Daisy: Since own-root roses are small, I move them around a lot and observe their roots. OWN-ROOT W.S. 2000 has thinner roots & more cluster roots thus need a fluffy medium to push through. In contrast, Comte de Chambord has long woody sticks, not much cluster roots, and cannot handle tons of acidic rain resulting in black spots. Hard woody roots need hard-minerals in clay to form. W.S. 2000 as own-root has PALE and small leaves. Small leaves mean it needs fluffy or sandy soil, and pale leaves mean it blooms best with acidic rain. It refused to bloom with my alkaline tap water at pH 9. In contrast, DARK-GREEN leaves like Dee-lish, Intrigue, Liv Tyler, Arthur Bell, Double Delight, Firefighter or Evelyn bloom easily with pH 9 tap-water. Dark-green leaves are also prone to black spots during acidic rain .. while the very pale leaves like own-root W.S. 2000 never have black spots, even with tons of acidic rain. Sharifa Asma also has pale leaves as own-root and I never see blackspots on that one. pH of rain here is 4.5. First pic. is own-root W.S. 2000 in my amended clay (note the pale and tiny leaves). Second pic. is Sharifa Asma (gets rain water from my 6 rain-barrels so leaves are darker green). But own-root Sharifa Asma was very pale with alkaline tap water at pH 9. Own-root Carding Mill also has pale leaves and refused to grow with alkaline tap water. Light-green or pale leaves are BEST AS GRAFTED. I wish I had bought Sharifa as grafted. See own-root W.S. 2000 below: Own-root Sharifa Asma below: All my 134 varieties are own-roots, and Facebook Fragrant Rose Lovers (founded by Khalid) helps me in choosing dark-green and large-leaves for my alkaline & dense clay. Khalid urges his 1,800 international members to post bush-shots where leaves and growth can be seen. When I want an own-root rose suitable for my rock-hard clay, I search inside that Facebook group for "dark green leaves" or "large leaves". These rosarians always post bush-shots plus detailed description of each rose (lineage & types of leaves). The info. is more accurate than HMF since they post many bush-shots in different weather (above 110 F, or month-long rain, or in sandy soil, or pots, plus bush-shot videos of rose so I can see what type of soil they have). Below link is Facebook Fragrant Rose Lovers group, fantastic reference !! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1412992132360557/permalink/2264173233909105

Lee, I don't come over to conversations very often but you have been in my heart and prayers. It's amazing that you are living, much less walking. I just know you are a walking miracle and are going to continue to do well. Thank you so much for taking the time to let us hear how you are doing. I know it has been a terrible struggle for you. Beverly

Oh Colleen, I'm sorry to hear that. I know quite a few who have had shingles and everyone suffered to some degree. I pushed DH to get the shot last year and IIRC, the bill was close to $200 at the Dr's office. And of course our incredibly short-sighted, but oh so high priced PPO from Blue Shield (AKA B.S. for obvious associated reasons)reimbursed us $0. I guess in the insurance company's wacked worlds, they would rather pay for the disease than for the immunization. Sheesh! I'm crossing my fingers and saying a prayer that I don't get it before I turn 60 and can get the shot. I too had the smallpox vaccination and have the crater to prove it! Take care and feel better soon!

Haahahahaa! Karen this is SO funny. I'm bursting into laughter reading these posts again, and remembering writing and reading them at the time. Well done! And my favourite part about Martha Stewart dropping in with her dish towel parachute!!! WAY too funny!