Hi,

I have a couple of questions for anyone that can help me.

First, I've noticed this miracid "proselect" formula recently. I visited one web page that stated this was a "special nursery formula" (forget the web page now). I got some (on sale at a local store) thinking perhaps it has better quality ingredients and/or more minor trace elements, etc. From what I could tell initially (based on the box contents at least), it seems to be the same as the regular "old" miracid. To make matters even more confusing, Scotts seemed to stop making miracid under that name, and started calling it "miracle gro for acid plants" (same blueish box, different name).

I called Scotts and asked about the product. After looking it up, they said it actually was the same thing, just that it's sold at so-called "certified" stores. This seems to me then, to be borderline on false advertising. The box clearly implies and states it's a "special professional formula". So my question is, does anyone know if it is really different than the old miracid (or for that matter, "miracle gro for acid loving plants") ?

Second question: I've seen something peculiar with some tree seedlings I've been growing recently. They seem to be fine otherwise with leaf/top growth for the most part, but a few have had some necrotic spots develop on occasion (sometimes on the edge of the leaf, sometimes in the middle), and a few leafs on a couple of seedlings have not formed correctly (intially on their way to good growth, then they'd get deformed and grow sort of crinkled and stunted a bit). But the big mystery is that on occasion, a new branch node will start forming (a new branch/shoot), and look fine for a while, then it will just abort itself and shrivel up and dry up (while the rest of the tree looks okay, leafs not wilting due to lack of water, etc.).

I have usually been watering them twice a week (monday and thursday), intially with 10-60-10 (shultz), then after noticing the peculiar problems I flushed for 1 week with straight water, and now have been using the 30-10-10 miracid at ~ 1/4 teaspoon/gallon. The water source before recently was regular tap water (hard water), and let it sit for a few days prior to use in hopes to reduce any excessive chlorine. Since switching to the miracid, I've been using a new water source (natural spring nearby) which should not have any chlorine or flouride.

Thanks for any help with my two (rather lengthy) questions!