A small word about "State Certified". It doesn't mean anything. All states require incoming stock to be state inspected. As I recall, my state requires larger nurseries to be state inspected, whether they ship to other states or not. State inspection consists of an official from the state's ag department making one on-farm visit during the growing season. When nurseries advertise "State Inspected", or "State Certified", they are merely advertising what states require virtually all nurseries to do.

I did an experiment this spring. I got a rose from a company that was not the right rose, and I already had this rose. They sent the correct rose. I thought I would put the extra band rose in a 3 gallon pot instead of starting it off in a one gallon to see if there was any growth difference. The extra rose started in the bigger pot has made a bigger growth effort than the same size bands I have usually potted in one gallon pots. I use the black nursery pots that I have a lot of. I wouldn't do this with a shrimpy little band that I know would need the smaller pot, but these bigger healthier bands I think might be able to go right into a 3 gallon pot. Of course it might have just been that particular rose...... Seil is in a cooler climate - I note that you are in zone 9, which is quite a bit hotter. Here in Texas, I protect my potted band roses in the heat of summer - I don't leave them out in the hot afternoon sun - they get morning sun and then are shaded from the blast furnace heat we always get in Texas in the hot summer. And don't put them on concrete either - the heat will get them. Good luck, I love growing in pots - love to watch their progress. I have also started putting 6 of those little plastic edging tiles together to form an edging around my bare root roses when I plant them. That way, water goes right to the roots and they get their fair share - so important in the heat of summer. Found that I can removed these the next year, roots are more established. Also, when it comes time to feed them, the fertilizer goes to the roots where it is supposed to. But I don't fertilize much - fish emulsion, kelp, seaweed, and usually half strength, and only when they are up and growing well - and only after watering. By the way, what company did you order your roses from? They look very nice. Good luck! Judith

Thank you all so much. Re the "packaged" picture frame. I got the idea from an office decorating contest we had at work. The contest was not so much the quality of the decorating, but which one looked the most "Christmasy". The winners had decorated every single item in their office, including stuff on the walls. They covered the art work with gift wrap and bow, and that was my inspiration. (mine is actually a picture of some lilies). luvs, re the opened package, LOL! The gift was from a friend who wanted to see me open it!

If it has come to the point where the vet determined the teeth need to be extracted it´s better to have them extracted, bad teeth are very painful, also, the cat doesn´t chew the food but swallows it whole or partially chewed which causes malnutrition because it can´t be digested properly. The primary reason to worry here is the age of the cat, better have it done with inhaled anesthesia with either Isofluorane or Sevofluorane.