Just FYI, I've called the three OSH stores near me in San Jose (Cottle, West San Carlos, and the new one on Blossom Hill) and none of them have ever heard of "Redwood Soil Conditioner" and it doesn't sound like any of them carry any kind of composted bark - just the 'nuggets' and similar mulches. Has anyone found a source for composted redwood or fir bark fines in the Bay Area? All of the landscape supply places seem to only sell by the cubic yard. I only need like 5 cu ft.

the root issue here.. is zone pushing ... and when you are doing such .... its all about micro climates ... and the fact.. that you arent ever going to find anyone else with your exact circumstances ... so when you get to that point.. you simply buy one.. and try it.. in your little micro climate ... in this day and age.. with mail order ... you shouldnt need to invest more than 2o to 30 bucks for a babe .. and hopefully less ... and you go for it ... i would not suggest investing 2 or 300 bucks in a large specimen ... besides.. babes acclimate easier .... good luck ken

dvdgzmn, if Cynara cardunculus--Cardoon--is what you want to plant, is there any way to talk you out of it? It is rated as a noxious pest on the California Exotic Pest Plant Council, has been singled out as one of the top 20 invasive plants in the East Bay (http://www.bringingbackthenatives.net/pestplants.html) as well. It is Mediterranean in origin and thus highly succeptible to reseeding freely and outcompeting native species if you use it in your garden (it's a heavy seeder). Is there a reason this plant appeals to you so much? And if you truly want seeds, there's plenty of it growing throughout the Bay Area, unfortunately. David

Yes the fertilizer you will be giiving is not balanced. Like I said before 5-1-3 proportion like 10-2-6 or 15-3-9 something like that. But thats what I'll do. I am not advocating you do that Citrus is different animal to take care of. Irregardless summer or fall it's going to take in nutrients like above in proportion. Unlike other plants such as decidious trees 0-5-12 is recommended.But in citrus specially if the plant is in pots the fert proportion is more critical. If it is planted in the ground then it does not matter too much. But again the citrus still take in nutrients the same way. But they ar more forgiving if planted in the ground. Perhaps they have the ability for their roots to seek the needed nutrients from neighbors.