For connections between companies I go to GardenWatchdog here for J&P http://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/c/33/ A friend here had two different shipments of J&P roses purchased for her as gifts. Had the friends not asked her about them she probably would have never gotten them. She called to inquire on the first gift order and was told that nothing is available on the computer and that they couldn't tell her anything, if/when or ever her plants would ship. Both gift orders did eventually arrive, with the exact same apology letters for their lateness and an extra rose tossed in for her trouble. At first she was happy to get an extra rose, but with the second shipment getting the exact same treatment she wasn't too happy. I don't know what shape the bare roots were in, but it seems a little late to be shipping bareroots. I can't imagine what person picked the middle of spring shipping to change hands on a nursery business. That decision was obviously called by someone who knows nothing about the nursery business. I hope they can survive and turn things around. For a positive, we received decent wholesale plant material as scheduled last fall, but will not risk it in the foreseeable future.

Yes, they come away very easily and picking them off does no harm to the parent plant - after all, they fall and sprout naturally arund the parent plant if left undisturbed. And they should be a clone of the parent plant - my Lilium Tigrinum certainly are. And they're perfectly hardy outdoors down to zone 3. Since they need a cold period, growing indoors under growlights, etc. isn't recommended. No need to dry them out because left unplanted for an extended period they will shrivel up. So collect them and plant them where you want them right away. If planted directly in the ground - mark them so you know where they are as the first year sprout will look like a shiny lanceolate blade of grass and it's easy to pull them up or accidentally plant over them. By the second season, they'll be spindly, but definitely look lily-like. Or, plant them in a pot so they're contained, then bury the entire pot up to the rim in a sunny spot in your garden. You can leave them in the buried pot for a couple of seasons - with a couple of year's growth, they'll be easy to transplant, etc.

It's a little early for digging them but the bulbs should be fine. The roots above the bulbs are stem roots and help to stabilize the stem in the ground. You can still dig down and get the bulbs, I assume you wanted to move them or divide them? Planting the stems will not form new bulbs but your husband didn't do any damage.

Jmorris, I empathize with your frustration. Call again, note how many roses are unacceptable, ask specifically for replacement or refund (your choice). Get the full name of the representative to whom you speak. Any problems, state you'll be taking it up with your credit card company & open a complaint with your card company, which will reverse the charges. Sounds like an exciting project you've undertaken! J & P is now only the shadow of the sound company it was. I'd ask for a refund credited to original method of purchase (not J & P credit voucher for future purchases) & find the roses elsewhere. In a few more weeks you'll likely find them in bud & bloom locally.