Gary, you were correct when you wrote, "Humans have crossed and recrossed until the names are meaningless anyway." At least, that is substantially true with the two Phaius species, wallichii and tankervilleae. When, for decades, no distinction was made between the two and the suggestion was that they are the same species, it is reasonable to conclude that finding the "pure bred" species will be more difficult in the future and that's a shame. Your tag labeled "phaius" tankersville x flava hybridus is a good example. Phaius Hybridus was registered in 1892 by Jewett as a cross between wallichii and grandifolius, according to the RHS, The International Orchid Register. Simultaneously, Jewett registered Gravesiae as a cross between wallichii and tankervilliae, presumably to cover his bum! OR, were there noteworthy distinctions between grandifolius and tankervilliae that are lost? I guess that we need to find some obscure writings from Jewett to know for certain!! :-) --Stitz--

So you can tell by looking at the plant whether you have thrips or not? You didn't see any evidence of them in my photos, yorkrose? Yes, I have had winter moths for the past four years. It is really a pain, but I keep observing to see how it changes from year to year. This year they were late, but they did show up. They weren't as bad as previous years. One year my two Maples had very visible holes all over the tree. This year I can't see a lot at all. It's even more annoying when they drop down onto plants in the yard. But on the other hand, there are lots of birds that have started camping out for the abundance of food. I see starlings especially like them and are in the trees hunting and pecking. I've seen sparrows eating them and this year I've been amazed to see Orioles hopping around in the trees eating them. So I've held off on using the BT. Right now I think with the few roses I have, hand picking and close observation may keep things manageable. I hope! [g] Kate, are there bugs that eat the sawfly larvae? York Rose, thanks for that link. I see they are supposed to feed until mid June. I've already seen a noticeable dropoff in activity.

I don't get too upset if roses die back to the snow line. That is pretty much the norm around here in Michigan with most roses. As long as they bounce back I keep them. I think recommending roses is *very* subjective as I have grown many so call "hardy/vigorous" recommendations that have failed to thrive for me but since I'm in a rural, low spot and might as well be Z4 I do make some recommendations such as the roses above. My main problem is roses that do well the first year and then just never do much after that. I rarely lose any to the winter. In fact, our most recent winter was the worst in recent times and I swear my roses loved it. Many were loaded with blossoms, throwing up alot of new canes and grew like weeds this spring. I secretly think roses love a long, cold dormancy. Predfern I've grown a ton of Bucks and only Applejack and Prairie Princess have done well for me. Same with growing lots of Austins, Romanticas and Generosas. I don't have any Generosas left, only one romantic (Eden cuz I love it so much) and several Austins. BUT... sometimes I think you just get bad clones. Some of the pathetic band roses (twigs) you get are a waste of time IMO. I don't buy them anymore and only buy roses from Roses Unlimited and Pickerings. I've tried many name brand vendors roses and they've all been shovel pruned. I haven't noticed that ownroot does any better for me than grafted. Really, I think its all a matter of "hit & miss"...seeing what will grow well for you in your unique environment.

jae_tn2, sorry, I should have been more specific...I didn't find him but did find that first name, so it's not a made up name like I surmised, and also the last name but not together. The one that comes up most often is Clodosbaldo Russian looking like possibly being some crime connections in Bolivia or Uraguay (but I don't read Spanish and google translate wouldn't work). Not that I thought it was your guy, just that the name is an actual name.