robiniaquest, this is for wayne (and all, too) I could swear the other two were NS. I googled both and learned a bit more. Most nursery sites say it was introduced by the U of Minn (I always knew that somehow) in 1950 (didn't know that long ago). A few sites say they were introduced later. I don't know how I got it in my head that's what I wanted all those years ago or why I ended up with the first two, must have read about them somewhere, called the local nursery, awful I can't remember now, do remember exactly what I paid for them then and planting them. I could swear they were NS, but these new ones look a little different starting out. Two are plenty for me. They often ripen during the horrid hot days, and I often just don't bother to pick them. I just like to watch them grow and have a few, never learned to make jam or jelly. All I ever do is make pies with them. A lady used to stop every year and ask if she could have enough for a couple of pies; I always let her. An old friend from church for years used to pick and pit them for me (he grew up on a farm), then we'd split them, but I think he kept the lion's share. I'm going to try to keep more for myself if these do anything. They have to be easy to can, and I still have a pitter, but it is work. Usually we just froze them but I don't have a big freezer and see no point in getting one now (one more thing to keep clean and worry about). This variety is quite sour, and I found diluting the juice with water and using plenty of sugar helps, then thicken with cornstarch before I bake the pies, just guess the right amount. I hate it when I guess wrong or the cornstarch doesn't work right and they're soupy. Pies are a lot of effort but the kids and I love them. The fruit is not as plump as the old standards (which I prefer flavorwise), too hard to pick from those big trees; people don't have them any more around here. I also checked Montmorency, edenfoods promotes it as very healthy, you know how it is when you are used to something, you don't want to switch. They had those out at HD, too. I just liked these and never had to care for them at all. I did call the extension office today, and he asked did we mow around them, yes, I remember not being careful when I did the mowing, that could have caused the gall, said not to worry, pull the mulch out 2-4 inches, fertilize with something slow release, thought my rose fertilizer would work. I vaguely remember they might have suckered a little, maybe not. My apple tree nearby is awful. Don't get a Jonadel like I did. They are good but not as good as Jonathan imo. I wish I had more room for fruit trees. I have an old apricot tree that has just budded out and next week the temps are supposed to dip to 33. I seldom get any, but when I do they are wonderful. Moorpark. People had some hardier ones with much smaller fruit, but nobody likes to bother with the messes any more. They would rather steal mine if I get any. My mother used to adore white peaches when people would let her have some (nobody has those any more I know of), and canned them. I wish I could have those, grapes, peaches, one pear tree, more varities of apple. I have a farm and can't live on it by myself. I tested the waters on that, planted things, couldn't get back to water them, and all died but one, no fruit trees that time. It's 50 miles away. My dad had the same trouble, one apple tree he planted still bore fruit, but all his cherry trees died from neglect. My dad would have loved to live on his farm; I feel bad that he was never able to, used to talk about setting up a trailer and spend weekends there, I think my mom wanted no part of it. It's frustrating to have a passion for something and not enough room and no one to share it with and making posts that are too long.

Citrus may be different. I can only grow citrus indoors here. I have no experience with them. It should not hurt trees. It's worse when you add the fertilizer to the dirt when planting. Some on top afterward is safer. Fertilize next year, or maybe others can give you better advice for citrus. They need to establish themselves. That should take about a year. So it is a critical time. Some root damage may have occured, just keep them moist, not wet, and they should be fine. Lot's can go wrong. Photos of any damage helps us look at it and get a better idea what is going on. You may lose some, and learn from it. One thing you may want to do is protect the trunk from sun damage. What we do is paint the trunk with interior latex paint diluted about 50%. Do not use exterior. In the winter with young trees here we can have a problem with field rodents eating the tender young bark at the base of the tree. We use guards or raps to protect the area. Rabbits too sometimes eat this bark. Remove the guards in spring to allow air flow, sometimes insects will live in there too, so they should be removed.

Hi FD, everyone has posted lots of good ideas...:) I think KKNY's idea of the depression is a very good one, your SO does sound that way. You could take him to his family doctor and check into it, you can also take online "tests", such as this one.. http://www.depression.about.com/cs/diagnosis/l/bldepscreenquiz.htm There are lots of sites if you just google "depression test" and they aren't a perfect diagnosis, but if your SO takes one, it might at least show him if he is indeed depressed and then he might at least choose to get some help,if he is depressed. He also sounds like he is still allowing his DD's and his ex to manipulate him terribly and he sounds like a big time enabler. He is "enabling" his kids and his ex to ruin his (and Your!) holiday! Sounds like he could use a therapist to help him get thru this, as he is letting them run and ruin his life for him. In turn, you help him with the kids, because you love him and you are a good person, but you get "swept" into the mess. I really hope you go to your family party and have a good time and as my dear old Mum says "Let him stew!!" Sometimes just by letting him sit there and be miserable and by not asking him anymore to come, maybe he will actually think about how his behaviour is affecting you and your relationship together. I would even go so far as to tell him when you leave to go to the party: "think about how your behaviour is affecting other people,in particular me." Then give him a smile and a hug and a wave and a "see you,I'm off to have a great time!!" If all else fails, tell him your cousin is bringing a newly divorced guy who is apparently heartbroken but dashingly handsome and smart funny, etc...a doctor...LOL!!

Hello... I'm from Argentina, and stumbled on this site when searching for a solution. I have an Acacia baileyana, and I'm afraid it's dying. About 6 months ago, the leaves started to dry and fall, and now almost all the canopy is dry. It's springtime here, and the tree managed to bloom and grow some new leaves... but not much. I also noticed some "wounds" and an amber "goo" coming out of them (any relation with the leaves falling?). The tree is about 20 years old, and maybe it's time to cut it down, but my grandfather planted it the year he died, and my family is very fond of it. Any ideas?????