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

Planto's recollection sounds right. Sorry, Aloes CAN NOT be propagated from leaf portions. One needs a whole division (like a crown if one thinks of African Violets). Wish they could but they can't. If that Aloe isn't rotting (after unpotting to check the roots) I'd suggest you sprinkle the bottom of it w/ regular cinnamon (like one bakes with), shake the excess off & then repot. I'd also suggest you get perlite & add 1/3 to 1/2 as much perlite as you have mix, as that mix is far too water retentive (& likely rich in organics) for Aloes (it tends to make them rot). The cinnamon is a natural anti-fungal, so I suggest all applying that to stave off rot 'til the plant has a chance to re-root (if needed). I am sure of their propagation (Aloes). I grow some Aloes myself & also have dated a man who was an Aloe freak, collected some real beauties & I know this to be fact (sorry).

I, too, am trying to select a cultivar to grow. I'd like thornless if it would be worth growing, but my main concern doesn't seem to be addressed anywhere I've read. Seems like a lot of people here with lots of experience. Can you help? I currently grow boysenberries. What I'd like is a blackberry cultivar that shares with them an important characteristic: all new canes come only from the crown (unless a tip touches down, of course). In other words, are there cultivars for me to AVOID because they behave like raspberries and sprout up everywhere? I have limited space, lots of things I want to grow, and extremely sandy soil (well...it IS sand...) so anything with a growth habit like raspberries will be rapidly out of control (I do grow raspberries, but in containers). Right now I like the sound of Triple Crown. It it the kind of plant I am looking for?

Jean, If you have your apricot sprite planted in a sheltered area where the soil drains well and it has been been planted out for at least 3 months, you have a good chance that it will survive. The two I grew from seed last year and planted out survived our winter here in the Niagara Falls, NY area. Mine is planted on the south west side of my house. I should have some salvia coccinea seeds a little later on and I will post on the exchange page when they are ready. Penny