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Unwanted news.......
There's been no shortage of rain for the last 3 or so weeks. Keeping the rose bed well hydrated is my top priority. Supplemental, hand watering is always filling in when natural rainfall slacks off. I never skip a beat in this regard.
In this current time period temps have been getting a bit more moderate. It's still quite hot with highs in the mid-80s, meaning actual highs in my heat trap rose garden are about 6-8 degrees higher than local reports, mostly in the low/mid 90s.
The bad news is that Orange Dude/Double Easy Orange has suddenly developed significant black spot......not horrendous....but about 1/3 of the lowest leaves are pretty spotted. Ahhh! I couldn't believe my eyes.
All hope is not lost. Young roses are weaker all around. Surviving their first winters in good shape (this winter will be Orange Dude's first one here), is a deal breaker. OD came from J&P as a tiny 2 qt. own root. Its 'canes,' were coat hanger thick, and 5-6" tall.
It grew like a weed. Right now it's about a foot high and quite wide, at 20+". No new, 2026 planted rose in my garden flowered/is still flowering as abundantly as OD. This has been the worst year for black spot that I can remember. With all this going on it's not time for me to despair......just sit tight and keep hopeful.
Moses.
Sorry to hear that news Moses... I've had some of the best disease resistant roses fail here so I know how you feel....BUT yours is young yet hopefully it rebounds...
judijunebugarizonazn8,ok on the grafted Dude...
8/28/26
Today:
ElfRosa -- I've been following this thread, and I don't think rose buds have ever looked as sweet as the ones you've jost posted, considering everything you've done to conjure them into existence. I've been very inspired by your work to bring beauty back into your community.
@windowsill_gardener that's very lovely, thank you! I was pretty excited to see these almost normal-looking buds :-)
A woman yelled at me tonight "Every time I walk by, I see you out here working! I just want you to know that someone is noticing" or something to that effect.
I really appreciate all supportive words!
Well, one opened!!!!! I don't have to fully opened bloom on camera yet. But I have the nearly opened shot.
Lifestyle
My hubby reminded me that we only got the tubers in late May, and that next spring, we can start taking the pots out in the day and in at night starting in late March or early April. That should make a difference in them blooming earlier. :)
Here's the same one (only dahlia blooming so far) fully opened.
Heres a bouquet in early morning light.
These were all cut to rescue from the burning sun…
Well, here was something I didn't know: since 1926, dahlias have been the official flower of San Francisco and, according to this article in the NY Times today (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/29/us/san-francisco-dahlias.html?unlocked_article_code=1.9lA.QfVP.FkQk5tkFJOIb&smid=url-share), grow wonderfully there because they are native to the cooler highlands of Mexico. I have seen the wonderful dahlia garden in Golden Gate Park many times but never realized its significance and history. And now know why they only do so-so out here in Livermore where the climate is way warmer. This is a wonderful article with beautiful photos!