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

Oh good i havent trimmed any,just wondering if i should have soaked it more too!Iknow that adeniums respond well after being shipped bare rooted to soak a few hours then let dry then plant in dry soil?maybe this also will work? Hi John i bought it from Ebay.uk from a Hydropuonics store,i only got the 1 oz,but you only need one or 2 drops per gallon of water or something,and i also spray the tips and soil on my cuttings lately in the rising tempuratures,and has been working really well,I looked all over here for it as we have MANY agriculture stores but they have never even heard of it. I would think in a Hydroponics store they will have it but we dont have any here.

No worries, Ashley...Just water it very well, let it drain and then water again if you haven't already done that, and that will settle the soil and get rid of any air pockets that are down there. The first time I planted roses, I read the directions afterwards and found I was supposed to amend the soil. I dug up 5 rose that were grafted and replanted them in a blinding rainstorm just to add the compost. Basically, I was digging and mixing mud. What a mess. Later years I discovered my soil was just fine the way it was and I never add anything except fertilizer and mulch the top these days. I do bury the graft 4 inches because I live in a cold climate. Own-root roses, I put 2 inches down for the same reason. It is a good thing to amend the soil if it is not the best... next time. :) Rebecca

I'm not worried about the tree falling; I'm just wondering why that crook developed. Like, could there have been girdled roots already present when they planted it and now that the trunk grew in girth they are starting to choke it? I really doubt that there would be any visual evidence this early in the game. The symptoms of girdling roots don't show up very quickly, it would take several if not many years to encircle and choke a tree. Girdling roots start out as circling roots. Circling roots happen when a tree is planted too deeply in the soil, roots then will grow up towards shallower, oxygen rich ground. Once they get to a level that they like, they start growing laterally again. Trouble is, the don't have a sense of direction and can start growing back toward the tree and at times around the tree.This can also be caused by trees that are in a pot way too long at the nursery. I think that being you have a true root flare at the correct depth on one side of the tree, that means that the part of the trunk that needs to be at the right level, is at the right level, so you should be fine imo. You'll probably have to live with that 'crook'. Don't know what caused it but hey, it's a tree and trees will grow the way they want to no matter what we try to do. That's remarkable growth btw. And you don't have to be too quick to prune anything, even by next year would be fine.