I would repot it when there is a forecast favorable enough that you'll be able to leave the plant outdoors for several days after the repot. I've grown several begonias in the gritty mix, most of them dwarfs, as companion plants for bonsai being displayed. All have done very well. If it's your first experience with the gritty mix, expect water to run through the soil quickly. The soil does hold more water than you think it does, but you will need to water more frequently; and because you'll be flushing the soil when you water, you'll need to fertilize more frequently as well. Using a short wick as a 'tell', to let you know when water is needed might be a good idea until you're up to speed. It does take a little getting used to, but I think you'll find it to be an exceptional soil for all your long term plantings once you do. Best luck, Susan! Al

water right before sunrise. shear the lavenders into globes, taking care not to cut back to dead wood. Take off 1-2". azaleas have small, shallow root systems, so lightly but frequently is the best way to water. They do not like to dry out. You could try some fertilizer, but lightly. Those small, shallow root systems are sensitive. . Iceberg I do 3x / week mid spring to the beginning of December. 90'sF every other day, 100sF every day. Normal winters I shut off my irrigation. This year 2x per week, just enough. Probably will step it up to 3x in a couple of weeks. A gallon or two at a time is good depending on the size of the plants. Adjust by observing the plants. Do they look good? Are they holding on to their foliage? Are they reblooming well? Mulch will hold in moisture, keep the soil cooler (rose roots like cool soil) and break down into nutrients that enrich the soil. Keep mulch away from the base of the rose by 3"-6"

My opinion: Strip off the old leaves. If you do not have flower buds yet, then prune lightly. If you do have buds then don't prune at all. I pruned late this year (February) and some of my roses have buds and others don't yet, so you are not really behind unless you prune and there's no overwhelming reason to do so at this point. We don't have to hard prune here, so skipping a year is no big deal. Sometimes I cut way back and other times I don't. You will get flowers either way. Just make sure you get rid of those old ugly leaves and leave the new growth mostly alone. You can fertilize or not. This time of year I'd lay down alfalfa and other organics like manure, bone meal, blood meal and the like. I don't fertilize with synthetics until the buds are developing - this weekend will probably be the first time this year for me.

Hi Hoovb, I haven't seen anything beneficial. I am probably expecting too much. This is a new rose bed with mostly new roses. The weird, and maybe to be expected thing, is that my 7 year old roses that were transplanted along with the new roses look great. I have 8 Jean Giono roses, three of which have lived here with me for years. They are pristine. No mildew etc. The new five gallon J. Gionos are covered with mildew. They are planted right next to each other. I have never, ever had mildew on J.G. I suppose it is a small root system vs. a large one. Mine have been in 15 gallon containers. What, if anything, would you do? I have been tempted to cut all the leaves off. Today we are under a Marine layer, and I expect it for most of June. So, mildew is going to be a problem. Also, what nurseries do you S. Cal people go to? I drive up and down S. Cal to visit family and would love to visit good nurseries. (with lots of roses) Thanks for the help, Eileen/tinyrose