Let's say your regular fertilizer program is 3 parts of 9-3-6 in a gallon of water. To reduce the N supplied and slow vegetative growth, you start supplying 2 parts of 9-3-6 per gallon. By reducing the CONCENTRATION of the solution to 2 parts per gallon, you cut the amount of all the nutrients by 1/3, not just the N. This reduced concentration still has enough P to keep your plants happy, but not quite enough K, so you need to add a little more K by adding potash to the soil, or by supplementing with Pro-TeKt or another K-containing product to be sure all the bases are covered. ************************** This is more about theory than anything - for those who want to manipulate the growth habits of certain plants by reducing the N supply and still be sure they are not inviting a K deficiency along with the planned deficiency of N. It's nothing to get frantic about. Al

My son has been itchy all over, ever since he went to college this fall. He saw a dermatologist, who wasn't much help. He has psoriasis also, but this is different. He's tried just about everything. He's even been on a gluten-free diet for over a month, and it hasn't helped. He's wondering if its the chlorine in the water. He was taking too many showers, and so we told him to cut back to only about 5 a week. He uses creams, but feels that they can actually make it worse. He's taking a multi-vitamin and flax seed oil capsules, in case that might help. He's going to try a different dermatologist, and also maybe an allergist. He's tried Zyrtec too, and that didn't help. So you might try everything he's tried, to see if that helps. Are you on any meds for anything else? I actually get a very itchy neck, if I consume too much milk or ice cream. I think its a whey protein allergy-type thing. Do you use a humidifier and drink lots of water? I would start using a food diary, to see if something you're eating is the culprit. Do you have any varicose veins? Good luck to you. I know it can drive you crazy!

thanks Linda. No, I don't have any before and after pictures because I'm not 'after' yet, I'm only half way to my target weight. Then there is the every day job of maintaining it. Also, I don't know how to post pictures :~) Mush:"...It takes awhile and lots of patience to discover what causes you problems and what you can eat to stay feeling good..." I vow, truer words were never spoken. My Dr said it took him 40 years to find out what works for him, and he drinks two big glasses of instant breakfast every morning! ( first ingredient? sugar.) I'd be 310 if I tried that. Every body is different. What works for me is to eliminate any kind of sweetener, some protein each time I eat along with some healthy oil because it keeps you satisfied for such a long time in addition to the other health benefits. Everything I eat I want it to be nutrient dense. So that means the most vivid colors I can eat in fruits and veggies, add healthy nuts, avocados, olives. Funny how your tastes really do change, and what used to look good just looks like super glue for the veins now...and doesn't even look like it would taste good. The smell of food was my biggest obstacle. Fried foods, sweet foods, they smelled wonderful. That doesn't bother me too much any more, as long as I'm not past due to eat. Everyone just has to find their own way. Normal people can moderate amounts of not-so-good stuff. I can't. I guess that is an all or nothing kind of personality. My Dr is addicted to exercise so can eat more freely. That just isn't going to happen for me in this life. I hate it, always have, always will. Nasty stuff, exercise. Blaugh!! j

mamapinky0, Debby_ab has been to see a vascular surgeon, a highly educated and trained medical professional. Believe me, there would be a very complete written history provided by Debby as well as a verbal confirmation to the surgeon of the information she gave on the questionnaire. I'm quite confident that family history was noted and discussed by the surgeon and Debby. Debby, best of luck with your surgery and enjoy the benefits from it. My husband's cousin had hers done a couple of years ago and she said just the relief from the tiredness and pain at the end of the day was worth every inconvenience immediately following the surgery.