I second everything Andromo..... said. Plants are wonderfully adaptable. Some years ago I harvested some red junipers, to use as bonsai, growing on the side of a high sandstone bluff overlooking the Wisconsin River here. They were stunted and twisted all on their own by virtue of where they took root. They were producing berries even though they were subminiatures of their full size brethren growing on top of the bluff. Thats what plants do, they make the best of their conditions and will do anything to reproduce. As is natures way. From what I understood from the person I harvested them for, they would actually recieve better care now ensuring a longer life for them. They'd even have their roots cropped as the tops were, to make sure as Andromo said they had that "root to shoot" ratio correct. This was so they were comfortble in their small pots. Cement is 98-99% cured at 30 days (under good conditions) and again as Androm says there should be no problems if the pot has been well leeched. This discussion has got me planning a return trip now to harvest some and plant them in MY very own pots. With what I've learned here and other forums I'll even be able to make the pots resemble the yellow sandstone from where they came from.

Mike mangos do very well in containers in the GH. Make sure you get a grafted dwarf variety. They are almost as easy as papayas. Some varieties do better in pots then others. I still think the flavor of container grown fruit up north is inferior to inground and container trees grown trees from down South but it's fun to be able to pick fruit off your own tree. I got rid of most of my fruit trees a while back so that I could devote more GH space to flowering plants. Years ago there were few varieties available in the grocery store and they weren't that ripe or tasty but now I can get a wide variety of ripe mangos at the Asian markets. Have you taken a look at the Tropical Fruit Forum? You can get a lot of good info there.

I've done it all. Installing the fireplace, facing it, and building my own mantle. Keep in mind that a fireplace is an investment and adds value to the home. I kept this in mind when I was deciding on materials. I used something know as thin brick. It's real brick but only a half-inch thick! Cost about $80.00 for seven square feet. But well worth the price. For the mantle I was a little particular. I did my homework and saw the high $$$ of my style and preference. So I bought a ten foot by four inch by twelve inch piece of white pine wood from North Carolina. I live in Jersey and this dimension of wood is hard to find around here where everything is a homedepot or a lowes. But the wood wasn't completely dried either. Not a problem, cause I like a real wood and warp like appearance. A friend did the carpentry and staining. I couldn't be happier. My point was don't settle for veneer or tile if it's not going to pay you dividens! Good luck.

Tiskers, Sounds like you're doing the same extensive DIY that we did/are still doing! I have one question --- if hubby is that handy, why aren't you installing the cabinets yourselves? WE saved $2000 doing that. That was the easiest $2K we saved on the whole reno. Mind you, my DH is an engineer (electrical- so he did all the re-wiring and new wiring), and really really good at drawings and figuring things out. One day (perhaps when it's all done), I will sit down and figure out how much we have saved DIY. WE gutted a 25 X 10.5 space- including removing ceiling (which wasn't pleasant as it was an older house with no vapour barrier)- bits of insulation were 'everywhere'! We tore down a wall (that was fun)- removed aluminum wiring- rerouted plumbing/venting re-wired/installed all new electrical/appliances. Changed windows- now, that was an area that I subbed out, ie manufacturing and installation of new windows. That delayed us by quite a bit- they were more than 2 months late, as we had to take out old windows to reframe- we did it to be ready for scheduled delivery... and we ended up living with plastic sheeting for windows for months! Check your timelines. We had to have drywall up and painted for a set period of time (forget exactly), so that it could all dry before cabinets went in. Since we weren't drywalling until windows were in, we got behind right from the start. Luckily our cabinet supplier had room to hold the cabinets for us until we were ready. Flooring was also subbed out, and when we missed our original time, had to wait awhile until he could reschedule. Appliance store also agreed to hold appliances for us for several months. We originally planned a July 30th finish date. With delays, we then hoped to be in before Christmas. Granite was finally installed end of November- had to be re-ordered, and replacement pieces weren't installed until April 08, so of course we couldn't put up backsplash or finish off back of peninsula. Not to belabour the point, but as of Nov 24 08, we are still waiting for the last pieces we subbed out to a carpenter- finishing off our cabinets (original order was screwed up- long story). Hired him in August, and supposedly will get our order this week (not holding my breath). As I've said here before, my mistake in saying we wanted to be finished before Christmas, was in not specifying the year!!! So, advice? Money to be saved is real. In these times, priceless. Luckily, your DH can do all the work. If you don't have to sub out to anyone for anything, you're ahead of the game. But, if you have to depend on anyone else, be prepared for delays, and make sure your suppliers are OK with them.