? Anybody ever consider if an annual vegetables' principal root tip(s) can be pruned to any benefit for container growing ? The question comes from reading the previous message, part B. Anchoring the plant is usually redundant, since a form of support is commonly installed. It seems the finer feeder rootlets would be encouraged & fertilization is going to be necessary regardless. Possibly this technique forces dwarfing, as if for a quick Bonsai. Maybe short lived vegetables' yield will be proportionately less; in a trade off requiring less water/medium/area.

Tamara....I know this thread is old, but your kitchen is simply stunning! Are your cabinets Chantilly Lace? I read you kitchen delays and had to smile. I've lost weight and sleep over my darn remodel. Who knew how stressful this would be? If you used Chantilly Lace did you paint your ceiling the same. I just ordered my paint yesterday and I'm freaking out that it might be too bright.....

Hi Bob, " But the reason for my coming aboard is this. I wonder if any of you have any seeds of these unusual types that I could purchase. " I think that many of my "breeder" zinnias do go beyond what you can buy commercially. And I think that some gardeners would enjoy growing some of these "new look" zinnias. However, I think that the best way to make these new strains available to gardeners in general would be for some seed company to acquire some of my selected seed stocks, increase their quantities in commercial fields, and offer them commercially. There is past precedent for following that path. If some seed company were to contact me about acquiring some of my seed stocks, they probably would want to have an exclusive on any strain or strains that they might acquire, and they wouldn't want to hear that I had already been selling or otherwise distributing them. So, much as I would like to share some of my new zinnias, I think the best way to do that would be through a commercial release by an existing seed company. However, none of my new zinnias are in stabilized strains yet, and I don't anticipate that will happen in the near future. I am still crossing and recombining genetic factors to see what new things can come out of that. I am creating new zinnias for the fun of it. Actually, I am not creating new zinnias, I am coaxing the zinnias to show me new things they can do. I have said it before, zinnias are full of surprises. But I am not sharing or trading or selling zinnia seeds, because I hope to develop seed stocks that would be suitable for acquisition by a seed company. And I very much enjoy the process of working toward that goal. However, my primary goal is still to have fun breeding my own zinnias. And to help other gardeners experience the fun of developing their own new zinnias. " I've done the 'scabiosa' for about 5 years now and have a strain that produces a lot of those types. " We would love to see pictures and/or descriptions of some of your scabiosa types. If you can, post pictures of them. " But I love some the other unusual ones as well. " As I have suggested to others, the Whirligig strain of zinnias contains a lot of new genetic factors, because it was derived from an interspecific zinnia cross. I think that Whirligigs from Stokes Seeds are the "secret sauce" in some of my new zinnias. You are already familiar with the power of numbers in plant breeding. 11,000 daylilies is a lot of plants. So, if you can apply that same numbers principle to zinnias, you can enjoy some real "zinnia surprises". Welcome aboard, Bob. ZM

Your Son sounds very pragmatic and it sounds like your in good hands. Thank you for sharing that coke can story, just makes me laugh, I call that a "field fix", smart, and when the job just needs to get done..... you just get it done and move on right? The 2013 YT46LS has the Tuff Torq K46 Transaxle and the Kawasaki FR600V series engine. The Kawasaki FR600V did have a pull start option or conversion. The Tuff Torq K46 is in the residential class and not rated for much more than mowing grass on relatively flat ground, yet it still works with all the things you have described to me that you use your tractor for. You really did get your moneys worth out of it from my point of view. The Kawasaki engine is the best part of that tractor in my opinion and I would give weight in that direction on your next tractor. The question of recommend is difficult without knowing what goes into the answer because a lot comes down to expectations, but I'll give it a try. My answer is at the bottom if you want to skip the details. In the lawn and Garden category according to OPEI (Outdoor Power Equipment Institute) there are only two official categories of residential tractors. Lawn Tractor or LT: "Rear-Engine Riding Mowers and Front-Engine Lawn Tractors are self-propelled riding vehicles generally designed for mowing lawns. Nearly 50% of rear-engine riding mowers are used for lawns 1/2 to 1 acre in size, while lawn tractors are generally used for areas larger than one acre. Although both may offer options such as sweeper or snow thrower attachments, they are not powerful enough to pull a plow." Garden Tractor or GT: "Garden Tractors are designed to supply sufficient power for home lawn, garden and yard attachments: moldboard plows, tillers, cultivators, snow throwers, sweepers, leaf mulchers, etc. Fifty percent of garden tractors are used for areas larger than two acres" Every other category are market made by the manufacturer but not an actual class of tractor and all that applies. One of my favorite examples are the LGT or "Light Garden Tractor". This would seem like you are getting a Garden Tractor and what that implies. You are not. They will lack something in one of the three categories for "ground engagement work" such as a sufficient Engine (lots of HP), a sufficient chassis (possibly a "C" channel or welded chassis) but give the Tuff Torq K46 transaxle (the K46 is not designed for ground engagement work). It's clever but all advertising. The other one that is common is the YT or Yard Tractor. This is to up-sell a lawn tractor as more rugged than just mowing lawns but not quite capable of GT work. If we look at your current tractor (YT46LS) you got an upgrade in the motor with a very durable Kawasaki motor and a "C" channel chassis that is proven strong, but you have a Tuff Torq K46 transaxle. It's clever of the manufacturers and they like to confuse the purchase with things that don't really matter. This is why I keep things grounded with the fact that there are only 2 classes of tractors according to the industry standard in North America, the Lawn Tractor and the Garden Tractor, and what you are supposed to expect from them and why. The current market has become worse than when you last purchased with fewer real choices and sales around building disposable flimsy machines. I will start at our typical box store, because they offer the cheapest prices and most availability usually, with 5 actual brands of lawn tractors, and regardless of advertising, I haven't found one box store that offers a Garden Tractor (they may claim it, but only Dealer specific offer true GT's). This means when you go to the box store, you should know it's a lawn tractor you are looking at. Knowing this should simplify your purchase to things like deck size and premium motors such as a Kawasaki versus Briggs and Stratton or Kohler. I can only give MSRP, but here we go, Craftsman T140 MSRP $1,699.00. 18.5hp Briggs and Stratton motor, MTD's standard "C" channel chassis, 46" mowing deck, Tuff Torq K46 Transaxle. Husqvarna YTH22V46 MSRP $1,899.99. 22HP Briggs and Stratton motor, Has the same "C" channel chassis you have right now, 46" mowing deck, Tuff Torq K46 transaxle. John Deere E150 MSRP $1,379. 22HP John Deere Branded motor (possible Briggs?) "C" channel chassis, 48" mowing deck (they are not offering 46" anymore), Tuff Torq K46 transaxle. (Box store Deere is a real Deere just fewer selections than at a Dealer). Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT MSRP $2,099. 22 HP Kohler 7000 motor, standard MTD "C" channel chassis, 46" mowing deck, Tuff Torq K58 transaxle- this is a sizable upgrade at the top of the residential class, but "ground engagement' qualified starts at K62, K66, K72, or K92. Troy Built Super Bronco XP 46 MSRP $2,099. 22HP Kohler 7000 motor, standard MTD "C" channel chassis, 46" mowing deck, Tuff Torq TL-200 transaxle (less than your current K46!). The residential class of Tuff Torq starts at TL-200, K46, K57, K58 and in that order. Poulan Pro seems to only sell 42" decks for 2021. (they are Husqvarna anyway) Now for the brands with actual Dealers and service for tractors verses zero turns. John Deere (if it's at the box store you can buy direct from the Dealer). Husqvarna, they have models only available at the Dealer, the brand code will be a "D" as in GT48DXLS verses GT48XLS. Simplicity Tractors. Kubota lawn and Garden tractors. Cub Cadet/Yanmar Dealers. Husqvarna quickly, I don't trust them and I'm willing to show through there own words and adverts to include vendor deception and warranty deception with the now close to 30GB of data on them I have, but when requested for specific purposes. I would only recommend them to the project builder that wants to build a great GT out of a cheap package like I did, knowing they won't have a warranty up front, but that's the only way. Cub Cadet, is an MTD brand like Craftsman, troy Built, and some store brands, but Cub Cadet is the premium line. They offer one model of actual Garden Tractor with the Hydro Gear BDU-10 transaxle that is very good, and very maintainable, the XT3 and only available from a Dealer. If you have a Dealer in your area I recommend looking at the difference between the XT2 and XT3 for your needs. My question with them will be in how long parts are supported. I believe (not fact) that parts are supported longer than any brand at a box store but not as long as the top 3 brands of lawn and garden tractors. XT3 GSX MSRP$5,599. 25HP Kohler Command series (the command series has a very good reputation like Kawasaki), 54" mowing deck? Fully welded chassis, a real bargain in the Garden Tractor class. The BDU-10 has a rear axle that rivals the Tuff Torq K72 at 30MM or 1 and 1/4" in diameter and differential lock for traction under a load- drive shaft with belts. That brings me to the top of the chain in every way. These Dealers give the specs to safely use ground engagement implements on their GT's, and only these three brands, that's a big deal, and honest in my opinion. John Deere. I can get parts manuals and parts for tractors that are 30 years old. They are more expensive, but there is peace of mind in owning a Deere when they expect you to maintain them for decades in some models and not just throw them away. John Deere customers are usually very satisfied with there product. John Deere is the only one I know that has a special Tuff Torq K46 HD? that is maintainable, just for them. Since you have a farm and want actual reliable service from your tractor, in John Deere I recommend their X series, at minimum the X300 but the X500 is just truly a well built tractor that your son will only have to change the oil in for years, solid. The X330 MSRP $3,599. 22HP Deere brand motor, shares the same fully welded chassis that the X500 GT has (very strong), 48" mowing deck, Tuff Torq K46 (I think this is the weak point) but so much more. The X570 MSRP$ 6,399. 24HP water cooled? Kawasaki FS730V (I have the air cooled version of this, great motor), fully welded chassis, 48" mowing deck, Tuff Torq K72 transaxle with hydraulic accessory ports for ground engagement implements (light). This is a true Garden Tractor. If Snapper comes up, it's revived by Simplicity. Simplicity Regent Lawn Tractor MSRP$2,949. 48" mowing deck, Hybrid "C" channel Pan chassis (same as the Snapper), 25HP Briggs Pro Series motor, Tuff Torq K46 transaxle. Simplicity Broadmore Lawn Tractor with perks MSRP$5,249. 48" mowing deck, Heavy welded hybrid channel chassis, 25HP Briggs, Tuff Torq K62 transaxle (commercial series ground engagement qualified). Simplicity customers are also like Deere customers very satisfied and some are fanatical. Well built machines/service/parts are supported for decades. Kubota. I'm told that Kubota builds there lawn tractors for their farm customers. Kubota T2290KWT-48 MSRP $5,249. or the GR2020G Garden Tractor MSRP$8,856. People have put thousands of hours on these over decades. Very nice, comfortable, well built machines. The support provided to the customers of Simplicity, John Deere, and Kubota are first class in every way. If the sticker is high, look used. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a GT from Kubota, Deere, or Simplicity that was 10 years old, I would hesitate to buy new from the non premium brands knowing the product is sold in different colors but is the same and without much actual warranty backing. All this to get to my advice, You need your tractor more than the average person like myself. I would start at the top. Make appointments with your local John Deere Dealer and try the X5 first, then the X3. Make an appointment with your local Kubota Dealer and try the GR2020G with diesel without diesel, then the T2290KWT. Make an appointment with your local Simplicity Dealer and try the Conquest GT, then the Broadmore, then the Regent. If you have a local Cub Cadet Yanmar Dealer try the XT3 GSX then an XT2. These premium Dealers will have models you can actually operate, get a feel for how sturdy and confident they are. How easy or difficult they actually are. They will most likely be all too happy to show you there service and parts departments just like a quality car Dealer. After you experience quality and get a feel for it, then go to the box store and at least sit on one, open the hood, if they allow you to push it, do this too. I'm willing to bet if you do this, actually do this, the sticker on the premium brands won't hurt so much and it will be very clear what you want by aligning your expectation outside of advertisements and cheap prices. I believe that whatever you choose after all this and a fine dinner (treat yourself) you will be happy with it. Feel free to ask me for some proof if you need it in this process, you aren't buying a tractor for three years then throw it away, but the stores are more than willing to sell you a tractor that needs a Coke can to keep running.