On a topic like this, newbie posters sure would benefit by using latin names. Following is from Seeds of Woody Plants in the United States, Forest Svce Handbook #450 Metasequoia glyptostroboides - "seed of M.s. does not require stratification. Seed sown directly on soil begins germinating within 5 days." M.s. is a deciduous, Chinese native. On East Coast it grows as far north as Massachusetts. Does fine in ordinary, well-drained soil, readily available, sometimes used for windbreaks. Wholesale plugs run about @ $1.50 Sequoia sempervirens - "seed requires no pretreatment to induce germination. ....seed sown in April may start germinating in 20 days". I have lived in the mid-Atlantic all my life and have never seen the tree. Further quoting from Handbook 450 "Redwood thrives in cool, moist places". It is native from SW Oregon to Monterey Co., California. Perhaps it could exist from Williamsburg/Richmond south on the East Coast? The evergreen needles similar to hemlock. Sequoiadendron giganteum - "optimal constant temperature for germination was between 60 & 70 degrees F. Stratification in vermiculite at 35 degrees F for 28 days improved germination". 'Hazel Smith' is a popular blue form, I've seen the original tree in Northern NJ, where it overwinters fine. S.g. is somewhat of a novelty on the East Coast. It is found in Botanic Gardens and conifer collectors who have plenty of room. Squirrels peel off the thick, spongey bark to use for bedding, that is a problem. For me, the only value of green seedlings would be to use as understock to graft the blue form onto. Evergreen, remotely similar to Cryptomeria. It is native to the western slopes of California's Sierra Nevada. So you see, three distinct species with variable traits and cultural requirements. They should not be lumped together into one query. BTW, citing an old thread from the Conifer Forum hardly qualifies as research. It is nothing more than a series of anectdotal observations, just like all GardenWeb forums. Sam

So you are drawing a general conclusion about Spring in New England based on the temperature of March 24? Your credibility is taking a serious blow. when the sun shone, the water sparkled, and one walked hatless outdoors in an open vest over a flannel shirt. The peepers were going like an extraterrestrial chorus downhill in the wetlands after dark. Skunk cabbage is starting to boil up out of the ground. Many perennials are sprouting. The tenants of our birdhouses are flying in from the south In what part of the US is this not true? Just substitute "skunk cabbage" with one of the prevalent plants of a particular area and that same statement could be made anywhere in the US. A few years ago, I had a picture of a fall scene in my office complete with a covered bridge and blazing fall foliage. A few people asked me if the picture was taken in New Hampshire. Their jaw dropped when I told them it was from Tennessee. If you are referring to D.C as the South, then you are seriously mistaken. As an Alabamian, I would never consider that area to be part of the South. It's hard to generalize anything about the South anyway because the states are huge compared to here. Most of New England would fit into Alabama. I doubt seriously that you have really taken enough of the South to draw any general conclusions. I will be the first to admit though that summers down there are unbearable. It's the main reason why I moved away. It's amazing the number of people here that talk about Southern people being disingenuous with their actions. Southerners are known for their friendliness and warmth. Since that trait is so rare for the people of New England, they really don't know how to deal with it when they encounter it. It makes me sad that people like you are so uncomfortable around genuinely good people. Claire, I would be one of those Southerners that thinks the beaches here are too rocky. The beaches in Alabama are very wide, the sand is snow white, and the beaches are raked so they don't have all of the rocks, shells, and seaweed to mutilate you as you walk across it. The water is warm and the breezes are refreshing. Here the ocean breezes are cold and strong and uncomfortable on all but the hottest days and the water is freezing at all times of the year. I think several of the beaches in New England especially in Maine are picturesque but not for frolicking.

I recently ordered from them, not knowing my order would come from China. The only tracking number they could provide was the one from China Post. I knew for a fact that these deliveries get transferred to USPS. Never got one from USPS. Tracked the shipment via Track17. Until one day, it said it was delivered, but I did not receive anything. Communicated the problem and they insisted that it was delivered to the right address, that neighbors might have received it. My neighbors know me and they'd surely give me the misdelivered item, which has happened in the past. We went back and forth on the refund. Finally settled on 50% refund. The first and the last order from them. Be warned. Sounds more like a scam now to me.

Thanks, everyone. I guess I'm not the only one dealing with this skin thing. Spoke to my daughter today, she's 46 and told her what happened to my arm and how thin my skin has gotten. She said she notices her skin bruises and cuts easier and just seems thinner. The dog I watch weighs about 65lbs and loves coming to stay with me. I love her dearly. But her care is not the greatest. I always had large dogs and always trained them not to jump. We had three Rottweilers all close to 100lbs or over. I made sure they would never jump on me or anyone else. That training starts in puppy-hood. Unfortunately, this dog has had little training. But I adore her and will not say anything to her owner for fear he'd take it out on her. However, her nails are horrible. For some reason they are very sharp and broken causing very sharp, wooden like nails. She just got me without warning. Two weeks ago I was pruning some rose bushes in front of the house when my cell phone (in my back pocket) rang. I turned to answer it and got nailed by a bush. Nasty, bleeding. That is just healing, and now this!. I thought maybe there was some sort of supplement I could take, but I guess its age. Mdln, thank you for that interesting graph. I guess its natural. I had been worried about bruising which happens frequently. I seem to bump my arms into the car doors, cabinets, etc. I now grab an ice pack and put pressure on it to stop the bruising. Obviously, can't have ice packs everywhere you go. Bee, I agree! My hair is so thin especially on the left side where I had Shingles. I can see my scalp and am really thinking of a wig. Its so hot here in Florida, the thought of wearing a wig seems impossible. Thanks again, everyone! Jane