For those who don't have access, there is a commercial product called Surround which is an ultrafine kaolin clay. It can be applied at 4 oz/gallon in a sprayer, and up to 3 coats may need to be applied for full effectiveness. It covers plants with a white film. A possible application for roses might be if japanese beetles are ravaging the foliage. The material has been shown to repel JBs effectively. It would not protect flowers because they are always opening. It might serve to get some flower buds to the openable stage where they can be cut and enjoyed inside. Obviously you wouldn't spray mud on an ornamental garden unless there is a catastrophic short term problem like a massive invasion of JBs. My father used to spray papaya fruits with a coating of lime to protect them from fruit flies.

The bay area was rained on all over...and today more,and 'til Tuesday it wont let up for us or Amiee Mann. The temps I can see are at least warm enough.My Tomato's plants have grown and greened- a suprise to me,The Swiss chard is about a flush of next large leaves from first picking. What can I say? the ferns and the tree ferns are in ectasy at fog and drizzle with 64 degrees and longer days. It might be the last time of the spring/summer they are as perky as rainforest ferns.

Rhododendron Festival at Heritage Museum and Gardens in Sandwich, MA Claire

Thanks for all the help and suggestions, but as it turned out, Sony decided not to send anyone to Toronto and is going to let the staff in Toronto work it out on their own without a director. I guess that is one way for them to save money. So I will wait for warmer weather before I visit Toronto, and Kevin will not be there, unless he goes with me. Last week a friend asked me to go to Brazil with him some time next year after April. He has to settle an estate there, and he knew that I could take the time off. We'll see if that materializes. I would like to visit Brazil, but I've been afraid to go because I do not speak Portuguese, but my friend does, and that would make me feel more comfortable. He will be mainly going to Rio de Janeiro, but would be making side trips to Petrópolis and other places.