If not for the ARS, there would be no website of ours about it. When it first got bad here, over a decade ago, I gathered as much info as I could, and it wasn't much beyond "doesn't affect cultivated roses" and we started studying it in twice a month trips to the LMU rose garden where it was a serious infestation. I contacted the ARS, got the info about what it takes for articles for them, did a detailed three part article and had it rejected because it was too long and if I could condense it to 1500 words and two or three pictures, they would reconsider it as it had been a couple of years since they did a piece on RRD. This damn near broke my heart and spirit. I could see the problem growing, the lack of info out there and no way to get the word out. Then via Gardenweb, we got a call from a garden in northern Virginia about RRD in their garden and they needed pictures to confirm it. We (mostly my computer literate husband) turned the three articles into three chapters of what would evolve into our e-book. I also greatly condensed the material from it into an article that appeared in the American Rose. Lots of people who receive the magazine never read it; I can't tell you how many people never saw those three pages. Last January's American Rose also had a bit from me about RRD; that evolved from something I had written for a newsletter within the ARS. I was asked to give a talk about RRD at the ARS National in Philadelphia, and I had a two page hand out summarizing the talk. Those two pages got a fair amount of reprinting with ARS newletters and also led to some talks, some with good attendance, many with marginal attendances. I've given up being frustrated and just try to put what I know out there in a format that can be referenced. If anybody cares to, the bibliography in the e-book is the place they should start, rather than starting from scratch and reinventing the wheel. A decade ago, I said that the problem wouldn't be solved in my lifetime. I've no reason to change that assessment.

Might be better off if you grow from true seeds, as opposed to using the dried ones from stores. Your garden soil requires a LOT of extra nitrogen in order to produce a good amount of any bean or pea type. Even for that, nitrogen in the forms like feather meal or fish meal are slow to release and are better for fertilizers than the strong short term chemicals like Miracle Grow. I also do foliar sprays of my beans and peas during the summer. The innoculents mentioned above also help the roots get more nitrogen into the plants. My last batch of limas were loaded with pods, and some were twice as big as the common Fordhook type. Check out Vermont Bean and seed for some fairly decent seeds. Irradiated seeds will fail to germinate in most cases. They do this to kill off any pathogens. Some years ago, the US had to ban the Asian peppercorn- Sczechuan (sp.) due to bugs. Now they do irradiate that spice so its safe to allow it into the US again. Interestingly, VT Bean shows a chick pea photo as being blue/purple color, but we all know they are a light tan. One important thing is they don't do well in colder northern climates below Z5. Here is a link that might be useful: Chick Peas/ Garbanzo bean

I guess I'm more than eligible to join this exclusive club! Just a few minutes ago I went to put a dish towel in the washer for the next load, and guess what? Yep, there was the last load from a few days ago!! It was a small load of darks. So now it is being washed again, and it just occurred to me as I am typing this that I should have added some things to it! I guess that is a twofer that adds to my eligibility. Glad there aren't any dues to pay, and at least I am in good company. Sue

I suspect I will oil it at least once; I should try it on the piece that won't be visible when the cabinet goes in today. Blackeyedpeas - knowing the gender of the baby before it's born is like knowing what your birthday gift is ahead of time. Ruins the surprise, which is almost the best part, IMO! Neither of my kids wanted to know in advance (and in "my day" it was not possible to know), and I suspect my next daughter will want a surprise package, too. So...I'll get there eventually. Thanks, everyone.