@Lizzie27 - her new growth is covered in short, sharp, scimitar-like prickles which are really ouch when they catch you. I wouldn’t want those waving around in my face while I was sitting on a bench!
The prickles gradually fade as the canes age - so as she doesn’t produce actual permanent thorns, the previous years growth is thornless.
But I think the “thornless” description is misleading as that makes you imagine a smooth stemmed rose like Kew Gardens. Malvern Hills isn’t thornless but has relatively few thorns with long lengths of smooth stem in-between, and that makes it much easier to work with than Ghislaine. As gorgeous as she is.
I’ll see if I can get a photo to show you the canes.
I have 17-9-11 miracle gro slow release granules for the pots - I wonder if they are actually making the new DA stuff..
I use sulfate of potash for a bloom booster, which is far cheaper and more readily available here than liquid tomato feed. I think the latter is nicer to use, especially the one with added seaweed and iron, but needs must!
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
@WhereAreMySecateurs thank you for the Lady Emma Hamilton eBay link and I have purchased Othello from that seller during early days. The plant was healthy and no issues.
Thanks @Mr Vine Eye, I'll try to remember about the prickles and if I don't will soon find out I guess. Your photo made me gulp, I hope I have enough room after all for my GdeF!
That's fab, @Rojas. Seems they are selling like hotcakes.
I just cracked and ordered Souvenir du Dr Jamain and Sweet Honey from Cottage Memories, the former because there is really unsunny corner of the garden that needs cheering up, and the latter thanks to @pitter-patter's photos.
Thank you for the nice comments about Pum the cat. I have passed them on
@newbie77, sorry for the delay in responding. I thought I had broken my PC, the last device I can access the forum on but managed to fix it yesterday. Really need to replace my phone and tablet this year. I bought 6000 litres from a company trading as Premium Topsoil (no affiliation with them, I found them by googling) but was supplied by a company called Bury Hill Landscape Supplies. A few months ago I ordered a bulk bag of John Innes 3 from them and I was happy with that so bit the bullet and ordered the well rotted horse manure. It had a few bits of rubbish in but having worked at a yard as a youngster it doesn't really surprise me that sweetie wrappers and baling twine would end up on the muck heap. There were rather a lot (maybe 12 per 1200Litre bag) of largish stones too, not sure what that is all about.
I managed to get 3600 litres and a bit spread around the garden this weekend. I think I might have ordered a bag too much but I need to go back round again as there are some thin patches and I want to raise the level of some areas. Body is aching now so will save the fun for next weekend I also managed to snap off a large arching stem from Penelope which was irritating. It was tied in and then got caught on me, thought it would just rip off when I wrenched myself away but snapped at the tie.
I suppose I will have a look at the TW sale but just out of politeness
Posts
The prickles gradually fade as the canes age - so as she doesn’t produce actual permanent thorns, the previous years growth is thornless.
But I think the “thornless” description is misleading as that makes you imagine a smooth stemmed rose like Kew Gardens. Malvern Hills isn’t thornless but has relatively few thorns with long lengths of smooth stem in-between, and that makes it much easier to work with than Ghislaine. As gorgeous as she is.
I use sulfate of potash for a bloom booster, which is far cheaper and more readily available here than liquid tomato feed. I think the latter is nicer to use, especially the one with added seaweed and iron, but needs must!
I just cracked and ordered Souvenir du Dr Jamain and Sweet Honey from Cottage Memories, the former because there is really unsunny corner of the garden that needs cheering up, and the latter thanks to @pitter-patter's photos.
Ghislaine’s “thornless” canes
I suspect we'll have a cold February to set things back again..
'Blairi No. 2'.. a Bourbon climber, once flowering..
Welcome @PeterAberdeen, good to have you with us.
Thank you for the nice comments about Pum the cat. I have passed them on
@newbie77, sorry for the delay in responding. I thought I had broken my PC, the last device I can access the forum on but managed to fix it yesterday. Really need to replace my phone and tablet this year. I bought 6000 litres from a company trading as Premium Topsoil (no affiliation with them, I found them by googling) but was supplied by a company called Bury Hill Landscape Supplies. A few months ago I ordered a bulk bag of John Innes 3 from them and I was happy with that so bit the bullet and ordered the well rotted horse manure. It had a few bits of rubbish in but having worked at a yard as a youngster it doesn't really surprise me that sweetie wrappers and baling twine would end up on the muck heap. There were rather a lot (maybe 12 per 1200Litre bag) of largish stones too, not sure what that is all about.
I managed to get 3600 litres and a bit spread around the garden this weekend. I think I might have ordered a bag too much but I need to go back round again as there are some thin patches and I want to raise the level of some areas. Body is aching now so will save the fun for next weekend
I suppose I will have a look at the TW sale but just out of politeness