I was just going to ask all you about this... here it was -21 below F. The past really sub zero winter, I did have rugosas make it through with absolutely no dieback at all. If you want 100 percent hardy, get one of those. Now I have about 6 and I expect the same this year. I do not know what is going to happen to the others. I cover them with leaf mulch and there is quite a bit of snow cover unlike in other years. It is worse without snow cover and when we get those freeze-thaw cycles 3-4 times a winter... I have found much worse damage when that happens. My few buck roses (exc. carefree beauty) will likely have a lot of cane death. However they are so vigorous they will spring back. These are own root. I will not know what to expect with my own root floribundas though. In other winters, even though we get cane death, they spring back pretty well. I am worried about graham thomas though. He has been pretty good through 8 winters now I lost one to a freak ice storm 2 years ago. Have 2 remaining. They are my favorites so I hope they hold on. I will report in. Good luck all.

Actually I think there are simple answers: 1. People advocate all sorts of different practices because they all work fine on most soils-- organic, soluble, timed release, whatever; just follow the instructions and don't double up. 2. A high-phosphorus fertilizer (this 1:2:1 ratio) will work fine for a while, but shouldn't be used long-term. In order to give enough nitrogen, you are applying 6 times as much phosphorus as the plant can use, and it will build up over a period of years. 3. A ratio of 3-1-2 or 2-1-2 is close to what the rose will actually use. 4. To learn whether the soil actually needs P, K, or trace elements, you would need to get a soil test.

I am glad you enjoyed the reading. It sure was a wonderful trip. I am now trying to get all the pics offf my cell phone...sigh ...no memory card...and then I will get the whole thing put together. Will keep me busy for weeks ! c

Calm down, Sue. I hope you don't feel I was flaming you because I sure didn't mean to. I was saying I hated last minute customers when I was in the restaurant business so I don't go late. Even though I agreed with you, I still had some sympathy for the employees. The bottom line is you are right, and no one can dispute that even if their answers weren't quite as matteroffact as the simplicity of the subject. The sign said 8:30, so the door should not be locked until 8:30. To each their own in the way they do things. I don't arrive so late and others don't either, but many people do. Really not that big a deal. But, please don't let it all rile you like this. Not everyone agrees is all.