Straw, that's what I'm doing with thorny climbers ... growing them up my downspouts to deter thieves breaking into my house AND stealing my downspouts. I'm growing them right up the downspouts! They're copper and it's ridiculous these days what people looking for a quick buck will steal. I've planted Florentina and will be adding Phyllis Bide when she's grown up a bit. I'm still debating on this sale as I have to get a couple that are expensive shipped and still have my gift certificate from HCRs. I'll be going there next week to pick them out so maybe I need to give this a miss until next year. I did really want Purezza and a couple of others so I reserve the right to change my mind. : ))

Here are some pic update from my J&P sale and Wayside Gardens sale. Wayside Gardens sale roses (The Ancient Mariner x2 , Princess Alexandra Of Kent x2 , Darcey Bussell, Tess of the d'Urbervilles) were stressed from shipping in high temperature then got hit by the sun in my garden even they were under a tree, all the new growths died and it took a while with a lot of extra care before some new growths showed up again. Here are the pics of the 2 with slowest growths (The Ancient Mariner and Princess Alexandra Of Kent) taking today. I wasn't sure that these 2 could make it. I'm glad they did. The first J&P sale roses are doing great (Cabana x2, Hypnotized! x2, Daring Spirit (tree), JP 2020 Exclusive Preview Striped). Cabana Faked Hypnotized! Daring Spirit (tree)

Judith: Pumice is porous volcanic rocks with neutral pH, versus red and black lava rock at high pH over 9. Pumice comes in smaller particles, and used for growing succulents with its fast drainage. Pumice is very expensive at over $25 for 3 gallons, versus I can get a 40 lb. of lava rock for $6 at Menards store. Inviting everyone to continue the discussion on soil & fertilizer & own roots in below new link, since this thread is getting too long: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6252246/tips-for-own-root-vs-grafted-roses-in-pots-longagoroses-bands#n=11

Pam knows which zone I'm in and JC is marketed for zone 5. I sent her an email and asked her which root stock JC has. I don't believe she does the grafting. She gets these from the Austin nursery in Texas already grafted. I'll let you know what root stock it has when she replies. Here is what she said about all this in an email yesterday after I first told her I didn't want JC because it was grafted, then I changed my mind and said I would give it a try and sent that email out to her.. She grows all own root herself and preaches that own root is much better, she is also completely organic. So, here is her reply to me about grafting. " Well, that's funny as I was just going to send you a "lecture" on the benefits of grafted roses in SOME cases. Many roses are too weak and too slow and too hard to root from cuttings. Jubilee Celebration is a case in point. Although All rose societies say the opposite of what I am going to tell you, David Austin and ALL of EUROPE plants their budded (grafted) roses UNDER the soil with the intention that the SCION, the one on top WILL put down roots of it's own because it is allowed to be under the soil. We're talking 3-5 inches below the graft in cold climates (where the bud union tends to freeze and die) and 2-3 inches deep in warmer climates like mine. Within a year or two the graft will die away and the rose shoots out a whole new bunch of basal roots and Vualla! You now have an own root rose that started out large instead of puny! The best of both worlds. All of Europe and DA are not crazy. You even get less suckers and less disease. I have not tuned into Fraser's talks (maybe once) but Very few rosarians even know about this. It's really amazing. So that being said, feel good that all will be well and I will leave your name on one."