Now, mini roses are real roses, but they are often called "throwaway roses" because people don't know how to look after them. I was determined to make my roses thrive and over the years I have spent many hours tending to them, spraying them for bugs (sigh), pruning, water and repotting. This past summer I put them outside where they acquired a new kind of bug, alas. But I think they enjoyed the sunshine and their new terra cotta pots.
Unfortunately I lost one of the four to cold. I rather foolishly thought that something so delicate and hot house grown could overwinter outside. One bloomed for a final time in November indoors and hopefully I'll see new blooms this summer.
There have been many times when I thought I killed the roses otherwise - such as when all their leaves fell off - but somehow they always bounced back seemingly better than ever. It was my reward for constant devotion and faith in them. They are high maintenance, but they were given with love and as such I cannot be impatient or resentful at them :-)
I suppose what I'm saying is that the mini roses are a living metaphor for the love I experience in my life from friends, family and people I haven't even met :-) If you ignore it, it withers. But if you treat it tenderly, amazing things happen. It's easy for the over-commercialization of Valentine's Day to make people feel unloved, and I think that's so sad. It makes people forget what love actually is supposed to be. I'm not sure what else I can say, except friends, that I love you :-) I love it when you create art and blog, and I love you all for just who you are <3
So sweet, Christine. I love you, too. Happy Valentine's Day! Kathryn
ReplyDeleteChristine, that is a beautiful rose. Love you to dear friend.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous rose! I wish that I could manage to get some to keep growing but every time someone gives me one, they end up dying. Guess my thumb is a color other than green, and I hate to see the poor things suffer so my husband just gets me the cut ones. :-)
ReplyDeleteLove ya to Christine ;o) And, I will give you a trick for roses, use your dish water to water them with. It's something in the soap they love and it keeps the bugs away ;o) I learned that one from my mom ;o)
ReplyDeleteWow beautiful mini roses. I am not a gardener and actually didn't know their were mini roses. Will have to keep my eyes open!
ReplyDeleteGreat posts! Hope you get some beautiful roses this summer!
LOL Stacy, I'm sure your mom knows best! I have tried soapy water before, but I must not have been doing it enough. The trouble with bugs is that it's hard to catch them in all when they're reproducing. So just when you think they're gone, they're baaaack :-P :-)
ReplyDeleteThey are really sweet little roses Pam. Home Depot usually sells them for less than $10. I'm looking foward to my wild roses blooming this year. Love the smell!