'Susan Louise' is one heck of a rose. Can be grown as a climber or as a self supporting bush, very attractive when the lower laterals are removed and the bush is tree shaped and sized. I am madly in love with this rose for its huge pink and cream blossoms that bloom in all 4 seasons here, when most Tea roses reduce bloom production, or stop blooming, in winter. 'Devoniensis' traditionally called the Magnolia Rose, shows the most exaggerated style of bloom I've ever seen in a rose that is cup shaped, and filled with petals inside that are arranged in scalloped rows. It makes me want to dive into the rose blossom, like Alice going down the rabbit hole. 'Anna Olivier' is the most deeply fragrant Tea I've ever smelled, I would guess that might come from Bourbon influence. A wonderful rose. Of all white Tea roses I love our white 'Maman Cochet' the best. In winter the pink guard petals turn white too, making this starry Tea rose a snow beauty of a rose. 'General Tartas' I like him fine. If Tea roses were the only roses I could grow, I would remain content. Luxrosa

Hello Tony, I want that recipe for your bug spray. Especially with it being organic. I hate the idea of eating fruit sprayed with chemical pesticides! I don't have problems with bugs except for on the gardenia and very occasionally on a plant here and there. I am pretty lucky. I know the gardenia is not happy in the winter because I keep it warm in my house and i know they like it cooler. Hey Mike, Will I still need to ad Epsom Salts if I fertilize with the foliage pro or the epsom salts? I thought I read something about not using epsom salts if using a fertilizer with urea. The turface is sold under the garden section. I can't imagine it not being the right size for gardening but if it is larger couldn't I crush it to make it smaller, or will that make it to small? I have to make it work but i will ask first before I go over there. Now are you saying that I need chicken grit AND the crushed granite? I must have a diffrent version then you do. What stuff do you use to make yours. I would rather make it your way since I know that you have had great success with it. I wonder why I got this variation then. Yours doesn't call for the sand then? If you could just list your "ingridients" for me and the amounts, that would be great. Do you still need epsom salts with your mix? Would my citrus fertilizer eliminate the need for the espsom salts? I asked you about the salts before but I didn't get an answer back from you on that one. Not a problem, I know I have been shooting tons of questions at you but I really need to know if I need this or not. If your mix or my citrus fertlizer eliminates the need for it, that would be great. As far as that nut job nextdoor, your absolutly right, and it enfuriates me that my landlord gives him special treatment just because they are friends. She has told me that she has threatened to evict him because of his BS, but because there friends it won't happen. Mike I apologize for the urgency with getting the stuff for the gritty mix but it is necessary for me to get it this weekend since my tree should be here by early next week. Can't wait! Andrew

junicb, You know, I didn't even contact cabinemakers choice; for no other reason than I came upon Cabinet Authority first and Rick said he would give me a discount based on quantity (it's big; whole house) and I have bugged the absolute you know what out of him, nickel and diming my order; I would feel guilty putting him through all of this! We had a foundation overrun in our construction and it's put a major cramp in my kitchen budget, so I'm having to scrutinize every single detail. That said, being a free marketplace and all, I might share my final final FINAL order with the other folks and see how they come in, if I don't like the final quote I get from Cabinet Authority, just to see how they differ. I would love to hear more about this process; are you having trouble sleeping and getting a major crash course in cabinetry components, as I am? My husband thinks I'm a nutcase. Thank God for Gardenweb and its kitchenistas!

With respect to our W.A. experts, S.W.Vic is quite a cool area, and living in similar climate, perhaps I can add some additional information. Normally, your garden should be in full bloom early-mid-November, and again during Xmas-New Year, and again early-March and mid-May. For showing blooms, we cut out the March flush, for the heat creates smaller and fleeting blooms. By cutting out, and "summer trimming" in early February, we have good blooms in April, when it is showtime. Your March 4 date is very close to the time of poor early March blooms, and if you did nothing, you would have roses. To have "better" roses, it will require you to trim in January, in effect giving the plants a rest, with the result that better blooms will be had in the next flush. As a general rule, trimming 8 weeks in advance will be OK, but to be sure, trim at 7 weeks and 8 weeks before your date for HTs. For Austins and Floribundas, make it 9 and 10 weeks. This expands the chances of success as desired. This will mean you have to be savage during the Xmas/New Year flush, but your date is the reason for that. Again generally, cut back to a plump bud on any strong cane. It hurts to cut off promising buds and blooms. Put them in the house. Don't be afraid also to remove at this time, weak and non-productive wood. Maintain watering and give a light feed. Your roses should reward you. Can't speak for other plants, I only know roses.