This year you will likely be fine. When the bermuda comes out of dormancy next spring, the grass in the shade of the oak will not come out. That opens up all that area to some bad boy weeds. Among the weeds to watch for are clover, black medic (looks like clover), dichondra, and horse herb. They are innocuous looking at first, but become prolific. As they spread quickly into the shade-weakened bermuda, they will continue to spread into the dense bermuda shading it out as it goes. By the judicious use of Weed-B-Gone next spring, you can hold off the weeds until the rest of the bermuda comes out. Worst case is if you get crabgrass started in there, but that is unlikely because it is a sun loving plant, too. Dallis grass is another possibility. It has no trouble on the fringe of shade and sun. One thing that we're seeing happen is owners get anxious for their bermuda to come out in the spring. Just about the time the grass is starting to pop, they will drop bermuda seed. Or if they waited long enough to see it pop, they will see a weak spot (like I'm expecting in yours) in a hybrid bermuda and toss some bermuda seed in to build it up. The problem with that is the seeded varieties of bermuda are all common bermuda and not nearly the same quality of grass as the hybrid Tiff grasses. Even the Tif 419 variety of hybrid is not the same quality as your sports model bermuda. In the long run, the only turf grass that will survive under a southern live oak tree is St Augustine.

You are right about clay pots. I didn't use them as much when I grew in NY because of that. But, there were certain plants that did terribly in plastic and I grew them in clay. In Florida, plastic doesn't work because the heat, humidity and too much rain during the summer months. I have moved most to clay and the plants in plastic are planted in rock. I'm embarassed to admit, my plants in clay pots, where the roots grew outside the pot and attached to the clay went into larger clay pots. When it was time to repot, I stuck the plant in the clay pot inside a larger pot. The roots were free to fill in the space. I would eventually wind up with very heavy plants where some were potted inside 2 or three clay pots. When I do move plants out of the clay pots, I soak the roots for about 1/2 hr and peel the roots off the clay. Many get broken but I always pot in Spring when new roots are just starting to grow. I don't worry about losing the older roots. They will either branch or just die off. Doesn't seem to affect the plant as long as you time it right. Jane

Hi Jeelii..I'd love to come along on your tornado hunt. Cool. It'd be like the Wizard of Oz. Since we're inexperienced, (you too, Mike) would love hunting a 1 mile wind, though we'd probably end up in Oz..LOL. As for Walgreens, why in the world do they need so many stores? They're everywhere. And to knock down a sound building only to rebuild makes NO sense. I think they're trying to outdo CVS..I've heard CVS has numerous stores, too, but not many around here..there's two in a 30 mile radius. Walgreens, on the other hand, are located every mile..What's going to happen if people start shopping elsewhere? Especially when you hear there are inexpensive pharmacies. Because of our insurance, we haven't any choice but to use Walgreens for prescriptions, (HMO) but not all insurance companies are not like mine. What irks me is the old, family-owned pharmacies are gone..there were two in Brookfield, they'd been around forever. Once since the early 1900's. They had pics on the walls of their Grand Opening..newspaper articles regarding house-bound ppl who couldn't get out and had their meds delivered to their house..Can you imagine Walgreens doing that? NOT. I sympathize with you..They sure don't construct buildings like the old days..that had to hurt watching 100 yr old and older buildings being torn down. Sturdy old buildings to boot. That's horrible. Progress my a&&!! Sorry, but this topic upsets my stomach. At least they preserved some old buildings. A similar thing almost happened here..They were going to knock down the original RR building, but the community declined, voted against it, so they decided to keep it. Talk about historic. The RR building is a lovely, charming old place, though some say it's haunted. :) I'm like you..prefer old buildings to modern..in fact, I detest new office buildings that look like they reach the clouds, windows don't open, and buildings sometimes look like they're leaning..no way.. Same with old homes, big, old homes..they're charming and ornate. It seems since the 60's or 70's, modern buildings/homes popped up everywhere.. I surely hope you find the FE..HD used to sell it, but because of summer they're focusing on annuals/perrenials, have little indoor stuff. We went to 4 stores before finding Vermiculite, the last had 1 bag left.. Are u afraid to order online? There are several nurseries that sell FE..I used to fear providing info over the net, but w/Paypal, I feel safe. If you can't find it locally, try online..I'll help you look if you need assistance. If your citrus/plants have scale, the sooner you spray the better..plant bugs are like rabbits..LOL. They breed and before you know it, you have an infested plant/s. Hey Mike. I've been sooo busy working outside, between rain storms, lol. Many plants need repotting. Besides citrus, I'm also into AV's and succulents, and Palms..LOL.. I got a Travellers Palm on Ebay, going to plant in the garden. Though it's not a palm, it's related to Bird of Paradise. I think Musa, banana too, I'm curious what size it'll be by autumn. Hey know what I did? One of my citrus died over winter. I saved the rootstock which is quite healthy..then planted in the yard..going to mulch in autumn. I did this before and the stock lived more than 4 yrs..some idiot stepped and broke it one winter..after that it never grew. If you have room, why not try it? Mike, I agree about storms not destroying complete towns..You should have seen it here two Sundays ago..What a mess!! And we didnt have a tornado, so I can only imagine how it'd have been if we did. When I think of islands, my fantasy doesn't involve Super malls..That's horrible. Sure, ppl need shopping areas, but nowhere near as many that are being built. The only advantage is, more stores equal jobs. I'm sure there are many w/o work. Other than that I see no logical reason..in the meantime, trees are chopped, and wild life have no where to go.. Wow, you bred birds, too..Great..Did you hand-feed? My male, Mystic, a white-face pied, is 10 yrs old..This week alone, I discard 4 eggs..I hate doing it, feel guilty, but people aren't buying pets like they did. I have 4 birds now, don't need more. Also, more birds means less attention we pay to the parents. I'm quite fond of my birds, especially Mystic. He's jealous to begin with..LOL What sizse eggs do finches have? What color? I always wanted a canary, but never got one. The males, pure yellow, are gorgeous. Still, my male tiels sing Andy Griffith and Jingle Bells. They try talking..Mystic's son, Sparkle says HI..lol.. Before birds, I bred fish..all types, live and egg bearers..My favorite were Bettas..they're beautiful, especially males. Also bred Jack Dempseys, Angels, Guppies, and many others..After moving to the burbs, I lost contacts at pet stores, so gave it up..I kept the remaining fish till they went to fishy heaven. Including 2 huge Oscars and a 5lb cat fish..can't spell it, something like Pletcosomus. I only add Peat to plants that prefer acidic soil..but it's mix with other mediums. I remember about 10 yrs ago, when plants were sent through the mail or while shopping at local nurseries, all plants were potted in peat. Nurseries got away with it because they kept sprinkler systems running every 15-20 mins thoughout the day. (over tropicals, not succulents) Pots didn't have saucers and water dripped on the ground. All I know is, plants were beautiful. We who live in cold, dry climates can't get away with that. Then again, IMO, I honestly believe most plants need black soil for nutrients. I don't have the time to water 300 possibly 400 plants every 2-3 days. Not to mention fertilize more than I do now..It takes 3-4 days to fert, Superthrive and ES..forget it..LOL. It sounds like you saw some wonderful sites and nature on the islands..you are sooo lucky. It's ashame about the Palms though..maybe pollution is the problem. But why would islands like PR have polltion? Are there a lot of cars? Factories? Too bad you couldn't bring Coral home..LOL You saw nudiest? LOL..Where, walking down the street or at the beach? No, I can honestly say, I"M NO nudiest..LOL. In this day and age, w/all the perverts, I'm afraid to wear shorts and tank top. I dont know what you mean about the 1st grade thing? You've never beem to my website? My pics on there..you tell me how old I am..LOL..women do NOT reveal their ages.. Mike, don't toss your Clivias..you didn't, did you? Please tell me you didnt? Even if every leaf burned, and needs removing, with care they should produce new growth. When I first got the gh, I set my oldest clivia out there..one winter night, the coldest night of the year, the darn heater went out..Many Clivia leaves died. I brought in the house, vowed never to set outside..it's grown new leaves and huge. So, don't give up. Remove dead foliage, add Superthive..because it's stressed, add 10 drops per gallon of water..Keep in medium light the rest of the year. I guarantee it'll grow in.. I love talking to you too..We really have to hunt down tornados one day though..LOL.. Have you bought any new citrus? Binion, buy a Meyer's or Ponderosa..they're fairly easy to grow, and fruit year round. Especially Meyer's. These two are my favorites. I prefer standards to dwarfs, but confined to pots, it makes no difference as far as size..Kumquat is also another ever-blooming/fruiting plant.. Thank God your inlaws home wasn't hit by the storm..Wow..bet it was windy since the tornado was 4 miles away..did you get to see it? LOL Binion, what exactly is the US Green Building Council? It sounds like an environment program..yes, I agree it's going to be a long time before, like you say, things move in the right direction. The EPA's been around how many years, and although they've accomplished quite a bit, our air/water needs a LOT more work before it's breathable and drinkable. Trucks alone put out black, stinky smoke..not to mention all the vechicles on the roads. Stacks let out a good amount of smoke, too. Black is the worse. I attended an EPA test in Sprigfield. Got one wrong out of 50 questions. Not bad, huh? LOL More and more trees are being chopped down. Soon, it's going to be illegal to grow greenery the way things are heading..it seems that way. What many call progress, I call damnation. So much needs fixing..gas prices for one..I feel for the next president..he's got some job ahead of him, whomever he may be. We'll know soon enough. Maybe the Amish know something we don't..(S) I hope your agency rights the world again, though it's going to be rough. So many people are apathetic; they don't care about anything. How many times do you see ppl toss trash out of their cars? Or worse, people dumping car ashtrays in parking lots..that's disgusting!! Talking about this reminds me of an email I got yesterday. It regarded stopping dog fights. There are actual sites that discuss all the money that can be made by training dogs to fight. There was a picture of two dogs in battle..one dog had blood all over his face..Oh God, it was sad..The link led to a guy who is involved with dog fighting..he boasts about all the money he's made by raising vicious dogs..What the hell is wrong with people? Who wants to watch and bet on dogs ripping each other apart? Sorry, didnt mean to rant, especially since it's a citrus forum, but talking about the environment led me to think of the email. Let's stick with plants, maybe look for tornados..:) I think most plant people are compassionate and want to save the environemnt..Toni Let's get together..

The Thuderhead can handle heat no problem. I have a seven year old one planted in a similsr situation, area is about 10' wide between a house and an 8' tall Podacarpus hedge. You will have to keep the huge candles pinched back or this tree will eventually get high, branch out above the fence and awning and then shade out the lower branches. Likely,after many years, if not kept properly pruned all you will have to look at there is a trunk. These are not for sure a slow or dense growing tree unless pruned (candles pinched). Mine is already tall as the house and will but on 2+' in a year if not pruned. Very nice tree.