Can you believe that it is November already? I am still for the most part couped up in the house with the absence of my right knee but the surgery is on for the 27th of this month if all is OK. The first thing I see each morning as I rise are my roses planted next to my bedroom window. It is hard to look at them in all of their splendor now and remember how hot they looked just a couple of months ago.
We are still spraying here at the nursery and will continue to do so until the first hard (below 25°) freeze. If the roses go into dormancy for the winter without disease they well be that much ahead of the game for spring. Read more about spraying below.
In this month of Thanksgiving I reflect on all I have to be thankful for and you my friends and customers are right at the top of the list. Without you, Roses inc. would not exist and I want to take this time to say thank you to each and every one of you. Have a blessed holiday and with your prayers Me and my new knee will talk with you in December. Note: I could have used "my new knee and I" but then some of you may have thought someone else had taken over the writing of this newsletter. :)
Meet Karen
Karen the Rosarian
Roses inc. Tulsa has new partner
I do not know how many of you will recognize Karen without her work clothes but I know there is a lot of you that recognize her from the work she has done in your rose beds and in the new looks around Roses inc. Tulsa.
Karen started with Roses inc. as a rose technician last year working side by side with me maintaining rose gardens. The excitement that she has shown and the ideas that she has had are bringing Roses inc. Tulsa to another level.
Shortly you will see the new Roses inc. Catalog of rose offering for 2013. It is a first class publication that rivals any that I have seen in this industry. She has also brought us into the "on line" age by establishing a Face Book and Twitter account not to mention a web page that I could only hope for before she came on board.
Karen's official title is Nursery manager but that doesn't do justice to the varied responsibilities she has assumed. When I became incapacitated Karen took over the outside crew that maintains many rose gardens here in Green Country. She not only worked side by side with the other members of the crew but she also used her creative abilities to streamline the maintenance process.
There is not enough space here for me to tell you of all the good things that Karen has introduced us to here at Roses inc. When You talk with her or see her on the job you know that you are in good hands.
I am a farmer dude and going out to formal affairs is not my idea of a real good time. Once again Karen and Stuart bailed me out as they readied for a night of Wine and Roses.
November Chores
Some reminders for healthy roses
The photo on the right is what you do not want to see on your bushes this time of year. Yes, I know they will fall off at the first hard freeze but the hard freeze won't kill the fungus that is present. The solution is to keep spraying and removing diseased parts from the roses until we reach 25°.The following list are the other things you need to do in November.
Make sure the earth around the roses is damp, not wet.
Do not deadhead or remove any spent blooms.
You may cut a few blooms but make sure you always leave some spent blooms to set hips.
Do not fertilize with anything other than organics which will lay dormant until the soil temperature reaches 72° next spring.
Clean litter from around bushes. A leaf blower is handy to expedite this chore.
Make sure you have at least 4 inches of shredded pine bark mulch on your rose beds.
Make sure any canes that are not supported on any climbing rose is tied to a structure.
Keep spraying until we reach 25°
If you are wanting to move a bush wait until bushes are dormant before you attempt to move them. Then you can cut back the top without fear of them growing until the weather moderates next Spring.
As always I am here to answer any questions you may have. E-mail me at astelljes@cox.net or call me at 918-455-7673.
Wintering roses in pots
Keep it natural for healthier bushes.
This is the time of year when a lot of rosarians start to ponder what they are going to do with roses that are in pots. A lot of rose growers relegate the roses to a dark garage or shed while others just let them take their chances outside or move them into the house in a well sunlit spot. Here is another option that helps the rose to go through winter in the sun but in its dormant state.
First we must remember that Roses are deciduous hence they are somewhat dependant on the length of day to take their winters nap. Because of this a dark place will keep them but it is work to move them and a dark place is not what they need to stay healthy. Most left outside will winter just fine if they are watered regularly. The problem is the weather. Quick changes between freezing and warm temperatures will kill or severely damage the roots of the rose. Roses kept inside in a sunny spot do not get to go dormant which shortens its life and pest such as aphids and sprier mites can cause lots of problems.
I think the ideal way to winter potted roses and keep them on display is to use a heat tape. Heat tapes can be purchased at Roses inc. for this purpose. Heat tapes are composed of two wires with a resistant coating between them that warms the tape when it is plugged into a regular household outlet. They are equipped with a thermostat that turns the tape on when the outside temperature falls below 36° and it cuts off when the temperature reaches 40°. You can wrap the tape around the pot, supporting it every 6 to 8 inches with duck tape. Do not use any extra covering. The top of the bush will go dormant while the roots are protected from freezing by the warmth of the tape. These tapes will last for years if they are removed each Spring. No more moving pots and roses that are ready to go when Spring once again arrives.
Thank you for patronage throughout the year. If you haven't been on our web site for a while you need to check it out. www.rosesinctulsa.comWe will soon have photographs of our rose offerings for 2013 with descriptions. Just one more thing that Karen has put together to bring us into the web age. You should order your picks early so you get what you want. We ask for payment when you order. We will start shipping bare root in mid February and stop the second week of April for the northern states. We will do our best to send what you order. The roses that are listed are confirmed but sometimes stuff happens and a particular variety becomes unavailable at which time we will let you know and you can make the decision to substitute or request a refund.
Sincerely,
Mark
918-455-7673 Mark Stelljes Roses inc Tulsa.
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I am a farmer dude and going out to formal affairs is not my idea of a real good time. Once again Karen and Stuart bailed me out as they readied for a night of Wine and Roses. 
Some reminders for healthy roses