Tim Tompkins wrote:

The rule of thumb for full dormancy is at least 96 hours below 22F.

I think that it must depend on the variety because dormancy
varies widely here in zone4a. By some miracle, we have not had
anything near 96 hours of below 22F, some roses are dormant and
some are as green as they were in June. The more hardy roses go
dormant first.

All the Rugosas are completly bare of leaves. The Canada Mordens
and Explorers are almost bare and some of the Bucks are turning
yellow and dropping some leaves. Most of the modern HTs and
Floribundas are still green as they can be.

I hate to put on the winter cover on the modern roses before they
are dormant, but I don't have a choice. It was a record 70F last
week and the forcast is for zero or worse soon. Normal is 40F
high and high teens and early 20's for lows.

Regards,

Charles
--
Charles Perry
Reply to:

** A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand **