Cypress mulch doesn't appear bad: A Comparison of Landscape Mulches: Chemical, Allelopathic, and Decomposition Properties Reference Type Journal, Research (Article) This study compared chemical, allelopathic, and decomposition properties of 6 mulches: cypress, eucalyptus, pine bark, pine needle, melaleuca, and a utility-trimming mulch (GRU). [UMN] This study compared chemical, allelopathic, and decomposition properties of 6 mulches: cypress, eucalyptus, pine bark, pine needle, melaleuca, and a utility-trimming mulch (GRU). Eucalyptus and GRU mulches had the highest decomposition after 1 year (21% and 32%), while only 3% to 7 % of the other mulches decayed. Lignin and lignin:nitrogen ratio were negatively correlated with decomposition; high values resulted in low decomposition. Winter respiration of both eucalyptus and GRU mulches was high, and respiration was positively correlated with decomposition. Pine-straw mulch subsided from 9 cm (3.5 in.) to 4 cm (1.6 in.) during the year, while the other mulches subsided approximately 2 cm (0.8 in). Nutrient composition of the mulches was significantly different, with GRU mulch having the highest levels of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Pine straw was the next highest in N and P. Soils under the mulches were acidified most by pine straw (from a pH of 5.0 to 4.4), followed by pine bark and cypress. In a standard test of allelopathy, all fresh mulches inhibited germination of lettuce seed, and although variable in concentration, all mulches contained hydroxylated aromatic compounds that could have caused these allelopathic effects. After 9 months and 1 year, pine straw and GRU still exhibited allelopathic effects on germination. Cypress, melaleuca, and pine bark retained their color after 1 year, while the other 3 mulches changed to a pinkish gray. [Abstract] Authors M.L. Duryea, R.J. English, L.A. Hermansen Date Published 1999 Journal/Conference Journal of Arboriculture Publisher International Society of Arboriculture Publisher Location Savoy, IL (US) ISBN/ISSN 0278-5226 Volume 25 Number 2 Sub-Topics Maintenance Specifications, Mulching State(s)/Region(s) Florida Keywords Decomposition, Eucalyptus, Mulch, Nutrient compositon, Pinus, Taxodium Libraries UMN http://www.urbanforestrysouth.org/resources/library/Citation.2004-07-28.1055

This is the third time I am trying to answer your questions. The first time when I went to preview what I typed it took me to the login page, and again when I typed my message the second time. I forgot to copy my first message - duh, in case it happened again. Marg - My photo of the bluejay made me chuckle the first time I saw it. It looks like someone is playing pin the tail on the blujay. We feed our birds a good mix, but I really think they would be okay with just the black shell sunflower seeds. I even bought a special blend of peanuts, cashews, pistachio, and the large stripe sunflower seeds but the birds did not seem that impressed. harryshoe - does that stand for harry's hoe, or harry shoe? : ) From reading your MyPage I see you are also from PA. We seem to have the same likes in plants for our gardens. I have very few roses now because of fighting forever with blackspot, but I have about 5 varieties, and Lillian Austin is my favorite. I was in to daylilies big time, like approx. 800, but I am downsizing drastically. Did you get a lot of snow from these last few storms? Our max. was probably 10". I love to see it snowing but I hate to drive in it. The lens I used on my Nikon D50 camera to shoot the bluejay was my Quantaray 55-200mm, which I purchased separately. The camera came with a Nikon DX 18-55mm. My husband had a Nikon SLR, but his lenses would not fit on my mount. I purchased my camera new from Ritz Camera, where they had space rented in our local Boscov store. They are no longer there, but some of the salesmen were professional photographers (their day job) and very helpful. They even gave free classes with the purchase of this camera, and probably others. The Nikon D50 is a good camera, but I am having fun getting to know my point and shoot Panasonic Lumix ZS3, and its many great features. I just found this site by recommendation of lazypup on the Photography Forum. I now want to go and check out all your photographs. Jane

I had mother in law problems, big ones before she died. I also have in-law problems in general that we are able to manage only because we do not live close by, we are 4 hours away. In my experience with our mother-in-law problems, it was all about her inability to let go of her son (my husband) and or love/parent him the way she wanted, despite the fact that he was a married grown man. The only way I felt better about the situation was to put it completely on my husband because it was HIS mother. A healthy mother/child relationship wants the adult child and their marriage to be happy and peaceful, and they just want to share in their lives - the ups and downs of life. Unhealthy to me indicates a desire to control. This is not your problem, it is your husbands. I would sweetly, without anger, with all things that she brought to our home say "well thanks for thinking of us, although I don't know where we will put it, we're pretty maxed out as it is and we're donating boatloads of stuff at the moment because we're trying to downsize and make life less cluttered and stressful. But is always nice when you think of us". If she made inappropriate remarks about my house or anything else, I wouldn't hesitate to say "That is enough. You're out of line. Perhaps you should go". I would put everything else with this woman onto my husband if I were you. I would start a box in the bedroom, basement, or garage with HIS name on it. Anything she brought over that I didn't want or didn't know what to do with would go in that box. I would remind hubby from time to time that he needs to do something with "his box" because it's getting full. HE needs to be the one to confront his mom and stand up for your family. HE is the one with the long standing relationship and its HIS mom. Also, watch alot of "Everybody Loves Raymond" and remember that you are not alone in trying to understand mother's and sons, and all of their dynamics. I just don't think this is about you at all other than you took her son. This is about her need to control your marriage and force an unhealthy expression of love onto her son. Many husbands will stand back and let their wives attempt to handle their husbands and do nothing, especially if they tend to be the peacemakers in the family like my husband. Too bad I say. Make him man up and handle his mom and protect your family. That's his job, it's HIS mom. JMHO

Hi Krikit, I'm glad to hear from you. I would love to see pics of your minifloras and shrub roses. Crisp on the edges and balling are symptoms of calcium deficiency. Calcium is known to help plants cope with heat and drought. Calcium makes tissue firmer. Have you ever notice how canned fruits are firmer? They put calcium in canned fruits. Also calcium chloride in pickles to make it crunchy. When the bloom's tissue are mushy, they can't open properly. When the bloom's tissue are firm, it's easier to open even in rainy weather. I would test the pH of the soil 1st to see if it's acidic or alkaline. If the soil is acidic, and your roses are in pots, then use dolomitic lime. If the soil is acidic clay (sticky) and in the ground, then use lime. If the soil is alkaline, they use gypsum. Here's an example of doing pH testing using red-cabbage: http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/2134007/red-cabbage-ph-test-of-blood-meal-corn-meal-compost-etc?n=21 Here's the procedure to test soil pH using red-cabbage. Takes only few minutes of doing, plus 30 min. of waiting, and 50 cents of red-cabbage plus $1 of distilled water. http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/2132487/cheapest-way-to-test-soil-ph-using-red-cabbage?n=17 If you are not sure what's your soil pH .. the safest bet is to dissolve lime powder in rain water (acidic at pH 5.6) and water your roses with that. Or use gypsum in tap water (most tap are alkaline) and water roses with that. I get the best result with SOLUBLE calcium. Here's a bloom of Stephen Big Purple. Big Purple has lots of petals, but never ball on me. It never crisp in hot sun at 100 degree. Why? it's planted next my limestone-based patio, so it gets calcium whenever it rains.