Jerry, They are looking so good. What excellent growth and it is really something the differences between them. Makes it rather interesting.

So Nice.

Rick

They look great Jerry! Can't wait to see them by the end of summer!

When those trays are dry, I refill them. I can't find enough of those trays now though, so some aren't in them.

I have had two rot. It occurred when I brought them out this year because some had stopped growing, and it was too much water for them without growth. I'll try not to make that mistake again.

From what I see, if you're keeping them wet like I do, they need to be in growth.

Yes, I Agree, they have to be growing strongly to take up the water like that. I don't think for one minute that system would work here, we just don't have the consistently high temps to keep the plants growing so vigorously. For the past two weeks we've been up in the high 20's C with wall to wall sun, but since Friday it's been overcast and constantly raining. It's been so wet we've had deluges on a daily basis with flash flooding, and the temps have almost halved. As I said, it's interesting to find out how others manage their plants in their different climates and conditions.

Gill

I'm so sorry to hear about those temps.

Even with the trays, mine dry up about every other day at best, and daily when it gets really hot! Our real temps only reach 32-33C (91F)even at the hottest. (40-46C-105F-115F) heat index with humidity)

I treat them this way because I want to push their growth. I know they grow faster during the first years, and also Dimmitt said that when they are growing "treat them as tropicals". I believe "rot" as we know it is an illness. When the plant gets weak (dormant, cold, dry, etc) then it becomes susceptible to illness. That was another thing that I surmised from Dimmitt, because he also said that they were weakest when dormant, and that, if possible, it would be good to avoid dormancy in plants not requiring it. They aren't growing, so they are weaker.

I'm not sure if he would approve of my "trays and potting soil with bark" method though.

Jerry, if it works for you and your plants.......... ;-)

Gill