Okay here it is guys, a three year tree from Four Winds! It's a fukushu kumquat. And i love it! It already had perfect shape so i didn't prune any. I picked all the orange fruit except for one. The foliage is really dense and beautiful. The leaves don't really smell, but that fruit tastes so sweet (for a kumquat!) Definitely the best one I've had! Thank you gardenweb for showing me how to successfully grow container citrus, you all are a great community. IM only 19, by I've done some stuff mentioned here, like attaining ingredients for the gritty mix. Fir bark- pets Mart Crushed granite- tractor supply co 100% diatomaceous earth- o reillys auto parts, oil absorber. My key lime from seed sure appreciates the gritty mix as it was the first one to go in it and has elongated and put out new leaves the day since! Everyone should have WELL draining soil, it does magic! Best of luck, from MONTANA!

Kate, what a beautiful tribute to some exquisite roses. I think it would have about killed me to lose an Eden Climber that looked like yours--those magnificent blooms! I love the mass of creamy color that Buff Beauty produces, too. All are lovely. By the way, "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" was sung by so many artists that I can see why you couldn't remember just which one. First sung by Pete Seeger in 1955 (too far back for even me); then, I believe Peter Paul, and Mary sang it. But the iconic recording I remember best, at age 19, was that of Joan Baez in 1965, and it became a protest song against the Vietnam War. Lesley, I am sorry Golden Celebration didn't work out for you because yours was so gorgeous--it's also one of my favorite roses, but blackspot isn't a problem here, and that can make all the difference. Don't beat yourself up about New Dawn--I rid myself of 5 of them, all of which were once bloomers and monsters. During that brief bloom period in spring, I admit they were gorgeous monsters. Sara-Ann, your two Queen Elizabeth roses were simply beautiful, and I can see why you want to replace them. Why did you lose them, if I may ask? I've lost a few (by my own hand), but I don't have a single photo of any of them. It's probably for the best. But thank you all for sharing those you have loved and lost. Diane

I have been growing meiwa kumquats from seed. They are consistently attacked by spider mites. I believe that the roots do not change their nutrient formulation to defend itself against pest and this is why they are near impossible to grow from seed. I am curious if you have picture of your tree when it was doing very well. Has it produce fruit yet. Al my kumquat tree have died. They put on a growth spurts of significance harden off loose all the leave and die back to 6 inches and then put on beautiful growth. Harden off then infestation takes of every leaf. This stripping growing process happens 2 time a year and my tree went from 8 inches to 30 inches back to 8 they grow to 30 and die back to 8. Steve

I placed my kumquat seeds between to pieces of damp paper towels in a zipper food bag and placed over my heater duct outlet. Others I planted in potting soil wit a lid over the container and placed inside one of my heating ducts. Both ways took about a week. My last set of 80 meiwa seeds all rotted. Meiwa kumquats are very hard to start. Today I ate my last 2 Meiwa kumquats and saved 10 seed to through outside in the 20F snow. I am not wasting any more time sprouting Meiwa seeds. Its a lot of work. Steve