I recently bought a rubber tree plant. It looks very healthy but the soil it’s in is very rich and very hard. I had to take a chop stick to break it up since I couldn’t put my finger in the soil to test the moisture level. So I decided to change out the soil. My first mistake: I went and bought miracle grow potting soil and then watered after I transplanted and even though it has drainage holes not a drop of water came out the bottom. It retained ALL the moisture in the top 1/3 of the pot and I know my plant will die of root rot If I don’t do something soon. My second mistake: Next, I tried a mix of equal parts coarse sand, mini pine bark and peat humus. Again, I watered after planting and it was like soup. Nothing draining out of the pot. I used Al‘s mix years ago for my outside container plants and it was wonderful. We’ve moved since then and I don’t know where my grani-grit or Turface went. I don’t remember where I got these from in WI but I will have to search again. succulents are my newest obsession and I bought bonsai jacks gritty mix but my indoor succulents are not happy. There are zero nutrients in this mix And that makes me uneasy. My question to you is this: What mix do I use for my indoor succulents? (Mainly Echeverias, some Haworthia and some sedum and pachyveria). What mix do I use for my rubber tree plant? What mix do I use for my sanseveria snake plant? Im thinking gritty mix for snake plant and succulents? Please help. Thank you!

I hear all of you, it seems to be feast or famine with the weather. We had the same here Jim. I think we had about 5 days in May where it did not rain and have had one day (last week) since late June. I have not cut my grass since July 2nd (cut it short 1st thing in the morning and then it went up to 99) Earthworm- I'm sorry to hear about your weather. You are desacribing what it was like here in May. I to am looking forward to see what kind of growth I get in the next 7-8 days. I would expect everything to push up new spears and I may still have a shot at 3 fronds this summer. 78 and pleasant right now, I got the house down to 64 this morning with fans blowing in (fell to 58 last night)

shambo, I think your right. I don't think dad can tell the difference with what's going on with his body. When he was living at home alone he got to where he'd drive himself to the doctors office for the one thing or another but the next day when I'd see him he'd tell he didn't trust the nurse when she'd tell him he was fine. He also has problems with both doctors and nurses at frist he thinks they're ok and then he'll tell me that they turned on him and not treating him the same. Maybe they got tired of his complaint and always insisting something was wrong even when they fixed the problem but he didn't think it was fixed. I did not mention that the day nurse called me Friday but I missed the call but she left a message. Telling me that she needed to talk to me about my dads condition. Needless to say I worried the rest of the weekend as to what she had to tell me but was sure if it was serious they'd keep trying to contact me or leave a message to call them ASAP. I planned it out to call the nurse to fins out what she had to tell me and when I called I find out that Friday was her last day working there. I talked to the new nurse and told her I'd like for my dad to be placed on something for his depression or anxiety. He's been on zoloft and said he didn't like it. I went and checked on two homes today but they were rehab/memory care centers. One looked really nice but no room the second one didn't look near as nice and the area they hold dementia care persons is very small with only one short hallway. I'll look into a nursing home that handles someone with problems like my dad. Problem in Texas is that if the person becomes combative they can call me up and tell me I have two days to fine a new place for him. Now you know it's not that easy to find a place and it's not good move them around so much. I do not want to be caught without a place for dad to go, this would not be good at all. It does not make since to me at all. It's not like your a normal person renting a home or apartment and making to much noise. It's a case of them being ill and the home should not take them in unless they truly handle all cases or stages of dementia. I also found out that they can get a machine to hook up to the phone that links it to dads doctors for a check up on the pacemaker, Now why they don't know this or if it's a case of not wanting to do it. I haven't a clue but I will be asking them tomorrow about it.

Just wanted to circle back and update you all since you were kind enough to share your recommendations and experiences-- and even those of your siblings (special thanks to Mtn's sis!) After a few days of pulling out my hair as SO's siblings set and changed plans multiple times, we have our plans and they worked out even better than we expected. We'll be hosting his brother/SIL here in Harrisburg and we'll meet up with his sister in New Hope. We have a night booked in New Hope and one in Phila.. which is just what we wanted. We'll spend a day meandering the Bucks County countryside and then head down to Philadelphia where we'll have a nice dinner and then shop a bit and hit one of the winter popups. Paul Strand exhibit on Saturday and then head home. We are really hoping for nice weather. We really enjoyed the summer popup at Spruce Street Harbor ad now we are looking forward to visiting the winter incarnation-- as well as the one at Love's Park (close to where we are staying). We met the urban designer who came up with the concept for Spruce Street Harbor when we were there in Sept-- the design was so fun and inventive! A great transformation of the park! Here's a peek at the winter version.. a heated tent with leather sofas and wool throws is next to the ice rink.. outdoors you'll find adirondack chairs and fire pits... and the signature shipping container outposts for hot chocolate and more spirited libations! I am so looking forward to the getaway-- a perfect winter escape! Thank you all for your part in our planning! I'll toast you with a warm drink!