I would prune it. If it has a reasonably strong crotch (!!!???) it can probably support itself with less weight at the end. If it has a weak crotch it's probably best removed. My grandpa was famous for making crutches for his plum trees. In high production years he would prop the heaviest branches from underneath with homemade crutches. ;0)

How long before you can transplant these to the garden? They are all stressed right now for various reasons - size, leggy growth, container size, excess watering, root bound, temps, exposures, etc. The stress is causing all your symptoms. But they will likely recover once they get settled into the garden. Assuming that will be shortly then just transplant all of them to the garden, deeply to just below the top set of leaves or trench them in well. But if you still have more than a week before they can go to the garden then the best you can do is transplant them into much larger containers with a good potting mix and some mixed in nutrients, as deeply as possible, and cut back on the watering. Did you grow them from seed? If so, next year you might want to wait a bit longer to start your seeds. ;) Dave

Search Update!!! What luck; I found the duck ...recipe. My "Drunken Duck" recipe has re-appeared today! Happy Dance!!! It was in an old file box I'm slowly clearing out. I wonder what other jewels may surface? I had made two copies of this recipe from a library book and then put both copies in the same place. What was I thinking? The book - a history review of cooking, restaurants, and recipes of the late 1800s - came from the Dover, DE, Library. I think it was long out of print when I checked it out in 1992. The dinner is called "Positively Ducky, A Small Spring Dinner for Four." It's Chapter 29 of the book and begins on page 305. Apparently the recipes were broken down into seasons and the duck recipe came under "Spring." I know everything about this book - except the title and author. I had made photo copies of the pages, stapled them together, and did not bother to reference the book, author, or publisher on the pages. Again, what was I thinking? The menu for this dinner is includes... Crisp Savory Almonds Chilled Spring Green Soup Aromatic Duck (which I named Drunk Duck; it's soaked in Brandy) Gingered Red Cabbage Slaw Fresh Grapefruit Gelatin with Cream I won't copy all the instructions right now - I have birthday treats to prepare - but the marinade/rub for the 5 lb. duck includes... 2 teaspoons black peppercorns 1 teaspoon dried thyme 2 bay leaves, crumbled 6 whole cloves 1 Tbls. coarse Kosher salt 1 Tbls. brown sugar 1 Tbls. gin, vodka, or brandy 1 garlic clove, peeled I am so thankful I found this recipe. A copy will be put in my computer; my friends will have emailed copies, a paper copy will go in a proper file folder and cabinet, and another copy will go in my Betty Crocker cookbook. My ducks will never be served sober again!

Wet ingredients first, then the dry. If using eggs in the recipe don't use the delay start. That's what I remember from my owner's guide. David