"This year I decided to try cutting back some of my clems (type 3s) hard after bloom then fertilize them, as suggested here, & see if I could get some rebloom that way. I'm pretty satisfied with the results." Leslie..that is awesome...having a longer growing season here that is what I do...Most of my Pruning group 3's are on their 3rd bloom cycle and most probably the last of the season..now my pruning group 2's begin the final bloom period for me too!!.I'm so glad that it worked for you and you had two bloom periods..well done!!...Jeanne

Hurrrrayyyyy! I have been stalking and if you can imagine instead of a tireless Energizer bunny beating his drum and substitute hand-wringing wailing and pacing, that's me! waiting for you to get back! and no! I wasn't patiently waiting AT ALL, haha! if you read back with how much I've been bragging about you and Boxofrox to Jim in my Eluane post, you'll know what I mean. tee-hee! Here is just one! of the several JeffAurora brags I was doing-- "As for JeffAurora, I am having major "withdrawal symptoms". He's still! on vacation in Mexico (supposed to be for a couple of weeks)... I first started stalking Jeff in May 21, 2009ÂI had great difficulty photographing the reds of my Lincolns and asked advice on the regular rose forum ThatÂs when he sent me this absolutely gorgeous photograph and told me that all his photos were in the Rose Gallery and that highlighted the day I "discovered the glories" of this separate forum... " When it comes to waiting for you to get back from Mexico, patience is the direct opposite of what I was doing... Again, absolutely gorgeous pics and your Gemini again so beautiful! I am so glad you've encouraged me with my Gemini... It's first flush was only 5 blossoms at the time of your encouragement(2 being snatched away by birds), and the 2nd flush was 29 plus 3 more extra buds getting ready to bloom, but unlike your Julia Child it spreads its blossoms steady and slow...It's actually just finishing its 2nd flush, but those 3 buds have yet to bloom...and I am hoping by then the 3rd flush will be starting... Hopefully if you have any bumblebees or honeybees amongst your roses you can get them for me with your closeups. Had a very sad situation with my Dad's honeybees and have been clipping like mad for them...They are my absolute favorite besides roses.... You are the red rose genius here! everything red is so luscious and beautiful...And Julia Child is amazing! I love her! My closeups with Fragrant Cloud are much blurrier, but for I too love my Fragrant Cloud tree rose, it is such a continual bloomer, it's always blooming, never a bloomless moment... Now that you're back those stupid beetles will hopefully be taught a lesson with soapy water drownings and tulle to get them to go away... Lilies are gorgeous too! Jeff I tried to grow them myself, but the light colored ones were destroyed by thrips and I had to transplant one to the non-thrips area...But get this!!!! the ones with the intense reds (the stargazer)was completely untouched in thrips territory...They sure don't like the deep reds do they or the hot colors of Fragrant Cloud and Lincoln, LOL! And now for Stalking JeffAurora Part 23....heeheeheehee!

jeanne...you sly one..sneaking off for 11 days vacation...and even got some great shopping finds too! What could be better.. Love the cup and leaf plate...I'm looking forward to seeing how you use them. Love the pumpkin and old glass bottle... and that old photo collage is great. I love stuff like that. You and DH are looking might cozy by the fire.. He seems like a 'serious chef' cooking those Marshmallows!! lol I'm off to look at your Apple post... jane

Ran short of water. No way to change those leaves. Many folks remove them but I keep leaves without disease even though they have those dead areas. When you think about, the green parts are contributing to the plant's health.