Sherry, my parents have raspberries growing along their tree line (Wood at the back of their lot, mostly Oak trees) and they do just fine. In fact, they do better then fine because they get more berries then they can handle. LOL... I hate going over there when the berries are in because it's raspberries on everything they offer me to eat... They even make me go pick them. BTW, sorry to hear of Tornadoes; hopefully everyone made it ok. I worked Hurricane Andrew with the Red Cross back in the early 90's and know 1st hand what tornadoes can do...

Fertilizer choice won't have any effect on fungus gnats, just the plants. I disagree about using wilt as an indicator of when to water or as an attempt to get rid of FG's. About to wilt = healthy, actually wilted = extreme distress. As plants grow, they will use more moisture so the pot will dry more quickly, so a set schedule is rarely ideal. Drying at the top really won't help since the gnats will just use the moist soil at the bottom of, and within the center of the pot, especially if they are able to access the drain holes as mentioned. (Assuming your pots have drain holes. Do they?) The only bone of contention I have, a very minor one, with the excellent advice here would be that I wouldn't call a potting mix crappy if the only reason for that label is that it is able to support fungus gnat larvae. They need organic matter, so although it's certainly possible to have/make/(buy?) a potting mix without such, many people are perfectly happy with potting mixes containing such, either store-bought or home-made. Since fungus gnats are so easy to defeat/control/avoid, I don't find this one feature, seeing a few fungus gnats in small enough amounts that they do not bother plants or people, a significant enough detriment to call a potting mix crappy. (Please don't interpret this as arguing that FG's can damage plants, not saying that, just that a few seem harmless.) Some don't tolerate any fungus gnats, and I respect that, and support their efforts to get rid of them. Some may create a mix that does have organics but not of a type/texture that harbors FG's. As you learn, you can do the best possible job with what you can get and afford. Instead of overwatering, think under-drying and excessive moisture within the "soil" as the issue. I water many plants daily, if I feel like it, although they can go for a few days, some longer...

Welcome Nate! I wish I could say I have a few plumies growers living here in Mass. with me..:-( Mine are doing great, except, I can't wait for more inflo's on all my plumies.. I do have one though finally! Seems like FOREVER for them to go from bud to open flower...God. I have been looking at mine trying to open quite a while..Almost a couple of flowers though..Everyday the hot sun shines on it, I smile with greatfulness! I leave mine outside until nigts average in the 40's and they do well till then, all the way up in New England. I just make sure that they are getting loads of full sun. I have been directed to stop fertilizing from an expert here, so the plants can harden off for the winter. So I have stopped. I think the brown spot is common for late in the season. I always get brown spots and some leaves even yellow, which I think is just common. As for transplanting, I too would wait until spring when the roots start to actively grow again. Wished I lived in Virginia. You people have at least a month or two of much warmer weather tahn I do left to go... Take care. You will love this forum. Alot of great people and very informative material here...:-) Ps. Just a thought for any who would ahte to bring their plumies in so early. Why not buy one of those portable greenhouses? I did for a little over 100$ last spring and it is the best thing I could of ever invested in for any plant I want to keep outdoors longer than I would like. My plumies rejoiced in it this spring, and I am sure they will when I put them in there in this fall...It extends their growing season and starts them early...The sun can make that house very toasty even in November...

Well, you certainly have to mention the great grandfather's history in scouting and how proud he would be of your nephew. I would mention that this is an award the carries with it such significance that it is worthy of mention in future job applications as I know of men who consider that such an indicator of hard work, dedication and character that they seek out such employees. Mention that it is a step into manhood, teaching a boy the value of planning, coordinating, giving, responsibility, etc. through his executing and experiencing it all. Then share from the poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling: [IF] If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you But make allowance for their doubting too, If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise: If you can dream--and not make dreams your master, If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools: If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breath a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!" If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; If all men count with you, but none too much, If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son! --Rudyard Kipling