How much water does this mixture actually need? It needs enough so the soil is fully saturated and at least 10-15% of the total volume of water you applied exits the drain. Plants should be watered on an as-needed basis, rather than on a schedule. I know you're looking for an answer like every 2 days or every 4 days, but choosing a favorable depends on the relationship of soil mass to plant mass, and particularly to foliage mass because that's where the lion's share of transpiration occurs. I probably should mention that as you move toward soils that are more open and faster (draining), it becomes less of a problem if you decide to water on a reasonable schedule. Soils that hold no (or very little) perched water are very difficult to over-water, but the consequences of over-watering heavier soils can be considerable. I thoroughly watered right after planting. The next day I gave each pot about 2.5 gals of water and it ran through and came out the bottom rather quickly. You probably didn't need to. It is the nature of the soil to allow water to pass through quickly because the macro-pores are so large no water perches in the soil. What happens it the Turface grabs a ton of water quickly, and the bark grabs some, but not as much. The granite holds a little water as a film on the surface. After you've watered, the water diffuses in the soil from the Turface and granite into the bark, so the bark and Turface have roughly the same water content (based on bulk density). If you OVER-water by watering too frequently, everything gets saturated. For fresh repots you need to be sure the soil is moist-damp where the roots are. After a couple of weeks, if the soil feels damp anywhere, there is enough moisture. Soils feel dry to our touch at around 40% moisture content, but plants can still extract moisture down to 30% moisture content or lower. I also notice that this mixture is easily disturbed by pouring water so I pour around the perimeter, hoping it will soak through to the center before it runs out the bottom. I mentioned the water break in my last post. The soil will settle a little, but the reason it is easily disturbed by a jet of water is because it doesn't compact. Soak the entire surface slowly & stop when water starts to exit the drain and you're good. Let's assume each pot contains about 25 gals. of the mixture I listed above (2p. pine bark, 2p. Turface, 1p. Gran-I-Grit, 1p. Perlite). How much water should I give each pot, and how often. I'm pretty sure your answer is easily taken from what I wrote above, but if you still have questions, let me know. Lastly, how often does it get water w/ fertilizer? I'd like to know how much water each pot needs so I won't be wasting the fertilizer by pouring it through and out the bottom. It depends on what you're using, but if you're using a 3:1:2 ratio soluble fertilizer, try starting with a solution that's 25% of the recommended full strength solution (FSS) if you're fertilizing every time you water and see how your trees do. If you are going to fertilize on a weekly basis, start with a 50% recommended FSS, and if fertilizing every two weeks use a FSS. Adjust upward as required to keep the plant's color good and downward to allow for temperature fluctuations or correct any symptoms in foliage of high EC/TDS levels. As noted above, the soil holds a lot more water than you think. Once you get used to it and see how well your trees appreciate your new regimen, you'll forget all about any minor inconvenience. ;o) Wishing very good luck on you, Rob. Take care. Al

Hammom, you will know if a HOSP has claimed the box because he will go in and out of it. He will sit on top of the box and cheep away trying to attract a female. I learned from this forum to be patient. Let him think it is his for a few days. Once you see him going in and out and cheeping on top for a couple of days, set the trap at night and he won't be able to resist going in first thing in the morning. You can glue a few pieces of dry grass over the metal trap mechanism which seems to make the HOSP less suspicious of it. I have never had any other birds go into the box once the HOSP has claimed it, but I know it can happen. Use a bag you can see through like a mesh laundry bag or clear trash bag to capture the bird when you open the door to the box. That way you can be certain of the ID.

Patti, this is all so confusing for you and your DD. I may be clutching at straws here, but does the hospital where the surgery was performed have a Patient's Advocate? If so that person should be able to pull all of this together. Getting that done, though, isn't going to help with the physical pain and agony that she is suffering from right now, and I would think she would need a specialist who can sort it out and recommend something for that. I had a Hysterectomy when I was 39. One ovary was removed and part of the other was removed, leaving part to produce hormones. That worked fine for 13 years, after which I was prescribed Hormone replacement pills. Haven't taken them for several years now. I've said that to make the point that with both ovaries gone, one of those doctors should have prescribed Estrogen replacement for her. I would think she should insist on that now and it will surely help her to feel better. I wish her well and hope she can get the replacement meds quickly. Then she will feel more like taking care of the other part of the problem. And for you, Patti, I know Moms suffer right along with their children, regardless of age. Take care. Sue

I will take pics...Been sick for a few days... I am beginning to think that for some of us growing 'roses' is an ALL season project..Not only do I have to protect them but I also have to watch out they don't desiccate in the winter too..If the snow should not fall and the bare ground is exposed to sub 0 temps or higher with whipping winds, the ground can go bone dry even in winter..So here I am watering all my roses deeply on the first given warm day above 40.....I know that many die just to a lack of moisture in the dead of winter... Thanks for the encouragement.. It does fell like I want to garden out there too since my temp is a balmy 60 degrees right now! Back to the low 20's by day and single digits by Saturday night with a bare ground again..My bulbs are starting to pop up...lol