Hi Vera, Even though you haven't planted many containers, we ARE going to insist that you take pictures of your beautiful establsihed beds! Being able to see what your "babies" will turn into when you are a newbie is so important! Your pics are the reason I have a flat started that has about 35 blue flax seeds sprouting in it right now!!!!! I loved looking through the pics. I was pretty new when I added my photo, so does being on that thread make me an oldie? (smile) Nancy

Sango Kaku should be able to tolerate full sun relatively easily. Lakes Nursery in NoCal recommends it for that sort of location and they grow in full sun here in the PNW without issue. I doubt the tree is properly established - it takes anywhere from 3-5 seasons for a tree of that size - and therefore is showing some signs of summer stress, which it will eventually grow out of. Watering "3 days a week" is kind of meaningless information. How many emitters, how long a duration (GPH?) and what kind of soil conditions do you have? It sounds like it is not getting enough water. A tree of that size (2" caliper?) will need 10-20 gallons per application. And that should percolate down to the base of the rootball or at least 12-16 inches. JM's do best with consistent soil moisture, so never too wet or too dry, always evenly moist..

I think the deep south is going to get the most of the below average temps this winter, and the coastal areas of the south will probably be spared. The northeast can go either way and that goes for all the mid atlantic too (NYC down to DC). I think by mid winter the west coast will be mild, but it looks like they are getting it pretty bad now. My peace lily took a beating this morning, but the center is still green! Im amazed at how strong it is, and I might bring it in because of it. my mother in law tongues (aka snake plants) are still unharmed.

Gloria, My response probably does sound ungrateful. When I grew up, my grandparents didn't give us very much stuff unless it was from a thrift store. My aunts and uncles never gave us anything unless it was hand-me-down clothes or a pack of gum. We only saw them once or twice a year because they lived in another state. We enjoyed our time together because it was time spent together. Material things were never involved. I think you and I may be at opposite ends of wanting the same thing. I'd also love for my kid's to spend meaningful time with loved ones. That's not what happens. I'm simply sick and tired of dealing with it. In the grand scheme, my kids aren't happy with it either. mvastian, I have the problem of taking the toys away with hurting feelings too. At some point, we simply run out of room or the toy is inappropriate. Until last year, we traveled for Christmas. Some toys simply never made it back out of the vehicle. I hid them in the back or wrapped them in plastic trash bags. Unopened gifts were taken back to the store. Opened gifts were donated. My kids take care of some toys by spreading them out all over the house. I throw them away piece by piece. Every so often, I clean up toys by putting them in storage upstairs so they aren't laying out all over the floor in the playroom. After a while (when the kids aren't looking), I go through and remove things that are no longer appropriate because our interests have changed, the toy is too young for us, we now have several of the same item, etc. The toys I get rid of are not 'favorites' so my kids really don't end up 'missing' anything. Since there is a lapse in time, we have time to rediscover anything important. The gifts dh and I buy for the kids get used. That is probably because I tend to buy practical gifts as the surprise gifts. We don't surprise the kids on their birthdays. We take them to the store and let them pick out something within a limited money amount. We start this with the first birthday. Even one year olds know what they want. Do the churches in your area take donations? Some of the items you mention like the too hot clothes may not work for anyone, but the other stuff could possiby be useful. Even the hot clothes could work if they were sent on missions to another country.