I have Comte de Chambord, no spider mites here. Spider mites like it dry and hot. If your rose is next to a brick border, it increases the chance due to reflected heat from the brick or wall. Comte de Chambord has tiny prickles, it would be hard to alcohol the stem. I got rid of spider mites on my Austin Eglantyne last year by putting paper towel around the base, then wiped the stems and leaves with 90% alcohol. I chopped off the badly infected part first and disposed of it, before wiping the rest of the plant. What might work with prickly Comte de Chambord' stem is using Scott Lint Roller to sticky-trap the mite on the stem, then alcohol the base of leaves, where they hide.

Julie, What a joy it is to walk among "exploding" blooms. I also have mostly older cultivars too, because I can afford them! Barbarian Princess won me over, so on my list it goes! Noon Light looks like it would light up an evening garden. I just purchased and planted Primal Scream this Spring, and am excited to see it hopefully bloom - yours is outstanding! Looking forward to seeing more, Julie

I'm most interested in Region 12, but this certainly applies to all AHS members: VOTE IN THIS YEAR'S POPULARITY POLL. Your votes are due by Sept. 1 and voting is open to all AHS members. Unfortunately Popularity Poll information isn't in our latest Journal. Just go to your Regional AHS website and vote! Region 12 members--remember, when you vote, your name will be entered into a drawing for a new 2007 introduction. We will be drawing for a pot of Patrick Stamile's STRINGBEAN. Its a beautiful orchid rose skinny spider!

Cool! Newly hatched spiderlings. Lots of potential help for limiting insects in your garden.