The first shoots on my newly planted bush were blind probably from drying out in the pot and it has taken 2 months to get the first flower. It's a nice clean-looking white with good petal substance and a nice scent which reminds me of Ophelia.
Not much unusual has been happening since my last post. Looks like we might be in for a little snow over the next couple hours - maybe as much as an inch. I don't have the winter mulch down yet - that will happen in the next week of so. We have not really had a hard freeze yet so everything is good.
We did get some good rain over the past few weeks so that is good. I have trimmed the really long canes so they won't blow around too much in the wind. Yesterday my wife brought in about 8 stems with decent blooms on them - a couple of them in great shape. It's been quite pleasant to cut bouquets of roses for the house throughout October and into mid-November. Once the battle of the midge was won things really took off. I hope I can stay ahead of the midge next season.
SE Arizona, USDA zone 9, Sunset zone 12 Purchased from Rogue Valley for delivery in September 2024. Plant was in excellent condition on arrival. Due to the unusually late intense heat (100F+ till the last week in Oct.), I kept the plants from this RVR order in a shaded patio through October. Maman has been healthy and vigorous, sending out long canes already.
