Thanks All. Harvestman, I checked back on my notes and last month's weather (from the Weather Channel- I don't keep notes on temps :) ). The tree opened first blooms on 5/2, and was likely at full bloom when we had 4 days of rain starting on 5/7. The first 3 days were mostly in the 50's, while the 4th day heated up to almost 80. I'm hoping for this to explain it, but it is also possible that the cold/wet conditions encouraged FB. I should also note that the Hudson's Golden Gem tree less than 10 feet away bloomed within 1 day of the Red Boskoop (they were two of the first trees both this year and last) and HGG is covered with apples (I've had to thin quite a bit). Sharppa, I haven't seen any other signs of FB, so I am crossing my fingers. I did a quick check for cankers and didn't see any earlier today. I'll keep an eye out for it though. Scott, how do you normally deal with blossom blight? Does it normally spread into the trees? I'm not sure how much I need to prune off, given it seems to be pretty dry and not spreading further (that I can see).

It's hard to know. Sometimes they're very lax and sometimes they'll hunt you down. I just don't want to push it. I was talking to someone in Louisiana who had some gingers shipped from the Big Island and they forgot to put the certified stamp on it. He said the inspectors came to his nursery and not only destroyed all of those plants but everything else that was in his greenhouse because he couldn't prove that they were from a certified source either and they apparently figured he was up to something. All it takes is one guy who's having a bad day, or a bad life, and you end up paying for it! I've also had seeds interdicted and confiscated because they didn't come with a phyto. I didn't think seeds required a phyto, but I guess they do if they're coming from overseas (in this case South Africa). I also didn't think they'd go into an unmarked envelope LOOKING for them, but again, I guess they do if it's from overseas. Hawaii tends to be pretty strict about things coming in. You need a permit and a phyto and you can't have plants sent directly to your home or business, you have to have them sent to the Dept. of Ag. and they'll notify you to come pick them up. I can't keep up with all of the rules and regs for every different location so I tend to be a bit paranoid about the whole process. And that's not even getting into the whole subject of delays and things getting lost in the mail......

Do you really not notice any differences between varieties? No, you misunderstand me, sorry. I notice lots of difference between varieties. That is why I say you can't or shouldn't try to compare varieties and draw any reliable conclusions. Every spring we get all kinds of posts on what is wrong with my variety X plant? It won't set fruit when all my other varieties a, c, f, and k are fruiting. I'm saying that is not a valid comparison. Each variety is genetically different and may be affected by different stress factors than the other varieties. So the fact that 4 of them set fruit and 1 didn't is little more than coincidence for those 4 and doesn't mean anything is wrong with the 1 that didn't. Comparing them is an apples to oranges. Different DTM, different soil provisions even if right next to each other, different size plants, different clustering of blooms, different size fruit, different stamen and/or pistil size, etc., etc. Now if you have 3 Bloody Butchers growing side by side and 1 of them refuses to set fruit while the other 2 are loaded you may have a problem. But you can't validly compare BB to Cherokee Purple. ;) Does that help clarify what I meant? Dave

Ooooh! More great advice! I LOVE the idea of Easter Brunch at the Kennedy Center! It is special enough for the occasion and unique to DC. Plus, I checked it out on Chowhound (thanks for the link!) and the reviews are very favorable. Oh, I'm getting excited now! I've also arranged for a Capitol tour with my Senator's office and requested a tour at the Bureau of Printing & Engraving. I passed on the White House tour because it seemed like a lot of security hassle for a short tour. Did I make a mistake - is it really not to be missed? Emma, you are not alone in your enthusiasm for Air & Space - I will go with an open mind! I booked our hotel at the Embassy Suites near Dupont Circle, but I'm not totally sold on that idea. It is a 5 block walk to the Metro which sounds kind of far to me. I'm wondering if I should change to the ES at either Chevy Chase (Friendship Heights) or Alexandria. Both have Metro stations very close by, and it sounds like lots of restaurants as well. Alexandria sounds very charming, I'm leaning towards that way. Will we miss anything if we stay too far out? (Are those places too far out?) I need good restaurants and shopping, don't need nightlife. We'll be there for a week. (I did check out the ES at the Convention Center but it is coming in at over $350/night including tax. I just can't bring myself to go that high!) Thanks again for the great ideas - keep 'em coming! Nicole