Your plant should look like the one pictured in "late summer: triple spikes" thread down the page a bit. Excessive leaf loss is a sign of a plant in distress. In the wrong climate they can be difficult, i grow them, but they are marginal at best. Nice to have some names because the ones with more Dendrobium phalaenopsis in the breeding are in general more difficult to grow than others with various other species used as ancestors. Describe your growing conditions to get more help from growers living in a similar climate.

I'm wondering, Carol, how long you will have at each of the gardens - two days isn't much to do all four. We easily did both Sissinghurst and Great Dixter in a single day. We gave a day to Wisley. It's bit, and a terrific garden but we were unimpressed with their rather ordinary rose garden - the long, long, long border and rock garden were much better. We went to Mottisfont several different days, and I would think it needs at least half a day, if possible - hope you aren't too jet lagged on your first day in England. Mottisfont's rose gardens aren't huge, but there is so much to look at and it is so beautifully done that I couldn't stop looking! I think it might be open a bit later than usual in June, if you are staying nearby. Janelle and I did fine on our first day in the UK without a nap, and really adjusted without much jet lag. I slept in a bit later than usual the first few mornings - she didn't. When I went to London with my husband some years ago, I didn't do as well - literally fell asleep on my feet while visiting a museum. Maybe it was an advantage to be outside in fresh air, sunshine, and gardens rather than inside. I got sick on the trip to London, but was utterly healthy and thriving during the garden trip. In any case, your trip sounds wonderful. I think you've said that your husband isn't really a rose garden kind of guy, so how nice that you are getting these two days plus a day at Kew. My husband isn't much for gardens, but he was pretty enthusiastic about Kew. I still think that Kew is a great choice, but have to say that we heard good things about St. Albans from the people on Clair Martin's Great Rosarians trip last year. It wasn't open to the general public but was open to RNRS members and tour groups. We could always have joined the RNRS and gotten to see it, but we just didn't make the time. Anita

W I am on the Mornington Peninsula and we have sand if I dig 3-4 ft down I will find a pure fatty sand. I used the Council mulch for many years, then switched to Sugar Cane ages ago. There are a few tips you should follow. Make sure the soil is wet first best after a good soaking rain. First prepare the soil by adding plenty of Moo Poo, Dynamic Lifter and Saturade lightly dig it in and give it a good hose in. Mulch I have use it 15-20cm+ spread it best you can then give it a good watering. I know its a lot of work but it works. The soil is well fed and damp, the sugar cane on top stops the water evaporating. A good watering at least twice a week and the underneath will not dry out. A little Saturade helps the water penetrate the Sugar Cane. Keith

The ones who have gone into debt to expand and buy other related businesses (to reduce competition so they can then raise their prices) may be looking at serious gloom. Not that I can thing of any rose businesses that might have done that in the past five years. /snark And then there are the ones with long established quality, with minimal or zero debts beyond expected operating expenses, with loyal customers who will continue their patronage, even if its by mail, or drive up for take away meals (thinking of some favorite non-chain restaurants).