We grew it some years ago (and this was when we were still spraying). It never got over 3 ft., here in Coastal SoCalif (which was OK) but that wasn't the problem. The PROBLEM was that as soon as new leaves opened, they began to rust. And where they were not rusted, they mildewed. It bloomed, but the plant always looked like the devil, and it is gone. I hope it is better somewhere else. Jeri

That is different than what I do up north here. Many of us find it is better to move the tree, shrub, perennial, in early Sept, before the leaves or foliage dies back. With foliage on, whatever you move, had leaves to make food until it gets cold. Leaves on is supposed to be more helpful to the roots by feeding them, and the roots will continue to grow until the ground freezes. That is usually late Nov or so. Sometimes freezes much later, near Christmas. We make sure the moved item is watered regular, but the rainy season usually starts in late Sept, so they often need no extra watering. Mulch around it, a good layer, but keep the mulch off the stems. Often a newly moved plant, bush, shrub, will lose leaves a little earlier than others like it, without that being a problem. Mine leaf out fine in spring and we go from there. I have the best luck moving things, putting in new things, in Sept thru early Oct. Plants seem to like it, do well the next year. I do feel silly sometimes out watering in Nov, if we aren't getting much rain. Spring transplants can do well, I usually just have too many other things going then. I would agree with being careful around the roots, they break easy. Get some help moving a big rootball, they get really heavy, and you are trying to be careful, turns job into hard work.

Pluses and minuses to both approaches. Depends on the state of the roots and how much you will need to root prune when you plant it. If it is root bound, then you'll want to cut away some of the roots circling the pot. This will stress a plant in full leaf. So then it would be good to do this now before it gets all its leaves. If it does not need root pruning and you are just going to stick it in the ground, stress will be much less. In that case, maybe it's safer to wait until all risk of frost/freeze is gone. Could you try to pop it out of the pot a bit and see if it's root bound before you decide? If you decide to put it in the ground now, one option you have would be to cover it with a tarp or something like that if you expect a freeze. Either way, once it's in the ground, you'll probably have the same situation next year so you may want to go ahead and devise a setup to handle this weather. If you are in a cold microclimate, do you think your tree will survive the winter next year? Effectively you may be a zone or half zone colder than the surrounding area. You may want to consider making an airlayer this summer and grow another one in a pot. This way you will have a backup if the one in the ground dies Good luck Rob

Sorry you're feeling so bad! That doesn't sound like fun, especially with an active toddler running around. Good thing he's so cute! :) You might want to reconsider the accupuncture. My best friend is pregnant and due in about 11 days. She actually just called me about 2 hours ago and said she had decided to try accupuncture because she's been so uncomfortable. She said that although the lady was a little "new agey" for her, she felt great and better than she had felt in a month. Might be worth another try. Certainly couldn't hurt. Hope you feel better soon!