Al, I came across that post while doing a search and was wondering what it looked like now, please post pictures soon. My radermachera is 3 ft tall and bushy, in a 9" pot. I got it as a gift last week and I've been adjusting it to its new environment. The soil looks very compact and I can see roots on top of the soil as well as at the drainage holes. I like the way the top growth looks and don't really want to prune the stems, I actually want it to become taller and treelike. But I want to cut away at least half the roots to encourage healthier growth. Do you think this would be ok?

There's a better picture in the second post. Use the link to go there, and thank you. Here is a link that might be useful: second post

The two together don't sound to great but I grew Hot Cocoa when I lived in Fl.(Winter Haven and Port St. Lucie) This is one of those roses that benefits GREATLY when grafted onto fortuniana root stock. I had one own root, one on Dr Huey and then one on fortuniana. The one own root was a pathetic little thing and the one on Dr Huey wasn't much better. The one on fortuniana was a beautiful 5' tall bush covered in fantastic foliage from top to bottom with those uniquely beautiful blooms that covered the plant. I'm pretty sure Nelson Roses (blue pots) carries it. Check with your local nursery. Or use your computer and go to Nelson Roses web site and find the closest nursery that they stock. I know how you feel about Hot Cocoa. The first time I saw it I went "blawh". Then it's unique color grew on me and it became a wonderful rose in my garden. It's one of those colors that you either end up loving or one you call, "liver on a stick".

Sherri, First I want to thank you for signing your name. I hate to respond to unsigned posts. Second, I must tell you that even though I have been associated with the canna industry for a very long time, I am not a plant pathologist or plant virologist and my crystal ball has undoubtedly become somewhat cloudy in regard to the virus issues concerning cannas. We do know more today than just a few years ago, but we still are years away from seeing the end to this issue. The white-break seen in some cultivars and not in others does not mean the other cultivars are virus free. Like many other flowering plants the white break symptom manifests itself in some varieties and not in others even though both varieties are infected. I wish I had a reason for this occurrence but I do not. I am now convinced that "nearly all" cannas in cultivation have been exposed to some form of canna virus. Not all cultivars show the exact same symptoms under differing conditions but when properly tested by electron microscopic examination and using the correct protocols, virus like particles are nearly always found. In an "ideal" world, I would recommend destroying any plant with virus. If oneÂs decision is based only on the belief that they are protecting their other plants, they need to consider that at least some of their other plants may just as likely be the unseen carriers of the same or another virus. Concern over the spread of virus is important and proper handling and sanitation of all plants becomes more of an issue, but our ability to detect and prevent infection seems to have failed. For those of us growing cannas today, we are by choice or by circumstance, involved in a great canna selections endeavor. Either knowingly or unknowingly we will ultimately determine which cultivars grow and perform well enough to justify our investment. Ultimately we may eliminate many present day cultivars and hopefully see the introduction of other tolerant or resistant cultivars. For the immediate time we can only chose from those cultivars present today and any new cultivar will have to be proven in the landscape arena at our expense. The only sure way to eliminate canna virus is by not growing cannas. I now grow those cultivars that perform well for me in my area and never purchase those that have shown unacceptable problems. If anyone chooses to beg, buy, borrow or trade cannas they can be assured they will likely see canna virus. Grow any new purchase away from other cannas and evaluate its potential for a season. Regards, Kent