When Seils response popped into my head, I was thinking how interesting it would be to ask other forum members about memorable responses that have "come back" to you. Not necessarily only the "best" advice you ever received here, but advice (and who gave it) that may have changed or influenced decisions you've made in your own garden.

I find many posts memorable. Though I don't post often, I am genuinely moved by the generosity of those who reply and speak from their experience. I find people are are so supportive on the Gardenweb forums, and you can benefit from the expertise of some of the most experienced people in the field.

Michaelg mentioned that I only needed six inches of good soil to start my roses and could improve the soil from above from that point on. Not his exact words, but that was the concept.

I couldn't afford to build raised beds or import soil, but I could use basic principles to create a garden. Every time I look at the roses I have planted, I think of Michael.

The other thread that made this garden possible was the thread on patience where so many Forum members participated. It takes at least four years before a rose comes into its own in this garden. When they do, they are treasures in my life.

I thank all of you for enriching my experience with roses.

Smiles,
Lyn

The advice that always sticks with me, and I've shared many times with others, was from Jeri. I hate spraying. But I was always battling black spot. For the first few years I spent all my time trying desperately to get rid of it and failing, of course. For some reason I felt that if I didn't have spotless roses some how I had failed as a gardener and rosarian. But Jeri posted once on one of my many questions about the subject that I could spend all my time fretting about it or I could just learn to accept a few spots and ENJOY the roses. And if something is just too spotty, get rid of it! Which goes along with her also famous, location, location, location! Life is too short not to stop and smell the roses...spots and all! Since then I've spent a lot more time just out enjoying the garden instead of trying to make it "perfect" all the time. And I don't have to spray. Thank you, Jeri, for putting some sense in my head!

Then again, nothing is more valuable to me than someone who has dealt with exactly the same conditions as me.

Her advice follows:

Sterling Silver is a seedling of Peace. Like its parent, it requires a lot of older wood and much foliage to perform well. Nope, don't whack it (or Peace) if at all possible. Giving new plants of both varieties the same disbudding treatment discussed on the OGR forum under "Forcing Teas" will improve the plants and performance of both. Give both the best of cultural practices for your area, the best soil, position, feeding, etc. and pretty much just snap off spent flowers at the point of abscision on the peduncle so you allow all foliage to remain on the plant to feed it and you may have decent results for your area. Any dog legs or other offensive growth patterns can be cleaned up at pruning time, but neither "enjoys" hard pruning. Treat them like old Teas, permitting them all the good canes and foliage they can make and keep and your experience with them will be better than "average". Kim