Chickadee asks: 1. How much to use per plant or in the compost pile? I usually apply enough to thoroughly soak the area around the plant stalk to ensure through coverage. On larger plants I soak around plant and between each plant in the row (because plant roots spread as they grow larger). On the compost pile I spread about a gallon on every other layer to effectively spread the microbes in the juice to insure the "bugs" are throughout the pile when I make it. On the compost pile it is more a "feel" thing that develops as Bug Juice is used more often. 2. Is it used full strength or diluted? Always diluted in every case before applying tea to the soil or compost pile IMO. At first it is very hard to accept that the more diluted the Bug Juice is the better it works on plants. Yet, each year I am amazed at the response I get when I use less instead of more on each plant. This year is a perfect example, my friends have become obsesses with using Bug Juice and BIM. Those who refuse to accept that lower "tea" to water ratios result in better plant performance have very good growth, however, those who use less tea to water are seeing explosive growth in both plant and fruit growth. The weight of the fruit (more important than size) is obviously greater when less tea is used in all cases. This experience is based on "right now" knowledge, not what some study or other second hand knowledge. Trust me, using a less "brew" ratio (10 (ten) parts water to 1 (one) part tea) is better. 3.If you mix up a batch and it turns cool and cloudy does the process take more time. Yes, temperatures lower than 70°F call for a longer brewing time. The end results are always the same, keeping the brew aerated during this longer brewing time remains important. In learning to brew and use Bug Juice, and recently BIM continues to be a learning process. However, these many years I have used Bug Juice the results remains constant; healthy plants, rich soil, large plants and fruit, and most importantly, harvests loaded in nutrition and excellent taste have come to be the norm for my family and friends. Learning by doing is the best teacher IMO, each lesson becomes yet another tool in our arsenal of organic success. And too, please remember, "a lesson will be repeated until learned". Once learned we can move on to the next lesson Blutranes

Thanks for the nice comments. ARCTIC LACE is blooming on a new single fan that only had four buds. I was happy to get a bloom this large and nice off of it. The first two flowers were small and not really impressive, but the one today is getting there. I was pleased with how white it was upon opening, and the edge got bigger and frillier as the day wore on. I think this one will be fabulous when it matures. This is the second bloom on MULBERRY CONNECTION, and I was really delighted with it. I love the color, the shape, the halo, and the type of doubling it features. CLOWN'S CABARET was new for me last year, and I was suprised by the highly saturated color since the Salters describe it as cream pink and show a light rose pink flower in their catalog. It's a very different looking bloom, and was a vigorous rebloomer last year. This year with the drought and the wacky weather, who knows? Shive

I was so happy to see your picture of 'Early Days' since I just planted mine last week from Blue Ridge....I am now even more delighted that I got it! I hope mine will look as good as yours when & if it blooms this year. According to Bob Selman it is a very reliable bloomer. I love the bicolor bloomers and couldn't afford 'Clown Parade', so I opted for 'Early Days' as a much cheaper alternative. (under ten dollars versus close to a hundred!) Thanks for showing your pretty pictures.

Thanks for sharing, NG! Love to see happy, healthy cats munching away in someone's garden!! Hope your zebras appear soon! Marcia