CMK - I use a purchased mix but it is very close in composition to Al's mixes. And I actually use a slightly different but much more barky mix for my trees, very similar to what many growing nurseries use for their container mixes. It holds up really well (even longer than the 5-1-1) and is slightly acidified, which is ideal for most trees and conifers, especially the Japanese maples. And I do have a camera on my phone but it is a stupid (as opposed to smart!) phone and I can only email them AFAIK. I am technically challenged at the best of times and as I do not have Internet at my house, I am reluctant to mess with my work computer for that......:-( But I'll see what I can manage going forward. prairiemoon - Yes, I sold that place and moved to never-never-land - a cottage on the beach (Puget Sound) with incredible views. Do I miss the old place? Not at all, although I do miss some of my plants, mostly the trees. It was a very complex garden with way too many plants and became much more work than I was inclined or able to manage. The containers are just enough now although I seem to keeping acquiring more plants and therefore more containers. It's an unshakable addiction!! One thing about fertilizing containers - since they contain no real "soil" (potting soil = soil-less mix) and minimal organic matter, they seldom support populations of soil organisms necessary to assimilate dry organic fertilizers......like Espoma products. Water soluble or liquid organics (like fish emulsion, seaweed, even compost tea) or any other water soluble fertilizer (Osmocote, MiracleGro) works much more efficiently. For a liquid fertilizer I use a product called Liquid Grow from Dyna Gro that contains a lot of trace elements necessary for good plant growth that many other fertilizers lack. With long-term container plantings the three things that must be dealt with carefully are the quality of the potting medium, fertilization (they rely on the gardener for everything) and proper watering. Because good drainage is so critical in containers, I find I can grow more marginal plants more easily. Although it can sometimes get pretty darn cold here in winter, it is not typical but a lot of wet is. And plants that often do not care for our winter rains in the ground seem to do just fine in a well drained container.

Wonderful photos. They are so cute. I'm surprised that the parents allow you to get so close. A pair started a nest on our deck and I didn't know. The first day I stepped out unannounced, they swooped down at me in the fiercest way. They soon abandoned it. Last year, they completed the nest, laid the eggs (I had some pics), but sometime later when there was little activity, I peeked in to see broken pieces of egg shell left in the nest. It seems 'something' ate them. Cannot figure out what. For the first time last year I saw a couple of garden snakes in my backyard. Would they have been so bold as the come up on the deck, climb the metal pole and get them? We also have some feral cats visiting. Wonder if they could have made that climb. They have chased all the birds away from out yard. The birds just seem to sense their presence. What a bummer!!!

Hi everyone, Bahia - Yes it is very much like Bossa Nova, in fact when it's grown in the shade, only the experts can tell them apart. I seem to remember it was something about the edge of the leaves that's the difference. Anyway to you and my other brom friends on this site, I'd like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and Festive Season and I hope Santa is kind to you all. All the best, Nev.

Fun to use old aqua insulators for a bit of color w/the pine branches ... & enamel ware. This small vine tree will go back on the porch when the snow flies again ... added a garland of rusty bells to it ~~ the enamel pan grows some herbs in the summer. Could use some red berries, I think! :-) A happy decorating day ~~ Jeanne This post was edited by jeannespines on Sat, Dec 6, 14 at 23:47