Frank, could be stem blight. NC State has a good factsheet on it. Prune off infected branches well below the infection before it kills the host plant and/or the spores spread to other plants. Elaine, sounds like mummy berry. Google Rutgers and mummy berry for a list of preventative measures. I plan on applying 1" of new mulch in the winter and spraying some copper and serenade on my infected plants in the spring.

Duke and patriot are both earlier varieties that fruit before bluecrop. I also think Patriot tastes better than Duke. If you're going to plant more, I'd recommend also planting some different varieties in addition to the above 3, which are standard, dependable commercial varieties, but aren't necessarily bred for the best flavor (although, unlike some fruits, the commercial varieties still taste good). Legacy is a productive, disease resistant, and very tasty, as is Brigitta. I'd also add a fast growing rabbiteye to the mix (Premier or Yadkin?), a southern highbush (Southmoon is supposed to be one of the best tasting) and one of the season extending varieties such as Elliot or Aurora. Attached is a useful chart with more useful flavor ratings than most (I don't know anything about the nursery). See also the longer list at http://www.fallcreeknursery.com/Commercial/VarietyChart.htm See: http://www.danfinch.com/zone.htm for rabbiteyes (a nursery I do have experience with and recommend). Hartmann's also has a huge selection of blueberries and Edible Landscaping sells potted blueberries year round (both recommended sources). Here is a link that might be useful: varieties

I've never been able to get Cool Roses to repond to either my phone calls or e-mails, so I don't know exactly what's up with that. I have also never been able to get a response to my question as to whether their rootstock is clean or not either. I believe they are still in business though. As far as other nurseries go that are known to graft on fortuniana, I have no recommendations, at least in what can be considered Central Florida. You may be able to read between the lines here. Becnel Roses is out of business now. I used to get nice roses from them. The best thing we can do is obtain virus free fortuniana as a stock plant, and practice grafting. Sandy

I am looking to exchange plant cuttings for propagation. I have cuttings from ivy, butterfly bush, a pear tree, blueberry bush, azalea (white and pink), small cuttings from rosemary, lavender, mint, Pink Chinese Loropetalum, and I just successfully rooted a pinnapple that I am willing to trade.. I am open to most cuttings but am looking for rasberry, and blackberry bushes, and fruit trees other than pears, different varieties of what I already have, cherry tree, cherry tree blossom, maple, magnolia, willow, hydrangia, jasmine, westeria, just let me know what you have. :-) I will give you better contact info over email.