I’m sitting here on the back deck listening to the rain on the tin roof. I think I’m growing webbed feet! This past week we have had over 10 inches and last night the weather gal said according to the computer forecast we should have 8 to 9 inches today. This spring I made 48 crosses and looks like many have set. I hope to get out in the next few days and check the crosses and deadhead. The high here in central Texas yesterday was 69. The weather gal says it’s going to be a cooler than normal summer with only 5-6 triple digit days. I want to try some crosses on the second flush of blooms and see what happens. If the forecast is correct, it just might work. Wish I could share a bit of this with you folks in California.
Joan,
That sounds terrific. And for what I believe is the first time this rainy season (which should actually be over), we have about 3/4 of an inch of rain in the forecast, in the next 2 days. I know forecasts can’t be taken to the bank, but we have been thankful for every time we get over 1/100th of an inch. At least the ground gets wet. The thing that really has taken a turn for the better is the fact that temps have finally returned to near normal. Am finally getting a good chance to get some quality crosses made. The early blooming roses were kind of a wash out during the heat.
We had a very dry winter here in Minnesota, too, although it’s nothing like what is being experienced in California and other parts of the country. Now it’s been raining slowly off and on for many days, and I think we’ve gotten up to two inches of much needed rain. The only negative is the 29 F forecast for Monday night.
It’s been about a week since our last rain. This Lifetime Texan has never seen it rain like it did in a month. We went from severe drought to normal. Most lakes are now full or at least at 60%. The Jet Stream has moved north and a High has set up on top of us so the rain is over for now. Hopefully, California can receive some rain now. I watched a film last night on the Gardens of the California Wine Country made about 10 years ago. Everything looked so lush and beautiful I had to wonder how they must look now.
I was able to count my crosses this week and had a 67% hip set ratio. Nine of the hips set use Nacogdoches as either pollen or seed. Hopefully next spring will bring lots of new yellow seedlings.
Everyone here in Tucson is excited because we got a trace today. They’re predicting more than average rain for monsoon season so fingers crossed. We had a very mild (for here) May with highs in the low 90’s so that was good, the roses were growing, then 2 days of 106 in my yard, and the leaves fried overnight.
Judith Hope you get some nice rain. Our spring was unusually mild we have only had three 90 degree days so far. Our weather gal says we should have a mild (for us) summer. I have made a few crosses on the second flush of blooms, will see what happens.
Joan,
It is good to hear that your weather is back on track. Even if you had to get several seasons worth of rain in such a short time. When I see all the damage it did to so many places I hesitate to even wish that our rainfall would catch up. But our weather has returned to a semblance of normalcy-just without measurable moisture. I have not seen as many hips dropping as last year, but they did bloom so much earlier and there is a good crop of ripe and ripening hips among the first crosses and OP’s. But it is still early, and while I think I want to do a few more crosses, I just may settle for trying to germinate some OP’s to see what I get. With the ‘now in earnest’ water restrictions, it does not seem like a good time to get ambitious with crosses. I have been quite vigorously culling, just to not have to water a lot more than last yr. It will be fun to see what the Nacogdoches crosses produce , esp., healthwise.
I dunno… I forgot what it’s like to have to water potted plants. I looked out back today and was a bit appalled to see the condition of some of my potted plants. And the mosquitoes continue to be fierce as can be…