I've changed my gardening habits a lot over the last few years. I'm not an Organic garderner, but I am probably 95% organic.... I have really been feeding the soil a lot the last few years. They each get coffee grounds, banana peels, and egg shells throughout the Summer. They all get alfalfa meal in Spring and Tomato Tone once/month. So far this year the only sprays I have used are Spinosad once (for bugs), Mill Magic Easy Feed (organic fertilizer), and I am now experimenting with a mix of humic and fulvic acid with kelp. I am also trying another product that is a mix of beneficial mycorrhizae, trichoderma, and beneficial bacteria. One of the bacterias in the mix is the same as the beneficial bacteria found in a product called Actinovate which peony growers use to prevent fungal diseases. I'm hoping it will help prevent blackspot, but we will see. I don't have a lot of disease pressure here. I can get some blackspot later in the Summer, but usually not too bad. I think I sprayed the roses with Bayer for blackspot once last year. I really try not to spray, but I will pull it out once or twice a year if needed. I have not used it this year though.

Hyn - yes the Adenium importer in my town did have 2 supposed to be Purple but they looked nothing like purple, they were more like faded light pink/purple, didnt look to great, but me being a noobie didn't realise they change bloom color as they age and become more intense, so I didn't buy them, now I kinda reget it. I am watching their site daily to see any more purple on their site :) lol

Bustopher, MILVA is a florist rose that I got from Carltons many yrs ago. I see it occasionally in the florist dept at our Safeway market. If you have any luck at rooting you might try to find it at a florist somewhere. Judy, FLORENCE is a rose I've had for quite a few yrs. She rarely did anything in the past. She was planted in too shady of a spot the first few yrs, and then I dug her up and she was in a pot for awhile. Got her in the ground after the septic re-do two yrs ago, and she really took off!! Right now, she's sprawling about 4+ ft tall and if I don't tie her up, she's about 5ft wide!! I took a whiff the other day, but don't remember there being much scent. And I'm really loving THE ENDEAVOUR!! It starts out a really unusual warm corally-pink with apricot-tan undertones and as it opens and ages, it starts turning a bright pink blend. It's becoming one of my favorite DAs!! I love the shape of the early stage and the fully open bloom. It's like they're two different roses! Lilyfinch, SUSAN ELIZABETH is an absolutely gorgeous rose, but she usually get tons of disease and thrips. This yr the blooms have been phenomenal! I got her from Steve at Wisconsin Roses several yrs ago, and from what he tells me she's pretty heavily virused. I haven't seen it myself. Just usually lots of disease and dirty blooms from the thrips. I don't spray. I got her because I have a niece (adult) whose name is Susan Elizabeth. Sara-Ann HEART O'GOLD is one you really need! Those blooms are so beautiful and it the plant gets huge!! Mine is over 6ft tall. And you really need more stripeys.... Ingrida, the girls are doing great. I need to go get some pics of the new "babies." Heck, they're 9-11 weeks old now! I'm afraid one of the new Easter Eggers is going to wind up being a rooster. The comb developed faster than the others and she's bigger than her sister, and her hackle feather are coming in pointed instead of rounded. No crowing yet, and no long saddle feathers so far, but I just am really worried she's a "HE." The two youngest are light Brahmas, and they're going to be huge. They already are bigger than the other two breeds that are 1 and 2weeks older. Going to be interesting!! Ann, NEW IMAGINE is a real beauty. So glad I was able to get it from Ludwigs last yr! Thanks Cenk! Yes, CABANA is pretty cool isn't it?? I love those stripeys!!

Hard to say why this happens on some grafted plants. I think that the lower flower in photo (somewhat like Santa Claus) is the truest bloom and the other are all have subtle differences, but with the same coloration. After the few plants that I have giving me either completely different blooms from one year to the next or a single and a double on one plant (same color). I am left at odds and just take what they through out at me. Enjoy them all. Sometimes it is a nice surprise. Rick