TIVO, I am exhausted just from reading all the complicated things you've done and are concerned about. My basic approach to ANY thing in life has always been to do it as simply and cheaply as possible. There is a simple thing you can do, which will not cost you one cent, that will make Every Single One of These irrelavant. I used generic potting soil from wal-mart, so I am not sure about the level of nutrients in the soil. I also mixed in a little bit of coffee grounds and composted cow manure, so I probably (i just learned) inadvertently temporally reduced the amount of what ever available soluble nitrogen was available. (I was smart enough to mix in extra perlite b/c blackberries need more drainage than most other plants.) Any way, I have 10 newly potted blackberry plants. I was wondering if I should use Miricle-Gro Quikstart Transplant Solution (or any other brand). Do I risk root burn if I use this before the plants have a chance to get over the shock of shipping and planting? or will it help reduce the shock as advertised? If I leave the plants alone (except for watering of course) will it be awhile before the plants even need available NPK? Do you think the available soluable NPK already in the soil is adequate until the plants show growth? I am also considering putting in plant food spikes (about half or less the recommended amount until growth starts) b/c of the slower release. The small amount b/c it's mostly root and small stems and the desire to "do no harm." What do you all suggest? Here is what I suggest: Simply put a layer of grass clippings on top of whatever soil you have in the pots. (I would have used plain old soil from my yard, which is free!) The grass clippings will: 1. provide all the nutrients your blackberries neeed. Ive had thornless blackberries for 32 years, in the ground. The only "fertilizer" they've gotten is grass clippings- with maybe an occassional banana peel or other kitchen scrap. 2. Make any worries about fertilizer burn- simply Can't happen with them- or nutrient deficiencies a thing of the past. 3. Let you go longer between waterings, because they keep the soil much cooler and moister. 4. Prevent weeds, which can come up even in pots. A couple of tips on using the clippings in the pots. (And later when the berries are in the ground.) 1. Don't let the clippings actually touch the stems of the berries, especially fresh clippings. All the moisture in them could rot the stems, though blackberries are just about impossible to kill. In the pots, you can make small collars from yogurt cups or something similar to put aruond the stems. 2. Always water before you appply clippings, so they can "lock in" the moisture. This holds true in the ground, too, but is even more important in fast-drying-out pots. Then try not to get the clippigns wet for a while, till they've dried. It wouldn't hurt your plants one bit, but they might smell a little. Oh, I'm curious why you think blackberries "need more drainage than most other plants?" I have heavy clay soil, and they've done just fine. In fact, many people are afraid to grow blackberries, cause they are so hardy and "take over the yard." (On that, if you'd like to know a way to keep that from happening, post a question.) Oh, I hope you didn't pay extra to get Ten plants? The way blackberries spread, believe me, One would be sufficient. Ive given away hundreds of plants to other local gardeners over the years. Tyrell

My experience with barefoot trees purchased from the Internet is not good at all. One of five worked and I gave up contacting the Nursery for replacement. As a matter of fact I stopped buying trees from the Internet. It is like everything else starts good then the greed and consumer Rip-off prevail. Last year I Bought a Chicago Hardy Fig tree from EBay for $10 and $8 shipping it arrived in pot and the tree was about 6 inches long after one year it is about 1 foot long. I am stupid and I don't learn quickly. This year I purchased 2 black mission Fig trees from Purpee $30 cost and $10 shipping for a total of $40. It arrived after 4 weeks and when I opened the box my woman said they did they send you weeds. She thought it is weeds. The trees are 3-4 inches long and I said that is it. Never again. I was at HD buying some Sulur and found that they have new trees arrived I bought A brown Turkey Fig tree which has two 5 feet branches and in a pot for measly $19.00. I planted it and kept it inside the Garage and it is now has lots of leaves and look like a real tree. I have to find a nursery even within 100 miles and go and see what I am getting and it has to be in a pot. The so called barefoot gives the roots a big shock and most of the time don't recover.

OK they are in the ground. A new BlackGold cherry and a 20th century pear.

This is often the case with pears. The roots are not fibrous and just head down and nurseries don't make an adequate effort to lift more root. I believe that's one reason they are so sluggish coming out of he shoot. I've ordered from a commercial nursery that wouldn't guarantee their pear trees if you didn't drastically cut them back. The salesman told me he visited a commercial orchard down south somewhere where 1,000 pear trees died because the buyer failed to do this- whatever the Whitcomb research may say. I don't know for sure what's the best way to manage them but I don't usually cut them back and almost all trees live and give a little spurt of growth the first year.