pain, that is. Lest I open old wounds, ! will tefrain from delving too deeply into my reasoning. Suffice it to say that I expressed my belief that the rose would make an attractive addition to the garden — someone else’s garden. Al! excepi the miniatures. I do include these within my list of common hazards in the garden because of their diminutive size. The spears of the Lilliputians pos- ed more of a threat to Gulliver than do the thorns of the miniature rose, Now, couple this with a reduced theatre of operations should war break out with Black Spot or aphids and miniature roses start to lock pretty good. Let’s get out the magnifying glass and take a closer look. Miniature roses are a distinct type of rose. Just as we have hybrid teas, floribundas, graz- difloras, etc., we have the miniature. They are not dwarfed or stunted in some artificial man- ner. They are naturally, genetical- ly small. There are varieties that have the elegant form and single stemmed beauty of the hybrid tea; others have the multi-bloomed sprays and clusters of the floribunda. Still others have habits of the old fashioned ramblers and climbers. As a class, they are more prolific and hardier than their counter- parts. You can use them in the home landscape in many ways. They are delightful in miniature, formal rose beds. They can be used as a low, foreground planting in a bed containing larger roses. As an ever-blooming, colorful border, they can offer more color than the traditional perennial border. Many varieties can be grown to good effect in hanging baskets or window boxes. Grown in con- tainers and planters on decks and patios is especially useful. During the odd occasion when they are not in bloom, you can push them (SAVE 20-357) Solariums SPECIALIST IN CUSTOM DESIGNED SOLARIUMS AND SKYLIGHTS. FREE ESTIMATES , 266-9000 8722 GRANVILLE, VAN. Friday, February 22, 1991 - North Shore News - 18 Roses reconsidered Miniatures raise special problems for growers A FEW years ago, I penned a rather piercing article on the growing of roses. I apparently raised some pretty thorny issues when | suggested that these plants had best not be welcomed with open arms. Unless you have a penchant for into a less prominent position while you wait for them to pro- duce the next burst of glorious color. The key to success with roses, big or small, is in the choosing of the right planting site. Roses need at least four hours of direct sunlight (preferably more). Al- though alf plants need light to produce the energy to grow, roses need more to generate their rich displays of bloom. If you do not want problems with disease, give them room to breathe. Good air circulation will assure you that the surface area of leaves and blooms are drying out as quickly as possible, thereby reducing the risk of Black Spot and mildew. The soil need not be excellent. If it will grow healthy weeds, it probably will grow healthy miniature roses. Drainage should be good enough to empty a one- foot deep hole within half an hour after it has been filled with water. If it drains too quickly, that is a sign that it may need additional organic matter. The addition of compost, well rotted steer manure or peat moss will aid in moisture retention and the overali health of the soil. Most minis are sold in two and a half or four-inch pots which are about three and a half inches deep. Dig a hole about four to six Load mo ‘|B Made in.Germany HOURS: Monday - Saturday 10 AM - 5 PM, Sunday 12:30 AM - 5 PM VANCOUVER - 1148 Homer St., Tel: 682-1483 Geoff | Tobiasson OVER THE GARDEN GATE inches in diameter and six inches in depth and mix about | and a half tablespoons of bonemea! into the bottom. Cover the bonemeal with about two inches of fresh soil. Remove the plant from the pot and examine the root system. If it is tightly packed and circling the inside of the pot, take the time to pry most of the roots apart. This will encourage them to begin spreading into the new soil as quickly as possible. Place the plant in the hole at a depth where the soil level in the pot is % to “% inch lower than that of the surrounding soil. Backfill the soil firmly around the roots and encircle the plant with a one-inch high earth mound about six inches out from the plant. The resulting basin will hold the water around the roots until it has had enough time to soak in. Never let the soil dry, but do not keep it wet either. Fertilizing should be done with a water solu- ble formulation such as 20-20-20 | RICHMOND - 4411 No. 3 Road, Tel.: 276-2252 or 15-30-15 every two weeks from early Aprif until the end of July. Do not feed into the fall as this can result in abnormal frost dam- age. Heavy pruning should be done in the spring and as soon as the new leaves begin to appear. Shear- ing back to two or four inches above the ground will assure the miniatureness of your rose as well as encourage the production of new blooming wood. Speaking of pruning roses, the North Vancouver District Parks Department is again holding its annual pruning demonstration at Maplewood Farm, 405 Seymour River Place. This year being their Centennial Year, they are making Offer valid dan. 15th - March 15th Nan Tutu a celebration of the event. You will not only have the op- portunity to learn the proper methods of pruning your trees and shrubs, but you will also have the chance to ask some general gardening questions. Mr. Bob Nicholson has kindly agreed to offer his expert advice and show his slides of his European Tour (12 to 1 p.m.). In case | felt left out, they even asked if 1 would attend. I guess they felt the huge awning was enough to insure protection from the rain, but they needed hot air to guard against the cold. 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