Thanks for the reply,smivies. I suppose there may have been an excess of fertilizer in the container, but it certainly wasn't obvious. No additional fertilizer was used at any time over the summer. As for delayed dormancy, it certainly did not seem that way. 'Daybreak' did not retain its foliage late in the fall; it was completely in synch with other plants. The only other thing I can think of is wind. On a number of occassions this past winter, we had unusually high winds combined with sub-freezing - but not sub-zero - temperatures. I realize magnolias are thin barked and can lose excessive moisture that way. Other magnolias - seiboldii, 'Riki", stellata, for example show no signs of wind or any other kind of damage even though they were equally exposed. Only difference is length of time in the ground.

I only have space for 10 roses, and Day Breaker has been my favorite rose by far since I planted it about 5 years ago. The flower form and color are exquisite and it is the most prolific bloomer of all my roses, with 20-40 blossoms continuously from mid-May to late October. The bush is compact and I like its tall growth habit. The climate here in Portland, OR is perfect for Day Breaker and mine has never had powdery mildew or black spot even though I don't spray. About my only minor quibbles with it are that it attracts aphids more than my other roses, and it isn't strongly scented. But in all other ways it is just about the perfect rose.

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Kristy...a pond...I just started to prepare hubby that eventually I need a GREENHOUSE lol. Ok I call since I got your pears here anyways that I need to bring you. Was just going to drop them off at the shop. Karyn with this one it is half half. But funny part is that even the split up bloom looks kind of pretty. This morning they are really open nicely and oh this one just smells SO strong!! Yes I love the yellow on this one. It is just a dark bright yellow~ gorgeous, I must say myself lol haase you are never late...you should see how many folks in my e mail inboxes are waiting for answers lol and NOT funny really. Lucy

Sherry, The cross is P. arida x P. sublanceolata, though I am looking forward to attempting P. foetida with it. Both parents are closely related to P. foetida, which is fairly obvious. Ethan also made a hybrid of this plant with it's siblings, "(((P. arida x P. sublanceolata) x (P. arida x P. sublanceolata)) x (P. arida x P. sublanceolata))), and I am looking forward to seeing it bloom, though it likely won't be until next year. Don't worry, I'll post it the day it blooms! Eric