The Rose May 2019

Volume 74 No. 3

Newsletter of the
Philadelphia Rose Society
A non-profit organization affiliated
with The American Rose Society
Website- http://philadelphiarosesociety.org/
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PRESIDENT’S CORNER
By Ann Marie DiLauro

Are you ready for some roses? Are you ready for the 2019
Phila. Rose Society Rose Show? Well it's a comin’...June 2,
2019. My friend (photo to the right), sitting on my climbing
Dublin Bay is also waiting for it to bloom & for me to enter
it in the show (she wouldn't let me get close because she has
babies in there).
I have some roses with lots of buds ready to pop. I also
have about 3 roses that died because I didn't listen to Bill. I
put the fertilizer too close & didn't water. Keeping my
fingers crossed that I will have something to enter at the
show.
Our next meeting is on Cinco de Mayo (that's May 5th). It
will start a little later (4:30) because there's a chocolate
Mama bird in Ann Marie’s garden Photo by Ann Marie DiLauro
demonstration in the meeting room right before our meeting.
What a way to start our meeting for us chocolate lovers. Ah
the aroma! Bruce Monroe will be our speaker. He will be General Meeting is Sunday
giving a talk on chemical safety. This is our last meeting May 5th 4:30-6:30 pm at the Morris
until the show. Also, for those who need credit, this talk
qualifies. I will have the forms for all to fill out & send in Bruce Monroe will be presenting a program on
for credit. “Chemical Safety” which will give Consulting
Come Sunday & share with me in the smelling of the Rosarians their chemical safety credit for
chocolate, celebrating Cinco de Mayo, comparing rose accreditation renewal.
stories & educating ourselves on chemicals. We can all stop
gardening at our houses after lunch & head out to Morris to Executive Committee Meeting
spend time with your rose friends. Prior to the General Meeting 3:30-4:30 pm
Also, this is a reminder that Morris is having their annual
plant sale on May 10-11. Vince has ordered some gorgeous
roses. I know now I need to replace what I killed. Next PRS Event
On a last note, congrats to Bill for the beautiful articles he Rose Show Sunday June 2nd
wrote for the ARS magazine. We are all proud of him for the
hard work that he does in putting this beautiful newsletter Please brings roses or come help us with set up, clerking,
together. information table or tear down. Many helpers make for a
more enjoyable day!
Ann Marie, El Presidente
6:00-7:00 am Rose Show set up at Morris Arboretum
“Until we’re pushing up daisies, it might be good to remind 7:00-10:15 am Entries accepted
ourselves daily that everything’s coming up roses — for me 10:30 am-1:00 pm Judging the Rose Show
and for you.” ― Gina Barreca 1:00-4:00 pm Rose Show open to the public
4:00-5:00 pm? Rose Show breakdown
2 The Rose May 2019

PRS Officers PRS Board of Directors

Immediate Past President-Donald Atkiss 215-872-7487
President- Ann Marie Di Lauro 610-864-6576
First Vice President- Mary McKnight 215-884-8924
Second Vice President- Bill Kozemchak 215-945-8098
Treasurer- Donald Atkiss 215-872-7487
Membership Chair- Donald Atkiss 215-872-7487
Publicity Chairs-Anne Hammerschmidt 215-723-6614
& Jeanne Durning 215-576-0828
Recording Secretary- Tom Mayhew 215-757-8049
Newsletter Editor- Bill Kozemchak 215-945-8098
(12-31-20) Vince Marocco 215-247-5777 x143
(12-31-20) Jeanne Durning 215-576-0828
(12-31-20) Ed MacFarland Jr. 215-576-1436
(12-31-21) Mary Lorenzo Brelsford
215-836-2324
(12-31-21) Anne Hammerschmidt 215-723-6614
(12-31-19) Pat Bilson 610-644-1860
(12-31-19) Ken Borrmann 215-675-9975
(12-31-19) Kathy Kozemchak 215-945-8098

ARS Consulting Rosarians PRS Award Winners

Bold Name Indicates Master Rosarian
ARS Bronze Medal:
Berks County- Kathryn Alexander (Founding Member) (1994)
Kevin Glaes 610-926-4428 glaes1215@comcast.net Robert A. Ballantine III (1996),
Pat Pitkin-610-488-1817- thornyoldrose@gmail.com Patricia Pitkin (1997)
Dave & Betty Sandel (1998)
Bucks County- Elizabeth Zaiser (1999)
Bill Kozemchak-215-945-8098 Pinkykoz@aol.com Patricia Bilson (2000)
Tom Mayhew- 215-757-8049 TomsRose@aol.com Amelia Pascuzzi (2001)
Amelita Creswell (2002)
Chester County- David Wolff (2003)
Elaine Adler-610-692-5631 Tom Mayhew (2004)
Pat Bilson-610-644-1860 Edwin MacFarland Jr. (2005)
Bill Kozemchak (2009)
Montgomery County- Harry Tyson (2011)
Donald Atkiss-215-872-7487 rosarian4@comcast.net Kathy Kozemchak (2013)
Ann Marie Di Lauro 610-864-6576 Don Atkiss (2018)
Ed McFarland- 215-576-1436 emacf@stonemor.com
PRS Lifetime Achievement:
Mary McKnight 215-884-8924
Catherine Wuest (1995)
Clara Davis (1996)
Delaware-
Mary Lorenzo Brelsford (2006)
Bruce Monroe-302-478-5733

New Jersey-
Gus Banks-609-267-3809 jrsyrose@gmail.com Philadelphia Rose Society Membership
Rafiq, Rhea & Suni Bolar- 908-431-5325 Our annual dues are only $15 a person, $25 per
Brenna Bosch- 609-268-2392 family. If you wish to send more, anything over the
June Hament- 856‐424‐7971 $15 or $25 is considered a donation and tax
Iliana Oakum- 609-298-4160 deductible. The dues go to our operating expenses and
Terry Palise- 609-896-2011 the cost of the newsletter for the year. New
memberships, along with name, address, phone
number, and E-mail, can be sent to:
Don Atkiss
1675 Leon Drive
Hatfield, PA 19440
3 The Rose May 2019

PRS FACEBOOK PAGE

Philadelphia Rose Society now has a Facebook page.
You can check it out, and join it, by searching
“Philadelphia Rose Society” on Facebook. It is great
looking, with some great photos, a list of upcoming
events, and links to our PRS web site and “Low
Maintenance Rose” list. Once you join it, click
“Invite friends to like this page” and send the link to
all of your friends. We already have 983 people who
have liked our page! Many thanks go to Mary
McKnight for setting this up. It will be a great way
to communicate the beauty of our hobby to the
public.

Enter Bloomfield Farm off of Northwestern Ave and park in the first lot on the right. If this is full there is
another lot past this. The meetings are held in the Horticulture Center.

Late May is photo time!

As your garden starts to reach peak bloom, get out your camera and take some pictures. West Jersey and Reading-
Berks Rose Societies have photography classes in their Rose Show in June. We will have our annual photo
contest at our November meeting and the Penn-Jersey District photo contest entries need to be sent by January
15th next year. The ARS also has a photo contest and they are now accepting digital photos. I already have been
snapping bloom pictures; I’ll be ready.
4 The Rose May 2019

The Mayhew and Kozemchak Gardens will be open

to visit Sunday May 26th 10:00am- 6:00pm
Directions to the Kozemchak’s 12 Violet Rd. Levittown, Pa. 19057
home phone (215-945-8098) cell phone (267-980-4274)
From the Pa. Turnpike- Exit at Delaware Valley exit 358. Go north on Rt.13 toward Levittown-Morrisville. Go
through the first light at Green Lane and go about a mile, then make the left at the next light onto Edgely Rd. About a
mile down Edgely Rd. you will see Easter Seals on your left, then a blue sign for Violetwood. Make the left at the sign
into Violetwood on Violetwood Turn. At the stop sign make a left on Verdant Rd. and follow it to a stop sign. This is
Violet Rd. and we are the corner house on your right. The house is light blue and the address is 12 Violet Rd. You
should see lots of roses!

From 95-Take the Bristol 413 exit and make the right and go south on 413 toward Bristol. At the intersection with Rt.
13 make the left and go north on Rt.13 toward Levittown and Morrisville. Follow Rt.13 past the Pa. Turnpike entrance
and go through the next light at Green Lane and go about a mile, then make the left at the next light onto Edgely Rd.
About a mile down Edgely Rd. you will see Easter Seals on your left, then a blue sign for Violetwood. Make the left at
the sign into Violetwood on Violetwood Turn. At the stop sign make a left on Verdant Rd. and follow it to a stop sign.
This is Violet Rd. and we are the corner house on your right. The house is light blue and the address is 12 Violet Rd.
You should see lots of roses!

From Burlington -Go over the Burlington-Bristol Bridge and follow 413 North. Turn right on Rt.13 and go north
toward Levittown and Morrisville. Follow Rt.13 past the Pa. Turnpike entrance and go through the next light at Green
Lane, go about a mile, then make the left at the next light onto Edgely Rd. About a mile down Edgely Rd. you will see
Easter Seals on your left, then a blue sign for Violetwood. Make the left at the sign into Violetwood on Violetwood
Turn. At the stop sign make a left on Verdant Rd. and follow it to a stop sign. This is Violet Rd. and we are the corner
house on your right. The house is light blue and the address is 12 Violet Rd. You should see lots of roses!

Directions to Tom and Rosemarie Mayhew’s house using the Pennsylvania Turnpike:

Take the Pa Turnpike and get off at Turnpike Exit 351(formerly Exit 28) (Philadelphia). Then take Rt. 1 North for
about 100 feet, bear right and take the Neshaminy Exit, which comes up immediately. You will be facing Neshaminy
Mall as you come off the exit ramp, but don't go into the Mall. At that first traffic light, turn left onto Rockhill Road
and proceed to the dead end. Turn right onto Old Lincoln Highway and then left at the traffic light at Bristol Road.
Proceed on Bristol Road to the traffic light at Brownsville Road. Turn right onto Brownsville Road and proceed past a
local school, a trailer park and a Methodist Church. Going down a hill, look for Creek Road on the right, and turn onto
Creek Road, then take first left onto Arrowhead, then first right onto Beech Road. We are at 819 Beech Rd on the right
as you start to go down the hill.

Directions to the Mayhew's house from NJ via Tacony Palmyra Bridge or Betsy Ross Bridge:

Cross the Delaware River on one of the Bridges and take Rt 95 North towards Trenton. Get off at the Woodhaven
Road Exit and proceed on Woodhaven Road. Get off at the Morrisville Exit. This puts you on Rt 1 North. Take Rt.1
North. Go past the PA Turnpike Entrance/Exit 351 (Formerly Exit 28) (Philadelphia), and about 100 feet past the PA
Turnpike Exit, bear right and take the Neshaminy Exit off Rt 1.You will be facing Neshaminy Mall as you come off
the exit ramp, but don't go into the Mall. At that first traffic light, turn left onto Rockhill Road and proceed to the dead
end. Turn right onto Old Lincoln Highway and then left at the traffic light at Bristol Road. Proceed on Bristol Road to
the traffic light at Brownsville Road. Turn right onto Brownsville Road and proceed past a local school, a trailer park
and a Methodist Church. Going down a hill, look for Creek Road on the right, and turn onto Creek Road, then take
first left onto Arrowhead, then first right onto Beech Road. We are at 819 Beech Rd on the right as you start to go
down the hill.

For other directions, call 215-757-8049. Email for Tom and Rosemarie is: TomsRose@aol.com.
5 The Rose May 2019

How to Grow Big Beautiful Roses on Large Healthy Bushes

By Brother John Karl
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in the March 2007 issue of The Rose

In the fall of 2006, members of the Philadelphia Rose Society went to Saint Gabriel’s Hall where Brother John Karl
maintained a beautiful rose garden. Because of health problems, he requested we remove the roses and find them new
homes while they were still in good condition. The rose bushes we found were absolutely incredible! Miniatures that
were 4-5 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide, and hybrid teas 6-8 feet tall and 6-7 feet wide greeted us at this magnificent
garden of 75 or so roses. Our first thought was, how are we going to dig these roses out without backhoe? After
digging out some of the miniatures and seeing how incredible and loose the soil was, the task didn’t seem so daunting.
We wondered how these roses were going to adjust to the soils in yards after being blessed with the wonderful soil at
Saint Gabriel’s. Pat Bilson wished she could take a truck load of the soil home with her. Tom Mayhew and Pat
discussed asking Brother John Karl to speak at a meeting or write an article on he established such a fine garden. He
has blessed us with his “secrets” of great rose growing. These secrets are basics we talk about, but don’t always do
ourselves; planting in a very large hole with great amended soil, religiously watering, feeding, and spraying, and
selecting good roses to start with. We thank Brother John for sharing this information with us. If you follow the steps
he lays out for us, and do them consistently, you will have roses as big and beautiful as he did. Brother John is living
in a retirement home and will occasionally e-mail me thanking me for sending our newsletter to him, even though he
no longer grows roses, he enjoys seeing news about some of his old friends and rose society.

Tom Mayhew recently requested that I write something
on my fifteen years of trying to establish and to care for
the Saint Gabriel's Hall Rose Garden. I am extremely
grateful for what you and the Philadelphia Rose Society
have meant to me. I am not a professional gardener but I
have learned a few things over the years.
When I first joined the Philadelphia Rose Society
fifteen years ago, I had little knowledge but great love for
the rose. My garden soil was almost all clay. I was so
happy to read that at one of my first PRS Meetings an”
expert" would talk about the type of soil roses love. At
this meeting, the presenter volunteered to measure the ph
level for anyone who had brought a sample of soil with
them. I was a little shy in presenting my soil but I was
determined to learn. My clay soil was so bad that it did
not indicate any ph change. The speaker told me kindly
to "mix in a little compost."
I usually liked to go to an extreme for my roses so that
little added compost meant that I started to dig a hole at
least two feet wide and deep enough to literally get down
in. After digging this big hole, I climbed out and started
to add some goodies. First, a wheel barrel of composted
leaves, at least 40 pounds of sand, a cup of Espoma bone
meal, and a cup of Espoma Rose Tone all mixed together
real good. If I had any other type of compost, that went
into the mix also. I filled the hole with water and hoped
that the water would drain. Yes it did. Now I was ready
to plant. Please note here that if you have five of the same
roses e.g. Louise Estes, you can easily have five different
levels of quality. Every rose is different. I bought many
excellent roses from Edmunds and Bridges. If I
purchased a Rose at Wal-Mart, I made sure to take the
time to look at every rose they had. I selected their best
rose after careful observation. If you can pick the rose,
take the time to select the best one possible. If you order
by mail, be sure to buy from a good source. I regret that I
never bought a rose from the West Jersey Rose Society.
If I would be starting today, West Jersey would definitely
have a big customer.
I planted the best rose possible about an inch or
so below the soil level. If you are a member of the
American Rose Society, I highly recommend “The
Handbook for Selecting Roses”, an inexpensive booklet
containing rose evaluations made by experienced rose
growers. Pay particular attention to the evaluators that
live close to home. This booklet is advertised in the ARS
magazine, “American Rose”.
Rambling on, I started with six roses and a lot of
exercise digging the six holes. After planting, it was time
to establish a fertilizing schedule. After pruning the roses
when the forsythia bloomed, I started to feed my roses.
My feeding schedule was repeated when I fed the roses. I
used lots of food and a varied menu. My first scheduled
feeding was late March to early April in Audubon, Pa.
Each plant received one cup of Espoma Rose Tone, one
cup of Milorganite, one cup of Espoma Bone Meal, and
one cup of Espoma green sand. At the same time, I used
one bucket of alfalfa tea per rose. I had four 32 gallons
trash cans filled with at least thirteen cups of pure alfalfa,
a quarter cup of iron, a cup of Miracle Grow, and a cup of
liquid fish. Stirring this mixture daily for a week, the
fragrance told me it was time to use this brew. The
second feeding one month later was the same as the first
except I substituted Espoma Cotton Meal for the
Milorganite. The third and the fourth feeding were light
summer meals, only Espoma Rose Tone and chicken
manure. The last feeding in August was like the first with
a half cup of Milorganite and a half cup of Cotton Seed
Meal substituting for the full cup of Milorganite. I
occasionally used Chesapeake Blue- a product made of
 6 The Rose
crushed crab shell. This can be found in Baltimore but
may not be found in Philadelphia. My roses, like their
care giver, seemed to love beer (Milorganite) and crabs
(Chesapeake Blue). Well fed, the roses needed water to
wash the food down. I used a hose and watered each
bush for three minutes once a week usually on Saturdays.
Sunday mornings were for spraying fungicide and, when
needed, insecticides. A Black and Decker power sprayer
was used. In the sprayer, I alternated Banner Max and
Protect with Cleary's and Protect every two weeks.
Orthene was used as needed to take care of bugs. Spider
mites and aphids were never a big problem as the roses
received a good amount of water.
Saint Gabriel’s Hall is blessed with many trees. Our
tree service company was always careful in providing
wonderful wood chips for mulch. This same mulch was
a real blessing when it came time to winterize during the
week between Christmas and New Year’s. Mulch played
an extremely important role of maintaining moisture at
the roots in the summer and helping to keep the ground
frozen around the roots in the winter. I also pruned extra
tall roses in late November to my waist level to prevent
cane whipping (I hate violence).
Also, in October I measured the ph at several different
locations in the rose garden. If necessary, I would use
lime. With ample compost/mulch, I rarely had to use
any lime.
My roses also enjoyed a full day of sun, the more sun
the better. The garden was bothered with two pests, rose
midge and beetles. Rose midge was taken care of by a
May 2019
Bayer product listed for use on Rose Midge. I used the
Bayer product after pruning in April and again in
August. Beetles were picked off the roses and drowned
in a container filled with water. Given the above
treatment, roses were plentiful and beautiful.
Both my father and mother loved roses. My father
died in 2000 and my mother is still alive at 94. What a
joy to bring various roses in full buckets when I visited
home. One of my favorite memories was providing rose
petals at my niece's wedding. At the wedding reception,
a gentleman commented "look at all those dyed rose
petals." He was surprised to find out that the roses were
not dyed at all. God made such beauty when he created
the rose.
I exhibited for a few years. I was so happy when my
roses were selected as some of the finest at the
Delaware, Del-Chester, and Philadelphia Rose Shows.
My roses won several blue ribbons and even Grandiflora
Sweepstakes at Longwood Gardens. Still the pleasure of
seeing the roses every day and nurturing them will
always be pleasant memories. I worked hard but the
beautiful roses more than made up for that work.
Now that my health will no longer allow me to take
care of them properly, I will miss the roses, the
wonderful rose societies and the people who give so
much of themselves in these organizations. What was
once a young man with pure clay soil has become an
older man with many memories of a beautiful flower
and the people who love them.
Brother John Karl

Brother John Karl’s huge rose bushes and Tom Mayhew pulling out one of these monster size bushes. Photos by Bill Kozemchak

It’s Time to Evaluate Your Roses

Now that the warm weather is coming, walk through your garden and evaluate your roses and see if you need to
make replacements this year. Sometimes roses don’t perform as well as we wish or have suffered winter
damage, declined in vigor or have other disease problems and need to be replaced. Early spring is a good time
to order replacements for best selections. The Low Maintenance Rose List is a good place to check for
replacements.
7 The Rose May 2019

Rose Smoothie
By Carla Zambelli
Reprinted with permission from https://chestercountyramblings.com/ , posted on June 19, 2014

Bet the title got your attention, huh? Well this smoothie isn’t for people…it’s for rose bushes.
Yes, as in plants.
I have mentioned that banana peels are awesome junk food for roses. I told you I save my peels and just stash them in
a plastic bag in the freezer until I need to feed the roses. Well, since my bushes have had their first blooms and one
bush got beaten up by the roofers, I decided today was the day.
8 The Rose May 2019
I used to dig the peels in around the base of each bush, but given the critter population living with woods and
farmers’ fields I have developed a rose smoothie which I dig in around the base with a small spade I use to
transplant seedlings.
The formula for the smoothie is I rough chop the peels and toss into the blender with whatever spent coffee
grounds I have on hand and a couple of cups or so of very warm tap water. (I never drink flavored coffee and I
would never recommend using artificially flavored coffee grounds. I don’t know how the artificial flavor chemicals
would affect the plants.)

The consistency of this smoothie for rose bushes should be on the thick side , but pourable. I don’t take my blended
outside I pour the goop into a plastic pitcher. I then go around to each bush and dig a few ounces in around the base
of each bush. I have a standard sized blender and only a few rose bushes right now, so one batch of rose smoothie
is all I need every time I do this.
I will feed my roses this concoction every two weeks until Labor Day.
Now, I know people have this banana peel magic out on the Internet, but I want to tell you specifically how I first
learned about this, which is easily twenty plus years ago thanks to a gardening article I read in the Wall Street
Journal. Yes, the Wall Street Journal. Some of the best gardening articles I have ever read have been in the Wall
Street Journal over the years.
So in this article the writer was talking about caring for roses and mentioned banana peels. The writer cited as a
source a book called Old Wives’ Lore for Gardeners by Maureen and Bridget Boland. The book was originally
published in the 1970s in the United Kingdom but you can still find gently used copies on Amazon.com today. . I
have the book and the companion book Gardeners’ Magic and Other Old Wives Lore by Bridget Boland.
Banana peels add calcium, magnesium, phosphates, silica, sulphur, and potassium. Spent (or used) coffee grounds
are rich in similar nutrients (nitrogen, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium).
Anyway, if you grow roses, try this. And if you like fun vintage gardening books, find yourself a copy of Old
Wives’ Lore for Gardeners.
Food for thought as I leave you for the day: do you miss the real gardening shows that used to be on television ?
There used to be real gardening shows where hosts including Martha Stewart used to get out and dig flower beds,
discuss plants, and so on. They would share tips. Today all it is all hardscaping, fake pre-cast pavers, and outdoor
kitchens as far as the shows. No real horticulture. I miss the real gardening shows.
Thanks for stopping by!
9 The Rose May 2019

Wooden Rose Supports

by Bill Kozemchak

Inexpensive rose supports can be made from pressure treated 4x4s and 2x6s. I use them singly, in a series of
arches, doubled with lattice in between and as garden bench. Cedar could also be used, but it is quite a bit more
expensive and not as easy to find. Initially the 4x4s were anchored with concrete in the ground, but they were
hard to remove if the garden changed and took a little longer to install. Home Depot sells a product called
GroundTech GroundMaster post system, which is a coated steel post holding spike that is driven in the ground to
support a 4x4. The web site http://www.ltlhomeproducts.com/post-systems.php will show the products. They
come in 24 and 30 inch lengths. I use the 24 inch ones and have not had any problem with support strength. A
short piece of 4x4 is cut and inserted in the holder part and driven into the ground with a sledge hammer while
checking that the vertical surface is plumb with a small level. Make sure the sides of the spike are in line with
each other so the posts are not twisted when you attach the 2x6 joining them. The company recommends
checking with the utility companies first as you are driving it 24 or 30 inches into the ground. The advantage of
this system is not having to wait for concrete to dry before using the supports. They can also be fairly easily
removed by digging around the spike and pried out with a bar. I have dug out some of the concreted posts and it
was not fun.
The arbors can be any height and width you wish, as long as you can get the pressure treated lumber in those
lengths. Once the verticals are installed, the cross piece can be bolted or lag screwed to them. I use 5/16 or 3/8
galvanized lag screws that are 3 ½ or 4 inches long so 2 inches or so are screwed into the 4x4 upright. Measure
the distance between the center of the 4x4s and drill holes to accommodate the lag screws, 2 per side will be
adequate. I usually measure 1 ½ inches from the top and bottom of the 2x6 cross piece. Place a galvanized
washer under the head of the lag screw so it doesn’t keep digging into the lumber. I counter sink the washer and
head of the lag screw so they are flush with the face of the 2x6, but this isn’t necessary. I leave 4 inches of the
4x4 extend above the cross piece, but this is personal preference. The ends of the 2x6 extend about 12 inches past
the verticals and I cut a triangle 3 ½ x 3 ½ from the bottom of each end as a decorative touch. These are also
subject to your taste. The ends of the 2x6 can be left square and shaped as fancy as you wish. The vertical post
can be topped with a post cap or finial if you wish. Once it is assembled it is ready to use.
There are many uses and variations with this method. Single vertical posts can be used to train a pillar rose. A
series of arbors placed closely together can create a tunnel effect. Two arbors can be placed together and joined
with lattice to form a more substantial arbor. A seat could be added inside this to form a garden resting spot. A
garden wall could be formed with a series of posts and lattice between them. Chains could be added between
posts to form swags to attach ramblers or vigorous climbing roses to. The only limit is your imagination!
10 The Rose May 2019

Take Me To The Show

By Bill Kozemchak
Why exhibit? It’s fun, you meet interesting people, you get to share your roses with other people, you
can support your local society, and some enjoy the competition.

Growing good roses is the most important part of exhibiting, but they have to be cut and brought to
the show.

Membership is not a requirement to exhibit, but roses must be grown outdoors by the exhibitor and
correctly named.

If possible obtain a show schedule before the show and read it. It will give you an idea what classes
you can exhibit your roses in, and what is and is not allowed for that particular show.

Cut your roses the morning of the show or night before. If a basement or dark air-conditioned room is
available you can cut a day or two earlier. If bad weather is forecast before the show, a refrigerator can
keep them even longer.

Cut adequate length stems and do not strip the leaves. Cut minis around 6” and large roses 12-20” depending
on the size of the bloom or spray. Old Garden Roses may not have stems that long, cut what you can. If you
have a beautiful bloom with a very short stem, there are classes for a rose in a bowl or picture frame in most
shows.

Roses can be transported in 5 gallon buckets, large cups, milk cartons, vases, or coolers. Damaging the
blooms and foliage should be avoided. Use the method that works best for you.

Get to the show early! The time to accept entries will be in the show schedule or newsletter. Usually this
starts between 6:00 - 7:30 am, and closes between 10:00 –11:00 am.

Fill out the whole entry tag! Name, address, variety name and class should be filled out on both halves of
the entry tag. Mail return address labels work well for your name and address. Some shows use section
numbers or letters and some don’t, check the show schedule.

Some shows have mandatory exhibitor numbers, others don’t. Check the schedule or ask when you arrive.
The numbers are used for record keeping and tabulations. If required be sure to put them on the entry tag.

Check the show schedule or ask what wedging material is allowed. Some shows specify clear plastic, leaves,
oasis or sahara. Some do not specify, so any can be used, but keep it below the top of the vase or tube. Make
sure there is enough stem so the specimen doesn’t run out of water.

If you are not sure of a variety, how it’s classified, or how to display it, ask questions. We all started as
beginners, and that’s how we learned. The best time for questions is early during entries, and not the last
hour or so when people start rushing and the pressure is on to finish entering their roses.

Classifications, color classes, and date of introduction if needed, are listed in the ARS Handbook for
Selecting Roses, ARS Approved Exhibition Names, Combined Rose List, Modern Roses, and the newest
registrations in the American Rose.
11 The Rose May 2019

Only one entry of a variety is allowed in a specimen class. If you have others, they may be exhibited in
collections or challenge classes.

You can take away from specimens, but cannot add to them. Petals and leaves may be trimmed to
remove damage, tears, holes, or discoloration. Leaves may be polished with a dry or wet cloth to bring out
the sheen in the leaves. No foreign substances can be applied to the specimen such as oil, extra petals, or
cotton balls to open the bloom.

A bud is not a bloom. The cycle of bloom class is the only place to exhibit a bud.

One exhibition bloom classes (hybrid tea, grandiflora, floribunda, miniature and mini-flora) must
have side buds removed. An exhibition bloom is generally one-half to two-thirds open, symmetrically
arranged in a circular outline, and tends to have a high center.

A single bloom has 4-8 petals and a semi-double has 9-16. Both are fully open at exhibition stage.

Spray classes (two or more blooms) for the above classes do not have to be disbudded.

Climbers, depending on the show schedule, can be show as one bloom (disbud) or a spray.

Shrub and Old Garden Roses can be exhibited as one bloom or sprays, and do not have to be disbudded.

Some shows have fragrance classes. They are usually the public’s favorite.

Collections and Challenge classes may require a single container or separate containers depending on the
schedule. The container may be supplied be the show or may have to be supplied by the exhibitor.

70% of the judging score is for the bloom. Form-25 points, Color-20 points, Substance-15 points, and
size-10 points. Stem and Foliage is 20 points and Balance and Proportion is 10 points.

Balance and proportion is the relationship between bloom size and stem and foliage. Most people can
judge what looks pleasing to them. This is where wedging the stem up or cutting it down comes into play.
The tallest rose is not always the winner. A very large hybrid tea with a 20” stem may look beautiful, but
a bloom ½ or 2/3 it’s size would look ridiculous on the same height stem.

A small tool box or tackle box is useful for carrying grooming supplies for the show. It may include pens,
pencils, address labels, ARS Handbook For Selecting Roses, CRL, AEN, small trimming scissors, deckle
edge scissors, pruners, tweezers, leaf polishing cloths (hankies, nylons, mitts), rubber bands, wedging
materials (plastic wrap, oasis, sahara, knife for cutting them), Q-tips and cotton balls. A list of all your
roses may be helpful if you forget a variety.

After your entries are in watch some of the more experienced exhibitors work and try to pick up some
tips. Volunteering to clerk will help the show committee and give you a chance to see what the judges are
looking for. After judging is done and the show opens ask a judge or fellow exhibitor questions if you
don’t understand why your rose was judged the way it was.

The important thing is bring your roses to the show and share them with others. Roses are a labor
of love and should be shared with as many people as possible.
12 The Rose May 2019
Below are some illustrations from the ARS Judging Manual demonstrating some of things judges find desirable and some that are
not desirable or are grounds for disqualification. The complete manual can be found on the ARS web site in the members section
under ARS Resources, Horticulture Judges, Guidelines & Rules for Judging Roses- http://www.rose.org/members-only-2/resources/
You will need the member password from the ARS magazine to access this.
13 The Rose May 2019
14 The Rose May 2019

Planting Roses
By Bill Kozemchak

Best time for planting is early spring when the soil is workable and temperature mild. Late
autumn is also a good time. Potted roses can be planted any time, but if it is hot, they need to be
watered well and often.

Roses require at least 4-5 hours of sunlight a day to produce all the sugar and protein they need.
Six hours is ideal.

Location should be well drained, roses don’t like wet feet. A deeply dug, well prepared will
usually provide this.

Bare root roses should not dry out. Soak them overnight when they arrive. This will properly
hydrate them.

When planting a potted rose, plant it so the soil level in the pot is level with the surrounding
ground.

Preparing planting holes in the fall will make spring planting easier.

Dig the hole at least 18 inches in diameter and 18 inches deep. Soil can be amended with
organics, aged compost, gypsum and, or sand for clay soils, or topsoil or clay for sandy soils.

Trim any broken or overly long roots before planting. Do not stuff long roots in the hole by
spiraling them around the hole. Roots 8-10 inches long are sufficient.

Put no nitrogen fertilizer in the planting hole, it will burn the new feeder roots. Bone meal or
super phosphate will promote root growth.

Bud union location depends on climate. In this area it is usually at, or near soil level. Planting
the bud union below soil level does give the rose extra winter protection, but may encourage the
budded rose to go own root.

Do not stomp on the soil after planting; firm the soil around the rose with your hands, then let
the water settle the soil.

Mound the excess soil or mulch around the newly planted bare root rose bush to prevent it from
drying until the roots are established. A height of six inches should be sufficient. This can be
removed gradually as the rose becomes established.

Mulching will help the soil retain moisture and keep the soil cooler. The temperature may be
10-15 degrees cooler than without the mulch. It should be 2-4 inches thick.
15 The Rose May 2019

2019 Philadelphia Rose Society Schedule of Events

Sunday May 5th 3:30 - 4:30 pm - Executive Board Meeting
Sunday May 5th 4:30 - 6:30 pm - General Meeting/Speaker
Friday-Saturday May 9th -10th Morris Arboretum Plant Sale (Members sale on the 8th)
Sunday My 26th 10:00 am- 6:00 pm Kozemchak and Mayhew Open Gardens
Sunday June 2nd - 6:00 am- 5:00 pm - PRS Annual Rose Show
Sunday July 14th 3:00- 4:00 pm Executive Board Meeting prior to Awards Picnic
Sunday July 14th 4:00- 6:00 pm Awards Picnic at Ann Marie Di Lauro’s
Sunday September 15th - 3:00 pm - Rose Garden Visit & Picnic at the McKnight Garden
Friday- Sunday September 27th -29th - Penn-Jersey District Convention in Gettysburg, PA
Sunday October 13th - 12:00 - 1:00 pm - Executive Board Meeting
Sunday October 13th - 1:00 - 3:00 pm - Little Rose Show/Speaker
Sunday November 10th - 1:00 - 3:00 pm - PRS Photo Contest/Speaker
Sunday December 8th - 1:00 - 3:00 pm - Holiday Party with gift exchange

Consider Making or Updating

a Garden Map this Spring
by Bill Kozemchak

This spring is a good time to make a garden

map if you don’t have one, or update your old
one. Tags get lost and your memory may not
be so good as your garden grows and you
have more roses to remember locations for.
Garden markers can fade or get knocked or
pulled out by critters or grandchildren over
time, so if you have a record on a map, you’ll
know what is where. It doesn’t need to be
fancy, it can be hand written and drawn, like
mine to the right, or you can do one on the
computer and have it be neater. It helps me
keep track of all the roses in the photo below.
16 The Rose May 2019

Things to do in May
1. Come to our May meeting. It will be Sunday May 5th 4:30- 6:30 pm at the Morris.
2. Fertilize your roses! Make sure the soil is damp if using granular fertilizers, and water afterwards. You don’t want to burn the feeder
roots and miniatures roots are very close to the surface. If you are going to show the roses in June, you may want to supplement this
with liquid fertilizers or fish emulsion.
3. You should start your regular spray program when the bushes leave out to help prevent disease. Daconil and Manzate, Mancozeb or
Pentathalon are contact fungicides that will kill spores. Most other fungicides are preventatives and must be sprayed regularly to
prevent the funguses.
4. Make a garden map. It doesn’t have to be fancy; it will be a record of what varieties are planted and where they are at. Planting time
is the best time to update or start your map. You’ll be glad when you need the name of the rose at show time and can’t find the
missing tag.
5. Buy some new roses! If you are not sure what varieties to buy, check the “ARS Handbook for Selecting Roses” which will give
higher ratings to better performing roses, Roses in Review, or put on one of us Consulting Rosarians to work, we’re listed on page 2.
You can also come to the monthly meeting and ask other members what does well for them in their gardens. Potted roses should be
coming into the garden centers.
6. Check your ph; this is a good time of year to correct it. Roses like a ph around 6.0-6.5. Limestone will raise it if it too low, usually the
case in our area.
7. Sharpen and clean your pruning tools. Maybe consider upgrading your pruners if they are wearing out or not really good quality.
After pruning your garden in spring, the pruners may have dulled some and are probably in need of some cleaning. Oven cleaner is
good for removing tough sap. Be sure to oil them or spray with some WD-40 after cleaning them.
8. If there is no rain, water your roses deeply!
9. Consider applying a mulch to conserve moisture in the garden. This will conserve moisture in the soil when the weather starts to get
very warm.
10. Take the camera out to the garden and get some good photos for your albums, photo contests or to share with your rose friends and
family by e-mail or Facebook. It’s always fun to see other people’s gardens, flowers or visitors to your garden.

Join the ARS for just $10 for a 4-Month Trial Membership
The American Rose Society is offering a four-month trial membership for only $10 to anyone who is interested in be-
coming a member of our organization. Most ARS members are home gardeners who enjoy growing roses and want to
expand their knowledge of rose culture.
Four-Month Trial Members receive:
Free advice from Consulting Rosarians.
Free or reduced garden admissions, a $25 value after just three uses.
Free online access to five quarterly bulletins, a $45 value.
Two issues of American Rose magazine, a $16 value. View a free issue online at www.ars.org
Discounts of up to 30% at merchant partners.

A 4-month trial membership is valued at $86 for only $10!

Join Now! You may complete the online form or call us at 1-800-637-6534.

Philadelphia Rose Society Membership

Our annual dues are only $15 a person, $25 per family. A sponsor is $25 and Patron is $50. If you wish to send more,
anything over the $15 or $25 is considered a donation and tax deductible. The dues go to our operating expenses for
the year. New memberships and renewals, along with name, address, phone number, e-mail, and permission or not, to
publish contact information to other society members can be sent to:
Don Atkiss
1675 Leon Drive
Hatfield, PA 19440

Had a Tetanus Booster lately?

It is a good idea to have a Tetanus booster at least every ten years, with a five year interval preferable. We all work in the soil
and occasionally get stuck with thorns, which makes having the booster important. Tetanus is a soil born bacteria which can
have some rather unpleasant symptoms. So if it’s been a while, make your appointment now, please!!!
17 The Rose May 2019

PRS Renewals were due January 1st

The Philadelphia Rose Society

Membership Form
www.philadelphiarosesociety.org
Check out our Facebook Page

Membership in the Philadephia Rose Society runs from January 1 to December 31. Membership includes nine monthly e-
newsletters full of rose growing advice for our area, five meeting programs, garden visits and the friendship of many
knowledgeabe rose growers. All contributions over the $15/$25 level are tax deductible. PRS is a 501(c) (3) non-
profit organization
Regular Membership $15.00
Family Membership $25.00
Patron $50
We hope your association with PRS will be an enjoyable one and that you plan to continue as a members.
Meetings are held at the Morris Arboretum, 100 Northwestern Ave, Philadelphia, PA.
Our annual rose show is held on the first Sunday in June each year at the Morris Arboretum. Exhibition is open
to everyone. The show is open to the public from 1:30-4:30. Exhibitors can submit cut roses from 7:00AM –
10:30 AM. If you are a PRS member, you will receive a program schedule in the mail prior to the show.
PRS also has a group of Consulting Rosarians who can provide rose advice free of charge, including visits to
your garden. For more contact information on the Consulting Rosarian program, please visit our web site.
Also, check out our new Facebook page with some beautiful rose pictures and announcements of upcoming
events.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Membership Application: Please make checks payable to: The Philadelphia Rose Society. Mail to:
Don Atkiss, Treasurer
Philadelphia Rose Society
1675 Leon Drive – Hatfield, PA 19440.

Name: ________________________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________________
Phone #: ___________________ Email address:______________________
May your information be shared with other PRS members? Yes ___ No ___
Are you presently a member of the American Rose Society (ARS)? Yes ___ No ___
18 The Rose May 2019

Upcoming Events - events are held at The Horticultural Center on Bloomfield Farm directly across the
street from the Morris Arboretum 100 Northwestern Ave. Philadelphia, at Morris Arboretum 100 Northwestern Ave.
Philadelphia, (Chestnut Hills) unless otherwise indicated (Map on page 3)

Sunday May 5th 3:30 - 4:30 pm - Executive Board Meeting

Sunday May 5th 4:30 - 6:30 pm - General Meeting/Speaker

Friday-Saturday May 9th - 10th Morris Arboretum Plant Sale (Members sale on the 8th)

Sunday My 26th 10:00 am- 6:00 pm Kozemchak and Mayhew Open Gardens

Sunday June 2nd 6:00 am- 5:00 pm - PRS Annual Rose Show

July 14th 4:00- 6:00 pm Awards Picnic at Ann Marie Di Lauro, unless we have another volunteer
3:00- 4:00 pm board meeting prior to picnic

Refreshments Door Prizes

May- Jeanne Durning May- Pat Bilson
October- Mary Brelsford October- Jeanne Durning
November- Ann Marie DiLauro November- Bill Kozemchak

The Philadelphia Rose Society *

Affiliate of the American Rose Society
c/o Bill Kozemchak, Newsletter Editor
12 Violet Rd.
Levittown, Pa. 19057

First Class Mail

Dated Material