Damn! I had a long post all prepared and did something stupid (I think) and lost all my work. I did that yesterday on another forum site, too. I HATE it when that happens. Try this site for reliable information about nutritional issues and info. It even has a Mulder's Chart that shows how antagonisms play out, which really shows why fertilizers that don't closely mimic the ratio of nutrients plants actually USE, can get you in trouble in doubletime. Ask any specific questions you can think of. We can probably answer them. Root growth and top growth are closely linked. Root growth always occurs prior to top growth. Chemical messengers keep the plant informed about it's state of vitality, and growth regulators will suppress top growth until there is enough root mass to support it. What is the first thing to emerge from the seed? The root radicle, not the trunk. That plants in very large pots with plenty of room for roots to run won't put on top mass because they put all their energy into growing only roots is a myth. We KNOW that tight roots slows growth more and more as root congestion increases. It doesn't make sense that tight roots and roots with room to run would BOTH suppress growth, does it? Growth and vitality begins to be negatively affected at the point where the root/soil mass can be separated from the pot intact. Once a plant gets to that point, nothing will correct the limitation other than correcting the problem via root pruning. Potting up won't do it, and neither will planting out. Myth - shallow pots stimulate lateral growth while deep pots stimulate ht. No truth there. Whether plants are shrubby or tree-like originates in genetic predisposition and can be controlled to a large degree by selective pruning. There are 2 perspectives when it comes to plants being potbound. From the plant's POV, tight roots are always limiting, so the plant wants more room for roots when they are congested - to relieve the stress. The stress CAN be employed by the grower to make some plants grow in desirable ways. Tight roots have a dwarfing effect (smaller leaves/tighter internodes, and sometimes a few more blooms, but stress is stress. Stress unchecked leads to strain, and strain uncorrected always leads to death of the organism. Not long ago, ONE person glommed onto a negative statement someone made in a blog about Turface. This person is intentionally negative about most things associated with the 5:1:1 mix or the gritty mix, and even regularly sacrifices his credibility on the altar of negativity when it comes to these soils. It's not uncommon to see that happen. Turface, used appropriately, is a superb soil additive/amendment. Asking people who actually USE these soils, and considering them a reliable source is going to serve you much better than believing someone with an axe to grind. Al

hey why isnt it in the ground??? many conifers in the cypress .. juniper.. arb/thuja ... hemlock/tsuga .. families.. simply have leaders that do not stand up ... somehow.. over the years the tree grows straight as an arrow upwards.. and one [me anyway] may wonder how they grow so straight.. when i never see the leader upwards ... lol .. so your question should not be how to fix it.. your questions should start with .. is this normal leader growth ... and i will defer since its not zone appropriate for me ... being outdoors would surely help it achieve its norm .. tough pic .. but that thing could double in size this year.. do you have a plan for it???? good luck ken

Kind of been feeling like chelone lately myself. I did read the "Men" thread in Kitchens. Thanks trailrunner, that was entertaining! ;D Oh, and this link was posted there. Definitely a real hoot! Retro Housewife, from Housekeeping Monthly, May, 1955:The Good Wife's Guide

I agree with all of you about this "slow" forum. I used to log onto "The Single Life" (at a year or so ago) and it was terrific! The topics were interesting and at times people talked to each other almost at "real time" speed. Then this forum went away. I'm not sure why, but I searched for a few months to no avail. I accidently found it again when I was bored and started searching the big forum. I'm going to try and keep up with this one again, I remember when I loved reading what others had to say....I do remember people would post topics such as, asking questions about certain aspects of dating, relationships, life events, breaking up, and in general how we feel about being single and how we survive in our day to day existance. It was like a group of friends getting together for drinks and just discussing "life". I hope it can be that way again..... ~Susan