TRS FAQ 2023
Here’s another short post that covers some recurring questions from new members, with answers. I hope this adds to your learning about TRS as you get started. Thanks for joining us and making this a legendary Rose Society . . .
WE love to share what we know about roses
Member FAQs
Very easily, we hope. Email us using the Contact Form to start a conversation about joining TRS. Simple.
Not during Covid-19, but now in 2023, you bet. But there may be time for your question at the end of a monthly meeting during the Q and A.
Not any more. That’s more of a project that the Master Gardeners would take on. We’re more about rose growing advice and spotting problems in the rose garden.
Yes, monthly. Many of our Members are also active Members of the PNW District of ARS, and a few are past National ARS Officers. ARS is our “Parent Organization” and you will see many articles written by TRS Members in their publications.
This is a big subject, filled with personal preferences. But it boils down to a fresh supply of 20-20-20 granular fertilizer, alfalfa meal, and if you have the time, Miracle-Gro liquid for foliar fertilizing as a booster.
We discovered Zoom and used it monthly in 2021-22 when we couldn’t meet in person. Each Member got an invitation by email in advance of a meeting that has a 1-click-join link. Here’s a post about Zoom.
It starts with maintaining good soil and keeping the bushes healthy. Adding alfalfa meal and a 20-20-20 fertilizer 3X/year will boost the plant’s strength.
Right now, about 48 active Members – but we’re always looking for more. If you or a friend are interested, just email us using the Contact Form. Once joined, you will have access to our meetings each month for more information about growing, arranging, and showing roses.
Yes. We do a lot of training on pruning each year. In the Spring, we hard-prune the bushes at Pt. Defiance Rose Garden and other locations in Tacoma. It’s a great venue to teach hands-on about the “Spring Prune.” After that, the next major period for pruning starts in mid-May at Pt. Defiance when we “deadhead.” It’s a weekly event on Thursday afternoons – and we again teach hands-on right in the garden.
Not directly, but we can teach you how . . . We do that every week. If there’s one sad looking bush, we can work with you by email or phone and by sharing pictures from your smartphone. Garden visits were rare during Covid-19, but in 2023 we’re getting out more.
WE HAd a few more event answers in 2023
Event FAQs
Our rose show is typically in early June, and in 2023 we are back to meeting in person. After our two online ‘Rose Show and Tell’ shows in 2020 & 2021, we were back again in person in 2022 in Tacoma. More details about the last 3 years are in the Queen’s Herald Newsletter archive.
Yes, if nothing big changes. Evaluate the bushes that you already have. We hope to see you in the Fall after we find a venue. This will be a subject for future QH Newsletters.
We’re meeting on the 3rd Thursday of each month in 2023, like a normal year – with a laptop running on Zoom also.
Visit Zoom.com for an overview of their free service using your desktop, laptop, or even smartphone. Learning the details of Zoom is now another subject in these meetings.
Nope. He’s a distinguished retired gentleman now. But he still gets his hands dirty working in his own garden. But Marianne Binetti might. She has a large online presence & visits venues as well as writing her news columns.
Fertilizing 20 days prior to the show is one way. Organic fertilizer and alfalfa meal are common products for this.
We learned about WooBox.com, and ran the ‘Rose Show and Tell’ show with it in 2020 & 2021. We had lots of entries and visitors – and Members seemed OK with the results.
Snip the bloom and bring it to the next Zoom monthly Member meeting on the 3rd Thursday of the month.
Also, plan on entering a few blooms in the annual June Rose Show. As always, details will be in the monthly newsletter.
We met each month, like normal years – except that it was on Zoom like our monthly general meeting. Since things have eased up a lot, in-person meetings are a possibility again in 2023.
WE know roses
PNW & ARS FAQs
It all starts at www.rose.org.
Yes. Many of the District speakers’ classes have CR credit. You can travel to other society meetings for their credit classes.
Many TRS speakers also run CR credit classes at our own monthly meetings.
Yes. We have many members who are members of the District Regional Speaker Bureau.
Yes – weekly. ARS national direction is executed through the District functions to the local societies like ours.
Yikes, what an ongoing question that is. Start with a balanced 20-20-20 blend. Then come to a meeting and ask that question. Guests are always welcome.
There’s usually a sign-up form for District events, but the folks at our meetings can give you the specifics on the event you’re looking at. Some in 2021-2022 had been canceled for public safety reasons.
Yes. Just be a member of 1 before venturing out to other meetings.
22 including 1 in Canada, eh . .
Yes. In fact, when we get together for work parties, pruning is the focus. A great place to see us is in the Rose Garden at Pt. Defiance Park on summer Thursday afternoons at 4 pm.
Not directly, but we can teach you how to . .
WE HAVE a few Consulting Rosarian Answers
Consulting Rosarian FAQs
There are currently 1288 ARS Certified Consulting Rosarians (CR) across America who are an important asset to the American Rose Society. In TRS, they are among the most active members of our Rose Society.
CRs are trained to provide important information on all aspects of the ever-changing rose culture. They willingly and enthusiastically share their time and talent with both new and old rosarians.
Their motto is to keep the information simple and understandable.
Yes.
- There is an application form that you need to fill out and return.
- Plus you need recommendations from 3 current ARS District Members who know you personally and your good work.
- Our TRS Consulting Rosarian Chair can help you with the details if you have more questions.
If you are an ARS Member, keep an eye out for a direct email in August and December that will detail when classes are coming up, the subjects, and how to pre-register.
Yes. At ARS online. Visit the ARS CR Resources page. For specific questions, talk to our CR Chairperson. Their names and contact info is usually on the last page of the Queens Herald Newsletter.
Yes. Yearly CE credits are part of maintaining up-to-date information related to your certification. Science and best practices keep moving forward – and so do we.
Yes. All members are welcome to add articles about CR stories. ARS also solicits articles for their publications from CRs.
Sorry, CRs are only informal consultants for roses. But we can help you get started on your rose garden, since we like to see everyone enjoy their own rose garden.
You can become a CR too by completing the necessary requirements including:
- Membership in the American Rose Society
- Have at least 3 years of experience growing roses
- Have 3 references for the CR school
- Successfully complete the CR school curriculum and test.
As of 2022, 5 CR classes are held 2 times per year – once in early Fall and once in mid-winter. ARS provides an online manual for your use during class, and it is a great reference once you’re done. The lessons occur weekly and online for 2 hrs each with an online test during the week after the last class.
All classes + the test are required for certification.
In Spring 2022, there were 5 classes and 1 test.
- The CR Mission
- Soils and Water
- Fertilizer
- Insects and Diseases
- Chemical Safety
- Online Exam
Yes. In fact, the only 2 CRs in all of Alaska are TRS members. Some of us are even outside the US.
2015 – 2023 years are listed on the QH Archive Page by month. Click on the image to load the PDF version in your reader. There are many articles about continuing education there.
For Master Rosarian information, please email us your questions. With Covid-19 fading, many classes are starting to be held again. Our leadership team can help you with some more details.
Yes. We split the NW Region between Oregon & Washington & usually meet in either Portland OR or Vancouver WA. These Fall Conferences are big venues with advanced classes and nationally known speakers during a Friday & Saturday in October.
