I'll remain calm and focused on the facts, Brent, and I'll refrain from any name-calling. First, I never said it WAS a Mg deficiency, only that if it is a nutrient deficiency, it's likely to be Mg. I think you offered a theory based on a subjective interpretation of what you think a Mg deficiency should look like based on a net search or a book, and on a plant you have never seen. If I am wrong, I apologize, but my being wrong on this point puts you in possession of enough science to argue this point from a scientific perspective, so can we keep it that way, please? I based my reasoning, in part, on the fact that I sent Mike the fertilizer he is using (MG). The fertilizer itself contains NPK, Fe, Mn, and Z. I also added STEM micronutrients to the fertilizer to insure that all nutrients (except the two that are not commonly soluble) would be furnished. The only elements missing from both the fertilizer AND the STEM are Ca and Mg. Though I stated I'm not certain it IS a nutrient deficiency, it's difficult to argue against the logic that IF it is a deficiency, it is almost certainly one of the elements not being supplied (especially since bark and peat based soils are known to be low in both Ca and Mg) or one that is pH induced. We can eliminate the pH induced deficiency of Fe because Mike is growing in a peat/bark blend that he did not lime, which means the pH of the soil is probably quite low, and there is very little or (practically speaking) no Ca or Mg in it. The only other thing that would block uptake of Fe is a toxicity of Mn, and with his fertilizer program, that's not happening. I'll point out again that while experienced plantsmen don't necessarily ignore the photographs offered as being illustrative of deficiency symptoms, they do know that symptoms vary widely, and put far more stock in the known chemical aspects of nutrition that do not vary than in photos or written guidelines that are subjective and guaranteed to vary by plant. I already stated this above, so I'm not falling back on anything, I just didn't feel like retyping it. ;o) Take care. Al

It is my understanding that cats and foxes do fine together. But not coyotes or fishercats which are pretty darn vicious and will tear cats into fluff balls. What I cannot understand, since New England and other north eastern locations are long settled areas, is why there is such a deer and coyote population inside the small towns and city suburbs. Down here, of course, we have no problem of deer in the towns. If they showed up, some Cajun would be boiling rice and it would be on the table for supper. Most we find are the smaller wildlife creatures, like possums and coons, squirrels and a few rabbits, and of course snakes and a few alligators. Rats? well, they hang out in clumps of bamboo. Since they feel safer at night, the owls are helpful in controlling their numbers. With the movie Ratatouille I had a dilemma because the "hero" was a rat....not a mouse, which seems more acceptable .... but an animated RAT. It was a good story though.

We know what you really meant! Myself, I would have a nice thick file at the FBI. Because when the noise started I would paint myself up in camoflauge, stick branches and leaves on me, get the binoculars and a big flashlight and stalk them. Then I would stand in the back yard with my "rifle"-the rake-and point it at the helicopters and make gun noises. After the FBI arrested me I would go on Good Morning America to proclaim my innocence and c/o the government spying on good old American gardeners who are just trying to help end hunger. And that was just plain old mud stuck to me, thank you very much, and who EVER heard of shooting at a helicopter with a rake? The government has gone crazy, first tapping out phones, then how we spend our money, that right there is proof, all my money goes to nurseries and garden books, 6 of my ancestors fought for this country's freedom way back when, I'm a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution for crying out loud, noone in MY family ever shirked their military duty, my husband is a Vietnam Vet! What is wrong with the government? Terrorist everywhere and they are scaring and arresting gardeners! Of course, I probably already have a file with the FBI!! Keep your head down! Tally HO!

This is a two way street. The people that get all ruffled at Miele when they suggest that there might be operator error are guilty of the same behavior they're accusing Miele of. They are not considering the possibility that they or a particular use might just using the appliance improperly ! I've had almost 20 years with these machines and Miele sometimes sends out or you receive a bum steer. I've personally seen ones arrive with seized pumps or non functioning heaters - you can count them on less than one hand, but they are out there. second, Miele designs and builds one of the most advanced and highest quality units in the industry today. Like any other company, they sometimes ship a defective unit or it gets broken in transit from Germany or they just get or specify a not so good batch of parts. This does not man that they are a bad or inferior company. It does mean that THAT particular user's experience is not so rosey and like a wrecked car you can't un-wreck it. Knowing that you design and produce one of the best machines in the market it's natural for a company to take the view that if there is an initial prob. that it is operator error, especially when the data actually bears this out. Now, what this doesn't take into account is that the product might just not be the correct choice or a particular individual. i.e I just like rinsing my dishes so they don't get crusty or I like using x brand of detergent which for whatever reason doesn't work in a particular unit. (asolo - I agree with you in principle, but some combos just don't work especially in the prior generation) Or - my dishes are wet AND I refuse to use rinse aid. The prob. is big corp. brother makes NO provision whatsoever for the fact that sometimes a product is not a good fit for or able to meet the needs of some customers. For those that take umbrage at all the try this or that. Take a breath - most of these are good suggestions that have worked for people that have had problems with these in the past - sure it'd be nice to take it out of the box and have it adapt to my habits without needing to read the manual, but that isn't the case with much these days. Again - all this hopping on one leg patting one's head while tugging the left earlobe may be more than a particular customer wants or feels (s)he should have to invest in getting a tool to work for them. But, refusing to do it once you're in the game AND THEN calling the product or co.'s stuff, junk isn't quite fair. I'd advise megg not to get a Bosch - or any other Euro washer and the results are very likely to be the same. I do hope (s)he will come back and tell us what they ended up replacing the miele with and how the new unit fairs.