Growhappy, I've been reading accounts from several people who have had plants test positive. Based on their experiences (and Irina's) AVs can show symptoms quickly, can take many months to show, or may not show symptoms at all. One plant that tested positive had no symptoms until 9 months after the person had completely cleared a thrips infestation. Others, as Irina noted, have tested plants that showed no symptoms at all, yet the test was positive. As far as I've been able to tell, no one has studied AVs related to INSV so no one knows the specifics of it related to time frame, etc. Sandy, who wrote the recent AV Magazine article about INSV, said that she found changing light and temperature was how she originally found she had a problem. She changed lighting and temperature because she thought it might account for the symptoms she had. Within a week or so of doing that, her plants became much more symptomatic. I found an article that echoed that changing light and temperature sometimes will work to accelerate development of the virus. Sandy suggested that if anyone has a plant about which they are concerned that they should increase the temperature and light. Also, as noted, Epicias can succumb very quickly. There are other "indicator" plants. According to a Colorado Extension article, "Early warning of virus presence also can be noted by using indicator plants or plants that show TSWV/INSV symptoms earlier than others. Such plants include the petunia cultivar 'Calypso' and gloxinias. Both plants are extremely susceptible to both viruses and will show symptoms within a week after infection. Non-sticky blue or yellow cards placed near indicator plants can attract thrips and increase the likelihood that the indicator plants will become infested." See link below for entire article. A Univeristy of Mass article also suggested using an indicator plant. "The petunia cultivars Calypso, Super Blue Magic and Summer Madness have been shown to make good indicator plants for several reasons. First, these varieties are highly attractive to western flower thrips. Secondly, infected petunia plants do not serve as source of virus in the greenhouse because INSV does not become systemic within these petunias. Infected leaves can be picked off and discarded and petunia indicator plants can remain in the greenhouse to continue monitoring. Another reason is that the virus lesions show up very soon after thrips feed. Thrips feeding injury on the foliage leave distinct white feeding scars. If the thrips are carrying INSV, a brown rim and, later, a circular lesion can be seen around the white feeding scars as early as 2-3 days after exposure to thrips." http://www.umass.edu/umext/floriculture/fact_sheets/pest_management/virusind.html Here is a link that might be useful: Colorado Extension Article

has any one tried using praetor nematodes and praetor mites to control spider mite, broad mites and thrips. They are like little lions feeding on the pests, praetor nematodes live in the ground killing any thing they find and most of the pest live part of their live there. Thrips spend the first part of there live under ground. The praetor nematodes come in a little sponge that you cut 1/3 of put in a spray bottle of water and let it sit for a 1/2 hour, shake it up and spray the surface potting mixe and then water them in good. It cost $18.00and the 2/3 that you have not used put in the cooler and treat you plants ever 2 weeks till it is gone. They will live on the sponge in the cooler for 6 weeks. I also treat my plants with praetor mites at the same time , they like to find the bad mites and lay their egg among the spider mites and broad mites eggs . When the praetor mites they are hunger an the love to eat mite eggs. they come in several different ways praetor mites"NEOSEIULUS CUCUMERIS" come in quick release packets $1.99 and it is enough to treat 1-2 plant racks 4 shelves 48 in. long. You springily the product which looks (it is ) wood saw dust over the plants It is import to do these after dark. sun light kills praetor mites nematodes & praetor mites mites!!!! Praetor mites"NEOSEIULUS CUCUMERIS"also come in slow release pack $1.99, you but pack on each shelve and as they hatch they leave the pack ove 6 week periodAs a Added protection !!! They best thing is they very best Insecticides /Miticides likeForbid 4F Miticide, Avid EC Miticide and Marathon a systemic insecticides do not kill the praetor nematodes and praetor mites so you can still use them!!!! YOU CAN NOT USE NEEM OIL Why because it kills every thing even the good praetor bugs then you have nothing to keep spider mite, broad mites and thrips under control!!! The day beforetaking your plants to a show put NEOSEIULUS CUCUMERIS mites "in the slow release pack in your box with your warping- material and leave it there for the whole trip with your plants

I am a just turned 45-year old medically disabled guy working on my second marriage to a wonderful lady named Joyce. I started seriously growing roses 5 years ago. Obviously I am totally addicted as much as I can possibly be to my roses. Due to my health conditions, my 200+ roses is plenty and offer me lots of very good therapy without drudgery and keeps me more beneficially active than I would be without them. When I have bad days or stretches of them I don't usually absolutely have to get out in the garden. Whatever needs doing can usually be held off for a couple of days or so if necessary. I hate daytime TV and prefer raising roses any day of the week. More than the # of roses I currently have would make it seem a chore rather than an enjoyable pastime which it currently is. If there is alot of heavy or strenuous activity needed my two sons or wife are always there to lend a helping hand, usually hauling around heavy bags or digging lots of new bareroot holes at planting time. I really appreciate them alot. I think my roses have been a good tool to encourage good conversation and communication between all members of my extended family. Last month I cut and supplied an entire weeks worth of roses to beautify my nieces wedding. Most were in vases around the various tables at the post-wedding reception and some actually were put on the wedding cake itself. My niece and sister-in-law were very plaeased and thankful for them and I loved supplying them. Little things like this can really strengthen an extended family core and build healthy and closer relationships. One last mention is the new on-line friends you make doing this "rose thing". Not to mention the number of people that have just pulled up to the house asking to look at the roses close up. I always try to oblige and have had some really good conversations and made new friends in the process. How cool is that???? Try it, you'll like it!!! John

Thanks, Linda and Irina, for all this good info. I hesitate to ask where you got FP, because four or five years ago, I was sure I had to have it and searched everywhere. I could not find it. But now I think it best to not get tempted. That's good to know about what causes suckers. I did not think I was stressing the plant. It just seems to grow like a weed. By now, it must have produced 40 babies over the years. Most of which I was able to give away. Once I divide the double crowns, there will be more to go to new homes as already good-size plants. The blooms at first were lovely doubles, now they are not as fluffy or as varied in hues. Still pretty, though, just not "spectacular." I know you said the blooms get tired on an older plant. I usually don't keep the babies long enough to bloom, so I don't know if the babies ever bloomed like Mama did at first. Joanne