Jan. 22 -- Myrna Cariaga, president of the Honolulu Flower Association, once feared growing roses, because many people thought they needed a lot of care or couldn't survive the hot Hawaiian climate.
Myrna Cariaga, president of the Honolulu Rose Association, was intimidated by growing roses because many people thought they needed a lot of care or couldn't survive in the hot Hawaiian climate.
But that was 22 years ago. He took the opportunity to buy two plants on the cheap—"I just wanted to see for myself"—and was hooked when they bloomed and smelled divine. Cariaga said he was just following instructions, but acknowledged that reverse luck could be helpful. This led him to try dozens of different roses and at one point he had over 100 roses.
"Some work in my yard, some don't. It's a humbling experience," he says, after learning which roses didn't do well despite good intentions. But with thousands of varieties to choose from, it never hurts to keep trying to see which ones to grow. fertile
"It's not about failing, it's about learning," he said.
Cariaga, now a certified rose gardener, will teach the first of four classes on Saturdays at the eighth annual Rose Club School from March through June at the Community Garden Center in Pearl City. According to him, they are very practical and full of intimacy.
The association was invited in 2009 by the University of Hawaii's School of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources' Urban Garden Center to create a rose garden, primarily to educate the public. Thanks to the great support of the continent's breeders and clubs during its formation, the garden is now home to more than 280 plants of more than 80 different species. More than 90 club members, 25 of them for life, volunteer to care for Hector Park.
It's a fun and challenging project that helps educate the public about the tricks and techniques that work, said Bob Spear, who helped build the park and is the maintenance manager.
Roses tend to do well in cooler climates, which makes them difficult to grow here, but most club plants are hybrids for subtropical climates, he says. But with no freezing temperatures to kill pests, local gardeners battle insects and disease year-round.
Spear, who earned his UH horticultural certificate in 2006 after leaving the military, said Hawaii's harsh soil isn't suitable for roses. According to him, it is very important to add compost to the soil, which makes up 50% of the site with roses. Locally produced compost is great for adding carbon and improving drainage, while perlite helps loosen the soil. Bone meal and sulfur are added to the mix to provide essential nutrients to the roses.
The garden is constantly evolving, Cariaga said, replacing roses that don't do as well with stronger varieties each year. As an example of the variability of Hawaii's microclimate, even within the same region, he says Pearl Garden City is drier and therefore more complex, but the cooler, wetter climate of the Palisades Mountains is more suitable for roses.
To boost their confidence, he advises beginners to start with modern varieties that are more resistant to diseases and infections.
Top Gun is a very bold, hard to kill red rose; It grows like a weed. I love him.” There are no classic spiral roses available in florists, but single layered petals. Mr. Lincoln, another red rose has spiral flowers and is very fragrant. Localani, known as the Hawaiian rose because missionaries brought it here, smells like mountain apple and ranges in color from pink to red.
Cariaga shares the following basic care tips: Keep your roses in full sun for at least four hours, and preferably six to eight hours. - Sow in well-drained soil, in containers or in soil; Add compost or other supplements as needed. Water only when needed. Touch the soil to check moisture levels or lift the container to measure moisture by weight. Fertilize after each bloom. After pruning, apply a fertilizer, whether it's an all-purpose fertilizer or one specifically for roses; Just be consistent. Be sure to follow label directions. - Pesticides should only be used if an actual infestation occurs; Commercial products work better than homemade formulations. The first line of defense is a strong jet of water, especially under the leaves; But if the insects are still attached, scrape them off with a soft brush. A complete list of pest and disease treatments is available on the club's website.
Cariaga says, "Roses are the most responsive plants because they will tell you what happened to them. If you fertilize them, they will bloom; if you don't protect the plant, it will get sick. A rose is a joyful and embarrassing experience. "
"Just taking care of roses keeps your mind active and sharp, because so many factors affect their growth. Plus, it feels so proud to share the beautiful roses you've grown."
HRS 8th Annual Rose School ------ Is there a gardening topic you'd like to study? Email Pat Gee at pgee@staradvertiser.com with your request. ------
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