November is close to heaven for the Sydney rose gardener. Under proper conditions nearly any kind of rose should be in bloom now. Unfortunately for some, the drought is really biting hard. The lack of rain we saw in winter is more of a problem in this warm, windy weather.
The Honeysuckle Cottage Nursery's 'Heritage Rose Festival' had to be cancelled. There is so little water in Kurrajong that they did not even bother to fertilise there this year, for fear that young new sappy foliage would just burn off. Their nursery is now bloom free, apart from some bushes they have in pots for sale and a grand old Monsieur Tillier (tea rose) whose main stem is over 6 inches thick. Its root system must be marvellous.
Water restrictions can be expected for summer if it doesn't rain soon. Warragamba dam, Sydney's main source of water, is at 68% of capacity and dropping by about 0.1% per day. For updates click here.
Tips for avoiding the worst effects and using water responsibly:
The combination of low rainfall and cool nights has meant a complete absence of black spot. Unfortunately a big powdery mildew problem hit my roses in late October. I decided it was time to try the organic remedy so many have recommended on the gardenweb forums - a spray made from 1 litre of milk to 4 litres of water. And guess what, it works! Spraying weekly for two weeks has the mildew in fast retreat. The foliage is fine and even the aphids can't abide the stuff. I should also have seen some spider mites by now, given the dry conditions, but not a sign so far. Touch wood and all, but milk is the wonder spray so far this season!
Congrats to these roses for being impervious to the mildew atttack:
And brickbats to these ones who caught the worst of it:
Here's my new front bed of pink David Austin varieties:
The bushes are, from closest to furthest in the picture:
Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, with Kardinal in the background:
A fragrant velvety bloom from The Squire, my favourite Austin:
Mayor of Casterbridge, showing promise in its first year:
Paradise, rewarding some TLC with this large bloom:
Radio Times, which is already in its 3rd flush and growing strongly after having got over a mildew attack early in the month:
Sexy Rexy, doing very well for me in a pot:
La Passionata - this bloom measured 13 cm across with a fragrance to match the name:
More next month!