First you'll see a swollen node, then little leaves growing from the node, then eventually roots from the base of the leaves. Some phals just tend to do this depending on their parentage, with or without stress. I have one phal that does it every now and then, but the other dozen or so don't. You can remove the keiki when it has enough roots to support itself, say 2 or 3 roots each about 2 to 4 inches long. How long it takes the keiki to get to this point depends on your growing conditions and the general health of the mother plant, but for me it is usually takes about one good indoor growing season -- about 6 to 8 months. In a greenhouse under better conditions, it could be shorter.

I think they have both types of flowers...isn't the tassel part where the ear of corn developes the female flower and the fluffy polleny things at the top of the stalk the male part? I have only tried corn once before many years ago, with not much luck. So I am hoping GWeb experts can give this corn newvie some direction...

Personal decision, oh yes.. TOUGH.. OH YES! I was in that situation 5 months ago for the first time with my 12 year old cat and could not make the decision in time. He passed away just a few hours before the scheduled euthanasia, and it was NOT peaceful, after spending the whole night in my lap. We are now dealing with a cat with advanced CRF condition and A BAD leg .. this is why I am curious about your cat. Our cat started limping almost a year ago!! (left hind leg), quickly went to a plantigrade walk, and never recovered from that. He has NO feeling in that leg, and no muscles left either. It was heartbreaking to see him 'hobble along' as you say, and still is, but he manages to get around.. jump in his basket.. etc. He still can jump to about 1 foot (a little more, maybe). We have set up many special places in the house just for him. I also think it started with some calcification in his spine (next to tail) that pinched a nerve, hence the loss of his leg. I also suspect vaccinations as he limped badly from that leg a year before it all started (after a rabies shot). Anyway, more recent X-rays showed a growth in his pelvic area-osteosarcoma (vet diagnosis) And there have been days when there would be nothing at all in the litter box, and i realized how odd it is for me to be delighted to have pee or poop to scoop. I've been taking her little "accidents" ... boy, I can so relate to that!! Two things I might suggest. 1. Don't know what cat sand you use, but I replaced the clay dusty one (Cat's Pride) by a paper one: first just shredded newspaper, then yesterday's news and he seems to prefer that. It is much more absorbent and probably softer to him. He has had VERY, very few accidents since. I have also placed them closer to where he likes to spend time, so he does not have to go too far when he has an urge. Due to his kidney condition, he does urinate a lot and often. If your cat has FLUTI, he might prefer a softer litter box.. 2. Laxatone does not do much for constipation. Lactulose might be more effective. Sub-Q fluids would also help a lot. I hope your cat drinks a lot, especially if he is on prednisolone (hope it is not prednisone), otherwise he would be really dehydrated. Has your vet tested his urine?.. very easy and inexpensive test. Please, please.. keep us posted. My heart goes to you and to your very special feline friend. Anne-Marie

I'm sorry and I feel for you in your dilemma. Our last two dogs went into similar declines but it was easier because I am retired now and was home with them all the time. We had to help both the collie and sheltie up by lifting their back ends. When our collie finally could not stand even when helped to his feet, we knew it was time and my husband carried him to the car, and at the vets they used a stretcher to bring him inside and put him down. My sheltie went into some sort of respiratory distress at the end, and collapsed, and we knew that that was the end for her. I asked the vet about treating her but he gave her a very slim chance of recovery, so it seemed kinder to let her go, than to leave her alone at the vet hospital hooked up to machines when in the end she would not likely survive. It is a hard decision and much depends on the circumstances. My old collie in the past's legs kept giving out on him and he would cry in distress unable to rise. I was afraid this would happen while I was at work and so I brought him in to be euthanized while he was still ambulatory. I figure if my old timers are still enjoying part of their lives and are not in acute pain, they still want to live. I had to feed my last two dogs by hand because they could not eat comfortably from their dishes at a certain point. I also had a small water dish that I offered to my sheltie while she was lying down, so she did not have to get up to drink. Both received sub-Q fluids that seemed to help them, and also helped their appetites. The collie had a malignant fast growing tumor that began to interfere with his urinary system and at the end urine just ran out of him while he slept. I covered his beds with waterproof plastic tarps and covered that with washable soft blankets and quilts. I think both wanted to be with us and continue on until both went into final health crises. It is a hard decision, and there is no easy answer, but it sounds as if your dog still is enjoying your company even though his active days are behind him. In his dreams he may still be running and playing as he did before.