Hi again, Thanks all, for your input. I just wanted to come back and say I did cut down the Dr. Hueys. I basically pruned the rosebush as far to the ground as I could get. (It was really bushy, so it was hard to see!) Once I got the "bushiness" ut away, i was surprised to find that something has been digging at my rosebush. I can see the root ball. When I planted this rosebush (some 5 years ago ro thereabouts) I definitely planted it so the root ball was a good 10 inches below the surface. But now, I can see that something has been digging away at the base of my rosebush, and the root ball is, indeed, exposed. So you all were right on that pont! So now I ask you wise rosebush-caretakers, what do I do? There's still one very strong cane of the Billy's left (I can tell it's the Billy because the cane is woody and very thick - the Hueys were slim and bendy. Even the leaves were different.) so I left it intact. It's got a lot of green on it, and it's very strong, so I hesitate to cut it off, as it's the only cane remaining on the rosebush. However there are no buds on it (I think I see the *beginnings* of a couple of them, but I'm not 100% sure if they are buds or more leaves.) How would you all recommend I proceed? It's obviously still a healthy plant, and I'm 100% sure the "Billy" part of is is not dead (yet). But I don't want to dig it up unnecessarily (especially when, I believe next year, I will HAVE to dig it up, as we are putting in a deck exactly where it is now). The plant is only as high as my knees - would it be a good idea to dig it up and put it in a large container to overwinter inside? (and if I do, should I be sure to scrape off the Dr. Huey's completely, as previously recommended?) If I do that, do you think it would also be good to do it to the rosebush next to it? (The purple ones that the June bugs and caterpillars just adore?) perhaps putting them both in large, separate containers will help alleviate the issues they are having *now* so when I replant them after the deck is done, they'll grow stronger? Any advice you all can give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

It is shiny in the first photo because I used a flash jojo. The second I didn't use the flash. The leaves of this plant are fairly shiny anyway and the flash reflected it so it looked much shinier. I don't put any thing on the leaves to make them shine. I water it about every two weeks. And yes I take it out of the deco pot. The plant itself is in terracotta. I started it from a cutting this spring...April I think. No sudden changes in temps. Cactus....LOL, I think I will skip making dye. I really detest Mealy bugs and scale. I have probably been over cautious with the water. I will re-pot in the 50/50 mix and be a little more generous. If I can ever find what I need for the gritty mix I will get going on that. Thanks so much both of you. Dea

Lori, I think we talked about this before but boy-oh-boy do I love your firespike. I purchased one off of eBay several years ago that is supposed to be purple. It was too small to bloom the first year and it froze back before blooming the second year. This year I made sure to make plenty of cuttings and have it all around the yard, so one of them is bound to bloom this time around. I know Tom and Susie have some, too, and probably a lot of other folks in this forum. I'm hoping that when mine finally blooms, and I know for certain what color I have (purple?), someone will swap me some pink cuttings. I love that pink. Carol in Jax

Oh, yes, I do remember that one. I first came here in 1999 after buying my first Windows 98 comp. I had lost the ability to connect to the Internet, even though I was connected to my ISP (dialup) and all offline activities worked. A very knowledgable helper walked me through editing my registry to correct the problem. I had to use a computer at the local library to come here for help. Unfortunately, I was later much maligned, even called un-American, for my stance in opposition to our invasion of Iraq. This person later left this and another forum, and I remained, in spite of the attacks on me. I'll always be grateful to him for his help, but I guess this is an example of what off topic discussions can lead to.