Jennie&Tim on 7/5/2008 at 16:47

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It's actually a very old configuration of petals for a rose; it's just that most people only see a particular kind of rose today, not the more old-fashioned varieties. For instance take a look at this rose: (http://helpmefind.com/rose/pl.php?n=451&tab=1) It was introduced in the 1600's I think. And it's still around today, a classic rose. My Mom has one, and I'm currently making my very first attempt at cuttings; because it has a magnificent smell.

Roses today stand out for combinations of factors, rather than for particular colors--though black or really blue would be fun. (The silvers and purples aren't really blues yet.) What I look for is disease resistance and fragrance first. Others look for continuous bloom, or climbing capability, or the ability to stand heat (or cold), or the shape of the bush, there's even a variety grown for the thorns ((http://helpmefind.com/rose/pl.php?n=5382)). You really need a different character for a plant that grows in Calgary, versus Texas, versus California; so people look for roses that do what they want them to in their particular area. I went looking for an alba in particular because they can take dappled shade better than most roses, so I'm told. I'm going to find out, that's for sure. Then I liked the colors on this one too, though I really wanted its sibling, Lemon Blush; but I couldn't find a seller for it in the US, and the only Canadian one I found doesn't ship by mail. These sibs are also particularly disease resistant, which is important in my cool, damp climate.

My combo cherry has Stella (only a twig though, that branch just hasn't grown for some reason, it is the lowest one, maybe that's why), Lapin, Early Burlat, Rainier, and Montmorency (a pie cherry for some reason, they don't cross-pollinate AFAIK). Only the Lapin and the Montmorency have made big branches though, the others are basically working as pollinators for the Lapin. My most productive and favorite is the Morello though, and it makes a perfectly lovely tree all by itself. I'm considering getting a Ranier as a single variety plant too, as the fruit does well; the branch simply can't seem to compete with the others as well as I'd like.

Yeah, pears take a while to be productive, I've been told. My hazelnuts may make a crop this year too. I had a very few nuts last year, but couldn't get to them due to a head size paper wasp nest hanging from the hazel right at the start of the path that I reach them by. Paper wasps are not particularly aggressive, but the less than a pint of nuts wasn't worth any risk to me. I'd love to grow a pecan, but everyone local says they don't ripen in our area. They grow, but I don't want it just for a shade tree!

I've thought about a mulberry too, they're supposed to be very sweet and kids are supposed to like them too. Haven't done it yet. I'd like a couple persimmons and a quince first I think.

The_Raven on 9/5/2008 at 13:16

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Funny, I was reading about that very same subject several month ago. You can't just go out a trap a crow, because the states and other countries have a migratory bird act. The stuff I've read mentioned that your best bet is to either contact a local aviary or vet to see if they've received any orphaned or injured crows, or to get a non-native/exotic crow from a pet store or breeder.

Here are some decent overviews of the options that I've found:
(http://www.shades-of-night.com/aviary/where.html) http://www.shades-of-night.com/aviary/where.html
(http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/80029/crows_make_great_pets.html) http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/80029/crows_make_great_pets.html

Jennie&Tim on 9/5/2008 at 14:07

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Vivian, the tree won't change its flower color with age. You probably weren't deliberately ripped off, but mislabling happens (flower nurseries, unlike hospital nurseries, don't usually put on redundant tags). A good nursery should be happy to replace your plant, they know it happens too. If they don't, then don't shop there again.

The other possibility is that often particular varieties of ornamental plants are grafted to a rootstock of a different, sturdier variety. That way you can manipulate the plant to give you pretty flowers and health (or even size, my apples are grafted to roots that keep them about a quarter the size they'd be on their own roots). If the graft dies, or the rootstock throws up a branch which isn't pruned off, you'll get the rootstock flowers rather then the variety you want. My kids' school has a large tree out front where this has clearly happened because it has white single and double pink flowers on it--quite pretty really. But that's not what you wanted and paid for. A good nursery will also replace your plant for this reason.

I'm learning a lot about crows, I had no idea they were migratory.

Tocky on 10/5/2008 at 02:58

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You may have lucked up and gotten a tree which actually produces fruit. Bah ornamental trees. I do understand that some of them start out a very light pink and darken within a few days though.

As for the crow, find yourself an eight year old boy with skinned knees and he will have you one in no time.