Categories: Home & Garden

Beware of Rose they Play Possum Sometimes

‘Playing possum’ is an expression that is derived from this animal possum that pretends to be dead under certain circumstances. It pretends to be dead when it sights its predator.  The predator, thinking that the possum is dead leaves it alone and walks away.  I can say that about my roses. But why it does that is still not known.

I have pulled out many rose plants which only had some dead looking branches thinking that they were dead. For some reason I skipped pulling out one such and there I saw some strong red coloured shoots springing up. It is only then did I learn of rose plants playing possum.

Just before the rains most of my rose plants play possum but being wiser now I leave them there and water them nurturing them with tender care. And bingo they  all come up from their deep sleep.

I went up to the terrace this morning where I have rose plants and was happy to see most of them yielding and some with fresh leaves.

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I waste no time in telling everyone who mourn the ‘death’ of their rose plants not to pull them out but wait for the start of monsoons as that is the time they wake up. There will be red shoots springing and that is an indication that they have woken up. Give them the usual feed as they love eating and bingo results will show.

I have lost count of the number of rose plants that I have pulled out prior to knowing this truth. No other plant comes back to life once its branches dry up.  It will die with reasons. It could be attacked by termites or not enough watering may have been done for the plant to survive.  It is not so with the roses. They just dry up but come to life at the right time.

“Better late than never.”




  • bestwriter

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    • The red rose began its illustrious symbolic history in Greek and Roman iconography, where it was tied to Aphrodite, or Venus, the goddess of love. Later, in early Christian times it became associated with the virtue of Virgin Mary.

      By the time Shakespeare rolled around it had already become a poetic standard that he, and later Gertrude Stein, both famously played with in their works. Throughout its long, storied history, the red rose still reigns as the ultimate symbol of passionate affection.
      Rose is the king flower all over the world and I like it most because its smell is delicious and fine entrancing men's wit and wisdom. What’s more classically romantic than red roses? Almost everyone knows (or should know) that a brilliant bouquet of red roses is the perfect way to declare feelings of romantic love. Whether in celebration of an anniversary, wedding,

      Valentine’s Day or even National Romance Month (August), there is no mistaking the implication of passion, desire and above all, love, associated with red roses. So, how has the red rose become what it is known for today?

      It’s probably safe to say there’s no more prevalent or enduring symbol of love and beauty in Western culture than red roses.

      Red roses often appear in poetry, literature, classical artwork, contemporary films and everywhere in between. Renowned Scottish poet, Robert Burns, compared his love to a red rose in the poem Red, Red Rose, and the card “soldiers” in Alice in Wonderland lost their heads for painting white roses red, just to name a few classics.

      These fragrant blooms come in varying shades of red, which also carry different symbolic meanings. For example, a bright red rose signifies romance, while burgundy means a love that has yet to be realized.

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