Elisa, yellow apples tend to be very susceptible to a fungus called sooty blotch which has nothing to do with aphids. In humid parts of the country this is more likely to be the issue than aphids, but same difference as it is completely harmless and is only a cosmetic problem. If you are curious you can find a picture of the disease on-line without much effort now that you know the name.

DD lives in the Point Reyes area of Northern CA and the plants are growing rampant there. She has permission to pick berries from both private and public lands.She makes preserves and it is delicious. However, even with a triple cheese cloth strainer, the little, bitty seeds can be an issue.(for some of us).

Traditionally, before the technology of refrigerating them was developed, most new roses were planted as bare-roots in the late fall. Transplanting roses as bare-roots is much the easiest way to do it. In your zone, there is a risk that a warm December could cause roses to grow out, freeze back, and deplete the plants or even kill some of them. However, that's the way I'd do it, as opposed to the expense and labor of potting. Just dig them with 12" roots and canes, strip all leaves, label them and bag them. Store in the shade until you can plant. They should keep well at temperatures mostly between 25 and 40 degrees Remove any growth buds that break before spring. After planting, spray the canes with dormant-strength Wilt Pruf.

In South Florida it should be easy, BUT keep in mind, many reds are hard to root. The cutting high on the trees that is soft, is probably a little dehydrated and stressed because of the heat and lack of rain the past few months. May and June are wicked months for plants because the sun is intense, it's hot and the rains don't usually come with any frequency until late June, July. Plus the fact that the tree was in an abandoned lot, it probably hasn't been fed in a long time. South Florida soils are sorely lacking in nutrients. Can you post a picture of the blooms? Someone here can probably identify it for you then give you better info as to whether it is hard to root. Regardless, I would cut the ends off evenly with a sharp knife or a fine tooth saw. Cut all the leaves off except for the little ones at the tip. I cut blooms off, some people leave them on because they want to see what it looks like but since you already know, I would cut it off to push the energy into the rooting process. Don't cut the leaves off really close to the branch and don't tear them off. The little stem you leave will fall off in a few days on it's own Soak them for a few hours to overnight in water and Super Thrive or Super thrive with a little Seaweed fertilizer diluted to 1/2 strength. That will help hydrate them and give them a boost. Take them out, let them dry. Dip the ends in Dip n Grow. http://www.dipngrow.com/ Most people in South Florida just lay them in the shade for 2 weeks and make sure they don't get sun or they will get sunburned and if it rains, bring them inside or you can just lay them inside for 2 weeks and let the ends callus. After 2 weeks you can lay then up against a shaded South wall or stake them in a small hole or trench. This is how Bud Guillot has always done it. He stated that most of his Plumerias have never seen the inside of a pot and he's done this for many years. The soil must be native and fast draining. Wait for them to root, you will know when they have 2-3 good big leaves. Or... you can do it the hard way, root them in cactus soil & perltie in a clear water bottle, There are many other ways but those are the 2 easiest. The main thing in South Florida is keep them out of the sun. They will burn, I've lost more cuttings to sunburn than rot down in the Keys. Water them once in the trench or bottle, then do not water again until you see leaves. If they begin to dehydrate, shrivel, mist them. Warmth and humidity is key. The main thing...... is don't water until they have a decent amount of roots. Once the leaves start, then water and feed them.. How big are the cuttings and how may tips on each? The bigger they are the faster they root. I have never lost a really big(small tree) cutting, NEVER! and they root fast. How far South are you in Florida. If you can post a picture that would be great. I would love to see it. Hope this helps and I'm sure others here will assist you as well. We are very lucky in South Florida because we can usually root them by just sticking them in the ground, UNLESS it is the rainy season, then you have to be really careful or start the roots elsewhere. This post was edited by powderpuff on Sun, May 19, 13 at 12:48