Nearly all my collection is heirloom orchids. Aside from some newly awarded ones. My plants are grown in everything from long strand sphagnum in clay pots, to Aussie Grow-type mix. Some are planted in a mix of fir bark and Dynagrow. But with the fir bark, I have to hang the plants from the purlins. The bark if kept too wet will go bad quickly. I'm getting out of bark. Quality is bad now. Much of my plants are in Sphagnum and are hung on purlins in the GH to get as much light as possible. As for Bob Betts 'York' you could try calling them. They might still have the plant. They still have many old cut-flower types. Many of my plants came from the the original Stewarts stud house when they were in San Gabriel. Some from Jones & Scully. The big trouble with older plants is the problem of virus. I know that some of my very old plants are virused. But I tag them and isolate them. But in flowering, they show no visible signs of virus, still I'm careful when dividing and cutting flowers to always sterilize my tools. If you are looking for some heirloom cattleyas, try Chadwick and Sons. Even Waldor Orchids has a few oldies. And always check with local orchid societies where you can talk to the old-timers.

rhizo, we have one of those in Nashville. It's Monell's. Thank you west! I think I might've first been taken aback (they would've never known) and then, consequently, very curious. I probably would've thought they merely liked me, not wanted the seat. heh I'm more "American" than I knew (self-centered bunch we are!). Color television. huh! That's is really cool. The closest I can say is, I've been in places, often, where celebrites are, but to say I share a table? No. I can say I sat next to a university sports coach on a plane. It's as close as I can get. That, and I was in front of the celebrities' child, daughter inlaw and grandchildren at church. That hardly qualifies. Not even the same row! Your encounter would be almost akin to sitting next to the person who created the iPad (or was that Steve Jobs on his own?).

I would plant it, don't throw it away. RMV is more noticeable in the spring, at least that is when I notice it. You will see white mosiac patterns or what looks like water spots that will not come off on the leaves. Below is a site where you can see pictures of what it looks like and some info on it. This is a good site for IDing rose problems you might want to remember this site or bookmark it. It has helped me out in past years. Plant the rose, if the RMV shows up then shovel prune it. I have had roses with RMV and I let them grow until summer is over then pull them out. In my opinion it will not effect your other roses. It is not like black spot, or mildew were if one rose has it another can catch it. I always dip my clippers in bleach and water at all times regardless after pruning, and/or deadheading before moving on to another plant. Plant it!!! Don't worry, somtimes we all get so paranoid in our rose growing instead of just enjoying the hobby, I would give you other advice if you grew your roses for show. Carrie Here is a link that might be useful: RMV-baldos site

I had Tip Toes but had to shovel-prune it due to lack of vigor ownroot. I liked it so I gave it several years, but I haven't had much luck growing Brownell roses here in zone 4 as ownroots. They just never build up in size and struggle. I have a few left that are ownroot and a few grafted Brownells. However, some of the grafted ones had Rose Mosaic Virus and slowly declined. It didn't have the yellows that Helen Hayes had but it was pretty. Hopefully you will have better luck! Celeste