I had no idea how much of an obsession roses would turn out to be for me.
It all started with my husband...he asked me to help care for a client's extensive rose garden (he owns a landscaping company) last spring. I agreed and dove in head first, reading books, websites, magazines, etc. in an effort to at least appear like I knew what I was talking about in the event my client asked me any questions. I was a nervous wreck the first time I worked at her house, and sure enough she ventured on out into her gardens while I was dead-heading and started a conversation about my opinion on her roses and their health. The hours I spent reading definitely paid off and I was able to hold my own. I immediately won her respect and everytime I'm there she makes a point to come tell me her roses have never looked so good, and insists I accept an outrageously generous tip.
It's funny though, because I look back to last spring and realize just how little I knew! Reading is great. It helped me learn the technical aspects of rose gardening. But experience is where you get the real knowledge. If there's anything I've learned from reading, it's that everyone has a different method of caring for roses. What works for one doesn't always work for the other.
I'm only a year into my new obsession and I realize that I still have lots to learn (and love) about this hobby. My husband surprised me with a greenhouse on our anniversary in February and I am now attemting cross-pollination and propagation. I've built up my own extensive rose garden and I'm out there every day, rain or shine.
This can get expensive, so in an effort to save money I plant suckers from my client's garden, spray only when absolutely needed, catch rain in a DIY rain barrel, and search online for cutting exchanges. I've recently posted on the HMF cutting exchange, so if you see something I have and you are interested then let me know! I will be happy to take ANY cutting you may have to offer.
More people should grow roses. It would make the world a better place.