Actually, I use something that is totally safe and (to me...economical) and so good for my DL's that I call it the 'plant bomb'! When I was originally told about alfalfa tea, I used alfalfa meal. Big mistake...it is full of weed seed which will sprout profusely and TAKE over your gardens!!! Now I go to Walmart and buy the large bottle of alfalfa tablets which have been finely milled for human consumption...hence no seeds. I started out using a 1 gal. milk jug and about 10 tabs. Of course, upon seeing the stupendous results, I quickly graduated to a 30 gallon trash can. Use the whole bottle of 300 tabs for the trash can size....methodology....place container in the sun, fill can with water, add alfalfa tabs, (I also add about 1-2 cups fish emulsion) stir once a day for 4-5 days and pour on/around plants. When using for roses, add epsom salts....I cannot say enough good things about this mixture...I use it on Everything!!! Here another forum on it: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/rosesorg/msg0623323517083.html Be forewarned: If you let it sit too long....it will STINK! It will smell just like a dairy barnyard and I am not kidding...but if you use it right away you only get a faint odor of the fish emulsion. And yes, you can still use it if it is stinky...just clothespin your nose before doing so.

Apparently it is going positive and northeastern canada is going to get cold again. I think a lot of people will be looking forward to that. They have been above average all winter and fall, and not a little above average either! Apparently a cold Feb. ahead for the Northeast but relief for areas that have been below average (I guess NYC was an exception because it looks like it will be staying cold here!!). There is also a chance for more snow here. The snow from the last storm didnt melt yet, and Im sure that there is a good 2 or 3 inches of snow that is still from the blizzard a month ago!! I cant remember snow ever having the snow last almost all winter (with the exception of the 30ft pile of snow at parking lots). It looks like that could be the case though with the snow this winter. I really miss seeing grass, even if it is a little brown this time of the year. I actually saw some a week ago before the last snow storm dumped 6 more inches of snow! So long story short, a lot of snow and cold here, and looks like it will continue like that for most of the winter and all of January. Most of the cold will likely focus over New England and upstate New York, sparing NYC, the rest of the mid atlantic, and the southeast. The plains might get a break, but the coldest days probably havent been seen yet in many areas of the plains if they are right about this next cold blast. The west will be warming up. Not bad considering that the west coast is suppose to be colder than normal during a La Nina year! Good luck! -Alex

Thank you kindly for your input Karyn. That's too bad that your seedling didn't make it. Would be interesting to see if your seedling would have kept the cup shaped leaves ultimately. I was at Kimi's Plumeria here in SoCal talking to Beverly and she mentioned that she had a friend who had a tree that had "cobra head" shaped leaves. Apparently he had the tree for about 20 years before it finally bloomed. Hopefully I can keep this seedling alive long enough to see if it keeps the strange leaf trend and if it blooms. As for the cuttings, I bought them from a newer ebay vendor that I had previously purchased 2 Puu Kahea cuttings. Those cuttings were cleanly cut. I have to say that I was a bit surprised to see how ragged the recent ones were. I supposed I can try growing them as is and if that doesn't work, cut them again? I really don't know how important it is to have them cleanly cut. Karen R

I'm so sorry for the grief and stress you've felt throughout this time. You've done a kindness -don't forget that. It was difficult, but you did it because you loved Keo and wanted her to stop hurting. I've had to do it a number of times, and it's always so incredibly difficult, and always followed by weeks of melancholy. But I've never regretted it. Right now I know of a kitty, about 17 years old, who weighs about 3 lbs., and is truly suffering every day from many ailments. Her owners believe they'll 'know' when the time is right to put her down, but to everyone else, it looks like the time is right here, right now, and we feel such sorrow and pity for this poor, frail, hurting kitty..... You did the right thing. I don't know whether you're familiar with this poem, or whether it will resonate with you, but I thought I'd pass it on... The Last Battle If it should be that I grow frail and weak And pain should keep me from my sleep, Then will you do what must be done, For this " the last battle" can't be won. You will be sad I understand, But don't let grief then stay your hand, For on this day, more than the rest, Your love and friendship must stand the test. We have had so many happy years, You wouldn't want me to suffer so. When the time comes, please, let me go. Take me to where to my needs they'll tend, Only, stay with me till the end And hold me firm and speak to me Until my eyes no longer see. I know in time you will agree It is a kindness you do to me. Although my tail its last has waved, From pain and suffering I have been saved. Don't grieve that it must be you Who has to decide this thing to do; We've been so close "we two" these years, Don't let your heart hold any tears. - Unknown