That hype is specifically because Applause contains genes not indigenous to rosa. They initially marketed it in Japan where the aesthetic appreciates manipulation of Nature. Think bonsai trees; melons and fruit grown in lucite boxes to alter their shape to cubes, etc. That aesthetic also values the gift and the honor it is meant to bestow based upon the cost of the gift. You and I may be honored and pleased by the gift of a vase of flowers from the giver's garden. That aesthetic is more likely to feel more honored knowing each stem of the rose cost the giver $35 (Applause's initial sale price in Asia). Not that the bloom is actually "blue", but it does represent many years of genetic manipulation to alter the color of the initial rose from red to the mauve color it expresses. In that light, it is presented as "the blue rose", which is how it is accepted by that aesthetic. I agree the photos of Blue Bayou does appear rather "blue" in the pastel range. Some images of Rhapsody in Blue appear quite "blue" in the darker range. For the whole organism, its health, ease of growth and ability to flower in all types of weather here, Blue for You still wins, hands down in my book. I need to get hold of Blue Bayou. I have some definite ideas for breeding with it... Kim

If it's just a few gnats I don't worry about them, but sometimes they can have population explosions and become a nuisance. Then I use an insecticide dust "Later's Grow 'n Care Fungus gnat dust". I just sprinkle a bit on the surface of the pot and water it in. It controls the larvae (and thus the adults) for a couple months at least, usually much longer, and I've never noticed any damage to my plants, carnivorous or other. I'm in Canada and I don't know if the same product is available where you are. But the active ingredient is 0.5% chlorpyrifos, you should be able to track down another brand with this ingredient if Later's isn't available. -Don

Oh yeah, that's much better. How long ago did you get him? I got one from somewhere with the same tag... it was either the one I got from walmart that I just couldn't quite save or the one from the greenhouse that is doing great...

The question is can you propagate it and produce new plants with the same characteristics. The pattern on the flower might not be determined strictly by genetics.