Some varieties of hydrangea can bloom pink or blue depending on the soil's aluminum content and acidity. Most cultivated hydrangeas of this type belong to the species Hydrangea macrophylla, but some members of this species only produce white blooms, or favor the pink or blue side too heavily for easy adjustment. Ask the previous owner of the hydrangeas to identify your hydrangea variety if you are not aware of its name. The varieties named Enziandom, Kasteln, Merritt's Supreme, Red Star, and Rose Supreme all have the ability to be grown as pink or blue blossoms, although they vary in intensity. . Most garden supply stores sell a pH test kit for measuring the pH, or acidity, of your soil. Because acidity affects the hydrangea's ability to take in aluminum, which in turn affects the flower color, you can get a rough prediction of the flower color by measuring the soil pH. As a rule of thumb, a soil pH below 5.5 will likely result in blue flowers, and a soil pH of 7 and up will likely result in pink or red flowers. The effects of soil pH levels between 5.5 and 7 are difficult to predict. They may result in blue, pink, or purple flowers, or in a blotched blue and pink pattern. To encourage a blue color during the growing season, mix 1 tbsp (15 mL) aluminum sulfate into a gallon of water. This both adds aluminum to the soil and increases the acidity (lowering pH), making it easier for the plant to use the aluminum. Once every 1014 days, Apply as much of this water as you would in a normal watering. Continue to measure the pH of the soil, and stop applying once it drops below 5.5 pH. Alternatively, you can also create blue blossoms by applying a fertilizer that is low in phosphorus and high in potassium. Look for a 25/5/30 fertilizer blend. You'll also want to avoid superphosphates and bone meal. If the hydrangea is already blue, it is hard to make it pink due to the existing presence of aluminum causing a blue color. However, you can take precautions in advance to encourage pink blooms, or you can grow your plants in a pot. Avoid planting near driveways or walls, as some concrete mixes or mortars can leach aluminum into the soil. Apply a fertilizer that contains no aluminum, but high levels of phosphorus, which inhibits aluminum uptake. Look for a fertilizer that contains a 25-10-10 blend. Consider raising the pH by adding wood ash or crushed limestone to the soil, as this also makes aluminum uptake difficult. Avoid raising the pH higher than 6.4, or the plant may develop health problems.

Summary: Check whether your species and variety produces different colors. Test soil pH Turn blooms blue. Encourage pink blooms.

To be sure the terms and expectations of each part of your deal are acceptable to both parties and understood, you should address each point of your deal one by one. Larger deals can take several meetings to clarify the terms and language of the deal. By patiently addressing each aspect of your deal, you can help prevent your client from backing out last minute with the excuse, "I didn't know." The ability to control the mood is the hallmark of a great closer. In most cases, your prospect will prefer a confident and light attitude. But always be aware of the atmosphere. Humor can be a powerful tool for building rapport, but can sometimes be inappropriate. Practice using and reading body language. You can best control the direction of the presentation by avoiding confrontational words and moves. Your prospect will respond most positively if he sees you as an ally, not an adversary. This technique is also called the "assumptive close." With this technique, the goal is to ask your client a question that, when answered, serves as passive agreement to the deal. Be careful if you employ this closing maneuver, as inexpert use might make you appear manipulative. Some examples phrases you might use for an assumptive close are: Who should I forward this contract to? Can you think of any reason that, if we remained at this price, might prevent your company from doing business with ours? You will need to agree upon a time limit beforehand with your client while discussing the terms of your deal, otherwise he might feel like you are trying to pressure him into an agreement. Once the client has agreed to the timetable, you can arrange deadlines according to both parties' schedules. This strategy is very useful as a stepping stone to the final closing of a deal as well. Once a timetable has been set, you should check in with your client to see that in between steps are being finished in time for closing. This is a very safe technique to employ, as it does not come across as manipulative. If your pitch has gone well, at the end of your presentation you might simply say: "I believe I've answered all your questions. If you don't have any more, shall we move forward?"

Summary: Work through the points of your deal. Manage your emotions. Commit your client to the deal. Set a time limit for your deal. Ask directly for the sale, if appropriate for your situation.

If you have said or done something that was insensitive or hurtful to a specific person or group, you should apologize. You should also apologize when you make a mistake. Never try to cover up your mistakes by shifting blame to another person. For example, imagine you invite friends over and order pizza. You forget that one of your friends is a vegetarian, and ordered only meat lovers pizzas. This oversight can make it look like you didn't care enough to consider that friend's preference. In this case, you should apologize for the mistake and try to fix it (order a cheese pizza). Some people are apologize compulsively. When you over apologize, people may take it for granted that you assume they are right. This will leave the impression that you have low self-esteem and that you are not secure in your opinions. Aside from weakening your stance on an issue, this will bring the sincerity of any serious apologies into question. For example, if you say "I'm sorry," every time you pour yourself the last cup of coffee or take the last napkin, saying I'm sorry," might be taken as insignificant when you make a mistake like spilling your coffee on your boss. You should not apologize for being honest. If you respectfully state your opinion or stance on an issue, there is no need to apologize. If you make a decision that you feel was for the best, you should not apologize. You can look at the other person's viewpoint and validate their opinion, but you should not invalidate your own. For example, if you say something like "Studies show that the economy needs to be diversified with more renewable energy jobs to be competitive in the future," you should not apologize to someone just because they work in the fossil fuel industry and disagree.
Summary: Apologize for being offensive. Say you are sorry only when you mean it. Avoid apologizing for respectfully disagreeing.