It was in 99 when my friend gave me his old computer. I put roses in a search engine and found the forums amoung other things.It was such fun to find others that shared my passion.

Yep- A customer emailed me and told me that a question had been asked of me- I had never heard of gardenweb until then. I was actually working for a different rose nursery at the time. Been causing trouble here ever since.

Trish

I don't remember the first time in particular, but I do recall feeling a little dazed by all the information available. I had quite a bit of gardening experience but no knowledge of roses. I remember trying to block out the "Southern and CA Posters" (sorry!!!) so I wouldn't get overwhelmed with info about roses I couldn't grow anyway.

Now I'm trying a few teas myself and love to read about the roses that everyone, everywhere is growing. I am a very faithful lurker. Maybe I should post more.

Maureen

Oh, definitely, Maureen! You should post more. It amazes me to think of all the lurkers there must be out there - like an iceberg, you know? All the lurkers should poke their heads in once in a while. The more the merrier! And shared experience is a very valuable thing.

Sherry

Gosh...like a hundred years ago-I think I started on one of the other forums-on house fixing and building and moved on to roses. I lurked for years. I learned so much. Having had to move most of my life I always like to read everyones experience with roses since you never know when you are going to have to grow roses in Florida(Used to live in Tampa)

patricia

I first posted in June of 2007 after having lurked here for some months. Even though I'd grown old roses for years, although not on a grand scale, and was familiar with most of the names, I was still intimidated by the people who seemed so knowledgeable, and almost felt as though I was intruding into a private club. Instead, I received a very warm welcome and was treated most kindly. Now it's become a daily addiction that I don't ever want to do without. Unfortunately (or not), it's encouraged me to try ever more roses in my quest for the "perfect garden", which I shall never have, but the journey has been so much enriched by the wonderful people and the great photographs on this forum.

Ingrid

I came in thru the roses forum I used to have the name spelled labragh till a cousin from Ireland corrected it.

Just two years ago. "Eureka! I have found it!!!" An absolute treasure trove of information and friendship.

"First they sleep, then they creep and then they leap" was a balm to my rose hungry soul. (From a post by Jeri.)

Veronica
Thonotosassa, FL
near Tampa, Lol...

All too well!!! I had been trolling the Container Gardening forum for info (I had moved into my sister's house to live with her, and was faced with my first gardening experience). I found what I thought was an Old Rose (I had been in love with Old Roses for years, but it was a purely literary affair, as I never had a garden). I asked for identification help, and it turned out to be Dr. Huey, the rootstock left by some long-gone rose. I felt pretty stupid and ignorant, but people here were very kind and also had helpful advice, to wit: hang out on this forum and find out what you would really like to grow. I have been hanging out ever since.
Laura

My former neighbor, sweet, dear Luanne, told me about this forum, and it's given me hundreds if not thousands of hours of delight ever since.
I love reading anything about o.g.r's and look for melissa on the farm and Jerri in soca, and the rare and choice postings by Malcolm Manners, I see him as a god of botanica, walking with Flora, among the roses and confess that I fall into a state of awe, when he posts here.

LUxrosa

I am trying to remember how many wonderful people offered my family places to stay as we made our move from California to South Carolina. More than one from almost every state we traveled through. I think Ann in TN even offered- heck, she still offers! And how many of you came to the nursery to have lunch with me? CarolFm is just one- Such dear friends to have made with one innocent click of a mouse....

Trish

1997 or 1998, I think. My mom had died and I was really lonely. In fact, being a rosarian in Montana is really lonely anyway. There are two yards in this county where I've spotted some roses, though lots of people have one Canadian Explorer or maybe a Harison's Yellow.
The postmen think I'm strange. "You're growing antique roses?" Like it's pot.
I wouldn't have gotten anywhere without the people here.

I have been here since 1996.

I don't post as frequently as I used to do, something that is true of a lot of the early members. But I still cherish this forum and check it nearly every day. I have made so many dear friends here, first online and then in person. You could say in truth that it changed my life, certainly as a gardener but also by bringing a richness and texture to the way I think.

I don't live as isolated from other rose growers as Kaylah does, but somehow no one else in my immediate surroundings cares a whole lot about roses, much less old ones. This forum has given me a community.

Rosefolly

I honestly don't remember how I discovered the forum, though it must have been after we moved to Italy in 2000, especially since it wasn't long before that I began to use the Internet. I have wondered how I ever arrived here. I love the forum, sharing knowledge, experiences, and joy and woes of gardening. The level of knowledge here is impressive, as is people's willingness to share it. Being in Italy I don't have as much opportunity as most have to meet forum members in person, but the Italian gardening forum takes care of that, and Italy also has knowledgeable, generous, sociable gardeners.
Great topic, Sherry!
Melissa

Rosefolly, that was a long time ago and about 1999, I think is when things really began to blossom around here as far as membership and there were so many posts, the forum would slow down and so many opinions, so much advice, so many great people like yourself. I remember Trish telling me something on a forum once that I laughed about until I almost choked. I won't bring it up here as she might be embarrassed although it was something funny and very cute.

I can think of very little that can be discussed about roses that has not been discussed here since the late 1990s to this point. I was here under another name, like Rosefolly and then returned under this name (not because I was booted, just because I did not respond to Spike's annual re-sign-up or whatever it was back then for the Virtual Mirror). LOL.

It has been a fun ride. I am about out of roses, but those that I have are in myg arden today only because of the great advice and friendships that I have made here.

It has been sad to see so many go and so many hurt feelings. There are some fine people here and we often disagree, but there is no reason for any one to leave when there is always someone here who values your opinion and loves you for who you are and what you bring to the table.

Randy, get back in here. We miss you.

Probably 1999, when kaylah was Otis T. Ford and there were any number of Susans on the rose forums as well as a transcontinental clique of saucy wenches. I remember when Jon announced himself.

We moved to California and I made my first trip to the San Jose Heritage Rose Garden. I stumbled on Secret Garden Musk Climber and ran home to google it. Tha was 80 roses ago.

Masha

MichaelG, I think it was before that, because I first met you at dinner at Rich's and that was before RRD became a problem (early 2000s). That was a Feb or March and you brought a bloom of that small deep red hard to grow china whose name escapes me now.
For me, it was a 386 computer and a forum that had NO photographs, (or at least none that I could open) and when answers were limited in number of spaces and that had to be typed perfectly or else back up and wipe out everything written.)
I still have printouts I saved from then because the info wasn't available anywhere else.

I think this may be a bumpier ride than usual. I see it on some other forums (not gardening) as well. I think stress is up, so we need more roses that sing to us.

For me, it was 1999. I never to rarely post. I got hooked on Brian's (cayenne) very clever stories and the tours of his garden and insect attacks. I'd cry, laughing!
I made the move to the 'Desert', with everyone else, and then it got lonely there. What I refer to the 'old timers' just left. Cass, Sis, Brian, Diane, Rozanne. I remember them all and smile. I miss the wit that went along with the wisdom.
Jim

Where did Cass go? I know that Brian has not been here in a while and I thought Sis left several years ago. Diane and Rozanne. Well, where is Rozanne? She was posting here from another part of the world not long ago and was promising to return to Texas? I guess I missed too many days and weeks and months.

Ann, I remember you being one of my first allies in the RMV preaching I did here. Thank you again. It exists. I read it in the "Sun."

Got our first computer connected to the internet when DS#1 went off to college in the fall of 1998. I, like others, typed in "Roses" on a search engine and came up with this place. I was fascinated - and right well hooked. I had 6 roses when I did that, and now look at me with 200 or so. What knowledge was here, such wit - and what enabling!! ;-)

this is a great post-----When my DH bought our computer I vowed I would NEVER touch it---I was afraid of it-----He gave me my name because he heard me talking to ZD---LOL

He finally convinced me to just try the computer---I typed in ROSES and that started it all----- after my first hip surgery---around 2002 I finally posted---------I've met some really wonderful people here----some in person and some still valued "cyber friends"---

We had some great laughs when Bob was trying to help me post pictures-----by mistake he typed in AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

and someone responded with BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB we couldn't stop laughing !!!

We finally learned how to post pictures but sure had a big laugh in the process.Do you remember Bob's "Find Flo" picture ???? Cindi really enjoyed that one.

Love all of you
Florence

I miss Cindi! She was one of the first I encountered here on GW..must have been early '98. Luanne and I met on other forums and gravitated here, as did many others. It's still one of my favorite places to come and many friends have been made here over the years..online and in person. Beerhog, Hilda (Thorn), Carrie and many others stay in touch in our area...we all met thru GW. I've seen gardens across the country that would have never been possible without the contacts made here!

Kaye, I was about to say farewell but cannot possibly do that without saying goodbye to you who has been a great mentor to so many, including myself. Loved all that I ever saw of your gardens and treasured each word for wisdom it bore...and yet I bid you all adieu for now and evermore. And for Cindi, who brought so much wisdom and laughter, along with heartaches of tornadoes, over fertilization, etc., to this forum, goodbye now to all.

Patricia----you can't leave us !!!!We've all been through so much----as Lincoln would say-"this too shall pass"---at least I hope so.

Please stay----

Florence

AAround 1998.
I really miss Cousin Jim Clayton's colorful posts.; his love for the gallicas, his way with words and his memories of Appalachian mountain life were inspirational.
Jon's gardening wisdom, intelligence and love for our language has been a delight.
There are so many other geniuses that have come and gone here itÂs almost impossible to name them all. The collective wisdom here is tremendous!
The forum has been a great way for a stationary little Delaware gardener to gain a `world view' on how antique roses have performed for everyone else on the planet. An irreplaceable asset.
I haven't lurked or posted lately as RRD is destroying my little rose garden. Very sad.
With winter approaching, and work hours cut back. I plan on lurking more often.
Many thanks.
Kevin

According to my profile, it was 2001. I also have made so many friends here, and have enjoyed so many of the posts since then. I miss many of the posters who have moved on, but I still love it here.

Besides the friendships the forum has given me some stability to my gardening, and encouraged me to think about what is and is not important to me.

I wish I could travel more, and meet more people in person, but my working schedule plus my three big dogs sort of keep me here.

Sammy

I had gone to the nursery to buy a Knockout but kept coming back to a bright red little single with a personality I couldn't resist. As soon as I came home with my brand new Martha Gonzales, I got online to find more information about her and here you all were.

Waaaaayyyyyy back in 1999 I bought an "antique rose bundle" from.........Michigan Bulb! Needless to say only one rose out of 6 was a good one. The rose of all things was Souvenier de la Malmaison. How in the world they managed to send me that rose I have never figured out. The other 5 were duds...one's I never identified and have went on to be shovel pruned. But SdlM opened up a new world to me and when I typed in that name...you all popped up! I was thrilled and terrified to find a forum just about roses. I was soooooo scared to ask that first question. But I did and my SdlM is still alive, thriving and just imagine.....healthy as a horse!

Deb :o)))

I registered in April 2003, under AnitaSacramento. I wanted to post about the Sacramento Cemetery's open garden, so signed up and dove in. At that time, I'd been volunteering in the cemetery just a few short months and hardly knew what a tea rose was.

People haven't mentioned Da Kernel as one of the people whom you miss - his energy and wisdom and tireless postings here, there and everywhere accelerated my learning immensely.

Through this forum, I've met Eric, Ann, Laura, Paula, Luanne, Joe, and at least two Carols. I lured Janelle to volunteering at the cemetery through this forum, and she's become such a good friend that we went to NYC together, and are now plotting European jaunts (Melissa, we may yet meet - and Jon, England's probably first on our list!). I have had the pleasure of meeting others of you, mostly West Coasters, at rose gatherings and staying in touch here.

I'm not isolated from other old rose lovers in Sacramento, but I love hearing from people across the country and around the world. When I was a kid, I wanted a pen pal who shared my interests. Now I have dozens. Lucky me.
Anita

Anita,
Yes, come and visit! All our recent losses are saddening, but life is change, on the forum as well as in the garden.
Melissa

I don't remember when I first happened upon this forum, but I remember being awed by the vast knowledge & experience & insights of the gardeners. I used to think I had some rose knowledge, but I was humbled! I've also loved seeing the generosity, fun, humor & obvious friedship. This forum, as a rule, has been the most intelligent and respectful forums I've found.

Ah Miss Cindi! She was the first customer I ever gave my home phone number to! She would call me up at least once a week before we made our move out east. I had just had my neck surgery and she would have me laughing so hard my DH would have to take the phone away before I hurt myself. I had the pleasure of meeting her and Rosebud in person a couple years prior to that- I miss her terribly. Da Kernel. Ah, I loved him and still miss him. So many of you I have met in person, and so many yet to meet. Life is way too short.

Trish

I had the pleasure of meeting Cindi in Philadelphia---I happened to spot her across the room and I knew who she was right away---

This past summer my DH and I had plans to visit S.Scanniello at his home in Barnegat N. J. where he was hosting a rose get-to-gether---but a family member had a health emergency and we had to cancel---

I missed meeting Stephen and Anita and I feel sad about that. We only live about an hour and and a half from Stephen's home.

Hopefully there will be another opportunity

It is great to meet rose lovers in person.

Florence

Like Zeffy, I hated the puter. I was living with my ex who had one. We ended up getting internet, I had a Hydrangea that wouldn't bloom and some how ended up on one of the gardening forums. I wasn't allowed to garden with him, I used to sneak roses into the garden. He used to be so mean that he'd have to dig up the part of garden where I had a few roses. I had a Gene Boerner; went to my dad's with the kids one day, came home & it was destroyed. No clue what he did to it.

Ended up having him removed, started coming to rose forum.. that was back before user names. Think the name I used was SBA@NJBell.

At one time there were a lot of us named Sue on the regular rose forum, we used to sign our name OOTO (one of the other) Sues.

At some point GW started growing, we had to make user names. I remember how ticked off some of us were lol I wanted something original, took me days to think of Rose Lover - and making it into Roselvr.

Been through a lot here. Many people coming & going, some of free will some to "Disney". I've been "Spiked" many times. I used to hate waking up knowing either I'd be Spiked or Disney'd. There was a time when saying the name Veldfire would send your post to Disney, or you to Disney.

A lot of people left to go to his forum. Although he was banned, he was able to hide his IP and get here to read. lol GW lost a lot of people to his forum. A lot stayed there, never returning.

I've seen vendor's and hybridizers that have come here and given their time, banned because someone didn't like something that was said. We've lost a lot of great people.

Before Veldfire there was another forum on Delphi, haven't been there in years, we lost a lot of good people there too. It was one hybridizer who started it I think..

We also had a guy named Sharif from Bangladesh who used to post other people's pictures. I think Anne got him banned one day, she finally proved he was stealing people's pictures & posting as his own. I'd already been "Spiked" a few times due to him, almost banned. We lost Rosesense back then.

I met GW members. Cindy Tx, met her in New Orleans. Sue Belle; Helen FL, Karl; who saved our butts in New Orleans when my hubby left the travelers checks in a restaurant. Karl was able to tell them who it belonged to. Baldo, Anne, The gal who writes the column for New Orleans; her name escapes me right now. I've met a lot of nice NJ people

Anyone remember Kang?

I miss Cousin Jim Clayton, too, along with his lovely stories and kind good humor. I wonder if anyone is in touch with him. I'd like to know that he's all right.

Cindi is a darling. She went through a rough time from the hurricane and I don't know how much she's doing with roses these days. I miss her, though. I loved her posts and read each one with delight.

Roger Mann was so very knowledgeable. He and Jon of Wessex would get going and it was a pure joy to read their rose history discussions. I was delighted to get his recent book on rose names.

I miss Rosebud from Atlanta, too. I could go on for a long time lamenting each person gone. Lots of great people no longer post here for one reason or anothe; some Spiked, some left on their own as their lives took them in other directions. It was a privilege to know them for a while. I mustn't grieve that good things can't last forever.

And fortunately many wonderful people have come our ways since those days. It is a pleasure to have their company.

Still I'm greedy. I want it all.

Rosefolly