Zeolite occurs naturally in many parts of America and is a product well worth looking out for since its use improves long-term soil quality and gives better plant yields. Its great value is its capacity to hold other nutrients, making them available to plants. Plant nutrients, such as ammonium, nitrogen and potassium carry positive electrical charges which are attracted to and held by any negatively charged surfaces in the soil. Leaching occurs if there are insufficient negatively charged surfaces. Because zeolite has a honeycomb structure and strong negative charges, it is able to attract and hold the positively charged cations for the future use of the plant. This makes better use of added fertiliser, meaning less can be applied. American soils are low in potash because it usually leaches out. Zeolite holds the nutrient so the plant can use it later. When applying zeolite, wear goggles to protect the eyes, especially in windy weather. Use 1/2 to 1 lb. per square yard of soil, together with fertiliser, and water in well. It can also be added to pot plant growing media before applying liquid fertiliser. Zeolite has the added benefit of being an effective odour eater, so is useful on any kind of manure, including that of your pets. http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s237476.htm avalable in the western U.S. @ ovdairy@wildblue.net in lots of one ton or more.

Cheering you on in your quest to stop smoking, Edna. It is a giant committment, but one that you can do. I am the world's best cheerleader for smokers who quit, as I did it 11 years ago, after smoking 2 packs a day for 40 years! If I can do it, anybody can do it! Just remember that the old devil can show up at any time to set on your shoulder and taunt you, so keep your guard up! Every craving will pass in a very short time, and when it does, you have won again! Hang in there! What a wonderful trip you have planned! I can't wait to hear reports! All that history makes me dizzy; I would love it! Just think; Edna floating down the Nile on a barge, just like Cleopatra! What a wonderful site for renewing your vows! Take LOTS of pictures! Remember everything! Be safe, and have a wonderful time! Janie

I think a lot of the criticism of the Zeta Rod system on this forum has been a bit unfair. First, I have no association of any kind with Zeta Rod. I don't sell or install water conditioning equipment. I do have a degree in chemistry. First, Zeta Rod DOES NOT claim to remove calcium and other dissolved minerals from your water. In fact, they have been very clear that they DO NOT remove anything. Therefore, and chemical test of water that has been conditioned with a Zeta Rod system will have exactly the same chemical composition as the water prior to the test. If you collect some Zeta Rod conditioned water and let it dry, you will get a deposit -- again, exactly what Zeta Rod states. What Zeta Rod DOES claim to do is to keep minerals dissolved in the water, so that they do not precipitate on (coat for the non-chemists) pipes, dishes, sinks, etc. (at least prior to the water evaporating). Zeta Rod also claims that any scale present due to evaporation will be easier to remove than normal scale. I have been using a Zeta Rod system for almost two years and my experience is that both of Zeta Rod's claims are true. Here are the trade-offs between a Zeta Rod and a traditional water softener; at least as I see them: 1. A Zeta Rod system may have a higher installation cost, but a lower operating cost. 2. In municipalities where traditional water softeners are not allowed, the Zeta Rod is a LOT better than nothing. 3. A traditional water softener will remove metals from your water -- the Zeta Rod will not. However, the Zeta Rod does appear to prevent the metals from depositing on pipes and other surfaces (as long as the water is not allowed to evaporate). During the first few months of use, the Zeta Rod also appears to remove any existing scale that has built up on pipes. Based on my personal experience, the Zeta Rod appears to be MORE effective than a salt based water softener at preventing scale buildup on pipes. 4. While the Zeta Rod does not remove anything from the water, it also does not add anything to the water. A traditional water softener replaces metals (usually calcium and magnesium) with sodium and/or potassium, depending on the kind of salt used with the water softener. 5. A traditional water softener should prevent water spots. A Zeta Rod will not prevent water spots. 6. The Zeta Rod system is MUCH smaller than a salt based water softener. If I had to install a new system and salt based water softeners were legal in my area, it would be a pretty close call for me. I would probably opt for the Zeta Rod system because of lower operating costs, smaller size and not lower maintenance (don't have to mess with bags of salt). Cheers, Don

I attended a talk on Citrus Greening by Dr Jude Grosser, Univ. of Florida, that was held in January by the Tampa Bay Rare Fruit Council. He said that they were still working on several different methods to get rid of or control Citrus Greening and gave us some examples of the research being done. One thing he did mention is that they have seen numerous examples of trees that were on the decline due to citrus greening that were brought back with very heavy fertilization schedules. The heavy fertilization did not get rid of the citrus greening but it allowed the tree to withstand the disease and continue producing a good harvest of fruit. A couple of the minor trace elements appeared to play a significant role in mitigating the effects of citrus greening. I recall Boron being one, can't remember the second. He said they working on producing a fertilizer for sale to the public that would have the trace elements in the correct proportion. So, the recommendation in the meantime was if you are not ready to get rid of your sick citrus tree/s, start fertilizing frequently and heavily and give it a chance to recover.