I just got an order in from Heirloom - all are healthy, green and ready to grow. I have a lot of bands in pots - with Vintage Gardens closing, I ordered more than I normally would. I am not any kind of expert like so many on this forum but I am learning and ask questions when I need to. I am figuring out that growing from a band is a long process. Maybe its just me - but I do not find that I can grow from a small band into a big thriving bush in one year. I put mine in gallon pots and graduate into bigger pots when the root system warrants it. In the larger pots, they grow even bigger and thrive. Then, after I feel like they are stout enough, I will plant them in the ground. All this being said........I feel that growing bands into full sized roses takes awhile. If one is impatient and wants instant gratification, perhaps bands are not the way to go. I have an order coming from Roses Unlimited soon. Their roses are much larger than Heirloom's. Shipping is more expensive too. My experience with bands is that one must exercise patience. Personally, I enjoy taking care of the bands and watching them grow and mature. Not everyone would want to do this. Heirloom has a lot of unusual varieties, and I was very pleased with the quality and health of their bands. I think if you give these bands a little time to grow and mature, you will be very pleased. I am careful about fertilizing my baby bands - I think Kim [roseseek] said it best - fertilize weekly, weakly. I am using Superthrive and fish and kelp emusion now - plan to alternate with a couple of others, but will do it in very weak strength. Don't think you will see instantly big shrubs with your Heirloom roses, but just baby them along and you will be surprised how fast they grow. I am pinching buds off all my new roses this year and actually don't mind, as I think about how much stronger this is making them. Good luck with your new roses - I really think you will be pleased with them, given a little time. Good luck! Judith

The "in group" are well known exhibitors who receive new rose varieties 2-3-4 years in advance of their introduction. The "purpose" being to test them for how they exhibit and grow in various areas. To see what new varieties are coming up, subscribe to Horizon Roses. In it exhibitors review and critique the new varieties they're growing. After being shown at rose shows a demand is created for many of these new varieties. This select group shares bud wood, from promising new plants, with each other and keep it among themselve so they can dominate national rose shows. The "New Rose Introductions" listed in the Article are available now to anyone. All four are listed in Edmund's and Regan's 2010 catalogs.

For all of you who follow Ron's imput: I'm sorry to say he passes away last fall and this is his last article for Garden Web.

If you are interested in the comments of her fellow hybridizers, see: http://rosebreeders.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=55914