400 watt metal halide...................36,000 lumens 400 watt high pressure sodium....44,000 lumens Flourescent T5-HO........................5,000 lumens You could use T5-high output, but you would need 6 to 8 bulbs to match one HID lamp. They will run cooler and deliver a higher lumens per watt (HID 52-65 LPW, T5-HO, 80 LPW) i.e. less expensive on electric bill, but replacing 8 bulbs at $20 a pop would chew up that savings, and then some! That being said, the price of a 8 bulb T5-HO setup as compared to HID would be similar. I personally would go the HID route, it has a less hassle per dollar.

Yes I hold back water, but even more important is fertilizer, or pruning. Both stimulate late season growth. New growth is at risk. Even if you have tip dieback, the tree will survive, and I myself will be removing a lot more than the tips before bud break in early spring. Also I probably will spray them with wilt stop. A wax based anti-desiccant. I'm really using it to protect my blackberries. I lost most of my canes last winter. So those I cannot cover with leaves will be sprayed soon. Any leftover will go on the trees. Well especially Spice Zee Nectaplum as the main leader died back to just above the graft last winter. Branches are thicker this year, all the same a very cool tree I want to protect till it has more girth! OK, let's go back to water. because trees can lose a lot of moisture from drying winds in the winter. You really want them very wet right about now! Sure hold back late season, but you want the tree well hydrated before the cold comes. So about this time of year, resume watering.

Sounds like tree sap if it's sweet smelling. If it were a bacterial ooze it would smell rather foul. Possible you may have some type of borer or other critter attacking the tree which caused a wound allowing sap to flow. Another possibility could be Oak Wilt (a vascular disease)...the fungus produces a sweet smelling sap that attracts sap-feeding beetles and other bugs, squirrels, etc. Then these beetles/creatures pass the infection on to healthy trees to feed on sap from un-infected wounds. The disease does spread in Nebraska. You can google for more info on Oak Wilt. But here is one article. Oak wilt is discussed under the last main heading. Vera Here is a link that might be useful: American Forests

I almost planted my White Pet last night after watering, but by then it was nearly dark and I'm such a slow poke. Maybe I will start by mixing the amendments in a bucket and placing some gypsum in the bottom of the hole first. Then the actual planting will go faster. Also I seem to only have size "Ginormous" gopher cages left, and only a medium size hole. There's always some obstacle/ excuse. I thought maybe my new purchase of these solar powered, beeping, vibrating stakes was effective at keeping them away. I installed them in February and yesterday I saw a fresh gopher mound. Some say the stakes work, other say they're a total waste of money. I couldn't dig up and cage everything that was already planted, and the stakes are nontoxic so I was willing to try. I still believe they have helped some. I've had far less gopher activity than most years, but this time of year is the real test. It's hot and dry out and they smell the water in my yard. If you water, they will come..... Millie went to see her Dr. yesterday and all is well. She is adapting to having only one rear leg, and she's strengthening it. For now all is well. She had another round of shots, so she is not quite as spunky today. A cuddle mood, is what she's in today. Ingrid, I hope your Tea rose pulls through. Is it Rhodologue Jules Gravereaux? I sure hope she holds on. Is Mme. Franziska Kruger the one potted on the bench? need a break. To be continued I'm back. I heard some commotion and after doing a kitty count, realized Dexter was involved in something. He had cornered a squirrel. This is the first squirrel I have ever seen in my garden. I put all my little hunters inside, and Mr. Squirrel left, cussing up a storm as he went. I hope he was scared enough not to come back to my yard. My tomatoes are just ripening! Back to the roses. I don't know which one you planted and which one is waiting Ingrid, but I hope it's ok. The black canes don't sound so good. Does spraying with water help the canes in this situation? I planted a Lady Ash(aka Dixieland Linda) about 6? weeks ago, in full sun. I finagled an atrocity of a sun block for her, but she's still unhappy. Maybe she's embarrassed:) Lady Ash is supposed to be a strong girl, related or sport to "Aloha", which I know you have, Ingrid. She has no black canes, but no growth, and tiny pale leaves. She just looks bad.I keep telling her, " Hold on Lady! It's not always like this here. Your gonna love it 9 months of the year". I'm not sure if I'm saying this for her benefit or mine. Gdinieontario, wow 18 years! Looks great. WP must handle some cold winters quite well. Does yours bloom in flushes, or always some blooming during the season? I'm so eager to get mine planted out. You may wish us a short mild summer, and we will wish you a short mild winter in return. Lisa PS. I see that your Blue hosta has also lasted at least 10 years. Nice!