OK, I didn't upload the pics I took to my photobucket account yet, so I'm being lazy and offering any of you on Facebook the opportunity to see them in my "NJ Garden" album. My Heirloom Roses order came two weeks ago, and that pic is the 37th in the album, followed by a shot of 'Souvenir de Victor Landeau' as it's leafing out this year (I got it as a band in April 2012), some up-close shots of the "Reine des Violettes" a-la Heirloom Roses, and a snapshot of the whole order potted up and individual shots of each. Then there's an "after" pic of one of the future Gallica beds, after I removed dead and "in the way" growth of the arborvitae, and finally the Vintage Gardens and Rogue Valley Roses order I received on Thursday. I'm overly meticulous with potting them up, so I got through half in four hours on Thursday, working until it got too dark to see. Then this morning (Friday) I finished the other half in another four hours, just in time to get cleaned up and ready for work. If I posted them all on here, I think I'd end up freezing someone's computer. One thing I have to say -- I notice that the medium Vintage uses for their bands is very "rocky" and seems both overly heavy for shipping weight, and prone to drying out en route. Some of their bands were wilting when I took them out, but perked back up after getting a long, slow drink. Rogue uses more of a peat-based medium, which seemed both lighter in weight and able to retain more moisture. Of all of the RVR bands, only 'Golden Buddha' seemed a bit wilty, but it also perked back up soon after being repotted and watered. My potting mix this time was equal parts peat moss, Bovung composted cow manure, and shredded hardwood mulch. I like how this mix felt, a nice mix of light and fluffy with enough water-holding ability and a good mix of slow-release organic nutrients for growth. I lined the bottom of each pot with newspaper to keep the mix from coming out of the holes but still allow water to drain out. I sprinkled Jobe's Organic Knock Out Rose food in layers as I added potting mix, using 1 cup for the 2-gallon pots and 1/2 cup for the 1-gallons. I think I prefer the 2-gallon pots, but did use the 1-gallons for the bands that were either much smaller, or for roses which themselves don't grow that big, and will be planted in the ground after I place the larger roses. I'll pot up the 1-gallons into 2-gallons later in the season. I'll keep updating that album as I go along. :-) ~Christopher Here is a link that might be useful: NJ Garden Pics

Wow! Looks like you got yourself a "mother" bulb there..when you take it out of the bag take another shot of it for us please..makes me want to buy another one!! Can you tell us about how big it actually is? Donna

Thanks cnetter and jmac. I hate to admit it, but I've never learned how to post photos. In fact, I've had a digital camera for nearly 2 years that takes decent closeups, but I have yet to learn how to upload the pictures to my computer. It involves installing some software, and I've never taken the time to read the instructions through. How embarassing! lol Sorry to hear of Aambiance rose's demise, jmac. I guess I'm spoiled here, having practically no winter. The miserable July and August months pose the most strain on many of the roses here, but won't really kill them so long as we tend to spider mites. But winterkill, unheard of here, thankfully. I'm really looking forward to these last roses. My yard space is miniscule, but I'm happy to announce I'm moving this July to a bigger house with a bigger yard, which also gets primarily morning, noon, and late afternoon sun, with shade from the house during the early and mid afternoon. Perfect for this hot climate! Wish me luck with the move. I hate moving, but am really looking forward to being in the new place. My roughly 40 roses will have little room to stretch out now.

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