Glad to hear alfalfa tea is eternal. I've had a covered container for about a month and was wondering. I opened it Sunday while preparing Bubble Bath's site. Man, I take everything back about that nice "green" smell. Whew! I left it uncovered the whole time I was working and suffered. (Once I start digging I can't stop for anything.) I kept thinking again and again "What is that gross smell? Oh,..." When I got cleaned up & ready to go in, I decided to cover it back. I was sure someone would call the police, reporting a dead body. Bad stuff. But when I mixed it up, it WAS green. Bill, I hope your wife apologized to your son and you apologized to your wife. LOL. Too funny. Sherry

Hi there ! my town (Bullhead City AZ)in conjunction with the local power company, offer trees to the residents each November...a maximum of 3 at $6 each; they also require a statement from you as to which side of your residence the trees will be planted...A good service at great prices ! For the last two November I have purchased four willow acacias,one chilean mesquite and one desert willow...all were small enough to fit in the trunk of my car, about two feet tall. they are planted on east, south and west sides... The ones that really amazes me are the willow acacias ! The first one I planted on southwest corner, grew FOUR FEET in one year...it is now over seven feet tall ! I have not trimmed or pruned, I like trees in their natural state when possible...this also protects the tender trunks of the newly planted trees. How's that for "fast" ??

Hey Mike..how are you? Haven't seen you in a while. A few times in the past my Citrus, Gardenias and Azalea got a mild case of Chlorosis. I added Iron Chelate or Sulphate. I used to add iron 2-3 times per year regularly,(as a preventative) so plants never got chlorosis, but then I grew lax, lol, so every now and then a plant would turn up w/Chlorosis. After applying Iron, the problem cleared up in approximately 2-3 wks..I did NOT add any other chemicals in between, so I'm sure the problem was iron definciency. That's one reason I've made up my mind to start adding Iron 2-3 times a year again, to avoid further problems. As for ES's, some people who use it regularly, swear by it. I've used it once this year, but I think it takes more than one dose before noticing a difference, OR it may not do anything..But too many people vow it keeps leaves green and vibrant.. My problem using ES's is, what happens to variegated leaves? I have a few variegated citrus and other tropicals, so wouldn't dare adding ES's to these plants. I surely don't want them losing variegation, turn green. I plan on using ES's on palms, ferns and green leaf citrus. To see if there's any noticable change. You've made an excellent point about fertilizers..All my Citrus ferts are timed/slow-release. I don't understand how they work. Some ppl add other ferts along w/slow=release, so maybe that's the answer. I'm uncertain but heard time release and organic ferts do not work automatically, as quickly as chemical types..I wish someone here had a definate answer. Mike, some products, like Systemic insecticides probably explain (on package) how long it takes to kill bugs. As for fertilizers, it probably depends on NPK, dossages, etc. Some people fert once a wk, once every two wks, or once a month. If you're specifically talking citrus, that's one thing, but if you're talking plants in general, it depends on the plant..Cactus and Sux are slow-growing. So, adding more or frequent ferts will only harm and/or grow tall and spindly stems w/fewer leaves, especialy during winter months. (This pertains to tropicals too) There are certain products like Eleanors that's supposed to be quick acting, I've never used it..Too expensive and they advise not using with other fertilizers..to be sure all other fert is gone, you must leach soil before using Eleanors. I don't want to mess around with it. But people who use it, (once again) swear it's fast acting, and when used, you'll notice a big difference opposed to other fertilizers. Ironically, I read a post about Eleanors, the poster said, the only difference other than its high cost is there's more NPK which is the reason it's faster working. IMO, Superthrive, (hormone and 50 vitamins) is fast-acting, helps ailing plants, quickens germination with seedlings and cuttings, and boosts healthy plants, too. Toni

The stems are green with chlorophyll and so produces food for the tree. Thing are not as direr as they seems. I take it that the L.A. in your name is in California. If so, why bring the tree in at all. If beauty is not the most important criteria you can do what I do.35 gallon trash can pained bright wight with 23 watt daylight CFLNew Zealand lemonade tree growing like a weed and has flowered and set fruit28 seeding rootstock US897, 3 rooted cutting, + 4 cuttings rooting Kuharske Citrange L to R Lemonade, Meiwa kumquat, Fukushu#1, and Fukushu#2 kumquat trees. All of the trees above have entered a rapid growth state since they were placed under these bucket lights. However if you are married it is very unlikely that you can get away with this setup.