Chaser

Disappointed but if he thinks he'll push Terry & Carvalho out of the Chelsea side, then I think he'll be in for shock. Might pick up a medal or two there mind

he'll be bench warming if he goes to Chelsea though so it leads me to question his desire to play football if he's happy to do that. He knows he'd walk into the team here

Well some of us can't read those links, so what's the crack? Here's something about the treatment of root problems... Root Problems on Plants in the Garden and Landscape HYG-3061-96 Stephen Nameth Jim Chatfield Roots of plants may decline and die from a variety of causes. Unfavorable environments that result in either waterlogged or drought conditions are common causes of poor root health on landscape plants. There are also fungi in the soils that have the ability to infect roots and cause root rot. If major roots or the crown are affected by root rots or other problems, the entire plant can wilt and die rapidly. If only the small "feeder" rootlets are affected, the plant may decline slowly and appear generally sickly and unproductive. Sick or damaged roots may be present only on part of a plant's root system, resulting in a one-sided appearance of symptoms on leaves and stems. Diagnosis The first symptom of poor root health is usually dull foliage color (Figure 1). Sometimes leaves turn yellow and wilt. These changes may occur quickly or may take months to develop. Woody perennials such as trees or shrubs may live in a state of reduced vigor and decline for years. Examine plant roots directly to further verify the presence of root problems. Examination should be made soon after the plant is showing symptoms or just after it is killed, not after it has been dead for some time. On healthy root systems white feeder rootlets are visible (Figure 2). With many root disorders, these tiny feeder roots are absent. Rotted roots will be brown and mushy. Outer root tissue can be easily pulled or slid off the inner root core with your fingers (Figure 3). The core will remain, looking like a tiny piece of white or brown thread. Many of the root rot fungi, in addition to attacking small roots, also invade older roots and stem tissue. On soft-stemmed plants, the symptoms are visible on the surface of the stem, extending various distances up the stem from the soil line. The region from the soil line to the junction of the primary roots (the crown area) can be examined on woody plants by peeling back the bark. Infections may be spotty or may cover the entire crown. Infections may first appear as brown streaks in the wood under the bark. Later, cankers may form and become well defined. Infected wood is often brick red or brown and there is a sharp line of demarcation between healthy and infected tissue (Figure 4). Prevention Root disorders and problems generally arise when plants are growing under unfavorable conditions (Figure 5). Management strategies, therefore, involve cultural changes aimed at increasing plant vigor. These include improving soil drainage and use of proper planting techniques. It is especially important to consider these management strategies in situations where plants have died and you intend to replace them in the same location. Soil Drainage Improvement Most root disorders can be prevented by providing good soil drainage. Most plants are attacked by pathogenic root rotting fungi when the base of the plant and roots are waterlogged for many hours (Figure 6). This is particularly true during the late spring and summer months, when the disease-causing organisms are most active. Standing water at the base of Taxus Surface drainage problems can be easily prevented with planning. Soil surfaces should always slope away from buildings. Low areas sometimes cause problems because they cannot easily be graded to provide for adequate surface drainage. In such cases, drainage channels or underground drains may need to be constructed. Good internal drainage, which is the movement of water through the soil, will influence the effective rooting depth and resulting plant vigor. Many landscapes remain internally saturated because of underlying clay and rock layers. Sandy soils are generally well drained, but can be subject to dryness. Frequent light watering may be required because of their low water-holding capacities. Internal drainage should be good on deep soils with sloping surfaces. Layers that restrict downward water movement, however, may cause poor internal drainage, even on slopes. This generally appears as a down-slope damp or soggy condition showing at the ground surface. Obviously, rooting conditions and plant vigor are adversely affected in such areas. Additionally, a slope may have good surface and internal drainage but often the base of the slope will remain wet for a long time. Placing a drain across the slope near its base or just above a damp spot on a slope will collect water from above and improve drainage. Shallow underground water or high water tables are sometimes found in urban soil. If this standing water is below rooting depth, there is no problem. If it is shallow, underground drains may be installed to remove excess water. Expert advice should be obtained before these drains are installed. Compacted layers of dense clay subsoil, or solid rock often cause internal drainage problems. A saturated soil area or perched water table will develop above the compacted layer or other barrier to water percolation. This zone is favorable for damaging root rot organisms unless it is deeper than the root system. If the soil below the compacted layer is found to be noncompacted, then the condition might be improved. This is done by removing the compacted layer through shoveling or back-hoeing and returning the soil to the hole. Drainage holes can sometimes be drilled through compacted layers to relieve or remove the perched water table. Planting holes with drains can be built in rock or compacted soil to provide a desirable site for a particular tree or shrub. These measures are usually special cases. For good plant growth on such sites, they are necessary. Planting to Avoid Root Rot The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball if potted plants are being used. The hole should be large enough to accommodate the roots without crowding. The sides of the hole should be rough and jagged. Check drainage conditions by filling the hole with water. If water drains in 24 to 28 hours it can be assumed that there is enough drainage. If water stands in the hole, corrective measures should be taken (see above), or only plants tolerant of poorly drained sites should be used. Mix the removed soil to break up compacted layers and return some to the hole just prior to placement of the plant. Break some of the roots on the root ball surface of potted plants to encourage root growth into the surrounding soil. Make sure to straighten out any twisted roots to avoid girdling later on. Place the plants so that they will be slightly higher after settling than they were in the container or nursery field. Never set the plant deeper than originally grown. Bring surrounding soil up to the old soil level. On poorly drained sites, it may be necessary to plant in raised beds. These beds may be bordered by rocks, old railroad ties, or other structural materials specially treated and designed for landscape use. Mulch the soil surface lightly to reduce the likelihood of heat and moisture stress. Treating Root Problems What can be done to save a plant that is already damaged? Certain fungicides are somewhat effective against root and crown rotting fungi in nursery or greenhouse production programs. Insufficient tests have been conducted to prove that they are effective in the landscape. Improving drainage, as mentioned above, can save some plants. Here are some other treatments which may help: 1. Avoid overwatering. A number of plants used in landscaping require little watering once they are established. Always allow the soil around plants to dry out a few inches below the surface before watering again. 2. Do not water the base of trees and shrubs directly. Water away from the trunks. 3. Improve moisture conditions around the crown of the plant by exposing the base of the plant to drying conditions. Remove some of the soil or the mulch. However, do not expose roots. 4. Do not fertilize plants during hot, dry weather periods. 5. Vertically mulch or core aerate to improve landscape soils. Vertical mulching will hasten drainage of excessive water, preserve necessary aeration during wet periods, improve water infiltration during dry periods, and promote the formation of fine feeder roots. Drill one-inch or two-inch wide, 18-inch deep holes in the soil on 12 to 20-inch centers under affected trees near the drip line of the branches (where fine feeder roots are located). Fill holes with a mixture of equal parts of peat and a coarse aggregate such as pumice or calcined (baked) clay particles. 6. Thoroughly water plants that will hold green leaves or needles through the winter in late fall if conditions are dry. Evergreen plants continue to need water throughout the year. 7. Fungicide drenches are generally not prescribed for root rot control of landscape plants. The reasons for this are that the cultural practices listed above will naturally control most of the associated infectious disease problems. Furthermore, fungicides are difficult to apply to the roots of mature plants and will not cure already infected roots. Are you a gardener yourself Isegrim? We don't have one. The house I'm moving into next month doesn't even have a front yard. Not really, I'm more a hortimurderer than being able to cultivate them. I'm good at copying&pasting though... Same here really. I occasionally buy those herb plants (basil etc) but they usually die pretty quickly. My fingers are definitely not green. Killing birds with stones here as I was about to look that problem up myself. Ive got a Cordyline sitting in Clay soils and im sure its dying through too much water. Cheers Isegrim

Are you Anal is disguise?

Cant say I could disagree much with that article, although the comment about Parker is probably wide of the mark.

What annoys me is that he has refused to talk about Newcastle during his press conferences yet quite happily talks about Liverpool or England. I dont think Owen & Newcastle quite fit, i dont know why but it doesnt feel like he belongs here.

how come you havent used them for last 5 years - away only now?

Surely if 'Pool are so keen to get rid, then why offer them market value for him? If they really want Owen, then they can get him for a snip because of the release clause however, we shouldnt have to pay top money for Bellamy when he's surplus to requirements. If anything they'll want rid to free up funds for other signings and wages.

So what about Rozenhal? Who can give an honest opinion of him?

No disrepect guys, but obviously on forums, some people have no idea who they are talking about, someone says theyre good and thats it. Personally, I have no knowledge about Rozenhal and have only seen short clips of Ben Haim to comment. The latter it seems is quite rated, however how much better are these 2 than say Taylor, Distin or Wes Brown?

Sad thing is, i know one of those posters

Is that £40m for just this pre season and not January inclusive? If we manage to get 4 players in for £5.5m we could end up with quite a few new players this summer! About time considering the size of squad we've been working with the last couple of seasons.

He's obviously been talking to Lee Clark when he's talking about Newcastles "Scouting network".

Would still like to see Ameobi being given a post shearer opportunity. They never played well together and Shola has shown some excellent football at times, mainly prior to the last injury. If Fatty signs and Owen & Martins stays, it unfortunately looks as if Ameobi will be waiting for an injury or a substitution.

Its almost too good to be true. I think its only a matter of time before we get a kick in the slats like

Its its a bit like if Eastenders threw a plane crash into the plot at Albert Square. Chance to clear out the deadwood and bring decent new faces in! Wasnt Freddie quoted at saying he's never hung about in his past businesses? This obviously means that the Dein idea is off.

Viduka's the kinda of play we needed there for most of last season, might have been interesting if Roeder had managed to get him last summer. Although equally Viduka's definitely a relatively short term measure, 1-2 seasons unless Allerdyce works some magic. Tbh, Owen is probably a short term measure as well, as I think he'll be off next season if he doesnt go this year

Surely Bramble must be on more at Wigan than he was with us? Absolutely ridiculous money

If it wasnt Sunderland we were talking about, i'd be convinced this was a wind up!

I think most of us would be happy with that Especially Posh

Reo-Coker is a joker, better off with shite from Roker.

Agreed, but I'd have reservations if he'd have cost us three or four million. he didnt though, so in my opinion, its a very good deal!

nice one

obvious destination

good signing on a free, offers something a lot different to what we have up front. If we've got all this money coming in, this is good squad building stuff, if the money isnt going to be there for some time, he's still a good player on a free.