Dear Respondants, I thank you very much for your advice. I had a water garden years ago (did not grow water lilies then), soon to be back in the saddle...so essentially I have "beginners jitters" all over again. Although my first choices were: PERRY'S FIRE OPAL, GONNERE WHITE, and PINK GRAPEFRUIT, at the recommendation of the grower, I received DALLAS, NYMPHEA ODERATA, and LEMON MIST. Any of you growing these? By the way, the specimen sent of DALLAS was considerably smaller in root mass and leaf size when compared to the other two, is it a miniature water lily? Also if you can, please estimate for me the area (feet across), each will cover by season's end if given reasonable, average care, I will be grateful. Thanks again, Rootman

Hi, everyone! great news is that the Rosarian couple were very nice. I actually tried calling them last night but couldn't get through because they had their fax machine on. Then tonight they explained that they couldn't return my call because the number I had left them had been cut off by their answering machine. They too have not grown tree roses because like Karl had feared, rose trees do terrible in Kansas. Stupid me should also have thought far ahead about our tornado problems as well. I didn't think about this issue before the terrible winds this past weekend. Flower2sew, in Overland Park we got hit real bad. There is still debris from knocked over light poles on Hwy 69 from people crashing from the ice... But the snow lasted just one terrible day, it was very thick snow,and we were blasted with both ice and snow at once and in some parts of Overland Park, the cable lines and phone lines were down ...then argh, it shot up to near 60 degree warmth right the following day, then dropped down again the following evening. The rosarian couple agreed that they would never leave out the tree roses at this point because of last weekend's extreme swing of temperature (including this week) but they too felt I really needed to speak to a Master Rosarian, so they gave me the emergency helpline for the Rose Society. The nice rosarian couple I spoke to explained that they themselves have never grown tree roses because of how erratic Kansas weather can be in the spring and they said that the people they know who had rose trees all had either greenhouses or would go to a nursery and "rent" out a space for the winter. In other words they wouldn't know how to advise me on how to keep my roses indoors in my particular situation. They did feel that since my rose trees still have buds sprouting, that keeping them in a completely dark, cold, poorly insulated garage at this point is a question that only a master rosarian could answer. It is a tough call because no sane person/gardener would ever be in the crazy predicament that I am in now... I am doing crazy stuff like lightly spraying my roses with warm water in the morning and when I come home, then again before going to bed to keep them as close to a greenhouse effect and reducing my house temperature from 68 degrees to 65 so that I don't shock the roses when I bring them outside to 58 degree sunshine (but that makes me super cold indoors and I end up having to wear a few layers of clothing in the house and shivering under the covers when I try to sleep LOL). So hopefully I can reach the helpline before I get "outta control" and do more crazy outta control guesswork. Anyway, thank you EVERY One and All for your help and ongoing support! Hugs to each of you... P.S. forgot to say that to me the membership dues for the American Rose Society is very reasonable, and wouldnt have hesitated for a second had I not been so broke from all the training with Eluane and house payments but in due time if I can just make the baby steps and get both trees to survive.

Gardening Teenager - congratulations on your rose interest! I learned to love growing things in 1973 when my mother was ill and couldnt care for her plants. Still have the first gardening book I bought. I went from house plants [thought I had to have every one in existence!] then ordered 6 roses from Jackson Perkins and have been hooked ever since [I will be 74 next week]. My addiction now includes daylilies. This is a hobby that you will enjoy all of your life - with me, the addiction just gets worse - the beauty of the plants enchants and the joy of working in the garden brings peace and serenity that is a solace in times of trouble and an all consuming interest that takes up any free time. I just got 9 roses in the mail from Roses Unlimited and am so excited to plant them and watch them grow! Oh and congrats on your body bags - I have them too. The roses of years ago are still here because of a reason. I have many of them and love them as much as the newer ones. Who cant marvel at the huge blooms of First Prize, the perfume of Mr. Lincoln and so many others? Hope to see more photos of your beauties. Judith

Now that you potted them, you could leave them at least until they grow a good root ball, and faithfully water them, for at least a couple of months for a 5 gallon pot before you put them in the ground. OTOH, If you dug holes this weekend and planted them in the ground it would probably be fine too, since they haven't had time to really start yet. Good luck.