The Subject Was Roses

 The altar guild is thankful for so many free roses.

I wanted to post a few roses now, because the earning morning Blogger, love-child of HAL, is clumsier and slow than I am. Images are evasive and impossible to load.

A member said my tip on roses was a success in her yard -

"Hi Pastor,

Summer is here and my garden (now that it is warmer) is doing great.  I took your tip for my roses and they are blooming like crazy."

I had to ask - "Which tip?"

She wrote back, "Mulch." Yes, that is absolutely necessary.

I will go over some basics for new and blooming roses.

 Collars protect newly planted roses from the gardener's nearsightedness.

1. Bare root roses have to come out of dormancy when planted. The plant not producing green leaves might need encouragement. 
2. I clip each branch and some roots to wake them up and encourage immediate growth.
3. Next, they need regular moisture in the base (stored water or rainwater) and over the branches, which dry out in the sunshine and wind. Additional clipping of the branches can help - rather than waiting for the plant to fade from remaining dormant.
4. Our new roses have three pair where one is leafy green in the ground and its twin is still dormant. Ranger Bob is going to water and clip his new roses, and I will do the same tomorrow.
5. Mulch is ideal for roses. Wood mulch holds in moisture, promotes soil creatures, and keeps the soil shaded rather than toasty. Movement in the soil creatures is good for the rose, and they love shade plus moisture.
6. Roses in bloom can be cut off when all five sepals are open. That will give the longest opening of the flower in the vase, and that is stunning with many roses.
7. Roses must be removed when the flower begins to fade. Otherwise the bush will consider its work done and go dormant. KnockOut Roses bloom fast so they enjoy being pruned hard, harvested of roses, and watered well. 
8. Peat Humus (Stinky Peat) is ideal for dropping on top of the plant's base. "Forking in" is for Martha Stewart, who knows as much about gardening as I know about nuclear fusion. The Peat Humus on top will be pulled down by the soil creatures (created and engineered by the Lord of Creation). This also works in the fall for over-winter fertilizing.
9. I find the white plastic collars protect the new rose from being trampled by near-sighted gardeners. Ahem. They also keep bunnies away from new plants over the winter.

Veterans Honor Roses were headed for the gravesite of an Army Ranger veteran.