NATCHEZ — Rose enthusiasts are invited to the American Rose Society’s Gulf District mid-winter weekend workshop beginning Friday at the Natchez Grand Hotel.

Gulf District Director Flora Hover said the event is open to anyone interested, and pre-registration is preferred.

“Come join us as we learn more about our hobby and make new rose friends,” Hover said.

Hover said the itinerary includes programs on growing roses including fertilization, rose nutrition, diseases, pests — good and bad and safety with chemicals. New and upcoming roses will be featured at the event.

“A new rose is hybridized and registered with a name,” Hover said. “There are several hundred new roses each year that are introduced to the market. Real rose enthusiasts think they have to have the latest.”

A host of experts will make presentations at the workshop, show slides and answer questions.

A silent auction will also be part of the program.

There are 18 rose districts in the U.S. The Gulf District is made of Louisiana and Mississippi.

Hover said now is the time to prepare roses, and pruning begins next week. Roses will bloom at the end of spring.

The event will be 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Friday for the Gulf District Board meeting at the hotel, followed by dinner and fellowship. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. for Saturday’s workshop. The cost is $58 for the whole weekend and $32 for the Saturday workshop. Meals and refreshments will be provided.

To pre-register for the Gulf District mid-winter rose workshop, call Karen Constant at 225-751-2185