Analyzing my roses

18 years ago

Of which I have about 120.

I keep a database on them so I can sort them all kinds of different ways.

I rated each one A,B,C,D and Z for those that were dead. Not all of past dead ones are still in there.

It broke down fairly evenly between A, B, and C. D's were fewer. I was most curious about which was own root and which were grafted. And the age of the rose.

Among the A's own root and grafted were even. Average age 5 years. Among the B's own roots were 2 and grafted were 14, average age 3 years. I concluded that it takes about 5 years for a rose to get going so don't rush shoveling a rose. Nor expect it to be climbing any walls, at least in a cold climate.

Now the C's were heavily toward the grafted and an average age 6 years. I attribute their lower rating to either the variety or its' situation. My clay soil for example. Or my nonchalance over their care.

Now the D's were the oldest at an average age of 7 years. Evenly balanced between OR and G. Does that say that in my garden and climate a rose for me is past retirement at age 5 or so. I don't know but I certainly hope not.

I need to keep looking for tough roses that please me and keep trying to improve on their care! Lately I'm trying planting with sand in the mix!

In the middle of night I get these strange thoughts about roses and why some are so crappy and others are great.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

diane_nj 6b/7a
18 years ago
Interesting Jim. Did you separate "G - Dr. Huey" from "G - multiflora"? Do you have any grafted on Dr. Huey left?

Also, any clusters in locations around the garden? I mean, south east garden has more A's, north west has more D's, that kind of thing.
jim_w_ny
Original Author
18 years ago
Diane

As far as I know all my G's are multiflora. I once got a Dr. Huey sprouting from a rose. Didn't prove hardy.

There seems to be no correlation as to location. Some good, some bad in the same beds.
Related Professionals
Hartford Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Saint Cloud Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Green Bay Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Valdosta Landscape Contractors · Poplar Bluff Landscape Contractors · Sedalia Landscape Contractors · Columbus Landscape Contractors · San Antonio Landscape Contractors · Amherst Landscape Contractors · Springfield Landscape Contractors · Missoula Landscape Contractors · Clarksburg Home Builders · Newburyport Home Builders · Grand Island Home Builders · Hilo Home Builders
jont1
18 years ago
I keep a database on my roses as well. I list each rose with the following information in coumns:
Hybridyzer
Color
Type of Rose--Hybrid Tea, Mini, Floribunda, etc..
RIR rating
Year planted in garden
Own Root or Grafted and understock type if known.
Vendor
Bed Location
Fragrance

I am going to make another database concerning roses that I have shovel pruned or died in my garden and I am currently thinking out just what columnar info I need to have on that report.
John
jim_w_ny
Original Author
18 years ago
jont

I used to try to keep a database on my dead ducks but only did it sporadically. For some reason I never figured out how to just move the dead one from the live db to the other without having to copy the entry manually. This in Access.

I also have other columns so I can sort by whatever.
rjlongo
18 years ago
Jim,

Its all about table design. There is no reason to have two tables requiring you to recopy data.

Only one table is needed in the datbase. Include a field/column for living or dead. When a plant dies change the value of that field/column. Then you can filter the table to only view the records you want based on that field.
newjersey_rose
18 years ago
Mine are pretty.