I've never seen root rot on a jaboticaba. Mine, which are in ground of course, are in the lowest point in my entire property. There have been some multi-day rain events that have left standing water in this area for a full 10 days without any root issues. During dry season, I'll let the hose run completely flooding the area. That doesn't leave any standing water for more than a day, but I usually have to do it a day or two in a row before flowering commences. Good luck. Harry

I stumbled on this topic and was so glad to see that I am not the only one who has struggled with this. I have been having issues for the past 3 years. My periods stopped almost exactly 2 years ago. I had gotten so bad in the past 6 months that I could not walk when I got out of bed in the morning and could barely walk after sitting for longer than 10 minutes. I finally found a combination of things that have been working for me. I hope it may help somebody else! I admit that my diet has been terrible. I've had a bad case of the "busys" and I have relied heavily on the "bag and box" convenience approach. I read that people who eat a lot of fast/convenience food have magnesium and potassium deficiencies--which affect muscles. I began eating a banana--sometimes with peanut butter for breakfast. I eat baked potatoes (with all the good stuff; even then it 's better for me than fast food!). I concentrated on getting food with real nutrients; particularly potassium. You can google and find lots of options. I began taking a magnesium supplement. I only take about 1/2 the therapeutic dose. Do some research and find out which formulations are best absorbed to avoid diarrhea. I found out that artificial sweeteners can have an affect on nerves over time. (I recalled working with a client in my past job who turned to drinking Listerine as a source of alcohol. It permanently damaged the muscles in his legs.) I have been a HEAVY diet coke drinker for decades. I limit the diet soda to one or two small bottles per week and I began drinking water. Lots of it. I bought a compact fold-up exercise bike so that I could get in non-weight bearing exercise. The treadmill just seemed to aggravate things, especially my foot that had begun swelling. The bike allows me to work my legs--releasing lactic acid build-up that can lead to tightness--without causing new problems. A rowing machine might work too. I do at least 30 minutes a day, sometimes breaking it up into two or three sessions. I like the bike because it is totally silent and I can stop for brief breaks. I watch TV while riding. (I've read that deep tissue massage is also excellent in releasing lactic acid build-up, but I haven't tried it.) I began taking vitamin D3 for muscles and bones. I began taking Krill oil to help with inflammation--and it's just plain good for the human body. On mornings when I am still feeling pretty tight by 9:00am or so, I take 600mg ibuprofen. Previously, this did nothing to help. Now, it makes all the difference. I can feel it within an hour and one dose is all I need for all day. It took about 6 weeks, but the difference has been amazing. My stiffness is not totally gone, but it is remarkably lower!!! I can stand up and loosen up in a few seconds.

oh, I want to reach out and just hug you! feeling stressed and tired and aches are the worst, when one is trying to be even normal, let alone sane, during the holidays. I was the grinch in my household and it stayed that way, till the bitter end... then Marilyn, my porcelain painting mentor, called me and asked if I would like to go over to her house and bake cookies for gifts...she was feeling the pangs of an empty nest at her house. she's always baked and been on top of the holidays and this year it wasn't happening. she told me that I make her laugh and she wanted to 'join forces' and do this project together...how could I refuse? so, I did go, two days before Christmas Eve.. we baked all day, for the two entire days and painted, during the cookies cooling and baking. we baked a full table full of different kind of cookies and then wrapped them up on plates, with colorful tissue paper and celophane wrap, with bows tied to each one...she did all of this for me, to be able to give to my family...6 grown kids and the 6 grandkids..and spouses and girl/boy friends... I also made 6 hand painted ornaments for each of my grandkids...little porcelain, oval broach sized things, with fir boughs and holly berries on them, with Merry Christmas 2007, in the centers. I didn't think they would make any impact on the kids and I was so surprised, when the two older ones opened them..the 14 yr. old boy and the 10 yr. old girl... "gramma, you MADE these?" "they're awesome!" let me tell you....coming from kids, in this day and age...I could have died and gone to heaven at that very instant! such simple things, for such heartwarming rewards....

A few followups on the grapeseed oil: I don't know anything about the shelf life. I only know that it has a higher smoke point (and so is great for sauteeing). And it's very healthy. My counters now don't look or feel "oiled." They are just matte black. The Bee's oil made them a little waxier feeling (and water would bead up on them). This just feels like the oil is "one with the counter" if that makes sense. When you first apply it, the counters will look wet and oily and shiny. Different from bee's oil. Don't panic! I actually enjoyed pouring on a liberal amount b/c it is easier on my elbow. After applying the oil, just buff off the excess with a clean cloth. It is very fast overall. I hope it works well for others. Who knows, b/c I seem to have an odd variety of soapstone. And I hope you all have Trader Joe's in your neighborhoods. Because grapeseed oil is pricey. I wouldn't have thought of using it, if it weren't for the cheap, nice sized bottles of it that they sell. rm: L'Shana Tovah! Our synagogue celebrates a kid version of Rosh Hashana as "the birthday of the world." This is super fun! At our house, we take it a step further ande bake a birthday cake, and put on those big number candles for the year. We sing happy birthday to the world, and then i give my boys a gift that has something to do with nature. They love this holiday! My 7 year old took his shofar for show and tell today. And the cruiser bike is awesome!!! Except I have my feet "walking" on the ground more than peddling on the peddles, because I have to match my four year old's pace. :-) francy