Just be patient, and they will come to realize that they aren't Heron bait any longer. If I walk around the pond they will follow me. If I step up onto the rocks around the edge and they sort of bump and make a noise, then the fish will start to dart in the other direction. But right away they realize it is me and not some big ole bird come to devour them. It will just take time for them to become aware that they are indeed safe. Glenda

Background: I bought a very small Valencia Orange from Stark Brothers two years ago (along with an order of fruit trees). First year was strickly indoors, not the greatest growth. This last summer I moved it outside. I purchased a lemon and a lime from Home Depot during a trip to CA (they had Four Winds tags on them) and brought them back to Utah. Care: They seemed to be doing okay, and I fertilized all with a citrus fertilizer when I got home in August. I moved the orange to a larger pot at about this time, using a pot I had similar in size to the ones from HD/Four Winds, but the orange isn't nearly as large, but lots more leaves. When I moved them into a sheltered area (no direct sun) to prepare them for winter, the lemon lost all of its leaves - may have also been a lack of watering issue as well. At any rate, I moved them to the garage next to a north-facing window and the lemon produced all new leaves. A few weeks later, the lemon and orange produced quite a few blossoms. Of course, the blossoms quickly dropped, but the orange has continued to blossom with one or two here and there after I moved it near a second floor south facing window. Analysis: I thought the blossoms came because of the changes in settings (cool/cold to warm) as if it was going into spring? At any rate, it was my first use of a citrus fertilizer and the first time that the orange had blossomed in the two years I've had it.

Richie, I started a post called, 'Richie, where are you?' Can we continue on the new thread..this one is a tad long, and takes forever to download. I'll never remember the questions you asked, so I might as well answer here..lol First, how are YOU doing? I hope your're well. And your mom? G/f? About my new Gardenias, I'm very upset. I guess the weather did more harm than I thought..I doubt any gardenias will make it..the temps were just too cold. I dont know if I should notify the owner or not, since he waited a long time before shipping. All the leaves are frosted, every last one. I dont know what to do. They turned black and crisp. I didn't mention it because I was in denial, hoping I was wrong, but they've pretty much had it. BTW, the nursery ships wonderful plants, it's not his fault. It's my fault for not asking him to hold them longer. Sounds like you got a bunch of new plants too..it must be the season, or maybe we can blame it on a full moon..lol For us in Il it's the season..tonight rain AND snow! I dont want to see snow until next year..lol Foxtail, Ming, Spreng and Plumosia Ferns are well, but need new, big pots..they are huge. In fact, you know those huge square pots to plant outdoor plants? The pots I'm talking about are orange, square. I might end up potting ferns inside each planter..the problem is I need 4 and they've gone up in cost. If they're 7.00, I can afford it, but if they're over 10.00 I'll have to devise another plan. Dividing! Variegated Ginger needs a huge pot too..gotta find a place that 'gives away' free pots..lol.. You're lucky you finished gardening..family helps..my family have no interest in gardening, so I don't ask. A lot of digging and planting..sigh..I feel like spraying weed killer, but won't..can't because of the dogs for one. Our little dog would be rolling in it..lol.. We had to give him an emergency bath a few mins ago..dh took them to the woods, and that little brat found a mud area..of course he came home with 4" of mud on his little body. He ran up to me, telling me he needed a bath which he got. The sink was filthy..he had enough dirt to fill up a plant pot..lol.. Richie, dont forget..I started the thread here on GW looking for you. Please answer on that thread..my puter takes too long to dl long threads..thanks, and I know I can speak for others, we're glad you're back..hugs, Toni

You have my sympathy- I've done that twice! (Finally got a kettle with a whistle after that.) First, it helps to move the offending melted thing and affected burner (as much as is removable) outside. Even if it's cooled off, it can still be the source of much stink. Also, you're going to need more airflow than just opening windows. (Especially if it's not so warm out yet where you are!) Try to not open all of them so much as strategic ones that make air flow in a direction. For instance, I have windows on three walls of the kitchen... if I open the windows that face each other, I get a good cross-wind that takes smoke out with it. If I open the middle window, the air just swirls around inside the kitchen. (Alternatively, to get the whole 1st floor I open just the middle window and then all the windows in the living room down the hall.) If you have a set-up anything like this try to find a combination that makes a breeze you can feel. Next, you'll find fans really helpful, even if you have to borrow/rent them. Point at least one out a window to exhaust what's in the house. Keep fans in any opposite windows blowing in, to keep the cross-flow exchange of air going strong. Run the bathroom fan if you've got one, even. Finally, if there's a corner of the house not infected with smell yet, close it off! Tack up a heavy blanket if there are no doors, and towel under doors if you need to. Try to keep the smell confined to the kitchen so you can go to sleep without being sick tonight. This method has cleared the worst of it out of my house after a few hours, and it was totally dissipated by the next day. (We shut the fans and most windows over night, for heat.) It may take some time... just keep as much ventalation as possible for as long as it takes. And if it's seriously making you sick or dizzy, get out of the house for a while! (This applies to pets, too!) If it's still really bad later and you have the option, don't sleep there. Depending on what exactly burned, the fumes can be harmful if you breathe too much of them. Best of luck!