You might want to consider one of the Dynamite controlled release fertilizers (CRF). I've linked to their website below. I think Home Depot stocks some of their products, but I'm not sure which ones. As to your second question, experienced growers here in the Container forum often recommend combining a CRF with a soluble fertilizer like Foliage-Pro. The most often cited application rate is 1 tbsp of CRF per gallon of potting mix (ideally, this is incorporated prior to planting) plus a weak dose of soluble fertilizer at each watering (for Foliage Pro, that would be 1/4 tsp per gallon). Here is a link that might be useful: Dynamite Plant Food

Hey! Thanks, Kim :-) If you have Turface and grit and bark, you can make a great mix for your Pachira. I like the lava rock because it doesn't hold as much water and it's a little chunkier than Turface....but it is not essential. Most importantly you want really good drainage so that you can water this plant as it prefers, which is to have it's root-zone thoroughly flooded and then dried back out in a reasonable amount of time. Yes, swish that root-ball in water! You may want to soak the root-ball for 15-20 minutes ahead of time to start softening that hard old mix....then begin to remove it with a chopstick or similar tool. Get all the old mix off. Be sure that the new mix is also moist when you re-pot. Make a little mound, set the clean roots on top, add a layer of fresh mix, work it into the roots with a chopstick, add another layer of mix, and repeat. Once the plant is completely re-potted, water it really well and return it to its spot. I would water again two days later to be sure that the upper inches of mix are staying moist while the roots are re-establishing themselves. After about a week, give it a 1/2 strength dose of fertilizer. Josh

Masha: What a great idea. I always forget about AVN. I have seen it driving in Almaden Exp. But I have never gone in. It sure is closer than Regan. Do you know if they sell their roses bare root, body bag, or potted? DollsandRoses: Thanks for recomendation. I think HC also has more intresting color too. FJ

Dottato should ripen in your coastal climate? Where did you hear that they wouldn't? I know of some that ripen in areas that get the same heat mainly as you do during the summer, but get wreched winters. 80's is prime temps for most figs to ripen, when you start getting into the mid 90's they will go to sleep, almost a dormant rest, they won't loose leaves, but they will stop growing alot of times. so if you get 80's you should be fine with them. Where did your grandmother have her tree? If you feel you can't ripen these figs in your climate, try making a small greenhouse just enough to house this particular tree. You can easily make one with heavy plastic and set it up where it will get warmer for just this tree, but don't make it too hot or you will get bad result. Also, check out your sun issue. Do you get alot of sun? Ciao