Time - what is time. Who was the first person deciding to harness time, not only in the obvious division of night and day and the seasons, but hours, minutes, months and years. Animals, those who profit in a way from us, know when it is feeding time, going for a walk time, even the backyard critters and birds know when food is supposed to be there, but do they have a concept of time beyond day and night and the internal clock which says hoard food, put on a thicker coat, a layer of fat?

Yes, grading refers to the size of the plant when it was dug up to be sold. Grade does make a big difference in the vigor of the plant. I can make just about anything still alive grow, but not everyone can do that. I was rose buyer at a local retail nursery for a while. I did not buy in anything lower than Grade 1. People's success rates with grade 1 1/2 was much lower. They were cheaper, but not enough cheaper; and it's too discouraging to the average gardener to have a plant not do well. You paid money for it, and you expected it to grow and bloom. There's little consolation in it having been cheaper, and being a lower grade. It still disappointed you, and perhaps turned you off growing roses entirely. Our customers were much happier with Grade 1 roses. I have planted Grade 1 1/2 roses and had them do very well, after a couple of years. Never the first year. I've had more never do particularly well. They don't always recover from being the runts. The rose in your photo was probably a grade 1 when you bought it, but now that it's been in your garden grade doesn't apply anymore. Looks like it just plain didn't grow over the summer. Could be any of a number of reasons for it to not have grown, like not enough sun, not enough or too much water, not enough fertilizer, roots not spread properly when planted. The leaves look like they have drought scorch from not enough water, and the blackening on the canes suggests cane canker from incorrect pruning - leaving a woody stub with no bud at the end. When you prune, cut just above a bud. Woody stubs will just rot, they can't grow without a bud. Like any other living thing, roses need proper treatment all the time, and if they're allowed to weaken they may not be able to recover even if they don't die, they may live for years but never recover. If this one doesn't grow nicely next spring, replace it with a good quality plant.

Hi Cayla, That's good the nurseryman pruned it back because that will make it branch out rather than stay one little trunk, usually. Figs don't read the books. :) I was having trouble with several of my little potted trees and I cut them halfway back at the start of the season and they then decided to put out more bushiness and have set figs for the first time. They're 3 years old. Could be they would have done so anyway, but they look a lot fuller now and there are figlets on them. Yes, growing the little tree to give it a good foundation would be my top priority. Meanwhile--Walk, or drive around your area and look for fig trees. What zone are you in?/where do you live? It might make a difference where you live because if you live in a cold area, then you might not see trees until their owners bring them out when it's warm enough, or dig up/unwrap their trees. It's fun to search out fig trees. I wish you the best with your little tree. Happy figging, noss

You know everything! I was wondering if it’s a type of mold, and am glad its sounds to be safe (from a brief search regarding saprophytic molds). The search for plasmodium makes it sound like these mold move around like amoebas, I thought they felt hard (I’m traveling now so can’t check). Thanks for helping me put this question to light!