They look lovely! However, be careful of the ones you've planted in the larger Oyama Planters. They are way overpotted (especially the one on the right) and could easily drown because the small root system cannot absorb the water fast enough. AVs should never be potted more than one size up at a time. Once my semi-minis hit a 3" pot, I just whack off half the rootball and place back in same planter with fresh soil. (You should have seen the look on Mom's face when I did that to her Milky Way Trail! LOL) You can fix the overpotted AVS one of two ways: Pot back down into the pots they came in (it was the soil you needed to replace ~ the pots were fine); or, if you have them, place in three-inch or smaller pots. Remember: Underpotting is seldom fatal; overpotting usually is. But, again, lovely, lovely! Linda

Rb, you don't tell us because you don't want us to know or because you don't know? Just kidding (gggg). Re: dieback. It's my understanding that PG trained as a standard and left to its own for years (typical example would be old PGs growing at cemetaries) could become very unkemp looking by the reason I call 'visual dieback'. I have an unsubstantiated theory about this and would be glad to have everybody's opinion about it. As branches become thicker and thicker bark on them become thicker as well, leaf buds can't penetrate it and new growth occures only at the tips of the old long branches. Some adventurous buds that still will be able to grow thru the old bark spend most of their energy to do so and are not productive. Since new growth is not produced anymore neither from the base of the tree nor from the most of the lenghts of the old branches you'll see new growth and flowers only on outside part of the plant. That is creating how I call it a 'visual dieback' effect. In a PGs trained as a trees this effect could ruin the whole appearance while in a shrub form it doesn't play such role. Hope you remember this pictures I posted here a few times Obviously nobody pruned this, planted in 1978, shrub for at least last 20 years. I got a chance to see it very close. Upon close inspection the main trunk become a 6 or 7 trunks growing together sometimes splitting, but sometimes growing one into each other. Nevertheless, of all 15-16' width of it, only outer 4 to 5' has viable buds in a spring, but that is enough to cover all ugly insides and create the most stately and gorgeous PG I ever saw.

Hi! I bought a fiddle fig a few weeks ago. I have put it in the brightest part of my living room, and tried to make sure it would only get watered when dry. But, it started developing dark spots at the edges of the leaves, and two leaves have dropped off. The tops where the buds would be are black and dry. It got worse, and I was so afraid I had overdone keeping it dry that I brought it out and let some rain fall on it, and watered it. I noticed roots on the surface, so decided that it must be pot bound and I need to repot. So I took it out, teased the roots and took out the soil around the roots. There was only one major strand of roots circling the pot. I then spread out the roots and put it in the pot with fresh soil. I noticed that, despite the watering it got 2 days ago, the roots and soil was so barely damp that my hands didn't really get wet, and I could brush off the soil from my hands and they were pretty dry. I do not know if I should water it now, a good long drink, or wait a bit more... I was seeing videos where they dry it out for a few weeks... what do I do please? I don't want my fig to die!!! I brought it out to get more sun and fresh air... Btw, I live in Asia where it is warm year round... it is just a bit more rainy these days.

This color is a nice neutral and I like the white trim that make the details of this room pop. Before deciding on the pieces, I would think more about the configuration of the room. I love that you are not putting a TV in here and will use it for reading instead. I suggest making a sitting area near the back windows because it lets in so much natural light. It will be a perfect place to read during the day without having to depend on lamps as much. And, it creates its own space that does not depend on the red or sea foam color influence. For a back of the room reading area, I would: 1. Define the space with a rug. I'd go for something neutral that blends more with the room instead of using the rugs you chose that are such an intense contrast. What about jute with a dark grey binding for texture, or a trellis pattern but not as contrasting as the navy and white you chose? 2. Get an upholstered cushion made for the built in bench under the window. Such a great reading nook, looks maybe big enough for two to snuggle and read! Nice soft window treatment, and maybe sconces or art hung on either side of the window. Toss your current sofa pillows over there to start to give you an idea of that as soft hang out space. 3. I like the idea of putting the sofa in front of the window with a coffee table in the middle and two grey Pottery Barn chairs across from it, facing the sofa. The only problem is that your sofa is pretty high in the back and I don't know how it would look to have it cutting off the bottom of the windows. It is free to move around furniture so give it a try! 4. Going with more neutral colors - tan, grey, beige, maybe a hint of navy and pops of rust means you should throw in some texture to the equation. That can come from a jute rug, fluffy blankets, and shiny objects. (Mercury glass objects?) Plus maybe a coffee table that has some texture of reflective quality. Here are some ideas for the back reading space: Rute rug, gray border Patterned rugs that have grey and other colors Examples of living room window seats: For the middle and front space, I have a few different ideas, but would like to hear more about what you need as a function of this room. Do you have any furniture you own and are looking for a different space to house it in? Do you need more storage for any particular kind of item? (Boots, purses, backpacks?) Do you have a home office or need space for that kind of work?