Sure, would love to. I was assured when I bought the place that it was a weed and needed to be cut down. They are naturalized to the area and show up in roadside hedgerows all over the place. Anyway it came up in a crape myrtle. Both have seemed content with the relationship and I like how one fills in the other with evergreen foliage and also I have two seasons of bloom. When it blooms is when the foliage is most sparse- ie right now (not completely deciduous though). ...in summer.

At my old house I could leave them outside for all but about 4 months of the year. They can take a light frost. They spent their time in the shade of very tall oaks around the house. The yard had only one tiny spot of almost full sun and thats where the potted citrus and guavas lived as well as the normal in-the-ground veggies. At my new house (1 year as of today) I have very little shade and lots of wind (just like OK) so the tree ferns are sheltered along with the rest of the tropicals. I started off with 5 big ferns and lost all but 2 to the high heat and drought last summer along with some sort of mealy bug investation. waaaaaaaaaa A warning about using them near where you walk to sit - the species I have give off very itchy 'hairs'. You can't brush against them without noticing it. I can't believe that more folks don't grow potted citrus here. The warmth and humidity suit them well as patio plants and most of the time our winters are mild (frosty nights with 50 degree days). There are a few that grow in-the-ground types, but not as many as you'd think.

I've been growing orchids for a long time. I grew them in NY in windows and now we live in Florida so they live outside. You should all visit the Orchid Forum for help with your plants. Its on Gardenweb under 'Orchids.' Lots of nice people who can answer your questions and help you be successful. Most Phals bloom once a year from new spikes. If you leave the old spikes they are not as pretty as a new spike as the flowers get smaller and smaller and the old spike crooked. Much better to cut the old spikes off and let the plant grow new leaves over the summer months. Phals will initiate new spikes with temperature drop. In the late summer/fall as the night temps drop it triggers the plant to flower. So, if you grow in the house, you must provide a temp drop of at least 10/15 degrees. Easiest to do if your plant spends the summer outdoors in a sheltered spot. The bud blast is caused by the sudden change of temps or direct sunlight on the buds. Best to start bringing your plants in after they begin spiking and let them develop their buds in a window. This way the plant can adjust to the dry air in the house. They are very easy to grow, you just need to understand that a sudden change in temps and humidity can affect the buds. I always brought my Phals back indoors before the heat was on in the house, usually mid September (in NY). If your Phals are to remain in the house, just provide the night time temperature drop in the Fall. A cooler room where you can crack the window at night would work. Remember, they need that temperature drop to flower. In nature, Phals grow attached to tree trunks, high above the ground. They do not grow in dirt. Their roots have evolved to catch rain water or humidity. Growing in pots is something we do, not the way they grow. Keeping them in pots works if you let their roots have air. They are air-roots, they will rot if kept too wet. Forget ice cubes. These plants grow in tropical rain forests. No ice cubes there. Just water when they are almost dry. Do not keep them wet or they will die. Us your finger to feel the potting mix before watering. Do not water if it feels damp...wait! Best to repot yearly. Use an orchid mix and make sure the pot has drain holes. Remember, these plants do not grow in dirt. They grow attached to tree trunks exposed to the air and rain. Do not overwater and do not let the potting mix stay too wet. You should only fertilize in spring and summer when you see new growth beginning. Phals make their leaves in summer and flower in fall. Feed the leaves for the best flowering. You can give a weak fertilizer in the winter, but only a very weak amount. Feed Spring and summer. Sorry to write so much. These plants are so easy to grow if you remember where they originate. They grow on trees out in the air, not in pots. They can grow well in pots if you remember their roots need air. Truly easy to grow and will flower for 6 months. What plant does that? Each year they grow bigger and bigger and you get more and more flowers. This was a small Phal sitting in a dentist office. I took it back to my house that summer until it bloomed and brought it back to the dentist office. This plant was small and this is only its second year. Don't toss them. Just forget what you've learned about 'dirt plants.' These are 'air plants.' If you give their roots air you can't go wrong. You'll be rewarded. Jane Here is a link that might be useful: American Orchid Society

I have three EdBs. Two of them I know are own root, because I planted them. I did not have to root them - when the plants get to be mature they occasionally start making suckers near the base of the bush, and you can just dig them up. They only do this very infrequently, so they do not spread. The two ones I planted are in full sun, and bloom almost all year, and both stay about 3 ft tall, which I like because most of my other roses do NOT stay that short! The one in the pic above is the old original one, which is in a lot of shade, and only blooms in the Spring (I thought EdB was a once bloomer until I planted the other bushes). This year it has decided to get taller than usual, probably to get more light, and is about 4 1/2 feet tall. Here is a pic of one of the "children", which is at least 20 years old, and is growing in full sun right next to the sidewalk. EdB is the MOST fragrant rose in my entire garden (what people call "old rose" scent), period. So, having it next to the sidewalk makes it easy for people walking by to smell - I see that happening a lot. Jackie P.S. As you can see, it does NOT have bare legs - blooms right down to the ground. It does sometimes get a little blackspot, later in the Fall.