I wont go into specific types of lime you evidently have researched but it seems to me if you trust the laboratory that did your soil test, and it advised giving your lawn 50 lbs per 1000 sq ft. then I would suggest, if you don't believe this to be what is best for your lawn, then get another test done by another lab. It does seem high...with all the recommendations far less than that and applications should be done 2 - 3 months apart...half now, half later. This cuts down the chance of major damage being done over a wide area if your pH should suddenly shoot up. It takes time for lime to work its way through the soil so the time interval enables you to see what small improvements (if any) might be seen. Liming a lawn any time is generally accepted as a good rule to follow. Increased use of nitrogen based fertilizers can have an effect on the soil's pH --toward the acidic--while lawns do well by having a pH in the neutral range...6.8 - 7.2. Where one has multiple plants that prefer an acid soil---rhodos, azalea, etc....if one treats the soil that is close to lawns to help the plant, without due regard for the lawn, one can inadvertently lower the soil's pH. Hand fertilizing on lawn areas is, for this reason, a good rule. pH should never be taken in one area and accepted as what it is for the whole area. A compromise must be allowed. For this reason, soil samples are taken in widespread areas of a property.

For what it's worth, I do leave blackspot-infested leaves under the bushes but, unless it rains, the leaves dry up in record time. Rust-infested leaves I dispose of in the trash. I believe a mature China, such as my large Mutabilis, can be cut back drastically, but only very rarely. I was forced to do this because it looked sick, and when the leaves were gone I found the gopher hole that was killing it. The rose looks better than ever now after its drastic pruning, but unless I have a very good reason I wouldn't do it again for quite some years. Some Austins bloom very little if I don't prune them, and did splendidly afterwards. I wouldn't dream of pruning roses that are small or young, or pruning teas except to keep them within bounds. If I pruned out the deadwood in my four Le Vesuve planted at the edge of a hill, I'd be a bloody mess afterwards, assuming I didn't fall down the hill (been there on both counts). There are innumerable variables in our individual gardens and in our choice of roses. Jon, I would have loved to have your input. Your experience at Mottisfont would have yielded some invaluable advice. Granted, conditions there are not the same as everywhere in the United States, but enough areas have some similarities, and even for me in a very different climate it would be extremely interesting to know what you think. Your own garden is incredibly beautiful and I'm sure it didn't arrive at that state by benign neglect. Ingrid

Some pigmented oranges are stable genetic mutations and some of them are bud sport mutations. I have to dig my notes on what's what. I seldom propagate oranges by seedlings so these info doesn't stick to my brain for a long time. Just from recall, I know that Rohde Red and Cara-cara are sport mutations and so may be unstable when you plant the seeds, you may not get them as they are even if the seeds are nucellar. The juvenility phase of the seedlings may cause them to revert back to their original forms. But for sure, most other sanguines are true genetic mutations and could be stable and perhaps are true to type even when grown from seedlings. The Italians and other countries in Europe and mideast have longer history of citrus cultivation, and for sure, blood oranges from those places would be a better candidate for producing true to type sanguines from seedlings. Jacques Prevert: "La fermeture éclair a glissé sur tes reins et tout l'orage heureux de ton corps amoureux au beau milieu de l'ombre a éclaté soudain Et ta robe en tombant sur le parquet ciré n'a pas fait plus de bruit qu'une écorce d'orange tombant sur un tapis Mais sous nos pieds ses petits boutons de nacre craquaient comme des pépins Sanguine joli fruit la pointe de ton sein a tracé une nouvelle ligne de chance dans le creux de ma main Sanguine joli fruit Soleil de nuit."

Call_me_wizfire, Andrew: I think you are going to be very successful with starting many seeds! You have recieved such good and loving support from so many here, just as I always have..I must say though, I miss "Tsmth" very much.. It was hard for me to post here a few times, but getting better. Josh, every sentence in paragraph 3 mirrors me too. I don't know what to say except that the sentiments about you are exactly the same by me. I owe you a whole lot of thank yous and much appreciation for all you have done for me, us, and for all the pictures, suggestions, and time you have generously shared here and most of all, your many years of friendship! You are not a man to be treated in any way except for in kindness and with respect! I don't hate anyone that uses Coir, just that I hate coir itself..I will honestly admit, I have use a bit in a couple of my little pots for ceratin plants, but that is it. The fraction being 14 of my mix, but never for any of my citrus again. I will never use another product that has always put my plants on death row. I have many here to thank for that, especially you Josh and Al for getting me started on much grittier mixes years ago. I suppose many plants can survive in that bagged stuff, but I am not satisfied with plants that just hang on and do what they can, but I am pleased in plants that show their vitality in ways never imagined and having the most ROBUST plants, high quality growing ones that are always happy..That is what I finally learned to know with you all in the gritty and the 5.1.1 mixes. I thank everyone here for believing in many here that suggest these mixes and for all the appreciation shown to us when many saw how happier their plants could be and how green they have become, and how they quickly they recover once the roots hit these mixes. You are all such a bunch of beautiful people and citrus friends. Plant48: I have nothing against you. I think many here have kindly helped you to understand how they feel too about how you word your potsings. I hope understood them:-) Rhizzo, it is always a pleasure to read what you have to offer. Always spot on, never a disappointment to me. Have a merry day all!