We sure did not know triple_b ! You would be welcome Florence. You can just pick a little amount of rose petals during the summer (Zephy is a good choice!) and keep them in small bags in the freezer until you have enough to make the jam). Btw Here is another great link for all the rose products one´s heart can desire. (Including the Rose Petal Jam). Best Rose Oil, Water (Get the little atomizer!). I use the Rose Oil in aromatherapy lamps and it scents the house those winter days when I long for roses and summer and read rose books. Do check this link there is lots of information and pictures about the production of Bulgarian rose products. Here is a link that might be useful: Bulgarian Rose Oil and products

It's an immature katydid I think and they do love eating rosebuds and ruin as many as they can. I go out with a flashlight and a pair of scissors a little after sunset and cut their heads off. Alternative is taking the scissors out early on a cool morning b(ecause they don't move much when it is still very cool). Snip, snip.

Yes, they're just old faded blooms that need to be removed. Completely normal! If it's really hot continue to water them daily but be careful not to over water them. If you get rain hold off on watering. Watch your soil. If it is dry down to about an inch from the top, go ahead and water. If it is still damp all the way to the top you don't need to water. It is OK to water at night IF you water at the base only and keep the leaves dry. However, sometimes roses like a shower too. Then it's best to do it in the morning so the leaves will dry. Once all the blooms have opened and faded for the first flush is a good time to give them some fertilizer. That will give the rose more food to produce the next flush of blooms. Any good well balanced fertilizer will be fine. Just make sure to follow all of the package directions carefully and do it on a cool day if possible.

@Lilyfinch z9a Murrieta Ca @User -- Yes, they do have such a wonderful list of roses. We have almost an acre too, LilyFinch, but lots of large hardwoods scattered around, which I also appreciate, but I'm constantly looking for pockets of full sun (I'm trying hybrid musks in spots where there is some high shade mixed with sun). BelleGallica, I'd love to see photos of those roses. I've recently ordered from Rose Petals when they weren't having a sale, so am so happy to be able to get a rose for $7. Last year, I found out that my sister's mother-in-law lives down the road from Rose Petals -- I may have to hitch a ride with her down to Florida sometime!