Thanks again for all the advice. When I was doing some research last night I was reading about the color of the leaves indicating how much light the orchid is getting. I purchased this orchid in a grocery store so I'm not sure how much actual light it was getting before it was set out for sale. The leaves are a dark green but still look very healthy but I did notice that they have a maroon tint on the backside. So I'm assuming this means it wasn't getting enough light. I'll try and take a photo to show you where it is sitting. I am directionally challenged so it could be that the windowsill it is on is NOT a south window. I'll have to ask my husband tonight. I have been obsessed with Horticulture since this spring and over the summer have acquired over 20 houseplants. Some I have propagated myself. It all started with a sickly kalancho(sp?) I got from my mom after christmas. It was sitting in her basement and I told her I was taking it home. While cleaning off the dead leaves I accidently broke off one of the tops. So I put it in a small decorative glass jar with a little water on my kitchen windowsill. I just thought it would look pretty until it died. But three weeks later I noticed ROOTS! That's how it all got started. I am definatly nervous about this Orchid and my husband has little faith in me ( mostly because I killed my last one) But I have been obsessed with Orchids ever since we returned from Thailand and Taiwan. My husband is from both places but of Taiwanese decent. Some of the places we would visit there would have fence rows of Orchids growing up them. Just beautiful! I'll try and keep you all updated on the orchid on this thread. Thanks again!

I would do what you suggested and let the cat out of its box from time to time, but I would make very sure not to open the car doors while the cat was loose in the car, and it would probably be a good idea to prevent the dog from going near the cat. Maybe have one person take the dog out of the car (before you open the cat's carrier), and walk the dog, while the other one stays in the car and gives the cat a chance to do its business. Under no circumstances should anyone open a car door while the cat is free. By the way, the cat may well retain its "business" of both sorts until it gets into its new home and feels comfortable. I once flew from Boston to Tokyo with a cat and arranged to spend one night in a hotel in L.A. just so the cat could use its litter pan, but it didn't. No ill effects, however! I was quite worried at the time. As to the food, many cats only get to eat once a day and are fine with that, so do whatever you have to do to minimize the need for it to "go". Feeding well in advance of the trip will also help prevent motion sickness. During the trip, I would offer it water once in a while, though. You are also aware that once you get to your new home, the cat shouldn't be allowed out until it has really settled in--say for a week or two, right? (Because they sometimes panic and go off trying to find familiar surroundings.) Of course, if it is always an indoor cat, there is no problem with that, anyway. I hope all goes well with your move. We brought two cats here from Japan when we moved, and have had no problems.

flowerlilies, Often people who work in garden centers don't really understand much about pests, diseases, and chemicals. You should ask first on the GW forum for the particular kind of plant. And don't believe the first poster who responds, because we can make mistakes too. Though, if we let a reply stand without further comments, that's probably a tacit approval. It's really important not to panic and apply a barrage of remedies before you have a good diagnosis. Also, when you post a question, it's important to give a general idea of where you live, because pests and diseases are regional, rainfall and winter damage can play a role, etc. For example, a diagnosis of scale insects on roses would be more likely if you are in Southern California, Hawaii, or Miami. But rose midge, suggested above, doesn't exist in those places. One thing I can say for certain, the purple spots with lighter centers are either cercospora spot or spot anthracnose, both fungal diseases that usually don't require control measures. Also, there may well be some spray damage, because homemade and "organic" sprays are rather likely to damage plants if not used carefully. Large purple smears are often the result of spray damage. What are you saying is wrong with the open mauve flower? If the grayish things are scale, they will scrape off easily with a fingernail.

It looks like a Pilocereus azureus. Some are bluer than others:). I would honestly get rid of the sand. I know people do have success with sand in their mix, but I think it would be problematic. Especially when used in equal parts. Also when plants are inside water just doesn't evaporate as quickly. Sand compacts real easy. It may drain, but it holds on to moisture. I would use 40% gravel, 30% perlite, and 30% compost. What does you gravel look like? When I think of gravel I think of big pieces of rock. Here in North America we call manure compost, but where you're at your compost is what we call soil;). Cactus do not have the most exciting roots. Their roots are real shallow. If and when you, I suggest you do, repot make sure to get all the old mix off the roots. You can use water to get the soil off. If you do use water set the cactus on a paper towel and let the roots dry out for a day. Away from the window. Once you repot don't water for at least a week, but you could wait 2 weeks. Since your cactus is inside water it maybe twice a month and give it a good watering when you do:). When winter comes I would keep dry till March:). Goodluck:). I forgot to say those little dot like scabs are normal. Wouldn't worry:). They're probably from poking each other. Could have happened when at the store. Who knows? They get weird little marks on them.