I would like to go back to the VFT discussion, because sometimes I get too caught up in science discussions, and I do not have time for so much writing. Has any one ever seen a B52 with traps of more than 2" in size??? Because this plant is selling for $25.00 each with only one inch size traps. And until now, I have not found one pic on the net that shows me this is a true giant. I have Dingley Giants, Big Mouths, Dutch, Big Vigorous, and the Royal Red. Well, I have more cultivars than this, but these are the giants. In all my fifteen years growing these plants, I find that the trap sizes are as follows in smallest to largest: Dutch, Big Mouth, Dingley Giant, Royal Red, and the largest of them all.. The Big Vigorous. This plant without seen the label I can spot it in my CP garden because it always deploys large traps. So I am wondering if the B52 might trully be bigger than the Big Vigorous, or would the Big Vigorous win in size. The greatest thing about the Big Vigorous is that the traps are not only larger than any other cultivar I know, but the traps teeth are thick making the plant look stronger which is why it is call Vigorous. In my garden I actually have others that are bigger than even the Big Vigorous, but they are plants that I grew from seeds and have not registered them as cultivars. I am looking for the largest traps in the world and they might be right in my garden..... that is if the B52 is not as large as they claim. I guess the best thing to do would be to buy one, and grow it big myself. So my next question woould be....Does any one knows a good reputable place to buyt this plant?

I would suggest it's a bit early to dismiss the supercropping as possible cause of the BER. I agree it's not likely, but one plant without symptoms doesn't necessarily prove the supercropping wasn't at fault. It's possible the control plant had some variable in its favor that made the difference. Of course it's more likely there was some other minor variable that pushed things against the plants with BER. For the aphids I'd say either go biological or get out the big guns. Hardcore pesticides aren't great, but sometimes it's better than a total loss. Oh, and leaving the fruit on can make the BER persist. Each of those fruits represents a major future investment of plant resources. If there isn't enough to go around (a calcium shortage causing BER) the more fruit they're trying to grow the more thinly it's spread and the worse the problem is likely to get. I'd advise removing anything with even a hint of BER. Force the plant to redirect it's resources to areas that aren't already lost causes. It may be time to look for a superior source for nutrition. I've been using Advanced Nutrients for awhile now without trouble. It might work better for you as well.

We're between counties, since we're getting ready to move. Camden County--mostly known for crime, since the county seat is the #1 most violent city in the country. But also known as being the childhood home of Kelly Rippa; some of the best school systems in the country (outside of the city, of course). Nice aquarium. Lots of shopping. One town there is called "Haddonfield"--and was the inspiration for the town in the Halloween movies--the author went to school with DH, and there is even a character in one of her movies with HIS NAME! Cumberland county--since we're new here, I only know a few. It's home to the city where Dr. Welch invented grape juice. The Cohanzick (Sp?) Zoo. Glass making used to be one of the main industries. Wheaten Village is a glass museum. DD found a place in the county where she and a friend were enjoying the scenary, taking photos, and when they looked at their pictures, there women screaming standing behind them--women WHO WERE NOT THERE when they took the pictures.

These are some of the specials that have been around here the last few weeks, but not all at the same time or at the same store: Red grapes 99¢/# Taters 10#/99¢ Turkey 89¢/# Apples 89¢ for a 3# bag (one day only) Tide 100 oz $4.88/coupon Canned veggies 10/$3 Brown/powdered sugar 99¢ Sugar 5#/$1.49 Pillsbury flour $1.39 (5#) Several Name brand coffees (Maxwell House, MJB, Yuban, Hills Bros) $4.88-$4.99 for what USED to be a 3# can! Now it's what, 33-35 oz? Don't recall offhand Ground beef around here is relatively expensive, but usually pretty good quality. Ground Angus $1.99, Ground chuck $1.89, and often ground beef for around $1.89-$1.99 is the going "sale" prices. Minnesota here. And we don't have a lot of competition in the grocery market. The average person has essentially two options, Cub and Rainbow. I do have a Festival which is close by but they are higher priced. There's also Lund's/Byerly's (now same merged) but they're the yuppie/upscale and high-buck places. I sure miss the days of Country Club, Kroger, IGA, Applebaum's, National and the like. There was competition then. Aldi is growing in the area. I like it, but it's not a place you can get everything you need. They have great meat. Also have a pork sausage patty that is terrific. Bag salad is cheap. Don't care for their canned soups and the other thing is that the items vary often. So if you find something you like, don't bet on it being there in two weeks. But that's the nature of the store.