Well, I've got some tomato plants fading fast from what I believe is Fusarium (Carolyn- we've talked about this before. No it doesn't make sense that all the plants are not affected. I just don't know what else it could Beth, Fusarium incidence was up in NJ not this past summer but the two summers before, and many thought it was due to the warmer winters and Fusarium not being killed in the winter. A good friend, a lawyer, chased this down in NJ with the help of the Rutger's folks and last I knew Rutgers was trying to determine what Fusarium races were involved. So no doubt there are pockets of Fusarium in MD and Craig has mentioned that even tho he knows his backyard garden is Fusarium contaminated he always has some varieties that do better then others. I can't make a diagnosis of those wilt diseases where there are foliage color changes just from a picture, nor can I see the internal structure of the stems which might ID one as being either Fusarium or Verticillium. But both have pretty much the same prognosis. Farkee wrote: Please don't take this wrong--I know people want opinions when they post here but if you grow alot of plants I would not rely entirely on internet diagnosis (but that is just me!). Best of luck with your plants. Farkee, I can give opinions for some things and for others I can diagnose factually, as can you and a few others. But the point is, the resources that others might have to help them is highly variable depending on where they live. Above I talked of my lawyer friend HES who worked with Rutgers re possible Fusarium in NJ and you have no idea what he went thru in trying to get the live material they wanted in the condition they wanted, to the lab. Soil analyses for pathogens? Few do it and when they do they charge big bucks. Most Universities and Ag Colleges and Coop Ext are geared toward the large commericial growers b'c the charters for most ag colleges demanded that and although historical, it still obtains. Yes, sonme have outreach programs for home gardeners and info for home gardeners, but it isn't their main mission. my farmer friend Charlie is commercial. He can call the Cornell Coop Ext and they will send someone out to make an onsite examination of problems and take specimens as needed. Carolyn Male calls with her hundred or so plants and she is not going to get the same service, and nor should she expect it. since everyone knows or should know that some folks grow for a living and others don't. Going to most nurseries to ask? Very dicey indeed and I've seen some real zingers here and elsewhere as to what folks have been told at nurseries.The folks doing the growing are not the ones usually working as clerks outfront. I spent time one delightful summer being the "diagnosis and help lady" at a local nursery, for perennials, annuals and veggies. What great fun. My maternal grandparents had the largest nursery in the capital district area of Albany, Schenectady and Troy for many years, and summers I worked there on certain weekends while I was still in HS. A terrific learning experience especially on the perennials and annuals. We had enough of the veggies at our own farm. LOL Carolyn

Thanks very much Rosa, I'm rather smitten w/ it myself! Can you tell it's that Disappearing Nine Patch (aka 9 to 4)? The front has 9 units of it, the back just one.

Can't get the pics to open up, I had no probs with the other 2. I'll try again later. Rosa

Those are counted cross-stitch pillows (hard to show texture in pic) and yes a quilt top - I'm undecided on the backing, lightweight flannel for sitting on the porch, or outdoor water-resistant fabric to use as picnic/parade/fireworks blanket? Lots of neighbors setting off fireworks last night, but we have so many trees couldn't see any. DH and I sat out and watched fireflies instead. Parade is in 3 hrs, goes right by my aunt's house and I have a bunch of stuff to get ready (cut watermelon, get ice, etc.). Her DH had a stroke last week and is still in hospital but it's their grandson's bday (and total strangers will sit on their lawn for the parade if we don't) so the BBQ is still on. The stroke happened on my mom's bday so this is the 1st chance we have to celebrate hers too (other than taking her out to dinner the day b4), I made cake yesterday and I still have to wrap the gift! Aunt was hoping to sign DH out of the hospital for the party but they wouldn't let him. We'll get an update today, hope he will be back home soon (speech and reasoning affected? He seems confused, but no paralysis). We've already got 2 family members (on my dad's side) near the end, don't want to think about another possible...