Hi Sassybutterfly, i look your list and interested in Balsam Camellia Mix. Are these seeds big as camellia sinensis? are they hard to grow and take long to germinate ? please let me know. We can even trade for pineapple sage. Thanks,

Yes! I've been saged. And it comes with a long story. Forgive me as I ramble. When Brian and I moved in to our first apartment together in San Francisco, we got the place through a word-of-mouth deal. I could write pages about this funky piece of real estate. There were 10 apartments in all, 4 in the 1875 Victorian in the back and 6 in the slightly newer (1903) but entirely different style apartment building in the front. Both these buildings stood through the 1906 earthquake. The two structures created a very eccentric central courtyard where everyone gathered and socialized. In order to get admitted to this dysfunctional family of Waller World dwellers, you had to know someone and be thoroughly vetted. Well we knew Brian's friend, Ellen. The people who lived in the apartment before us were there by Ellen's recommendation. Well, they eventually pulled some mighty rotten tricks on a couple of tenants and became universally loathed as a result. They were banished from the kingdom but did not go quietly. They left this apartment in absolute shambles. Trying to find an apartment in San Francisco during that time was difficult. Vacancy rates were running around 2%. Brian and I had recently bought an English bulldog puppy. Boo was staying with me in my 3rd floor walk-up. Did you know that even as puppies bulldogs are heavy? We were getting desperate when Ellen told us that this apartment was available. Ellen's word wasn't particularly golden at the moment so we were suspect from the start. We were introduced to the ring leaders of this circus and sized up from every angle before we were even allowed to see the place. When we were permitted in, our jaws dropped. The place was uninhabitable. And here we were, being scrutinized to see if we passed muster to live in that mess. We left in shock. But the more we thought about it, the more we knew we belonged there. There were beautiful architectural bones. We knew we could make it beautiful if we were given carte blanche. So we broke out our secret weapon. We went back that afternoon with Boo. Jane, the manager, took one look at that puppy face and we were in. On one condition: we sage the place from top to bottom. I didn't put much stock in it at the time, but we said sure. We never anticipated the elaborate ceremony that was to come. Everyone who lived there turned out for it. First Jane led us all room by room with the sage. Then everyone but Brian and I were given big pots with spoons. We were given brooms. On Jane's go, two dozen people started from the front door banging their hearts out on their pots, while Brian and I followed ceremoniously sweeping behind them. Jane circled back through with a fresh batch of burning sage. When we all made it out the back door into the courtyard, there was a huge party waiting for all of us. I can tell you this. The gloom in that apartment lifted that night. Every bit of negative energy I had been feeling there was gone. We lived there with much happiness for nearly 10 years. That sage is some good stuff. Steven

How much should I water? Does pineapple sage like it dry or wet? Pineapple sage can take large amounts of water, as long as you provide excellent drainage. Would regualr potting soil be suitable? Yes. How do you take cuttings from the plant and root it? Take a cutting, stick it in the dirt, water it in and off it'll go. You may not need to do it, because pineapple sage is very good at propagating itself without human intervention. In my part of the world (subtropics) it's on the verge of being declared a noxious weed. Is it normal for pineapple sage to lose its lower leaves as it grows? Yes, if you don't keep chopping its head off to encourage lower growth. Finally, I would like to cut back the 2 stems that the plant currently has. If I cut back the stems to the ground, dig it up, and repot it, would it grow back? Why cut back the stems so far? But yes, it's very likely to grow back after transplanting. It's a tough plant to kill!

Only tip I have is to remember to adjust for altitude :-). First jam I ever made was with a couple bags of mixed berries from the frozen food section, box of SureJell pectin and sugar using the recipe in the pectin package. With fresh peaches don't forget the fruit fresh (or vitamin C). I want to try the habanero gold jelly recipe.over on harvest and try canning peaches. I just need to coordinate my free time. Mary - Is it anything like this one from the Harvest forum Apricot-Pineapple Conserve 1 1/2 cups finely chopped dried apricots 1/2 cup golden raisins 1 1/4 cup strained fresh orange juice 2 tablespoons strained fresh lemon juice 1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple 1 tablespoon grated orange zest (or more, to taste) 4 cups sugar 1/2 cup sliced almonds (I omitted) 1 (3 oz) pouch liquid pectin In stainless or enamel pan, mix apricots, raisins, orange juice, and lemon juice. Let stand 2 hours. Add undrained pineapple and orange zest. Stir in sugar. Heat stirring constantly till the sugar dissolves. Stir in almonds. Increase heat and bring to a full boil. Stir in pectin and return to a boil, stirring. Boil, 1 minute. Remove from heat and skim foam. Allow conserve to cool about 5 minutes to keep fruit from floating. Stir gently to distribute the fruit. Put into jars (makes 6 half pints.) Leave 1/4 inch headspace. Cover with hot lids and process half pints in bwb for 10 minutes, or 15 minutes for pints. Below is a link to Splenda's Jam recipes. Another option is to use Pomona's pectin (I haven't used it, but it will apparently gel anything and you can use as little sugar as you want or use a sugar substitute like Splenda) We need a canning party! jen Here is a link that might be useful: Splenda Jam recipes