. Reason being. Here in the UK, purchasing top soil costs the earth.............sorry for the pun plus the quality etc. I would like to share my professional help and advise, we shall see.
Well I managed to make a start today. Brrr, its cold out in the garden. I don't know why, but since my heart surgery, during our hot spell, I couldn't cool down. Now I can't get warm. In doors, central heating on, and me cloaked in a heavy dressing gown. Today, out here in the garden. Heavy gardening boots, thick cordroy trousers, pullover, shirt and t/shirt etc. Cap, wax-proof jacket, gardeners apron, and leather thornproof gloves. So lets get started. Too many pots of plants etc along side the garden path, so I had to carry the 50Ltr bags of multipurpose compost up the garden. I must admit. Re-potting from 15 Ltrs to 30Ltrs. There seemed very little difference in space. An hour and a half later it was time for lunch. I had repotted and pruned just ten roses. Honestly. Sentimental as I am. I looked at the roses. Already they were all well advanced in new season's growth. What a waste. Still, being as it was basically the first prune, I carried on. Lunch. A much wanted cuppa, plus two Cornish pasties, I only managed one and a half. Usually I watch the TV News. So back out again. Hells bells. The temperature has dropped. I managed to tidy up a bit and had to call it a day. I couldn't feel my fingers. I have some more 30 Ltr pots being delivered tomorrow and more compost. As I have previously said. Although being a professional.....whatever that means!!! I might be a bit kinder with the pruning. Nite Nite.
If I may please without prejudice ask Anniekay. Why especially in the gardening world and such. Americans are quoted as Master Gardener etc. Is this perhaps going back to America's beginnings. 'Too many Chiefs and not enough Injuns?
Master Gardeners are those who have degrees in horticulture and run big enterprises usually at Universities, or research facilities. They're people who home gardeners look to for advice and usually they've written gardening books. Why? Has some yahoo called him/herself a Master Gardener?
Thanks Annie. Today 5/3/26. WOWEE! Has summer come early. Bright, sunny and...warm. My daughter Amanda, phoned me. Dad. It's such a nice day. Would you prefer a day with your roses, rather than a day shopping. YES PLEASE. So I managed about five hours in the garden. Many of my roses are already well advanced, with new growth. In the main. I am repotting/potting up from 15Ltr. to 30Ltr. pots. Today I did well, not only potting on, but siting some roses in better positions. Such as, the arch frames. I have/am using 3-4 different roses. I am limited for space. At the same time. I am pruning and feeding. I have for a long time, questioned others. What do you mean by, 'I'm feeling old today'. Hey!. I'm 86 and still can't understand that statement. Perhaps, some way related. I at times look at my day's efforts, and say. Mike old lad, you ain't narf slowed down. Thankfully things might improve. My latest eye hospital appointment. Such a nice eye doctor. I am now awaiting eye surgery for double cataracts and glaucoma. Amazing. Now both eyes can be dealt with, also glaucoma can be operated on. Hopefully---very soon, I will be able to see.........my beautiful roses. Also to return to my microscopes for my plant pathology. I have built up a collection of Renaissance roses. These have been bred by, Poulsen in Denmark. I have all but a couple of the complete collection. As each rose has female name, I have designated a corner of the garden as, 'The Girls Room'. My dear friends. Thanks for putting up with me.
Good to hear that you are doing well Mike, we're 69 and we always think that we're younger than that. I've had cataracts done and it's amazing how much you can see afterwards.
You look like a scientist, being interviewed on "Face the Nation". "We are here with Dr. Michael Allen to discuss the ramifications of the..."
