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Myrna Cariaga, president of the Honolulu Rose Society, was once too timid to grow roses.
But that was 22 years ago. She took a chance on her two bargain-priced plants. Carriaga said she was just following her instructions, but she admitted a little beginner’s luck might have helped, which led her to experiment with a dozen varieties of roses. , at one point she had over 100 plants of hers.
“Some worked in my garden, some didn’t. It’s a humbling experience,” she says of learning that despite her best intentions, the rose didn’t work. But with thousands of varieties to choose from, we had no problem continuing to see what would thrive.
“It’s not a failure, it’s a learning process,” she said.
Currently a certified Master Rosarian, Cariga teaches the first of four Saturday classes at the Club’s 8th Annual Rose School from March to June at the Urban Garden Center in Pearl City. She said they were very hands-on and full of friendship.
The association was invited in 2009 by the Urban Garden Center of the University of Hawaii School of Tropical Agriculture to establish a rose garden. With significant support from mainland breeders and clubs at its inception, the gardens are now filled with over 280 plants of over 80 species. His 90+ members of the club, 25 of whom are lifetime members, voluntarily maintain the acre of gardens.
Bob Speer, who helped build the garden and is the director of maintenance, said it was a fun and rewarding project that helped teach the community what tricks and methods work.
Roses are more difficult to grow here as they generally thrive in cooler climates, but most of Crab’s plants are hybrids designed for subtropical climates. Because of this, local gardeners battle insects and disease all year round.
Speer, who earned his UH Master Gardener certificate after being discharged from the military in 2006, said Hawaii’s heavy soil was not suitable for roses. He said it was most important to Locally produced compost is great for adding carbon and improving drainage, and perlite helps loosen the soil. Bone meal and sulfur are added to the mix to provide the roses with key nutrients.
Carriaga says the garden is constantly evolving. Unsuccessful roses are replaced each year with more robust varieties. As an example of Hawaii’s diverse microclimate, even within the same district, Pearl City gardens are dry and therefore more challenging, while the cool, wet climate of the Palisades Mountains is easier for roses. she said.
To boost their confidence, she recommended that beginners start with modern breeds that are more resistant to disease and parasites.
Top Gun is a very bushy red rose. It grows like weeds. I love it. ” It has a single layer of petals instead of the classic spiral blooms of roses you see in flower shops. Another red rose, Mr. Lincoln, has spiral flowers and is very fragrant. Lokelani, known as the Hawaiian rose since missionaries brought it to Hawaii, is bushy and smells like mountain apples, turning pink to red.
Carriaga shared the following tips for basic care.
>> Leave the roses in the sun for at least 4 hours, ideally 6-8 hours.
>> Plant in pots or in well-drained soil in the ground. Add compost and other fixes as needed.
>> Water only when needed. Touch the soil to check the moisture level, or lift the pot to weigh the moisture content.
>> Fertilize every time the flowers bloom. After pruning the branches, use a multi-purpose or rose-specific fertilizer. Just be consistent. Follow label directions.
>> Pesticides should only be used when there is a true infestation. Over-the-counter products are more effective than homemade formulas. The first line of defense is a powerful jet of water, especially under the foliage. If the pests are still attached, gently scrub them off with a soft brush. A detailed list of pest and disease remedies can be found on the Club’s website.
“Roses are the most sensitive plants and they tell you what’s going on with them. If you fertilize them, they bloom. If you don’t protect the plants, they get sick. I always grow roses.” I would recommend it to anyone, it is a joyful and humbling experience.
“The simple act of maintaining a rose keeps the mind active and sharp, as there are many factors that affect its growth. Plus, we take pride in sharing the beautiful roses you grow. “
8th Annual HRS Rose School
Have a gardening topic you’d like to read about in the Garden Variety column? Email your request to Pat Gee at pgee@staradvertiser.com.