Since pool covers (lack of sunlight) maintains fairly high chlorine levels and algea can't live in cold water... I was tempted to wait until late Feb or March to put in Pool Magic....Why do I need to put it in now? I'm running the pool and polaris several hours a day all winter. Also, why does everyone tell you to shock? Last year my chlorine levels were through the roof all winter and it just didn't seem necessary - especially since I have a liner I don't want to fade it. So, I didn't shock it before putting on the pool cover and two weeks later my chlorine levels are still pretty high. Kind of new to this. Thanks for any advice!

Yes I wanted more opinions from others in So Cal and mediteranian climates as to their specific experiences were with PIG plants. I've had good experiences with Aloe during the winter just planted directly into the ground from cuttings. Also a lot of jade crasula plants straight PIG I haven't had much experience with echeveria, aeoniums, or agaves PIG. I'd assume the echeveria and agaves I should wait til late spring to plant? Aeoniums are winter growers I think. Couldn't I just plant them directly in the ground now? Has anyone had personal experience in a mediterranian climte with aeoniums? More specific is better, as I have a limitted amount of cuttings and not enough plants. I would be devastated if I just tested it myself by planting a bunch of the aeoniums I've been growing and then the cuttings just die Yes that was me before, I turned my mom's yard into a succulent garden. I'm also now working on a rental house of mine and I'm just trying to plant cuttings PIG in ground just so theirs a ground cover that's low maintenence, especially in areas without a lot of sprinklers

Pressure test only is $100. Still can't decide what to do. House is in pretty good shape. Fairly new kitchen cabs and appliances and bathrooms not too old. Furnace is from Oct 2011, so still under warranty. It really only needs a new window and upstairs carpet. There is hardwood hiding under the carpet up there. I think it will pass the plumbing inspection, but I wonder if it would be good for peace of mind. My son, who is buying it, is not keen on spending more $ for the plumber. The closing costs are ridiculous as it is

Blooming can get interrupted by cold temperatures. How long will depend on the weather. The plant may restart again in 2-4 weeks. Or if the timing of additional cold spells is right, it may take 1-2 months. For example, after a single drop into the low 20s, the shrub may take 2-4 weeks to restart blooming. But like I said before, one of my December-January blooming japonicas once got interrupted for 2 months and restarted blooming in mid March. During that 2 month period, we got several below freezing drops that stayed "on" for a while so I suspect that this prolonged drop made the shrub delay blooming more and more. Water deeply before these drops to prevent bud browning/drop. The color change may either be iron chlorosis or too much sun. When the tree canopy that provides shade looses all the leaves in the Fall/Winter, for example, they get more sun than normal and in mid-winter, I notice a tendency for the leaves to turn lighter green with bronze. If it appears to be chlorosis, amend the soil with a soil acidifier. I do not take action when bronzing due to the sun as the leaves turn darker green several weeks later, all on their own. Do not forget to water if the soil feels dry and it has not rained recently. Nice bloom in the middle picture!