Irina, I responded to your last post, accidently hit a button, and lost the entire page. Sheesh. I keep saying vinegar when I mean Rubbing Alcohol. Vinegar was stated numerous times. AGE!!! I've sprayed and swiped with alcohol. Rubbing Alcohol. 91%. Last night, we went to Walgreen's...remember RA was about .79 a bottle? The least expensive, Walgreen's brand is now 2.99.. Anyway, I did NOT use vinegar for mealy..lol. I'll have to check HD for Bayer's Tree & Lawn. 'no nearby Lowes.' What's the difference between concentrate and ??? Irina, we don't use chemicals, so when it comes to none-organic products, I'm clueless. What exactly is Bayer's Tree & Lawn used for? What does it do? Before purchasing, I'll have to read all ingredients. With birds, dogs and an iguana, we must be extra careful. A loud noise startles birds, next thing they're off and flying, sometimes landing on plants..Our little dog, Coco, finds everything interesting, and iguanas LOVE plants. Especially munching leaves. How do you determine dossage using Bayer's on indoor plants? Also, this spring I'm repotting or refreshing soils/mediums in all plants. I started this project about a month ago. If I decide to use Bayer's, it's best I wait until plants are potted in their new homes. Irina, I have Peat Pellets/Pots, and a little seedling green house with dome and vents..Includes heating pad. Four of the violet leaves rooted. They're small, too tiny to set in pots. Do you think my violets had soil or foliar Mealy? When violets were unpotted, I didn't see pests. However, violets that once had a healthy root were gone, like something devoured them. Mealy was on foliage. It was this forum I learned of soil mealy. Before reading threads here on African Violet Forum, I didn't know soil mealy existed. Irina, I soak plants in winter out of love. lol. It's a lot of work, but afterwards, tropicals look like they just came from Fl. Succulents are only soaked once during winter. It's relaxing, and IMO, plants enjoy it. It might not be something that needs to be done, but I feel better after their bath and shower. Thanks for the prayers..We can all use them. You'll be in mine, too.. Thanks again for all your help, Irina. I swear, you're a Saintpaulia encyclopedia..lol. hugs, Toni

Perhaps number 11 is to be sure and place them where small children and pets can easily stop and admire them. That way they are sure to be nibbled on regularly and knocked down often, ensuring their leaves are snapped, and the roots knocked about. Especially helpful when combined with Numbers 1 and 3 above. :-) Best, Judy

Only a few cacti have leaves, and Easter cactus is not one of them, it is the stem segments you are referring to. Yes, take a few cuttings. If the roots are lost, you will be better off with young segments as old, hardened segments at the base of the plant can be difficult to root. If they survive that is, root rot often causes the segments closest to the soil to die. Easter cacti are sensitive and will often drop segments if they are sick. If you find an Easter cactus puzzle on the floor one day (happened to me twice) you will automatically have a lot of cuttings. Otherwise cut off pieces of 1-3 segments with a sharp knife. Some people root them in water, other (like me) in damp sand or white moss or directly in potting compost. If you do not root them in water the cuttings should heal heal in a shaded spot for a week or so first. Red spots sometimes heal by themselves, but they can also be the result of a fungal disease that will kill the whole plant if untreated. Remove affected segments, just in case.

Was finally able to see/hold Michael today. I went to the hospital with DIL for all his final discharge stuff. He did not like the removal of IV port/needle, the removal of all tape, the last of his antibiotics, or the change of clothes mom put him through. But I did get to hold him a bit, and help them get out of the hospital!! He's home now and they are doing just fine. I'm now on-call for any urgent, "don't know what to do" phone calls!! lol My kids can't wait to see & hold him, but since 3 are sick, that'll have to wait a bit longer.