Dean Baker
Putterer / Scribbler
Consulting Rosarian
Hello!
I’m delighted you’ve found The Puttering Rosarian website, and I’d love to talk to you about roses.
There isn’t a better way to spend time with another Rosarian or photographer than to chat about our favorite rose or where we can get some great pictures.
I hope you’ll take the time to contact me and start a conversation. I know we’ll become great friends.
Do you have questions about growing roses, rose photography, or about Arizona’s Rose Societies? Connect with me directly and I’ll be happy to answer all your questions! Complete the form below and click the “Submit” button. I’d love to help you grow bigger and healthier roses.
If you are beginning a rose garden, you should start by keeping things simple. Talk with a knowledgeable Rosarian who can help you choose disease-resistant varieties that may reduce maintenance hassles. Please find a local Rose Society and attend one of their meetings. There are certified Consulting Rosarians within all of Arizona’s Rose Societies, and they can offer advice to help you get started successfully. Daily visits are key to helping your roses stay healthy and flourishing. Observe and take action when distress, disease, or pests become evident. Remember, patience and persistence are key. Roses, especially own-root roses, may take a year or two to establish and thrive fully.
Roses can be bought anywhere if you know what to look for. Roses can be mail ordered, bought over the internet, or purchased in local nurseries and stores. Most mail-order or internet suppliers sell quality bushes and will ship them to you at the proper time for planting. They also usually come with planting instructions. Most suppliers are excellent if you have problems with your order. The number of varieties available is generally greater than local suppliers.
Local Nurseries that feature roses include Berridge Nursery, Marbil Nursery, and Summerwinds Nursery. I have used Mail-order sites, including Heirloom Roses, Northland Rosarium, Edmunds Roses, and Jackson & Perkins.
The best time of the year to plant roses is in the early spring or after the temperatures fall in October – when nature provides cooler temperatures. January through mid-February is the prime time for planting for the new season. The cooler temperatures give the plants time to develop a root system capable of surviving the summer heat. Some experienced Rosarians prefer to plant in the fall, so the rose has a longer time to settle in and grow roots before the first flush of blooms arrives and Phoenix temperatures soar.
Container gardening is a fantastic option for residents with limited space. Choose containers at least 18-24 inches deep and wide to accommodate the root system of a growing rose. Use a high-quality potting mix designed for roses, or mix your own with equal parts of coco coir, perlite, and organic compost. Regular watering and feeding are more crucial in containers because plants can neither seek nutrients from the ground nor store water as easily.
Consistent care is the key to spectacular rose blooms. This includes providing balanced nutrition – using a rose-specific fertilizer from early spring until late summer can promote vigorous growth and vibrant flowers. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, not only tidies up the plant but also encourages more blooms by preventing the plant from going into seed production.
Consulting Rosarians are among the most knowledgeable people in the American Rose Society. Well-qualified and educated CRs serve the community by assisting gardeners to grow bigger and healthier roses. Each Consulting Rosarian has extensive training and are knowledgeable of rose issues in your area. They must complete the required course of instruction and pass a final exam. CRs are required to re-certify every four years by attending continuing educational sessions. Consulting Rosarians do not charge a fee for their consultations. However, if you engage them to work in your garden, they may charge a fee for that service.
Saving my marriage by sharing rose pictures and good information with you.
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