Calif_Sue said:I was a super hunter of them last year too! Removed any buds that had been damaged before it got any chance to fall to the ground too.

Good work, Suzanne

I still find myself chuckling at the articles that tell people to hand pick the bugs and squish them. It's so much faster and less messy to just pick buds ...

I'll argue for the other point of view. I agree with Sue that the damaged buds and blooms have to be discarded before they fall to the ground, but I can't agree that disbudding the rose is preferable to squashing the weevil. If I kill the weevil before it damages the bud, I get a nice bloom and a dead bug. If I simply remove the bud, I get no bloom, and the bug is still alive to move on to another rose.

Zuzu ... whatever makes you happy is the very best way to manage the bugs ....

A dead bug makes me happy, Lyn.

That works ...

You also have a major advantage over me, Zuzu. It normally just gets too dang hot to be outside squishin' bugs when the curculios hit the garden. I'd rather use the cooler hours of the morning for other gardening tasks.

The species roses are just starting to pop, so the curculios haven't hit my garden, yet.

I spent today recovering from hauling mulch material back from the chipping pile. I've got bags and bags and bags of the stuff out there on the house pad level just waiting for me to put it down. Getting it here was a lot of hard work. Today, I had enough energy left to go out and look at it with a happy smile that it was here and that was just about it. I am glad I had enough energy to smile.

Tomorrow, I'll start putting it down in the garden.

I find my attitude at the moment makes all the difference in the world, which often has much to do with my level of back pain or stamina. I approach it much the same as you Lyn, I wait till I can move forward with a smile and the task is enjoyable. I used to allow myself to stress over garden tasks till one day it dawned on me that the garden is my source of peace and joy and escape from stress. Thankfully the garden is pretty forgiving

First rose blooms of the year today here - Albrighton Rambler. We've trained them up the brick walls of the garage and the 'barn' (in fact never a barn, but a former donkey stable converted into a summerhouse/summer study).


Loads of buds - I'll post more Albrighton Rambler photos when enough open to make it impressive!

I can't wait to see! That sounds so beautiful and romantic- the rose rambling over the converted stable

Thanks, Neal, but I fear the reality might be less lovely than your imagination paints it - the roses are coming up to only their third season (I bought them in 2013 when they were first introduced) and the donkey stable is quite humble. But I'll post the pics anyway... I know you will be kind!

To be sure, Mika! Always kind! Humble can also be beautiful and romantic.

Rosa `L.D. Braithwaite' in bud:


The 3 roses I ordered from Rogue Valley, l to r:
Alfred de Dalmas, Fimbriata, Gruss an Aachen

Angie, when will you put those 3 in the ground?

I have half a dozen still in pots that I'm not sure when to put in.

I'll try to get them in the ground this week, pending prep. of the holes and adding compost.
This is the last week of school for my little one and it's a busy week for us, but that's my plan.

Bloom season has begun in Kentucky

Mordens Blush was first to open a bloom. Here it is surrounded by my nemesis, violets


Carmella

for bloom season, Neal! Lots of buds here, too, and I'm hoping some hurry up and open because we're going to France on Friday. Still, there will be flowers over there and we'll be away for just two weeks this time so plenty of roses left for our return.

Full flush here, and I truly think it's the best ever. The iris, salvia and peonies are also at peak, which is unusual timing. Beautiful, but almost overwhelming. I'll do a parade thread if I can make it to someplace with a good wifi signal.
I have 5 more Hueys to pull out, but they are blooming so prolifically I can't do it just yet. We're supposed to have rain all week, so I might just plant the new bare roots straight in the ground and skip the potted stage. The ground is so soft I am able to pull weeds and grasses easily.
The maiden roses from WI Roses are growing fast. It's fun to watch the buds break and see measurable growth between morning and evening. I potted a few of the Hueys to use for budding practice...if I ever get the time! What a busy time of year!

Beautiful roses, Neal. Wish I had your violet problem!

Neal - nice start to the season! It is Caramella isn't it? With the extra 'a'. Either way, I like the way the colour fades towards the outer petals - really beautiful.

Mika - I also wish my roses to hurry up!

Cindi, I agree with you it is a busy time of the year in the garden! I have spent the last two days trimming my boxwood and am still not finished. It usually only takes me two days but this crazy weather hasn't played along - intermittent showers and cold.

Oh, I'm such a ding bat yes, Caramella is correct.

Assumed it was a typo - happens to me all the time!