Now, they tried three different methods. First the traditional - cutting back to the three leaf axils with secateurs. The second - and here comes the revolution - snapping off, with your fingers, at the slightly swollen part of the stem immediately below the flower-stalk [I have always done this because I am always in a hurry] and the third method - minimal deadheading using secateurs to cut to the first leaf axil.
Quote: "The snapping-off technique proved to be remarkably successful. With this method roses bore more flowers and produced their next flush sooner. The trials will continue over a larger area this summer and will provide an opportunity to see how individual cultivars respond to this snapping method"
As a member of the Society, I am glad our fees are spent so wisely. I could have told them that this quick snapping was time saving and not charged them very much! But it is refreshing to see that revolutions may happen every fifty years or so in the ancient Rose World
It is hard to believe that half the year has passed us by, even the gardens seem a little confused by the frantic pace of this new century. Hellebores have been in flower for some weeks now and the Luculia has bloomed for the last three weeks. The bulbs that have pushed their way through the still warm earth must be getting a shock to see so much colour in their garden world. Their usual gardenscape is bare limbs on the trees. The buds on the Rhododendrons are fat, some are spot blooming, and the furry brown buds of the Michelias and Magnolias are already delighting the eye.
So, now I have to start worrying all over again. We are opening the country garden again for the public to visit under the auspices of the Australian Open garden Scheme on the last weekend in September and the second weekend in November. I know we will have marvellous rain fallfalls during both weekends. We always do. Unfortunately, it will be too late for the wretched sheep.
And what will be out in the gardens? Will the daffodils have finished their dance and the Magnolia flowers be brown and mushy from the raindrops? For the November Open Garden, I imagine the Rhododendrons will be covered in seed heads [using fingers, twist and snap] and the early perennials be crying out to be deadheaded? When will find time to clean the edges, cut the hedges and sweep the paths? All our gardening effort will be taken up with Snap! Snap! Snap! with our fingers. That is if we are not having to Snip! Snip! Snip!
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