hot pepper wax I suspect that actually will help, although you'll probably have to be faithful about reapplying it as often as the label recommends. Squirrels can taste capsaicin just like we can, so they will be repelled by the hot pepper sensations. Those who contend with squirrels eating birdseed intended for birds sometimes pre-mix the birdseed with chili powder, because squirrels can taste the heat, but birds can't (thus it gives the squirrels a reason to avoid that bird feeder while the birds don't notice any difference at all). Oh, assuming you are successful at getting the squirrels to avoid your new climbing rose, I suspect that once you do that this year you'll find that in the future you will have far fewer squirrel problems with this rose, and may very well have no problems whatsoever. I had problems with my Fragrant Cloud and Paul Shirville hybrid teas the very first year I planted them, but after I noticed trouble I sprayed the area with fox urine and after that had no further problems. That was a few years ago and I've had no problems since then. I guess the squirrels lost interest and look for other sources of food. It may be that once the rose and its thorns ("prickles" is the more proper term) are established the squirrels no longer want to bother with it as a food source as long as there are enough other sources of food around for them.

May I add my newly opened Exposure and my first ever Minerva (Home Depot Piquant) I'm thrilled with Minerva! Now I see why you guys all love her so! Your pictures are all gorgeous! Thanks! Re: MinervaPosted by: () on Thu, Dec 3, 09 at 15:54 trying again Here is a link that might be useful: RE: Not Hercules, Limona and crazy MinervaPosted by: 10 Ft Myers () on Thu, Dec 3, 09 at 16:27 Sorry Kristi, my eyes are old! LOL I love the photo! RE: Not Hercules, Limona and crazy MinervaPosted by: 5 Central IL () on Fri, Dec 4, 09 at 4:24 Ooh! Don't you just love Exposure?! It's a really sturdy and giving variety, I think. Nice picture! And the ever popular Minerva! It's not hard to see why she holds such a popular spot! Great photo! RE: Not Hercules, Limona and crazy MinervaPosted by: MAMBO VS MINERVA () on Fri, Dec 4, 09 at 20:59 Just a quick question.....does anyone know if Minerva and Mambo and the same plant? Look the same to me, they are both beautiful! What do you guys think? Donna RE: Not Hercules, Limona and crazy MinervaPosted by: () on Sat, Dec 5, 09 at 8:24 Kristi, your Minerva is a stunner! What a beauty. Thanks for posting the pic, now i know there is hope ;-). Jodi and i have something to look forward to. I hope our Minervas will bloom like yours next time. Dondeldux and Jodi, I think i know what i have gotten instead of Hercules. I think i have Exposure! Mine looks exactly as the one on the picture that you posted, Dondeldux. The colour is exactly the same too. I happen to have one Exposure on my windowsill getting ready to bloom. It won't take long, and then i can compare them and see if they are alike. Of course, asuming i INDEED get a real Exposure :-D hahahahehehehe..... I'll keep you informed! RE: Not Hercules, Limona and crazy MinervaPosted by: 5 Central IL () on Sat, Dec 5, 09 at 10:03 If it is an Exposure, Lourdes, you'll enjoy it very much, I know! I have found that Exposure is a very sturdy, strong variety, very worthy of a place in any collection! Mine has very healthy leaf growth, and it's scapes were strong and tall. It was an excellent giver! Yes, I think with a season of good culture, the Minervas will regain their energy, and next bloom cycle will be much better! They won't be so stressed, and they'll have some time to grow decent root systems and settle in. RE: Not Hercules, Limona and crazy MinervaPosted by: 8b () on Sat, Dec 5, 09 at 10:28 I want an "Exposure"! I love the pinks!! I am hoping that I'll be able to find some different varies in Holland...although my trip will be late in the season. Hmmmm K Your Name: Your Email Address: (optional): Subject of Posting: Message: Optional Link URL: Name of the Link: Here is a link that might be useful: minerva

To make it produce fruit all year long? Well, it's in the lighting, temperature and nutrients. You will notice after a while the plant will probably stop making fruit. If I can't coax it with the bloom nutrient alone (And yes, miracle grow makes a bloom nutrient, so if you prefer miracle grow, use it's "bloom" version.), then I have to play "tricks" on it with lights and temp. 12 hours of light is what tomatoes prefer to flower and fruit. So, what I do is give it 2 weeks at 15 degrees cooler temperature than it is at fruiting stage and increase the lighting for about 16 hours light on. This moves the plant back into vegetative stage for a while, sorta to give it "amnesia" about it's fruiting stage. I do this for 2 weeks and then I reduce the lighting back to 12 hours lights on and increase the temperature back to where it was at fruiting. Then add a few bloom nutrient to the water. Make sure you do this temp change gradually or it will shock the plant. Unless you have 2 or more tomato plants you can alternate the time you play this trick, you will be out of fresh tomatoes for about 3 weeks, maybe once or twice a year.

Top 5 wants: Verbascum (the really tall, no water types like bombyciferum, epixanthemum, olympicum, pyramidatum or undulatum) Nicotiana (knightiana or 'Hot Chocolate) Hardy Geraniums Hollyhocks (dark pink or purple) Hellebore (dark shades) On request: Sweet Autumn Clematis - Robin Tatarian Aster - CA Rose campion - CA Hardy pink Geranium - Denise I have to offer: Stachys 'Primrose Heron' - 3 offers 1) Tammy 2) 3) Iris - dark pink/peach/sunset colored and white/yellow, the bulbs are mixed up, so you will get 3 per offer - but it's a gamble which color you will get. 3 offers 1) Robin 2) Robin 3) Nichol *4) Vina *5) CA Echiveria (glauca?) 3 offers 1) Robin 2) Nichol 3) Denise *4) CA Salvia chiapensis - 3 offers 1) Nichol 2) Denise 3) Tammy *4) CA Teucrium hyrcanicum 'Purple Tails' - 2 offers 1) Kamil 2) Teucrium fruticans - 3 offers 1) Tammy 2) Kamil 3) Peonies 3 offers OUT 1) Tammy 2) Denise 3) Nichol NEW Cerinthe major purpurescens "Blue Honeywort" - 4 offers These are just sprouting all over my garden so will be young seedlings, each offer will include 6 seedlings. (I realize it is very late for annual seedlings, but if you could grow these on long enough to set seeds you would have a nice supply for starting in spring.) 1) 2) 3) 4) NEW Hellebore seedlings 4 offers of 4 plants each These are 1 year old seedlings from my white Hellebores, one parent plant is considerably shorter than the other, the seedlings are under the taller plant, and there is a forest of them! (more are available if there is interest) 1)Toni (from want list) 2) 3) 4) * These are tentative if I have enough. I will also throw in a surprise variety pack for Heather :)