I'm having a similar problem with one of my 2 baskets. I have then hanging on a west facing deck. The basket on the north-open end of my deck looks healthy. The one on the south-closed end of my deck looks terrible! Really wilted, looks like it's getting ready to die! Water them both every day, soil is moist! Don't want to lose it. Help!

It would appear I am wrong for not joining the baying crowd in putting this lady into the stocks and throwing rotten tomatoes at her. I assume she did not come here for a judge and jury even if anyone here was half qualified for that role. It is clear she has already judged herself enough. Lets not lose sight of the important issue, and that is the children. It is in their best interests to know that both their parents love them no matter what else has gone on. Yes, even a 1 or 2 year old will one day wonder, ask and likely seek out his origins. Whose victory is it to have a child hating their mother or father? Alwaysinmyheart never cold-bloodedly walked out on her children. Read again what she said. Then began the battle for custody in the eyes of the courts he was the parent who could provide stability because he had our home where the kids grew up and he had the way to keep the kids out of daycare and in their school they had begun in. She never said she DID NOT contact them At first I called them all the time and sent letters in the mail to them I just did not call them as much On paper I agree that does not make sense, but I get the impression she is possibly with a very controlling man. Its easy to say what you would or would not have done but unless and until you live with someone like that, you cannot know the enormous emotional pressure/depression she was likely battling. We have not walked in her shoes. She worked and saved and fought with her new husband to get back to her children. Does that sound like a cold-hearted woman who doesnt love her kids? She found out the children were calling the new wife mom. Why should they be encouraged to do that when they already have a mom that loves them? Her ex husband claims she lost all rights when she left. What rubbish! Is that putting the kids first? Sounds like bitterness and revenge to me. This lady has made some grave mistakes. I think she knows that. Do you think that someone who didnt care would sit down and write to a forum for some help and guidance? Im not here to fall out with anyone, but blame and shame will not help those children. Dunmoain

Do not rush to assuming the worse and cutting without thorough checking first. It may not be necessary to cut all off. If my plants, this is what I would do: (take photos and post if not sure) - 1. pat dry with a kitchen paper towel to soak up as much moisture as possible 2. fell the stems/trunks for any softness. There is difference between soft from rotting and soft in limp, thirsty plant. If trunks feel soft above the roots, do as nomen suggested, cutting off all the ends including existing roots. 3. cut a slice off of the very end, maybe 1/4" thick, and see what color the flesh is. If it has any black/dark spots at all, that is likely rot. In that case, keep cutting similar slices off until only light-colored flesh is visible. It should be light green, whitish, creamy color. If rotted, you may have to cut off a lot. Do not worry if this happens, just make sure you get healthy flesh. If you need to cut above the existing roots, plant will re-root with proper care. 4. double-check health of roots; it maybe visible if they are dry (cut of dry/dead ends); they may be soft/mushy and sort of slimy - that is rot. Cut off until healthy. Color of roots varies, they could be very light or bit darker but should be quite firm - if rotted, one should be able to tell. Sometimes, rotted pieces may have foul odor (not always). 5. after all cleaning and checking, dust the cut trunks ends lightly with powdered cinnamon (natural fungicide), or flowers of sulfur. Not absolutely necessary. 6. let callus cut pieces for day or few, out of direct sun but in space that has good air circulation. 7. assemble (or buy) well-draining mix. Pic of mix nomen posted gives you good idea. Tell us what you have available or what you can get easily to suggest how to mix. I use mix of grit+sifted perlite and some turface. There are many ways to assemble a good mix. 8. get a pot with drainage holes, do not get pot that is huge. Fill with new mix, and pot the trunks. Deeper than it was may not be needed - it depends if you had to cut much off or not. Inserting it deeply because it may be wobbly doesn't help - plant will be stable once roots grow in and anchor it. Use large rocks to support the plant temporarily. If really heavy, it is possible to tie it down. Keep plant in spot that won't get 'bumped' easily. Leave it out of strong sun for few days immediately after repotting, but it will need as much light as possible, with whatever sunlight you can supply, to grow well. Good air circulation is also beneficial. Use sharp blade for cutting, and wipe clean between the cuts with a paper/cloth towel moistened with rubbing alcohol, or even bit of bleach in order not to spread possible rot. Sorry for the long post. It is quite simple after you try first time. Ask any further q you may have...

There are lots of sub-alpine firs on Seattle properties that have been around for many years. But like the other species of Abies that are abundant in local plantings these are prone to insect infestations that may eventually spoil them after perhaps decades of growth. Popular and widely planted in Seattle landscapes, often with bark mulch and boulders. Most are transplanted from mountains, a few are nursery-grown; great variation in appearance and performance.... Most die before or soon after reaching 30' in height; few trunks 1' thick exist. --A. L. Jacobson, Trees of Seattle - Second Edition (2006) [Followed by a listing of planted examples in Seattle ranging from 39 ft. to 51 ft. in height, the latter an Arboretum accession dating from 1937; this collection has at least a past history of disease or pest susceptible trees receiving preventative sprays. Also I believe one of astute planting site selection being undertaken by Brian O. Mulligan] The hemlock is not free of this syndrome of cold climate conifers struggling with pests here, in later years I have seen numbers of these becoming stricken. Since your trees are clearly recently wild collected specimens I'm inclined to think their difficulties are due to problems related to this and not to their genetics. You will definitely get better response from any future plantings from trees and shrubs of all kinds by mulching the soil around them after planting. In the meantime I think you have lost the fir to the right in your picture. Dig around in and look at the soil near their original soil balls - and also inside these balls - to check the current soil moisture conditions. Characteristic locations for this species in nature are areas of heavy snow-pack, as well as along the edges of streams, and in wet meadows. In other words seasonally moist to wet soils, but high up where the air is cool and the growing season short. And the winters perhaps too cold for the kinds of bugs that get on them down here.