Good link, gh! Eileen, once you learn some of the 'secrets' of plant propagation, you'll understand how easy it really it. To be successful, I mean! ;-) It's always better for the plant if they begin their new life in a solid rooting medium of some sort, rather than water. Yes, most plants are happy to root in water and we get satisfaction by being able to witness the procedure, but it's a struggle for the plant when you transplant those water roots to the soil. Here's another good link for you. Truthfully, there are lots of 'right' ways to propagate our plants. Do some more reading on your own. (Don't be discouraged if your cuttings don't 'take' at this time of year. Mid- to late spring is probably the best time for this plant.) Here is a link that might be useful: Click here for some more good info!

A bit late to this party. I've used all of the above and never know why. : ) I just scratch me head when i need something thickened, take a bit of warmed liquid and do an experiment. Arrowroot might be my choice if you already have it. Just mix it in a bit of water and take a half cup warm stock and add slowly, stir, give it a minute. Go slow, and not the whole gravy. I used Agar last week for a chicken pot pie and it was perfect. I have the powder and some sheets. Seems to be my go-to and not much is needed. I've used it for dumplings. DH does the gravy for the turkey and i don't intrude. The classic flour rouge, brown and nutty. The stock i made last week is a chicken paw stock. Even better for dumplings and froze some for todays gravy. (quote)...Agar It is a flavorless gelling agent It is derived from Gracilaria, a bright red sea vegetable (seaweed) ItâÂÂs also known by its Japanese name Kanten or Agar Agar, the Malay term for the seaweed from which itâÂÂs produced It is available flaked, powdered, or in bars The flakes are traditionally produced by cooking and pressing the seaweed and then naturally freeze-drying the residue to form bars which are then powdered or flaked. It is rich in iodine and trace minerals, and has mildly laxative properties It is used as a growth medium for petri dishes to grow mold and bacteria It is used as a gelling agent in food preparation Here is a link that might be useful: what is agar?

Depending on what you plan to store in it, I'd space the first one from the ceiling 24 inches to accomodate taller items and then the others a minimum of 18 inches apart and I like the idea of not bringing them down to the floor.

What NHBabs said. One of the selling points of these trees is they tolerate shade, which combined with their small size means you can squeeze them into spots an Eastern White Pine wouldn't work. No need to waste a "prime" spot on it. It would be perfectly happy (relatively) close to your house, close to power lines, or at the foot of a honeylocust. Many of the fancy cultivars aren't reliable in Zone 5. Is this a named variety? You are almost better getting a cheapo tree from Lowes. Best would be a tree from a local seed source bought from native plant society. As far as them being all over the place...there could have been an unusually smart landscaper, developer, or local nursery who got them from a local seed source or an unusually hardy variety a few years back. If you see a neighbor with a really old one ask where he got it. As for the pictures...nothing in that picture makes me concerned.