A topic I've always mused about. How would manage an air layer on a tree in a remote location. I saw an idea at a garden show a couple of months back which is being marketed in the UK to deal with long term watering of hanging baskets. Had a TV spot allegedly as well. (right off QVC probably:-) Based on the same principle as drip feeders I guess. Consists of a slim, porous terracotta pot - around standard paper cup size but narrower and a spherical glass vessel with a tube neck like a chemisty lab boiling flask (see pic at the bottom of this page) which is probably what it is. http://www.labdepotinc.com/Category_Details~id~330.aspx You bury the terracotta pot in your hanging basket (or air layer pot) fill the round flask with water then up end into the terracotta pot. The little pot fills with water and the spherical nature of the upended flask plus some upthrust/ downthrust and a bit of gravity seals it off. I guess you have a bit of downward pressure on the water and a porous pot so water passes through the pot very slowly. As the level drops the glass flask keeps it topped up and some sort of pressure equilibrium state is no doubt achieved. Boyles Law? (physics and fluid dynamics is not my strong point) It is claimed that the roots grow towards and around the little terracotta pot and that it can last up to 4 weeks depending on the size of unit you use. Trouble is I can't remember what it was called and a bit of net searching doesn't find it either. I would think an upended plastic bottle could do the same and there's some ideas on this site which must have counterparts in the USA. http://www.garden-innovations.co.uk/index.html Disclaimer: I have no commercial involvement with any of the products referred to in this reply. Only wishing to assist.

Glad you didn't give up. Life offers very few guarantees. I have very healthy $2 bulbs and got burned on $20 bulbs. One day at a time...red blotches are easier to treat...virus can't be treated that we know of at this point. K

It is a beautiful home. When youre building a new home, every new piece draws your eye and I think we all (who have built) really scrutinize until the next feature is finished, and then we move on to scrutinize that lol. I wouldnt alter those bricks, I think mother nature will do the job of blending the colors, and your eyes will become kinder. Pick your battles and try to enjoy the process. Good luck w your build.

I got a bid for 33% less than what they charged from the same installer (who stopped communciation with me after he realized what project it was). In my area, this is how it works if you procure the services of someone who becomes a subcontractor to a GC in a total project. I used the electricians, the painters, and the plumber all of whom did work in my previous place under the GC at my previous property. The hourly rate charged for them was much higher than the hourly rate they charged me directly. And what they were paid directly by me was higher than what they earned from working for that GC.