I add Epsom salt b/c my soil and water are super saturated w/ Calcium as Calcium carbonate from a caliche layer in the subsoil. The sun draws the calcium up through the clay by capillary action and plays hell with the root system of my trees on Trifoliate and its hybrids. The calcium raises the pH. In turn this ties up Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Mo, and maybe Cu to name a few and in that order. Of these, the first four are most critical. If your trees have good color or you have soil and/or water pH equal to 6.5 or below you may not have the same problem. I apply 60% of my fert in Mar and 40% in May or June at the latest. (Last year was an exception b/c of the record late spring, my second fert was in early July.) Your trees should turn dark green by May. If they still have a problem after the second application, condsider a foliar spray. I've written about this several times. It is a complex problem. If You have still a problem then, "give me a hollar". If your trees display extreme Mg deficiency, broadcast a light application of Epsom salt at this time. Or maybe between now and two or three weeks from now. Epsom salt is Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate (7 waters of hydration in the crystals). You may need to do it more than once. Note: Magnesium is not tied up as much as heavier minor and micro elements by high pH. But it is just not usually as abundant in the soil when Calcium is high. Also many try to use Dolomite limestone as a Mg++ source but it is only sparingly soluble at normal pH. Dolomite will not "Fizz" (release CO2 and go into solution) even, with hydrochloric acid. Good composted mulch will make many of these elements available as well as provide sufficient quantities.

Talk about not having THICK skin, right Patty?lol Thanks Andrew and I hope to come across other varieties that I have not yet seen. I'll tell you now, that if you are into fragrance, this is one you will not want to miss out on...!:-) That's a great question that I'll bet Patty could answer. I wonder myself. Andrew, you of all people can talk about anything on my threads, it never bothers me when anyone does, as long as my questions get answered in which they always do. It's fun coming here, right and I must say I missed you around these parts. Now, where's Josh and a few others:-) Remember Buylady and Jojo? I will have to e-mail them and make sure they are ok. It is also nice to see Dr. Malcolm. Hey John, good to see you and thanks. Hello Laura and Patty! Gee it's nice to have a couple of good women on my side! I could be so lucky, right? I really do appreciate what the both of you have to say and for your guenuine interest in my success and plants:-) Patty: Thanks a bunch for doing that research for me,and making sure. I don't want to do anything illegal in ignorance and I had certainly hoped that reputable nursery would feel the same. Thank goodness they do. I am really looking forward to many more different varieties and at reasonable prices. Look at you getting yours for 5 bucks. Now, that will be the one to give you the least amount of problems I'll bet.lol I can't wait to see a tour of your yard Patty. Do you realize that the Ruby Red grapefruit is also a fave? I have one about 7 inches tall,lol, but it flowers liek crazy though. Patty, is there room for containerized one to put along side your pool? Now that would be heavenly! Looking at Laura's pool gave me that idea. Laura! What's up? I'll bet your weather is much warmer than mine. Scary, right, but nice. My brother just came back from that area and he said everything has bloomed almost a month early? What will happen if an Artic Cold Blast moves in? Yup, 5 BUCKS kiddo!lo. Sometimes the cheapest, a gift, or free thing can one of our favorites, right? You should smell the whole greenhouse with every whiff of air I take in! Every time I open my doors, whew!! It reminds me of getting off the plane in the Tropics after a long winter and just after a rain shower. The humidity, warmth, and fragrance is so heavenly. I actually took just one plant, the Brunsfelsia inside with just one flower, and the whole house smelled so good! Sissy says,' right back at ya' and sends a hug! How has little 'Ponderosa' been faring these days? Pic please? I'll bet just nice now that she can sit by the pool.lol Between you and Patty with the pool thing, I don't know.....

Good morning, Andrew! My eyes were just deceiving me... ;) I thought I saw a "club" shaped leaf on your Jade...but it was just the angle of the leaf. The 'Hummel's Sunset' is a very distinctive Jade (most of the year). Growing conditions, as well as seasonal variation, can dramatically impact the look. What we need is a Jade Archive, where one can reference images of Jades by month and geographic region. Here are a few images to compare: 3/31/2009 5/31/2009 - This shot perfectly illustrates how yellow a standard Crassula ovata can be. 9/5/2009 6/1/2010 Josh

2) Sedum Morganianum 5) Echeveria Lilacina 6) Echeveria Agavodies cv