Roses Need to Put Out a Strong Autumn Bloom: Give Them a Good Spot in Your Care Routine
Since the start of autumn the weather has been getting better and better, the midday sun is no longer so harsh, and most importantly the temperature has come down. Since the weather is being so generous, the preparations for autumn blooms must be done with care; a sloppy job just won't do. Speaking of being thorough, I am the spokesperson for the strict school, but lately I have been a bit troubled, because being too thorough and strict has instead left me agonizing over how best to place my roses.
It's almost time for the autumn prune, and a round of repotting is coming along with it. But the space at the entrance is too small, while my domain is too big, and the standout growers naturally can't be squeezed off to one side in obscurity. If you love it, you should give it status! But there are really too many standouts, and I like so many of them, and I just want to share my favor equally, yet the space is limited. I'm stuck in the battle over the family center stage.
There are two rows at the entrance, with 5 tiers of steps. For small seedlings you could actually fit 10 pots, but the problem is the seedlings have grown big now. Packed tightly, it's probably 4 pots per side, so 8 pots. Loosely, it's 6 pots. And with so many varieties, some of them are bound to be squeezed out. Speaking of which, why does this feel like selecting concubines for the imperial harem!
The varieties I have now are Autumn Rouge, Hongda, Mint Parfait, Misaki, Strawberry Almond Cookie, Pink Countess, Yves Rouge Perfume, Coral Jelly, Arabian Nights, Sweet Carriage, Lollipop Tree Rose, and Poseidon King. That's quite a lot when you count them up. Since I want to give them status, I think all the comprehensive indicators should be taken into account, like the variety, flower abundance, the effect of the blooms, and whether it's beautiful is key. Although the temperature is lower now, sun tolerance is also indispensable. In any case, it has to be well-rounded.
After agonizing over it for a long time myself, plus seeking help from friends, I finally settled on a few. The biggest center-stage spot goes to Poseidon King, and it deserves it. It's so beautiful even in summer, and its autumn blooms will certainly be beyond doubt, a surefire attention magnet. So, give it a timed dose of rose-specific organic nutrient solution, diluted 500 times and poured at the roots, and there's no fear the autumn blooms won't perform.
Next is Hongda; no way can it be shortchanged. It was already very beautiful in spring, and a friend nearly swindled it away, so it must be properly protected. It has grown very large now, in a 3-gallon pot, a full ring thicker than in spring, and its autumn blooms will surely be even prettier.
Autumn Rouge's spring blooms and autumn blooms are both outstanding too, so of course I can't bear to let it go unnoticed. Although in summer it shatters in a single day, autumn is here now, so giving it a spot does no harm.
What can you say about Sweet Carriage? It neither excels nor fails, basically maintaining the same old look all along. It blooms diligently and is fragrant too. Apart from anything else, with normal watering and care, just for its fragrance it must keep a spot.
Mint Parfait can't be abandoned either, a blooming machine that never stops, blooming in spring and blooming in summer, and all high-quality flowers. It would be inexcusable if it didn't come out to show its face. Besides, Misaki, Autumn Rouge and the others can't be dropped either; they all have to be brought out to be seen.
What to do? Organized this way, I feel they all should be brought out to show their faces, but there really is no space. After thinking for so long and even asking friends, this is only a tentative decision on these few, and I still haven't figured out the rest. Do any of you flower friends have good suggestions? Come and give me some tips, I'm about to die of indecision!