- usually “reachin

LOVELY TO LOOK AT, DiFFICULT TO CULTIVATE
Tips make growing roses simpler

THE ROSE has been one of the western world’s most pop-
ular garden plants for centuries and I still have difficulty

understanding why.

Now don’t get me wrong, I know
I’m inthe minority here; but it is
beyond me why so many of you
will endure a plant which bears us
such pointed animosity and
therefore is a pain (pun fully in-
tended) to cultivate.

And yet with all its nasty arma-
ments, it seems so utterly
defenceless against so many pests:
aphids, blackspot, mildew, and
crown gall are but the most com-
mon.

If you insist on growing them,
here are some tips which should
allow you to obtain some good
results with as little pain as possi-
ble.

There are seven main types of
roses: grandiflora, hybrid tea,
floribunda, miniature, rambling,
climbing, and the tree ruse.

The grandiflora produces large
blooms in clusters of three or four
on long stems. The plant is
generally taller

the five-foot

range by the end of the season.
The classic hybrid tea with its
large flowers borne singly on long
stems is the favorite of those desir-
ing cut flowers.

The plant will

the hybrid tea,....

reach an average height of four
feet.

The bushy floribunda will reach
three to four feet and produce an
abundance of smaller flowers in
clusters of as many as 15 to 25 per
stem but six io eight is the norm.

Even I must admit to a certain
fascination with the miniature
roses. Plants which are only 10 to
18 inches high and scaled down,
perfectly formed flowers to match,
lend themselves very well to con-
tainer and window box gardens.
I’m particularly pleased with the
ineffectual thorns and the
resistance of some varieties to
pests.

Climbers and ramblers differ in
that.the rambler generally retains
the older rose forms (singles and
moss) and requires less pruning.
Climbers bloom on second-year
wood so heavy annual pruning will
diminish the show.

Tree roses are produced by graf

.ting a standard bush form’onto’a”

straightened two to 314-foot
understock. Can be used either as
a focal pcint in the garden or in
containers on the patio.

After selecting the type of rose -

best suited to your needs, refer to a

rose book such as Ortho's or
Sunset’s to narrow it down to a
variety. Check the AARS rating
and pest resistance as well as color
and forr:.

Roses need sun! Another plus
for the typical North Shore
garden. Roses should have at least
six hours of midday sun and more
would result in a healthier plant
and more flowers.

The soil should be fairly rich in
organic matter and never allowed
to become too. dry. Roses. are
“heavy feeders so a good handful of
bonemeal early in the spring and
regular applications of a commer-
cial rose food at label rates is
recommended.

Watering should be done in the
morning and you should avoid

Create your dream
kitchen step by step

over the
garden gate
by Geoff Tobiasson

. KITCHENS HAVE always been the heart of the

home. :

But with the advent of two career couples sharing
' the cooking and the popularity of informal entertain-
‘ing, this room is getting even more attention.

, cimproving your kitchen one remodelling project at

a time can often be the best, most economical way. to
make a difference, Even minor changes can make a

. vast improvement and be the first steps in the creation .,

of your dream kitchen.

In smaller kitchens, a common objective in
“remodelling isto create more space. The average
modern kitchen holds more equipment and-appliances
than even before, with everything from fcod pro-
cessors to microwave ovens fast becoming standard
items.

A number of options allow you to free more space

in the kitchen without knocking down any walls: One - &

possibility is to mount smaller appliances beneath
cabinets to create more countertop space.

Another practical, space saving improvement is to
install a new, multi-functional appliance. A hi/lo
cooking centre, a range with a second, smaller oven
oy top, offers maximum cooking capacity in a mini-
mum of floor space.

For someone who enjoys cooking and entertaining,
a second oven is a wonderful asset — especially when
you're serving move than one hot dish simultaneously.
Or, you can use the smaller coven to bake dessert while
cooking,a roast.in the main oven.

For others whose cooking priority in the kitchen

runs- toward quick and convenient rather than
elaborate dinners, a microwave as a second oven
might prove indispensable.

Quality Cleaning & Fair Price

23 - Friday, April 3, 1987 - North Shore News

wetting the foliage as damp leaves
promote the spread of blackspot.
Although Safer’s Insecticidal Soap
is safe and effective in rontrolling
aphids, the constant spraying nec-
essary can also cause blackspot. A
paint-on systemic such as Cygon
2E or Lagon 2E would be a more
practical solution.

If cultural controls such as bot-
tom watering in the morning and
removing infected leaves does not
halt the spread of blackspot you
may have to resort to spraying a
systemic fungicide such as
Funginex. Once again I suggest us-
ing this in combination with
Safer’s Soap thereby increasing ef-
ficiency and perhaps reducing the
dosage required.

Would a rose by any other name

smell so sweet?
GARDENS 87 CONTEST

Once again some hard working
volunteers of the North Shore
gardening fraternity have orga-
nized a garden contest. Last year
was so successful, with over 80 en-
tries and a dozen or so prize win-
ners, it was decided tu turn this in-
to an annual event.

I think it is a great idea; a ter-
rific opportunity for the communi-
ty to acknowledge and encourage
the efforts of those individuals, be
they homeowners or business peo-
ple, for their efforts in the
beautification of the North Shore.

Why even the three municipal
mayors have united (no small feat)
to offer their enthusiastic support
for this event whose goals are to
promote the neighborly spirit, in-
crease our civic pride, and general-
ly improve the local environment.

So search out an entry form at
all municipal halls, conimunity
centres, libraries and garden cen-
tres and enter your home garden or
that of your business. Entry forms
must be submitted on or before
July 31, 1987.

For further information, contact
contest committee chairman, Dirk
Oostindie, at 986-9141 weekdays
from 8 a.m. to4p.m.

tT

25% OFF
ALL FABRICS & LABOUR

and on our custom made

DRAPERIES, UPHOLSTERY,
SLIP COVERS, BEDSPREADS

Three years ago, Dan sold his original
company. Now DAN’S BACKI! with three
of the best cleaners in the lower
mainland. And he wants you to take a
LOOK at the difference Quality makes!

SPRING CLEANING SPECIAL

_ _ Me give the extra care others don’t
* ' UPHOLSTERY CLEANING * CARPET CLEANING * AREA RUG CLEANING * DRAPERY CLEANING

| SAVE 20%

(LIMITED TIME OFFER)

was ing 8 Furniture Cleaning Ltd.

North Shore

24 hr
Answering Service

25 TONS