I was going to put them outside in the spring after the last frost day with a fence around them. Until then they'll just grow grow grow in their pots.

karri: You might be able to deal with your curious black flies with an oil or soap spray, but first, a couple of questions: What kind of fruit trees did you plant? Were they bareroot, or are they still in their orginal nursery containers? Where are you located? I know it's zone 7, but I am in zone 7 also, and have no problems yet with any insect since temperatures have been fairly low. Classifying all pesticides as harmful is a generalization. They can be harmful if irresponsibly of improperly used, but if targeted to specific pests or problems they can be extremely useful. Go to a nursery or the nursery section of a bigbox store to see the variety of pesticides that are sold, some "natural" and some not. Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

Birdsong: I can certainly understand why you feel the way you do. In fact, I agree with your views 100%. I am saddened that we are all in the position of losing our tempers because this issue is so near and dear to our hearts, and we always feel that we are losing the battle (especially when facing the approaching season of Chemlawn ads). I think I pointed out to Dil in one post why we all feel as strongly as we do: . . . I have often seen posts on this board seeking information on how to lure and feed deer, raccoons, etc. only to later see the same people here seeking a solution when the natural reaction has created a nuisance. . . . so you can see why people develop strong opinions about this issue. However, after spending a couple of years reading, I believe that we all have a unique opportunity here. This kind of board gives us the opportunity to debate these ideas online for many people to read. I like to think that there are other people out there, like Dil (and probably each one of us at one time or another), who are similarly fertile ground. I think that when we do lose our tempers and get sharper than we want to, our argument loses power. I'm as guilty as anyone of losing my temper in this thread, but the amazing thing about Dil is that he hung in there. I personally think that takes a pretty big person . . . not to mention that Dil has promised to try to explain his new understanding to his neighbors. He won't win them all over, but he may convince a few. What more can we ask for? Afterall, what we are asking for is a paradigm shift. Our culture values making money and personal enjoyment above and beyond all else. So, we are asking for deeply-rooted cultural ideals to change. That won't happen overnight. Maybe I'm being way too optimistic, but I think if people did understand the common sense of it, some of them wouldn't do the things they do. The only way to hope to change people's opinions is to debate them respectfully. So, while I understand where your anger comes from, I hope you will rethink your approach. You obviously understand the issue clearly and have some valuable insight to add.

I even tried doing a bit of research for you to be able to tell you exactly what was wrong but leaves turning red in the summer seems like mostly an indication of a plant that is stressed and unhappy in some way. It could maybe be a nutrient deficiency but I don't think I'd fertilize it right now, at least without knowing for sure it is nutrient deficient. (You don't really want to fertilize something close to dormancy. The tree/plant gets competing signals of grow! and shut-down! It gets unhappy.). Maybe a gentle compost feeding, though? That couldn't hurt and might help. Also (and sorry to bring this up) but apples don't grow true from seeds. You might have any apple tree there. Not sure where you're in zone 8b, but it could be possible down the line that the apple might really struggle with the heat and humidity of the Deep South, or if you're in the PNW, it might not like the cool, rainy summers. All you can do now that I can think of is plant it in the ground, don't over or under water it, maybe get a soil test just to be sure it is good for your apple, and cross your fingers. ETA: If you are very invested in your apple tree (and it seems like you are) I might call my local extension office and ask them if I could bring the tree in to take a look at. They might be able to tell exactly what's wrong from doing a thorough inspection, as well as giving you specific advice, based on where you are, for what exactly they'd recommend for this tree, both now and in the future. (Apples typically require more care than "set it and forget it" as they get older to maintain optimum health.) Good luck!