Yes, long straight stems for cutting and one-flower-to-a-stem are typical features of a florist rose. Think of a hybrid tea, only more so. Many tend to grow tall. Sometimes florist roses are outstanding garden roses, sometimes they are terrible. Florist roses are bred for very specific performance in specific environments--higher altitudes along the equator (Kenya, Ecuador)--lots of sun but cooler nights, shadehouse. I hope your new rose does great for you.

For Aldrin: Do I understand you right that you are building a greenhouse for hydroponics or a growing tunnel? If that is what you are referring to, the plastic used for greenhouses and tunnels are called polycarbonate. The material diffuses the sunÂs rays somewhat and renders it milder for the delicate plants. Furthermore, they are resistant to the elements and last a fairy long time. Here in Metro Manila, they are available in Divisoria in shops that specialize in plastic sheets, tarpaulins, tent materials, etc. In Quezon City, there is a place called the Seedling Bank Foundation where one can find shops that deal with gardening materials. There is one shop there that deals with greenhouse construction materials including the plastic cover. If by chance you come over to Quezon City, the Seedling Bank Foundation is found along the corner of E. delos Santos (EDSA) and Quezon Ave. I am not sure about the cost of the plastic sheet. Another place in Quezon City is: The Green Planet Corporation (Ramgo) 55 Gen. Lim St., Heroes Hill Quezon City 1104 Philippines Tel. Nos.: (632) 372-8726; 371-3485; 412-3526; 411-1571 Fax No. (632) 371-3488 Email: store@ramgoseed.com In Cebu they might be available in shops that specialize in pastic sheets and similar mateials. There is a place in Cebu that is similar to our Divisoria here. About the nutrient combination, kindly check the link below. I have just added the formulation you asked for. Check "Nutrient 3". My observation is that the local varieties or types are the best bet. The imported ones are more difficult to grow. I am sure you have a Bureau of Plant Industry office in Cebu, you can consult them. They may even have the seeds. Or you can try the seeds sold at the agricultural and garden shops in your place. The shops that sell agricultural equipment and supplies exclusively are also a good source of information. Regards, Ed Here is a link that might be useful: Hydroponics Notebook

Linda, Your charms will go out tomorrow from the PO. I forgot to put the note in before I taped it up. Please send me you correct addy. I seem to have something different from what is on the evenlope. Sandra, You keep the charms I sent to you by mistake. Call it a Suprise treat. Last night I had a CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE IN A CUP. Has anyone done this. What a great idea if you don't want sweets sitting around the house. Didn't taste bad. Have a great day. gmom

If you want slow and low, you might want an old style Crock Pot from a garage sale. I forget when they changed the temperatures, but they used to be made for 8-10 hour cooks, and now they are meant to be done in 4-5 hours. There are ones that have fancy temperature settings, however, that let you have some control. The crock pots that just have low and high apparently are meant to get to the same temperature on both--just past boiling--but the low cycles slower and cooks slower. Some have a keep warm setting that some people have found works well for them with the old fashioned crock pot recipes. Crock pots were invented by a guy who wanted to make cholent--a bean stew that used to be made in the banked fires of community bread ovens overnight for the Jewish sabbath. He really expected his to run for 18 hours or more. They were very straightforward. The new kind confuse me with their too high temperatures. The whole premise was supposed to be that you could leave it all day without touching it. The government got into it and said that people would open them early and eat foods that hadn't had a chance to come to safe temperature, so even though people have been cooking this way for millennia and living to tell the tale, we have to be protected from those who won't follow instructions. Sigh. I can't recommend models. I can just say to research well and be aware of what the new one can do and how it fits your expectations.