Hi, mrlike2u =) yea, all the ones that rooted in bark seem to be doing real good. There's by far more oxygen that flows to the roots, vs compacted soil; and the watering can almost be equal to a rainforest as it just flows straight through, and quickly dries. Also, the EC has very small roots compared to the other two holiday cacti, so maybe next spring I'll transplant if it looks to need it. Good morning Josh! You're always too kind. I think that the almost immediate success of pure bark is what drove me to post about it. If you look through the threads, all you see are a good few handfuls of people that are failing to keep their holiday cacti, and orchids alive; and they either give up on them throwing them in the trash (which is really sad) or have some sliver of hope left to keep them alive (but most the time they're really nervous about it) So it's like, if I can provide some insight that I've learned through my experiences, and those learned by people like you, and show through pictures how easy it is; then maybe we can have more success stories. People need to understand that super market holeless pot, and this over dried out soil that never seems to get wet, doesn't success make. I'll go into stores and can tell that rot has set in, or that they're on their last leg, and I honestly just want to rescue all of them! I also notice that everyone comments with their own successful potting mediums, and they're all so different, and so many of them that people get confused and still don't end up with the answer that they originally asked (I think in a way it kind of scares them off.) So if by chance someone with a question clicks here and sees close up pictures of what mine are in, and how they're able to grow so successful; hopefully that person can take something away and have just the same (or even better) success story. Greg J.

I have seen the baby spiders hatch out and fly off into the great big world. In spring, one a warm sunny day when their is a nice breeze blowing, if you are lucky, you can see them hatch out all at once. There are hundreds, if not thousands of t-tintsy spiders, hardly more than a speck of dust to the naked eye. They shoot out thousands of silken threads and ride off on them in the wind. Birds and frogs gobble them up, but some live and grow and the next year, in late summer you will see them again in your garden - giants by comparison. ogrose, I have quite literally, but certainly by accident, stuck my head into their webs while gardening many times. The spider just scoots over and waits for me to exit. Never had one become aggressive with me. My children used to love them, giving them names. They were greatly influenced by Charlotte's Web. I always taught them to be curious about Nature, but cautious. Look but don't touch. Study it, observe and learn from other creatures. Of course, they often DID touch. :)

There are advantages to small pictures, I suppose! I'm not sure why Photobucket is reducing them quite this small...something I am undoubtedly doing/not doing. That's allyssum, Mantis. I always intend for it to be all the way around, but haven't made it yet. :) There's still 2/3 of a flat on the driveway. Good intentions. Last year I alternated the small creeping white zinnias with the allysum. Have a couple volunteer zinnias this year. Thank you, Rita. High praise from someone with a wonderful garden and hardscaping I love! It is tough, Kay. I have said for years that I would reduce, but I find now that I must. Oh well. At some point, I have to return my yard to something that someone else can care for...most likely very simple. When the time comes, I hope to move a number of things, but realistically, who knows.

I love when climbers just do their thang and be all chaotic lol ! I'm sure thats the way nature intended them to be and they do look so flowy and romantic. I've got to get some Edens in my garden!