Just an example of how fast growing this vine is. Last week I noticed that my older plant was coming out of dormancy so I put it under the HID lights downstairs. (I usually allow them to grow throughout the winter but I didn't have the room this year so I kept it cut back to the soil) I took a look today and it has sent out shoots that are winding across the ceiling. That's easily at least 10' of growth in a week. Even a couple of the seedlings I started from Edna's seeds are wrapping themselves around plants in the GH. Karyn

Crap! I blew it Daniella. I woke up late cause I woke up at 4 am to a couple people dressed in white tyvek coveralls, with hoods pulled over there heads! They were right under my bedroom window crawling on there bellies acting very strange. Then a car pulled up and talked to them and left and they came back to my yard. I thought I was gonna have to cap em til I realized they were wasted. I ran them off and called the law then went back to bed. Just woke up a lil while ago. I was gonna try and get it shipped out still but, I started seperating mimosa seeds from pods and I noticed some little grey beetles in the grocery bag.Then I seen some emerging from seeds. I proly busted open 30 seeds from different pods out of the quarter grocery bag that me and Danielle picked and every seed had a larva in it. Glad I caught that before I sent you 500 little grey beetles in a box :) I think UPS might be open later I'll check with them. If not I'll have to wait til monday. First I gotta see if I cant find some mimosa seedlings already growing. I'm sorry. I'll keep you posted

I'd not add mulch if you are keeping the fabric plus rocks. I'd worry that the roots will struggle as it is for oxygen. Soil gas exchange is necessary for a healthy rhizosphere; roots and microorganisms emit CO2 which needs to be able to freely exit the soil. Oxygen from the atmosphere replaces the CO2 within the soil's pore spaces...if not impeded by layers upon layers. A healthy mulch layer of an organic substance such as wood chips, bark nuggets, or pine straw is considered best for moderating soil temperatures, conserving moisture, and enhancing (even feeding) a vital soil microorganism population. That's the kind of soil environment that encourages a vigorous, strong root system. I'd plan on covering the shrubs for the first couple of years, using a woven material of some kind, no plastic. Avoid excess fertilization all of the time but never fertilize past the mid summer. Same goes for pruning.....avoid any growth promoting procedure past mid summer. Another good tip for promoting robust root systems more likely to withstand severe cold is to water intelligently. Avoid at all costs the kind of watering that encourages weak, shallow roots. I don't know how you can judge the moisture level of the soil and root ball under weed barrier and rocks, though. If you live in an area that experienced severe winter temperatures this past winter, please know that there won't be anything you can do under those conditions. But those times are the exception (we hope) and shouldn't dictate whether we want to 'push the envelope ' or not.

I was just doing a little research on yuccas because I would like to grow ones that look like little palm trees. I found this under the New Jersey site: " RE: Any yucca fans in NJ? *by: Jim_K_z7a (My Page) on Thu, Oct 17, 02 at 9:28 Deb, that's okay if you have one in a pot. But, what kind is it and where will it overwinter. If it's a recurvifolia, maybe you should put it in a garage during january and February. Recurvifolias are officially rated as a 7a yucca in the ground. In the event of some really really cold weather, it could suffer in a pot outside. I could give you lots of advice about raising yuccas in NJ, but it depends on what kind you are growing. Yuccas native to the eastern U.S. can take a lot more moisture all during the year and can handle different types of soils better then yuccas from the SW U.S. SW yuccas need very fast draining sandy rocky soil and can't take a lot of moisture. Some SW yuccas have a very high tolerance to cold weather, but they have to be bone dry to handle the cold. Throw in some South Jersey winter wetness and those SW yuccas lose a lot of their cold hardiness." Sounds like you need to know just which one you have.