ARS conference in Sacramento features huge rose show; plus hear Debbie talk roses and horses
Rose fans take time to smell the flowers at a previous show. The district-wide rose show this weekend will feature the best rose exhibitors from four states. Courtesy Peninsula Rose Society
It’s time to smell some champion roses – and learn more about America’s favorite flower.
On Saturday, Oct. 7, Sacramento hosts the Northern California Nevada Hawaii district conference for the American Rose Society. Representatives from dozens of rose societies from four states (southern Oregon is also part of NCNH) will gather at Wyndham Hotel on Date at Madison avenues, just off Interstate 80.
Highlighting the conference: A district-wide rose show featuring the best rose exhibitors from four states. The rose show is open free to the public from 1 to 4:30 p.m.
Besides the seriousness of the competition, what makes this show so unusual: Lots of challenge classes. Those are special classes where exhibitors must meet certain goals, such as multiple matching perfect blooms.
A large rose photo contest and arrangements competition also are part of the district rose show. Come see autumn roses in all their beauty.
In addition to the show, the conference features several speakers, but those talks are only open to those with conference registration ($80 for speakers only). Registration is open until 10 a.m. Saturday at the host hotel.
Saturday’s speakers include Debbie Arrington of Sacramento Digs Gardening. A master rosarian and longtime turf writer, Debbie will present “Thoroughbred Roses: The Queen of Flowers and the Sport of Kings” – a look at roses and racing connections. Her talk will start at 11 a.m.
First speaker of the day is Gwen Quail, past president of the Butte Rose Society, who will discuss “Fragrance: From Your Rose to Your Nose” at 10 a.m. She’ll discuss how chemistry and botany influence our perception of flower fragrance.
At 2 p.m., award-winning author and NPR show host Jennifer Jewell will present “Cultivating Place: Cultivating a Garden Culture of Care and Roses.” Her talk will focus how individual gardeners can be agents for change, one backyard at a time. The popular garden writer also will sign copies of her latest book, “What We Sow.”
At 3 p.m., Jacqui Nye will teach how to take better photos with your cellphone in “From Snapshots to Wow Shots.”
Wyndham Hotel is located at 5321 Date Ave., Sacramento.
Details and forms: www.ncnhdistrict.org.
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Garden Checklist for week of Nov. 3
November still offers good weather for fall planting:
* If you haven't already, it's time to clean up the remains of summer. Pull faded annuals and vegetables. Prune dead or broken branches from trees.
* Now is the best time to plant most trees and shrubs. This gives them plenty of time for root development before spring growth. They also benefit from fall and winter rains.
* Set out cool-weather annuals such as pansies and snapdragons.
* Lettuce, cabbage and broccoli also can be planted now.
* Plant garlic and onions.
* Keep planting bulbs to spread out your spring bloom. Some possible suggestions: daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, tulips, anemones and scillas.
* This is also a good time to seed wildflowers and plant such spring bloomers as sweet pea, sweet alyssum and bachelor buttons.
* Rake and compost leaves, but dispose of any diseased plant material. For example, if peach and nectarine trees showed signs of leaf curl this year, clean up under trees and dispose of those leaves instead of composting.
* Save dry stalks and seedpods from poppies and coneflowers for fall bouquets and holiday decorating.
* For holiday blooms indoors, plant paperwhite narcissus bulbs now. Fill a shallow bowl or dish with 2 inches of rocks or pebbles. Place bulbs in the dish with the root end nestled in the rocks. Add water until it just touches the bottom of the bulbs. Place the dish in a sunny window. Add water as needed.
* Give your azaleas, gardenias and camellias a boost with chelated iron.
* For larger blooms, pinch off some camellia buds.
* Prune non-flowering trees and shrubs while dormant.
* To help prevent leaf curl, apply a copper fungicide spray to peach and nectarine trees after they lose their leaves this month. Leaf curl, which shows up in the spring, is caused by a fungus that winters as spores on the limbs and around the tree in fallen leaves. Sprays are most effective now.