Florence, Thanks for your lovely comments as always. I'm late again with posting the pics, it's been a busy couple of days here. Just so I don't disappoint, I didn't get pictures of his operation, just my rose plant. I would have loved to show everyone what a neat and tidy operation he has with some pictures, but I didn't feel comfortable taking any, having just met him. I'm sure he would have let me, but I didn't want him to possibly wonder what I might do with the pics. Anne, Yes, come back to Wisconsin anytime, at the border just tell them Brother Cadfael sent you. If you haven't been here in awhile, I'll have to show you the secret handshake.;^D I know what you mean about collecting roses from around the country, I'd love to do that, but we'd never have enough room in the car when we go on trips for a rosebush. Serenasyh, Thank you, thank you. You're welcome for whatever meager help I offered on those threads. Your comments make me feel as though I have a halo on my head.;^] Likewise, I've often posted on here about how we should start a utopian rose society, or wish that I would win one of those really big lottery jackpots so I could buy a couple thousand acres in a perfect rose environment, build us all our dream houses, help each other with our dream gardens, and build some great friendships and memories... but that's all too perfect, isn't it?:^] Terry, It's funny you should mention Pink and Red Intuition; as I was touring his operation, I noticed them and told him that those were the only other HT's I am currently interested in, (I have 'Dainty Bess' and 'La France' - I used to have 200 HT's), and that I would probably order them from him next season. He said he was ALREADY sold out of those two for next season, and that he could run his business on sales of those two roses alone. As far as the varieties he grows, stupid me, I meant to put the link to his website on my original message and I forgot. I put the link below. Maryl, In your zone, I would think a maiden would do well for you. True, it may take 18 months for a maiden to be what we're used to getting, but like you said he has some great varieties. Susan, That's how I remember who I want to try buying from too. (: Diane, Thank you. Shannon, How was your weekend getaway? Did your host look at you kind of funny when you took a 2' tall rose bush to your room?;^D Hopefully they had a pot ghetto for transient rosebushes.;^P Your husband was a saint, he even seemed genuinely interested in what we were rambling about, and I was so happy to be talking roses with someone face to face, that I would forget to politely include him most of the time. No, no, no, I did not get a "crappy" 'Night Owl', "in return", because the original deal was to just find a home for MF... that I did, AND I got a 'Night Owl' to boot!!! Shrewd as an arab trader I am! ;^P Yes, it has to be 'Lilac Rose' if your specimen looks the same and has the same scent as mine. I just don't understand why he named it that. It seems the equivalent of naming a cat "Fido" if you ask me. You are a high-jacker, but be careful how you use that word, or you'll have Homeland Security at your front door... and sniffing your roses. It might go something like this: HS: Ma'am, what's the name of this rose? You: It's called 'Lilac Rose'. HS: UP AGAINST THE WALL LADY!!!, THIS ROSE IS NOT LILAC!!! Yep, all the evidence they need to prove you're part of a sleeper cell.:^D It was great to meet you and Steve and I recommend that if anyone else has the chance to get together with you, that they do so. Thanks Everyone, Rob BC:) Here is a link that might be useful: Wisconsin Roses

Hi eahamel and thanks so much for your input! I actually have 21 citrus trees now (including grapefruits, satsumas, tangelos, clementines, oranges, tamgerines, a pummelo and a kumquat--plus my new Calamondins and Meyer Lemon), some of which I've had for several years now. But this is the first time I ever bought anything that's not grafted and it seems that I've heard that the soil requirements are different--that a tree on its own roots prefers less acidic soil. And the reason I wondered if they're hardier in some way was an article I read somewhere in which people were discussing how their non grafted trees faired better in frosty temps. But I think your reminder about size is something to definitely keep in mind since I don't have a bit of experience with that. With that in mind, seedlings probably do better in containers than in the ground too, but I'll be planting mine. I also bought a seedling Meyer Lemon and did get the grafted Calamondin today and it should produce quite well since it's a much older tree. So is your limequat more sour than the Calamondin? Perhaps you can replace it with a Meiwa Kumquat, which are quite sweet when you let them stay on the tree long enough. In fact, I've eaten enough of my Calamondins now to realize how much of a difference that makes with them too! The riper they get, the less sour they get, and I do like the really ripe ones. But as you said, in addition to actually liking them, I do like that they bear fruit and bloom year round, which they might not do as much in my area as they do in yours. They might do more like your kumquats and bear twice a year, but I love the fragrance of citrus blossoms so any additional opportunities to smell them is good as far as I'm concerned, which is why I'm choosing my new ones this year! I'm sure your tree is beautiful, but since I can't see, I can't see the picture. I know I'd really love seeing all the pics everyone shares--it really would be quite inspiring! Again, thanks for sharing your experience and for reminding me that my seedlings are likely to get bigger than all of my grafted trees. BB in FL

Having met you both and remembering the wonderful time we had with the passion for gardening that we share...brings back this big smile on my face. I am glad that I did not keep you to long and spoiled your trip to Beevile. Will you belief it when I tell you that I still have not been able to buy the garage door openers? Yupp. The guy who knows the ins and out has a few days off. I can not wait to see all those beautiful ROS etc grow and bloom. Thank you both for those great big plants. They will have a beautiful home here. You know I am looking forward to lunch with both of you soon and I sure hope I can talk Kristy into coming too :-) Hugs Lucy

I know what you mean! I think I'd feel the same way if I saw SW Blonde. :-)