Nana, I've found that the more decorative formed minis bloom almost constantly for me. The ones that have more exhibition form bloom in cycles like the HTs. But they do have a quicker cycle. My Softee is never without blooms on it! Flaura, my Folklore just bloomed out but I see it already has new growth coming on it! I agree the mauve ones are slower to repeat and don't care for the heat much. I only have Angel Face and Paradise but neither of them is doing anything right now. If they didn't have leaves I'd swear they were dormant. I agree, Lyn, the heavy, thick petaled roses do much better in high heat. Veterans' Honor and Red Intuition didn't have a single dark spot or crisp edge on them in this heat. But I was bery surprised to see that both Julia Child and Golden Celebration have done well too. Yes, the blooms opened quickly but the petals still looked fresh and not wilted or shriveled like Elle's did. I also agree with giving them a shower!!! I've been doing that for several years now and have found that they do better in a number of ways. I have less insect problems and diseases and the roses look fresher and healthier all the time. Roses do absorb moisture through their leaves and even the canes so a good shower does help them maintain their cool. I know it does for me! I've been using the sprinklers to water the street bed because I don't have soakers for it yet and I always run through it...you know...to adjust it, lol! We just got electronic water metering in our city. They sent me a notice that I had unusually high water usage and to check for dripping faucets or pipe leaks. Yeah, it's leaking all right. All over my roses!

I think the worst part of the heat in the midwest is the humidity that arrives with it...not exactly just the heat....it stifles the breath right out of you when it reaches 90's. I spent two weeks in Vegas last year and the temps with 105 or more each day. That heat felt much more comfortable the the heat at home in the 90's. As long as we drank..we felt fine. My sister in law who lives in Vegas came to visit Indiana in July last year..when she left Vegas it was 103...she thought hot...but when she got here..it was 92..cooler she thought as she got her stuff ready to deboard the plane. By the time we made our way across the parking lot to the car, she was winded...and said she would take vegas 103 heat ANY day compared to this. A week later she couldn't wait to get back home to her hot dry heat where at least her chest didn't feel like someone was standing on it all day... We also have to remember that the plants in each zone are acclimated for that particular heat and so are the heat and water needs...when it reaches 90's and humid in the midwest..nothing can breathe...not plants, or people. Mid 90's is the top of its range... So it takes extra care to assure things survive..Every zone of the country has diff heat and cold highs and lows..and life, both people and plants are used to that level...and has certain needs at that level. That is why certain things grow in one place and not another.. The plants that we struggle in the midwest to keep alive in the 90's do not even survive in texas or florida heat.... the plants that need the heat from Texas or Florida can not survive here with our cool nights in the fall and spring, or our winters,....its all what is the regions normal and what kind of things we are dealing with. It is really all about what is hot in your region...and what plants and people are use to there. Not about "how" hot it is.... Just my thoughts.

Hi Karen, What I mean by saturated soil is soil around the base of a plumeria that doesnÂt drain, that always feels wet. Right now all of my plumerias are in pots, the larger ones are in huge tree pots. I use a lot of pumice in my soil mix, so that water (including rainwater) runs out of the pots quickly. I am considering putting some of my plumerias permanently in the ground, however this would involve removing plants that already occupy the spaces where I want to put them, and amending the soil. My soil is adobe that turns into a heavy slimy mess in the winter and then slowly dries to the consistency of brick in late spring. After removing the current plants, I would need to break up the soil and amend with lots of green sand to improve drainage. I would also need to add more organic matter so worms would maintain drainage for me. This would be a time consuming and expensive project I just donÂt feel ready to tackle right now. As long as water can drain away from your plants, you are ok. In the winter, my pots are sitting on top of the heavy slimy adobe in my yard and are just fine. Plumeria can tolerate cool temperatures above freezing, but cannot survive having roots that are wet and cold.

hi everyone. lots to catch up on. hope EVERYONE is well, prayers and happy thoughts to all that need them. melissa, just love that lili pic. i remember the first time my son fed himself spaghetti. head to toe and everything in between. carol, in such a short period of time, your yard is amazing. dottie, this weather is nuts, isn't it. i appreciate the rain, less to water, especially since i never hooked up the drip system (again) this year. i still don't have a red tomato, but i certainly have some wonderful weeds. i'm not losing sleep over anything in the back yard beds this year, i have all intentions of revamping absolutely everything and building a few raised beds and walls come autumn. my hydrangeas this year have been the most spectacular show stoppers in my beds. each one is prettier than the next and so many different colors. i hope to dry some blooms this year and keep them at least until christmas that i can put them in a tree. a friend of mine did that one year and it was such a wonderful tree. just hydrangea and vertical ribbons - simple and gorgeous. my g-babe turned 3 last friday and we floated around to various spca's and finally, she found her dog who she named "lisa". it's a cute little thing - a wire haired dachsund. i am thinking it might be a little mix in it, but she's so cute and rather intelligent. a real cuddle bug too. my g-babe is learning to walk her and pick up after her on our walks as well. hot and sticky today - i relented and turned on the air. i've had it on in the car for about a month already this month's swap boxes are just great so far. hope to read about august soon. time to catch up on all the OBF activities. be well everyone, happy blooms maryanne