Congrats, den....it's great to see that thing start to grow, isn't it? Why don't you try some summer budding in August? I have found that apples are pretty easy. I am still struggling with nut grafting. So far this spring, none of my walnut buds have taken.

MadGallica, it is always surprising to me how little I know and still stumble along. [g] And here I was feeling guilty that I hadnâÂÂt gotten that rose in the ground yet, when I could have waited two more weeks. Yes, I realize the delivery wasnâÂÂt too early for the usual spring, I requested last week of March for delivery. My ground was still frozen and I had snow on the ground when they arrived and they had to wait in the refrigerator for 10 more days before I could plant. I only potted up one and then decided the rest had new growth on them and IâÂÂd just wait it out. The other bare root roses were planted in the ground weeks ago and are all growing well so far. I donâÂÂt know if it is a grafted rose. I ordered from Pickering and it is a David Austin, âÂÂBrother CadfaelâÂÂ. On their website they discuss that they use R. multiflora as a rootstock, so I assume that means they are grafted? And I found a drawing of where the graft is supposed to be planted [below] and IâÂÂm pretty sure mine is too high. I also am planting in an exposed area and would like to give the plant a little more help with winter weather and wondered if I should plant it a little deeper. But there are leaves growing low on the shrub now. In the drawing below, they show the soil mounded up around the bottom of the stems and the graft right about at ground level, is that right? Well, Sunday IâÂÂll try to dig it up and IâÂÂll post a photo of the rose so I can get it right this time.

You are all so wonderful, thank you for all your support, caring, and prayers. It truly does mean allot to us. I'll make sure to remember about "crying in the shower" and I'm taking Jeanne's little message to heart for sure. I didn't learn much new yesterday--but was very upset by the way the doctor presented information to me. I'm not ignorant and I've done some research--what I wanted was ways to cope with where we are now and suggestions on preparing for future changes and how best to help DH. What I got was a whispered "doom and gloom" dialoge which excluded my DH almost completely. Looking back, I should have stopped her asked for our copies of the papers and gone home and waited to discuss them with his regular doctor. On top of that, the paperwork was obviously a form already on her computer and used for other patients because one section says "her" repeatedly because she obviously forgot to change that part to "him". I guess I am naive to expect paperwork specifically prepared for DH. I hope the test results will be helpful to our doctor in some way, but right now I feel like they were a waste of our time! Oops! Sorry--guess I just needed to vent. I am learning as I go, but I now realize that my job is to care for and protect my DH in every way I can----even if it is from rude, inconsiderate specialists! Enough said--on with the fun decorating that I love. We'd better hurry, Valentine's will soon be here! Thanks for your caring and comforting words everyone, thanks for being there during my "meltdown". Today is a new day and "what doesn't kill us just makes us stronger", right? Luvs

I've been wondering about how to prune some grafts that are growing vigorously. Hope we get some answers!