I agree that bs pressure is different in Europe than it is here - as hot as we experiennced in Europe it wasn't ever so humid as it is here. My zone is not the same but maybe my experience still can assist you. Olga, I have Caramel Fairy tale, Cinderella Fairy tale and Caramel Fairy tale. All three were absolutely clean till the spider mites did a number on them. Late fall Caramel Fairy tale had some weird spots, looked anthracnose rather than blackspot. Maybe it was cercospora. I can, (I hope or think), differentiate between blackspot and anthracnose but diagnosing cercospora is hit and miss with me (it usually works in my case as process of elimination rather than positive ID). Cinderella also got some spots in winter but again, I do not think that was blackspot. To my present surprise, both Floral fairy tale and Caramel Fairy tale are fragrant. Let me add, that we sprayed once before we left overseas - but these shrubs were NOT sprayed and due to illness, surgery and so forth I could not spray till mid-August. That time these shrubs were sprayed not because of spots but because of the spider mite infestation and to kill two birds with one stone, we mixed Avid with tebuconazole, so that time all roses were sprayed including those that I never sprayed before or after. My favorites are Floral Fairy tale and Caramel Fairy tale. They do grow taller and wider than I expected but I trust your pruning skills, LOL. I post a few photos of Floral fairy tale showing the foliage. The first was taken in April, next 1 or 2 in early may while the last one in August in August I found only one picture of caramel Fairy tale that shows foliage (looks the plant had either iron deficiency or some other nutrient deficiency - no wonder since I could not water, we had no rain and I missed fertilizing)

I grew this for a number of years - was having work done at my place, my contractor ran over it - dont know if it will come back in the spring or not. It was a tough roses but I wasnt that thrilled with the blooms. They were small and, to me, non-descript. This may be a matter of taste, but this rose just didnt do it for me. If it doesnt come back, I wont replace it. But.......it did grow well and it may just be that I didnt care that much for it.......I would say if any of you want it - give it a try. The Pioneer roses are very good. Judith

They will all be okay with heat of your home, and good light. It duplicates a greenhouse. Follow the post on this forum, and it will give you all the information needed for good care. You can rid you mealies on the leaves, by just soap and water, Safer's soap, or Neem oil, do not use this in the soil however. Safer's soap and Neem oil has been approved by the Agrig. Dept. for safe use for plants and people. That is the only two that they allow us to use at the Huntington Gardens. This group will give you plenty of other suggestions. Crassula are picky, and so are cactus. What I use on Cactus I can't use on Crassula species. Do not use dish washer soaps. Norma

Well, (blush) thanks y'all for the welcome. I wasn't exactly hanging around just waiting for an invitation. lol (Visions of the new girl at school nobody wants to eat lunch with.) I just never spend much time on the conversation forums. Anyway, I was catching up on hostas and saw Janice's post about this side of the hosta forum. Everybody seems so friendly and there were several interesting threads about pets and wildlife and of course boxers, briefs and thongs;~) It's fun to be with people that don't take themselves too seriously.