I can only imagine the rose market in the UK is very different because there are no bargains to be had in these supermarket outlets. That is not to say it is not possible to buy cheap plants but really, they are complete rubbish. Wouldn't have them for free. Ratty dessicated petunias. Other outlets are the garden centres, a kind of horticultural supermarket we imported from the US back in the late 60's. The prices in these places are higher than from nurseries because they only offer potted roses, usually only in bloom season and they are selling to the impulse buyers. Course, they come in a shiny pink pot with a big old label....and they all sell the same 50 or so hybrid teas and floribundas, all the bloody austins, of course, at a really high price and a tiny handful of 'classics'. Partly, the habit of buying bare root roses directly from specialist nurseries is still very strong amongst rose lovers, but also, the cost, as well as the quality, remains competitive - after all, there are not a million middlemen and no ludicrously huge premises. And before the usual response that it gives someone a job, then you really need to take a look at how this operates in the UK - basically, we pay a sort of supplement to workers (tax credits) which enables businesses to employ people for less than a living wage (the really crappy aspect of a welfare state) - well if you thing this system is a fair and reasonable one, then try working at Asda or Walmart yourself for a few years before bleating how great it is that they are actually getting rich from sheer exploitation rather than offering a fair wage for a fair days work. Even more to the point (unless you are poltically engaged), there are no old roses to be bought from major shopping outlets (although you might find the odd Fantin Latour or Compte de Chambord and never see a species rose) so unless you want to lose any semblance of choice, it is no use whining when those places which do offer variety have gone and you are left with the dictates of the market to the detriment of all else. But hey, principles are principles, not some cheap clothing you can toss away when they are worn out.

I was lucky and got two very good Smoky bushes a couple of months ago and they continue to do very well. One is still in a pot and the other I have already transplanted out of the pot and into the garden where it is starting to put out some very pretty though smallish blooms. Both had a moderate case of BS when I got them but it was vanquished rather easily and quickly thank goodness and they are staying healthy and vigorous with my routine care and spraying. No more BS at all. I also have a three year old Chicago Peace and a three year old Color Magic I purchased from K-Mart's body bag section and though they do grow and bloom, they just really aren't very vigorous or floriferous and will probably get SP'd next spring and replaced with something from the pot ghetto. John

Thanks for the ID, Alicia. Now what do we do? A little research via our dear friend Google discovered that --- Wildflower species with state endangered status that occur within NACE jurisdiction include Auricled Gerardia (Agalinis auriculata), Blunt-leaved Spurge (Euphorbia obtusata), Potato Dandelion (Krigia dandelion), ***Carolina Spinypod Milkvine (Matelea carolinensis)***, Creeping Cucumber (Melothria pendula), Swamp Lousewort (Pedicularis lanceolata), Rustling Wild-petunia (Ruellia strepens), and Veined Skullcap (Scutellaria nervosa). Do we contact someone at NACE about our tiny localized find? Nurture it and try to propogate more? Gardening suddenly becomes more than just a lifestyle/hobby/routine ;) Here is a link that might be useful: National Capital Parks-East

Hi, I found that Lithium Batteries work better in the cold weather than Alkalines. The only gotya is price. It cost me $10 for four AAA batteries. I am using them in the outside sensors this year. Last year I had to replace the Alkaline batteries a couple of times during the winter. I also occasionally bring in a remote sensor if I'm having problems and place it on the hot water baseboard heat units in the house. This drives away any internal condensation that may be causing problems. (Don't try on electric baseboard heat - it may get too hot). Usually one day on the heat vent is plenty to dry out the unit. Ken