Check the ninebark for any branches that have died or that are broken during your maintenance pruning. Cut these down to the ground or as close to the connecting branch as you can. Don't cut the branches down to stubs. Remove them completely. The leaves on dead stems and branches will be dry and crunchy or nonexistent. Branches that are sick or dead may have flaky bark that looks different from the bark on the rest of the shrub. Check the interior of your ninebark during maintenance pruning to see how well the stems and branches are spaced out. If they look crowded, then remove some of them to thin them out and promote healthier growth. Make sure to cut them all the way down to the connecting branch. For example, if you find an area of the shrub where the branches are rubbing together, remove a few of the branches so that they are not rubbing together anymore. You may also notice that some areas of the ninebark are so full of foliage that no light can get through to the interior of the plant. This may be the case even if the branches are spaced out. Thin out these areas by cutting out some of the stems and their connecting leaves. If during maintenance pruning you spot any shoots that look weak (sagging or flimsy) or spindly (with few leaves or flowers), then remove these. Cut them as close to the connecting branch as you can. Don't leave any stubs. Pruning shears work well for pruning shoots.

Summary: Remove dead and damaged branches and shoots. Thin out stems and branches in areas that are overcrowded. Eliminate weak or spindly shoots.

Try to avoid getting the leaves and blooms soaking wet, as wet leaves are more prone to fungal growth. Water the plant more during extremely dry periods. Gardenias need less water when they are not blooming. Gardenias thrive best when given distilled room-temperature water rather than cold water. Check the topsoil of your potted gardenias before watering. If it is still damp, hold off on watering. Many gardenia experts recommend placing your gardenia on a pebble filled tray. You can then pour water on the pebbles, which will in turn provide humidity and moisture for your gardenia. Gardenias should be fertilized every three weeks. You should use an acid-based fertilizer as gardenias prefer acidic soil and fertilizer. Established plants need fertilizer each March and October. Choose from fertilizers such as 6-6-6, 10-10-10, 20-20-20 or 16-4-8. You may find it easier to use a water-soluble fertilizer with your gardenias. You should only prune your plant when it is not producing blooms. You should never cut all of the leaves off the plant. You should also 'deadhead' your plant after it is done pruning. This means removing the dead flowers to help your plant produce more blooms. In particular, you should check your gardenias for whiteflies and mealybugs. Other gardenia pests include aphids, spider mites, and thrips. If you notice that your plants have a pest problem, use a horticultural oil to get rid of them. Over-watering your plants and planting them too close to one another are both causes of pest problems. Avoid doing both of these things.

Summary: Water the plant every few days after the initial period of establishment. Fertilize your growing plant. Prune your gardenia when it is dormant. Control garden pests.

Your diet should contain an ample amount of protein from lean, natural sources. Some foods that are high in protein include lean cuts of meat, fish, eggs, nuts, legumes, tofu and dairy products like milk and yogurt. The body takes whole proteins and breaks them down into amino acids, which are then used to construct new muscle tissue. Try to get somewhere around 1 gram of protein for every 2 pounds of your body weight (if you're 160lbs, for example, that's roughly 70-80g per day). Think of protein as the payment your muscles receive in return for all the work they perform. In addition to the protein you get from food, consider using protein shakes, bars or other supplements to increase the total amount you receive each day. It can sometimes be difficult to hit the numbers you need to grow, especially if you're not all that hungry. A fast-absorbing whey protein shake will offer an extra 25-40 grams per serving, giving you a decisive edge when it comes to piling on size. Having a shake during or immediately after a workout provides much-needed protein to feed and replenish your muscles. Protein supplements can also work as meal replacement options when you're in a pinch. Have a protein bar before you go to bed or during times when you know you won't be able to eat for a while to keep your muscles stocked with a steady supply of amino acids. In order to grow, you have to eat. This means going hard at the dinner table as well as in the gym. Aim to consume a moderately sized meal or protein-rich snack 4-5 times a day. Let all the major nutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, healthy fats, fiber) be represented in your daily intake. A lot of people trying to add muscle don't get the results they're after because they simply don't eat enough. The exact number of calories you should ingest depends on many different factors, such as height, weight, body composition, metabolism, and activity level. Trust the expertise of a physician or nutritionist to recommend an optimal amount of calories to help you gain muscle. Exercise is only half the battle. No matter how hard you're working out, if you don't get enough to eat, you won't get any bigger. The amount of calories you receive is important, but what form they arrive in also makes a difference. Choose lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains over french fries and milkshakes. Not only do wholesome foods contain more vital nutrients, they're also generally lower in calories, which means you can eat as often as you need to without having to worry about going hungry. Feasting on candy, fried food and other junk can cause you to exceed your ideal calorie threshold fast. Since these foods are so dense with calories, you can easily eat way too much of them before you feel satisfied.

Summary: Load up on protein. Take a protein supplement. Make sure you're getting enough calories. Eat the right foods.

Investors often determine a required yield, or the minimum return they want to get on a bond, before purchasing. Calculating the yield to maturity can inform you about whether a specific bond purchase will meet an investors expectations. These expectations may vary from investor to investor. However, the calculation gives investors concrete data with which to compare the value of different bonds. Bond issuers may not choose to allow a bond to grow until maturity. These actions decrease the yield on a bond. They may call a bond, which means redeeming it before it matures. Or, they may put it, which means that the issuer repurchases the bond before its maturity date. Yield to call (YTC) calculates the yield rate between the present and the call date of a bond. Yield to put (YTP) calculates the yield rate until the issuer puts the bond. The YTM does not account for taxes or for purchasing or selling costs. These effectively lower the yield on a bond. Also, investors must remember that these calculations are estimates only. Fluctuations in the market can have significant effects on the bond yield.
Summary: Use it to evaluate whether or not a bond is a good investment. Learn the variations of yield to maturity. Understand the limitations of yield to maturity.