Karen, As with a healthy diet for a human plants have similar needs. Just like human supplements, viamins etc. It is required by law all fertilizer packaging must have a approved label telling the levels of major ingredients. Always you will find the letters N P K each with a following number. Example N10 (nitrogen) P10 (phosphate) K10 (potassium) representing the major elements. I hope the following article I wrote several years ago clarifies the science info for you: Most in the plumeria hobby have been taken in by the high middle number phosphate (P) baloney of the marketing by Miracle Grow and others only to see very short term results and very little cold or heat resistance from their plumeria. Fertilizing plumeria or any plant for that matter is important to ensure healthy growth. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium need to be added on a regular basis. This is more important in containerized growing. The percentages of these nutrients are labeled on fertilizer packages. Also, many times you find listings of minerals and other beneficial additives. Adding minerals is important for healthy plant growth. Nitrogen (N) aids in strong leaf and stem growth and promotes dark green leaf color. Too much nitrogen causes soft foliage and delays flowering, while not enough nitrogen causes stunted growth and leaf yellowing. Phosphorus (P) is thought to be needed for root development however new studies suggest that it is not the primary element; calcium plays a more important role for root mass. Phosphorus assists plants to set buds in the flower cycle. Not enough phosphorus can cause stunted plant growth. Potassium (K) improves plant hardiness in both hot and cold weather. It also helps in seed production and improves the size, color and quality of the flowers. Not enough potassium causes a weak plant, reduced flower quality and flower size. There are different fertilizing methods Liquid or Granular. I recommend Liquid because you have complete control over the amount released (PPMs/TDS). If you use a Granular or Time- Release the break down depends on the amount of water used or by how hot it is, therefore if it rains or it is hot and you water often the amount of feed could be to strong for the plant. This can burn the roots killing your plants. The opposite as in very little water means no food for the plant being released. Also, there is no way to calculate the amount and or when your plant is receiving nutrients. If you water on a regular basis use a complete and balanced liquid fertilizer. It is important to note frequent watering leaches out soil nutrients quickly and you'll need to fertilize regularly. This makes the case for continuous feeding program or "fertigation". (fertilizing every time you water) If you noticed phosphorus (P) may be the root promoter and then is secondary in its effect on blooming. In all hot climates it is very important to use a higher potassium (K) number. Also, for cold protection higher potassium (K) is very necessary. So a fertilizer routine in Inland Southern California as well as Arizona should be different than any of the high middle number (P)fertilizer products have to offer. Another reason for the high K number is; potassium reaches a higher concentration in plants then any other mineral element and activates over 60 enzymes. This process increases cell strength and general plant hardiness. I hope this helps, if you have more questions just ask. Jack

Landlord's son blew the lane out last night after midnight, I went to bed quite a lot later ... ... stayed in bed till after noon. An interesting radio program, science info on our national radio: 10 largest unsolved scientific questions. Check it out at www.cbc.ca/quirks, if interested. Got some breakfast, checked outside. It was snowing last night, blowing at speed - clear track between house and garage and drive shed, so much snow at back door had to push storm door, slip out, clear a space with boot, then shovelled it clear ... then shovelled a path to the drive shed and fed the cats, plus took their water dish out. I have two dishes - bring one in each night to thaw out. Earlier there was a thin drift right up beside the car door of the drive shed, then a space ... and a substantial drift several feet out - where the wind slows down after whipping between the house and garage. Later, I saw that one of the boys had driven their truck in to the shop and left. Later checked the track, and his axle had dragged most of the way down the lane. My small car having smaller tires and lower axles - if I tried to go down the lane, I'd probably get about 30 feet down there ... and the lane is at least 300 feet long ... with a chunk thrown up by the snow plough at the end. I'd thought to have taken a cheque to the treasurer of the local church, which I don't attend ... but that's a no-go. Unless I choose to hitch-hike up there, about twice as far as I walked when going to get my car the other day, and facing the wind - so, "No, thanks!". If the boys blow the lane ... I may go to church; otherwise, won't. But if they blow it tonight, it'll probably be filled in again by morning. Temperature in mid 20s in back porch, 10 degrees outside ... but with wind chill factor included, I'm sure that it'll be below zero F. (about 15 below, Celsius). Need to do some organizing on the desk ... and in the kitchen. Enjoy your day (what's left of it). ole joyful

I know you are having a ball!!! I have been so busy today. I have been in town 3 times today. Our town fair is coming so I went into the store to get fair tickets for the grandkids.. They are almost half the cost if you get them ahead of time. I bought a hundred bucks worth. They can go and ride until their hearts are content. Some of the rides the parents have to go on with them so it takes more. It sure brings back wonderful memories of when our kids were little. I have been getting extra things ready for Larry to take south. It is so much cheaper buying it here and sending it down. Our son, son-in-law and another guy are going down tomorrow for the weekend, too. They are taking their 3 young daughters, too. I made up some cool goodie bags for the girls. They will make a fire and make somemores, too. They will have a ball. I sure wish I was a mouse... I am looking for a quiet evening when Larry leaves..

Actually I wish I was kidding. A friend of mine at the U of A write her thesis paper on the unique situation Alberta and its plants are in. i will try to keep this as brief as possible. Apparently some of the chemicals that are produced when they burn off gas and oil well gases bond to the nitrite particles in the air. You will notice this if you pay particular attention to the sky around noon during spring. It is quite evident that it the color has changed from that dark "blue bird" color we are used to seeing. Anyways what this does is allow a certain wave length of radiation through that has been named TVASR (thermoVascular Adaptive Solar Radiation). The effect on plants is much like UV on humans that causes a sunburn as it causes a "burn", for brevity, that hinders the chlorophylls ability to synthesize sunlight. While it is still to early in the new study to know how dramatic the affects are on plants proper hardening off is increasingly important. Yet they do know that s "burn" from TVASR can hinder flower and fruit production. TVASR has also been linked to plants dropping flowers and damaged buds, much like frost, and to plant death that we before attributed to winter kill. So please take the time to harden off properly. I can get the link to the paper for those who wish to read it . Sorry to be so long winded. SCG