Re: A less large rose garden

"Martin H. Eastburn" <lionslair@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
news:1196122805_7191@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> As cockle shells.. but I digress.
>
> Our roses in Lufkin, Tx - just west of the two long border lakes and 
> La.
> are growing and our climbing red rose is in bloom.  Three others are 
> as well,
> but due to the low of 38 and now 40 they have slowed down.

I think out low has been in the mid-40s so far.

> The 2.5" of rain in several days kicked it up a notch - It was slow 
> but
> steady for a deep (inches) soak.  The thatch on the lawn and meadow 
> has
> washed downhill due to the slight slope.
>
> This is an area of deposited sandy loam from several river systems 
> and lots
> of pine forest in the past.  All climbers have done very well this 
> year, the
> large reds and the small pink.

Good!

> Eaten by grasshoppers at one time, the second leaf out is 
> continuing.

Ah HA!  Maybe that accounts for some
suspiciously eaten parts of some of my
roses.  I have seen a fair number of
grasshoppers around, but with so many
roses it's hard to notice a little bit of
damage to only a few roses.

> We expect a freeze, rather hope for one as it cuts back on the bug 
> collection.
>
> Martin

We seldom get a freeze over winter.  Last
one was '05; three days got down to the low
20s.  I can't remember the last time my
roses went dormant.  Their growth will
slow down, but not stop.

Gail
near San Antonio TX Zone 8 USA