Gnats are always a sign of a very poor mix and decay.. Now whether your tree lost root to desciation or to too much moisture is hard to determin exactly..But by your decription, I am going to assume with Jean that you are underwatering it and then the roots dry out. Then once you water it, you have roots dead that are not taking up moisture, rotting and decaying bringing gnats. Have you checked the roots to see if they are healthy? You would know that) Some parts of your mix are probably staying wet while other parts not getting wet at all? You would know that) Why are you watering in just cups? Are you giving your tree sips every time you water? If you are, watch for salt toxitity and uneven moisture..You would know that if the bottom saucer has white in it, or if the soil looks discolored and roots are dead brown and if areas in your mix are dry while other areas damp..) Almost always when branches turn brown your roots are gone that support that part of the tree.. Leaves falling don't concern me as much as branches turning brown. Either your condition is something that has built up over time, or just a quick response to a simple solution. I would check the roots and make sure the roots look nice and biege or white and don't smell. I would make sure the mix is moist throughout after watering. I would make sure the mix is porous. I would be sure it's getting at least 8-10 hours of sunlight or a very bright light is use if you keep it at room temps. I would change the mix as a 911 if the roots are ok. I would not fertilize it until you can put it outside again or give it bright light. I would make sure to flush it if the mix is ok. I would water until the water runs out of the bottom every time I water. I would use a wooden dowel or kabob stick until I make sure my watering practices are ok and I can judge on my own, usually by nudging the pot or picking it up after wet and then when dry. If you need more help, let us know..) Mike This post was edited by meyermike_1micha on Mon, Oct 20, 14 at 13:01

Well the treating the plant as if it were nature only extended to not being completely regular with the watering... and it had never been a serious issue until recently. Of course I used potting soil, but I don't know what they do to it and just wanted anyone who had any ideas to have the full story. I ultimately decided that it was probably a mineral deficiency (particularly zinc but maybe some others like iron), so the next day I went and bought a chelated iron/zinc/copper/magnesium mix and sprayed it on the branches and have watered it with it twice, once that day and once just now. Just after the first application, the dieback slowed down dramatically. I just found that one more branch has died but there is quite a bit of new growth on the plant overall (no fullfledged leaves yet), so I'm hopeful. Just thought anyone else who was running into similar problems in the future might appreciate the info.

When you place an order for factory made cabinets, you are slotted for production on a certain day or week at the exact time you place your order. Once your order is placed into the system, your production date is pretty set in stone. Usually there is a window of time in which the order can be delayed for later production, but this is usually just the first few weeks after the order is placed. Once your week comes up or they are made you can't stop the train. You seem to be about 2 weeks away , so it's prob. too late to change. Sounds like your "delivery" is being handled by the factory, that's the free or rather "included" delivery. They are not really a "delivery" company as much as a common carrier or shipper. They just transport bulk goods. And once good are in motion they can't just park them somewhere on the side of the road waiting for people to be ready for them. They go to warehouses, and that has fees. Yes it's reasonable for you to pay storage fees and delivery charges. I know it's hard to have another expense now, but a savvy cabinet designer would have already rolled these fees into the price already because customers, contractors, and jobsites are never ready when they are supposed to be. So, you would have been incurring this expense anyway with a lot of places. there are ways to avoid this expense but YOU take on some risk or control over the final timeline in exchange for saving the money. RE: you situation, perhaps there will be a snowstorm week of and delay the truck a day or two, or a flood or.... Also, not sure you need to be present, I cannot remember the last time a client was present at the site on the day of delivery, that's what builders are for and what you are paying the cabinet firm / designer for. They meet the delivery, check to see that it' complete and in good condition and gets placed in a location condusive for their installers. I also cannot imagine that you builder already knows he's going to be two days later completing this 20 days out ??? Something doesn't square, get the lead out in the next to weeks to make up the 2 days OR, the site isn't going to be ready on the 28th either in which case this is all moot and you need the storage anyway. I'd say take deliver on the 26th and put em in the dining room.

We are getting very similar cabinets with another line...called cherry chocolate glaze also and just chose Yellow River...and are in LOVE. I am sooo sooo happy....lots of deep veining...just beautiful. Check it out! (We are going to be painting some rooms grey, so chose slabs with a little more gray in them.) Here is a link that might be useful: Yellow River Granite