It really annoys me that people DO NOT SEEM TO READ THE ACTUAL POST anymore! They just see something posted for SASBE or POSTAGE and just JUMP ON IT! They can't follow simple instructions it seems either SO in that event in the offering I would and will when I offer things say IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE FEW INSTRUCTIONS HEREIN YOU WILL NOT BE RECEIVING THIS OFFER. It may be a cruel lesson BUT if they do not send their address WITH the envy or mailer then I wouldn't try to track them down. LET THEM CONTACT YOU! Instead of worrying checking the post to see if there are replies I try to remember to click the: 'Check here if you would like post replies emailed to you.' Box under the post. It is just easier then having to go back an check the posting. It does annoy me too when they do not send a list of what they requested IN THE MAILER, because then I have to go back an search through the emails to see what it was they did want. I understand your frustration, because people do not read the post. I am sure this is part of it, for newbies I am sure they get all excited about getting the offer and they do not know exactly what to do. I try to have patience with people but sometimes it is really really hard. Please don't stop offering, if really is a great way for some people including myself to get things they wouldn't or couldn't get otherwise. I have never gotten anything from you but I would hate to see you give up completely, there are some out there who greatly appreciate all offers and those who offer them, myself included in there! So please give absolute instructions on the offer and for those who don't follow them skip to the next person on the list who did! HAPPY GARDENING!!! :) Aqua

When Minnie Hill Palmer passed, The Acre was deeded to the city and fell under control of 'Parks and Wreck'. The Chatsworth Historical Society was formed to save The Pioneer Church and finally came to support The Acre. Candy and Dean Craig resurrected the gardens and added many OGRs through their friendship and connection with John MacGregor, Clair Martin's predecessor at The Huntington Library. They were rose garden volunteers there and it was they who introduced me to the place and got me started there. Candy also had a friendship with Peter Schneider, the editor of The American Rose Rambler, a marvelous rose newsletter, and now the editor of The Combined Rose List, which he generated with Bev Dobson (who originated it) and whom he succeeded. The Craigs lost a daughter to a drunk driver and Peter named an apricot floribunda he created for their daughter, Eden Ellen. There was a bed of it growing there for many years. They surrounded the house with roses, making it a popular venue for weddings and other parties, arranged through "Parks and Wreck". With tightening belts and the aging of the Historical Society and surrounding rose societies which often used the gardens to hold their pruning demonstrations, it appears roses (not all, but from the photos, many) have been removed (or, perhaps died) to reduce maintenance and probably to increase room for events. Candy held an annual Rose Festival in conjunction with Pioneer Days, a community festival, for many years where she sold old, rare and unusual roses to help pay for the potting soil and other supplies required to maintain the gardens. Many of them were passed through her by Peter from his imports and were the source of things such as Julia's Rose, Greensleeves and quite a few other unusual European roses not in US commerce at the time. A number were propagated from the OGRs existing on the property when they came to be the volunteer caretakers and many more came from The Huntington and my old Newhall garden. There are still some roses there, I'm not sure which though. It's suggested to start plants out in pots which best fit their root ball size so the roots fill the pots and knit a solid root ball. Starting a band out in a five gallon can will frequently lead to weakened root ball between the crown of the plant and the pot edges due to the long length of roots between the center and edges. Removing the root ball from the pot could then permit loosening or even damage to the roots at their weakest point, between the crown and edge of the mass. Starting a small plant in a gallon until the roots fill the pot wall surfaces shortens that distance, creating a more solid root mass. Increasing that from a gallon to a two or three and permitting it to then fill out the increased mass results in a more solid soil/root ball which is less likely to fall apart or otherwise be damaged by removal or handling. The organics in the soil break down, digest, over time, leaving only the inorganic material (sand, clay, stone, etc.). Eventually, all potted plants require replanting to replenish and refresh the soil in the container. A looser, weaker root ball is more easily damaged than a tighter solid mass, so the plant will experience less damage and shock from the root ball falling apart. If you're trying to protect smaller pots from heat and cold extremes, it's far easier to protect multiples than one. They can be grouped together so each helps shade and insulate the next. (another logical "excuse" for larger pot ghettos!) If your goal is to keep the plant potted until it's matured sufficiently for planting, this would be the more secure method of accomplishing it. If you intend to keep it potted, it still may be safer to start with a smaller size them transplant into the desired size to stack the deck in your favor for safer repotting when the time comes. You may be able to safely accomplish transplanting after starting the smaller plant in a larger pot, but the chances of the soil ball breaking up are greater. Kim Here is a link that might be useful: American Rose Rambler and Combined Rose List

Another plant death has fallen upon my household. This time it was my precious little plant that has been miraculously been growing well for almost half a year. The day before yesterday it just suddenly started wilting and the bottom of its stem started turning brown and woody, and now today I've noticed that the water under it's self watering pot has stop going down. Another death to my hands... and I was so proud of this one. Its the highest plant I've ever grown and now it's just dying before my eyes. I don't think I can save this one. I'm gonna miss u planty ;_;

Eric, you asked 2 questions. 1. Can high soil temperatures essentially kill seeds so they won't germinate even when moved to preferred temperatues? 2. Should I just start a new batch? I read both questions and all the answers. Rodney answered the first for you. My query was a continuation of the discussion and an attempt to get further information to help you with your second question.