Dave, when the rose database started out in Cubits and was used largely by the members of the Rose Cubit, I didn't foresee the future possibility of a "search by characteristics" feature or of such a huge pool of database users.

http://garden.org/plants/group...

I have been using the "Comments" line (the bottom line of the rose-specific half of the form) to say whether the rose is a sport of another rose and/or is shade tolerant and/or thornless or almost thornless. Now that the general public is using the database, this is no longer a viable option. It's conceivable that people would search for shade-tolerant roses by checking the "Full sun to partial shade" box in "Sun Requirements," but no one would think of entering "thornless" in the "Comments" line to find the thornless roses.

Can we add two checkboxes named "Shade tolerant" and "Thornless or almost thornless" to the rose-specific portion of the data form, right below "Fragrance" and above "Hybridizer & year"?

Actually, I know that can be done, but here's the biggie: Thousands of rose entries have already been completed. Can the system be programmed to find "shade tolerant" in the comments line and add the appropriate checkmark to that category, and do the same for "thornless"? This procedure must not delete all of the information from the "Comments" line because the "sport" info is still valuable and shouldn't be lost.

If it can't be done, I can search for these things and do the "checkmarking" by hand, but I'm hoping it can be done more easily.

zuzu said:Can we add two checkboxes named "Shade tolerant" and "Thornless or almost thornless" to the rose-specific portion of the data form, right below "Fragrance" and above "Hybridizer & year"?

This is done.

Since they are checkboxes, they need to live inside a category, so I created "Misc" and put both checkboxes into that, and placed Misc into the location where you wanted it. If you want it called something other than "Misc", like "Extra details" or what-have-you, just let me know.

Can the system be programmed to find "shade tolerant" in the comments line and add the appropriate checkmark to that category, and do the same for "thornless"? This procedure must not delete all of the information from the "Comments" line because the "sport" info is still valuable and shouldn't be lost.

Of course! This is done just like you asked.

There is now a bit of redundancy. Plants now show "Thornless" under misc, and then this is repeated in the comments. If you'd like I can go through and remove "Almost thornless" and "shade tolerant" from the comments section and leave the sport info alone.

Thank you, Magic Man!

Yes, it would be great to have the "thornless," "almost thornless," and "shade tolerant" removed from the comments line.

It would also be great to change the name of the "Comments" line. People who submit data proposals are now inclined to add their personal comments on that line instead of in the appropriate section for comments. Maybe it should be called "Lineage" or "Other Miscellaneous Information" or something like that.

Instead of editing my previous post, I'm adding a new one because I think people are less inclined to notice edits. The more I think about it, the more I believe the "Comments" line should be renamed "Lineage." Calling it "Other Miscellaneous Information" would be almost as strong an invitation for personal comments as "Comments" is.

I haven't added parentage info for the roses, except in the case of sports, but that might be a fine rainy-day project for someone else down the line.

That sounds good, Zuzu, so that's what we'll do. I'll rename the field "Lineage" and will remove from it the two items we've already dealt with. Maybe in the morning, otherwise early this week.

Sounds great, Dave. Take your time. There's no hurry on this.

This is done!

Thanks so much, Dave. This is great.

Always happy to help!