molinuex, I was on line searching some information and accidentally come back to this post. Wow, what a beautiful picture for SA. Actually, I have one SA already, but it's grafted on Dr.Huey. So I am thinking about getting an own root and hopely I can keep it longer this time. It sure is a winner compared to Eglantyne . When I look out of my window now, I can see my 3' high SA blooms like crazy (the flowers are smaller in summer though) and only has BS here and there. On the other hand, the giant 6' Egalantyne is covered with BS and has two or three tiny flower buds. Even, their are both under the guard the Bayer 3 in 1. Every time, when I walk pass Eglantyne, I just can hear he (or she) crying for a "spread".

KJ I think it’s an easy task, especially with a young rose you planted yourself . In zone 9B, you can plant high above the graft and any Huey that pops out below the bud union will be very obvious, just snap it off completely when you see it. Claire those reasons make sense to me for cold weahter locales. If it dies to the ground, the rose will come back true to variety. In my mild winter climate I always plant as high up on the root system as possible because all the best soil is on top (there’s a reason it’s coalled topsoil lol!) , so its not wasted on the graft and can be used by feeder roots. Also, I don’t have to dig so deep into the much harder adobe clay below. I am quite opportunistic and get whatever rootstock comes my way! With good care and a benevolent climate, the great majority of roses thrive regardless of own root or whichever rootstock.

Hi all, sorry for the late reply, I was away in Santa Fe, NM for a week. Love that town! Great new pics and updates, thanks so much for sharing them all. I too am amazed that you keep that jade happy outside! I have to keep them cowering indoors in summer, LOL. Neat caper pic, Jon, what conditions do you give it and how long have you had it outside? I only recently saw them in a greenhouse a few weeks ago at the terrific Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. Neat! Awesome cacti pics too, Mike. You're obviously doing something right. Awesome pics and great blooms. Love love love! Mswillis, your veggie garden looks so happy and productive. I'm envious! Thanks for posting it and keep us updated! Not fancy, but here's my own-root variegated, contorted Euphorbia lactea outside on the patio, in a "wash pot" or "bean pot". I've become addicted to these pots as they're really hard to tip over. Happy gardening all! Grant

I LOVE the marble. We have been in the house 6 months. I put absolute black granite on the perimeter where the cooktop is and where I do most prepping. The marble is on the island with the sink, dishwasher, and pullout trash/recycle. There are etches all over both sides of the sink. And that is from use just doing dishes and tossing stuff in the trash. Coffee/tea spots wipe up easily and have not stained. I use 50/50 rubbing alcohol/water to wipe the counters. The etches don't bother me at all (I was very worried that they would). The marble is honed and I have to really search for them and the light has to be shining just right to see them. If I were going for a bright white kitchen look and afraid to use marble, I would probably get a white quartz (a white quartz, not a marble look alike quartz), like the picture below (Maria Killam's kitchen). But colonial white and similar granites are really nice too and go well with bright white cabinets. It just depends the look you are trying to achieve and what you can live with maintenance/budget wise. Good luck and post pics when you find your stone! Edit: don't know why the photo disappears when I click submit. Here is a link to the kitchen: http://www.mariakillam.com/styleathomekitchen/