News Release Distributed 01/08/16

LAFAYETTE, La. – The Gulf District of the American Rose Society and the LSU AgCenter will present a midwinter workshop on rose care Feb. 12-13 at the Ramada Inn Conference Center and Hotel in Lafayette, Louisiana.

The program is being held for members of the American Rose Society as well as Master Gardeners, home gardeners and others interested in roses, said LSU AgCenter horticulture professor Allen Owings.

Louisiana and Mississippi rose society presidents and Gulf District board members will meet during the afternoon of Feb. 12. An evening buffet dinner at 6:30 p.m. will include a keynote presentation from LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill.

Saturday educational programs will begin at 8:30 a.m. with many presentations on rose-related topics. A luncheon will feature 2015 Gulf District award presentations. The program will conclude at 3:30 pm.

Speakers will include Gaye Hammond from the Houston Rose Society, regional American Rose Society director Baxter Williams, Rusty Wilson from Acadiana Worm Farm, Lafayette Parish Master Gardener Juan Nieto, Mark Simon from the ULL Cade Research Farm, Blair Underwood from All Seasons Nursery, Karen Constant from the Baton Rouge Rose Society, Carol Shockley from the Central Arkansas Rose Society and Owings.

Topics will include newest Earth-Kind rose trials, new roses for 2016, organic options in the garden, a review of products from the garden center shelf, moving roses, bees in the garden and managing chilli thrips in the rose garden.

The program will include a silent auction, and new roses from K and M Rose Nursery will be available for purchase. Consulting rosarians with the American Rose Society can earn continuing education credits by attending a lecture on pesticide safety in the garden.

Registration for the workshop is open until Feb. 1. The cost, which includes both the Friday night dinner and Saturday program, is $65. Saturday-only registration is $40.

A block of rooms is available at the hotel at the rate of $89 with a deadline of Jan. 13 (mention “Gulf District” for discounted rate). More details on the program and a registration form for the workshop are available from Owings at 985-543-4125 or by email aowings@agcenter.lsu.edu.