Recently I have been asked how I keep my roses so clean with all the bad
weather that's around. My method is to use a coffee cup over every potential
HT as soon as the sepals open.
I would be interested to hear from other exhibitors as to the methods they
use, I'm sure that there must be nearly as many different designs as there
are exhibitors?

Mart

I have know people to use lamp shades, small ones like you might find on a
bed side table lamp. Taped to a stick or dowel and the top opening covered
with cheese cloth.

Some folks have used nylon mesh fabric, something like pantyhose to keep the
critters off the bloom.

Personally I 'cut' early and put the blooms in buckets in the garage.

Just a few techniques,

Tim
"Martin" wrote in message
...
Recently I have been asked how I keep my roses so clean with all the bad
weather that's around. My method is to use a coffee cup over every
potential
HT as soon as the sepals open.
I would be interested to hear from other exhibitors as to the methods they
use, I'm sure that there must be nearly as many different designs as there
are exhibitors?

Mart

Thanks Tim

The small lamp shades sounds like a good idea if one could acquire a cheap
source for the same bearing in mind I might need about 200.

I do use the pantyhose myself, on my roses that is! I cut the legging into
4"-5" lengths and knot one end then place the tube over a bud that has the
sepals just opening. The reason I use this technique is to enhance the bloom
size, which occurs due to the light constricting effect of the pantyhose.
The side effects are that the bloom colour is enhanced, due to not being
washed out by the sun, and as you say the hose provide some protection from
the critters.

I also use the early cut idea especially for floribundas and miniatures as
these are not allowed to be covered, on the growing bush, according to UK
rules. I do use a cool or warm room depending on the state of development
and the show date. Most of all I use refrigerators.

Mart

"Tim Tompkins" wrote in message
...
I have know people to use lamp shades, small ones like you might find on a
bed side table lamp. Taped to a stick or dowel and the top opening
covered
with cheese cloth.

Some folks have used nylon mesh fabric, something like pantyhose to keep
the
critters off the bloom.

Personally I 'cut' early and put the blooms in buckets in the garage.

Just a few techniques,

Tim
"Martin" wrote in message
...
Recently I have been asked how I keep my roses so clean with all the bad
weather that's around. My method is to use a coffee cup over every
potential
HT as soon as the sepals open.
I would be interested to hear from other exhibitors as to the methods
they
use, I'm sure that there must be nearly as many different designs as
there
are exhibitors?

Mart