We'll assume it's a Phal (most common orchid sold). 1. Yes, a small pot is OK. 2. Probably roots, it's OK too. 3a. A little more serious possibly, if it is the stem that used to hold the flowers that is normal, cut it back to within 1/2" to 1" of where it comes out of the main part of the plant. If it is not a flower stalk, we're probably talking about a different kind of orchid and you'll need to give us more info as far as how the plant looks and grows so we can determine the type (phal, dend, onc, catt, etc...) 3b. Brown roots are never good, be sure that when mom waters she takes it out of the pretty pot and lets the water run through the clear pot until finished dripping. Then put it back in the pretty pot. If out of the pretty pot, mom should run lots of water through it, way more than 1/3 cup, just let it run through completely until done dripping. Within 6" or so of an east facing window is good for a Phal. Good luck to your mom, Bob

Hi Y'all! Sara: I am sneaky. I have 3 black tomato plants incorrectly labeled as something else, so maybe no one will notice they are black tomatoes and pick them! (I have 3 friends who have "come and pick 'em if you want 'em privileges" in our garden). I usually don't save seed. I always intend to, but then get too busy. This year I am going to try to save some, though. OKPrairie, I think that if you plant them now, there is a 50-50 chance you'll get fruit before a frost, unless there is a really early frost this year. How to figure it out? Well, Black Krim generally produces ripe fruit here in our climate in a little under 70 days, so figure 70 days plus about 6 weeks to get plants from seed to transplant size. That would be about 112 days. So, seeds started now should start to give you ripened fruit in October. You might get it even earlier as it seems to me that fall tomatoes produce 'earlier' ripened fruit than spring tomatoes, IF it isn't so too hot for viable pollen. The key is daytime temps. If it is too hot when they flower, the pollen won't be viable and you won't get fruit until it cools down. If you don't want to risk the seed this year, it should be viable for next year. I commonly get great germination from tomato seed that is several years old. Giggi: Been there and done that often enough that I "ought to" know better, but I'm like you...happy to share the produce when it is in abundance and then...when it slows down in the heat, I worry there won't be enough for 'everyone'. Do you know what I always say to my DH in mid- to late-June: I say 'this is too many tomatoes, and next year I won't plant as many'. Of course, he rolls his eyes and says 'you say that every year...' However, once the hot summer temperatures slow down production, I start wishing I had planted more. Crazy, isn't it! Do you make pickles with your cucumbers or are they just for fresh eating? I think I'll be making pickles next week, using the old reliable 'National Pickling' cucumbers I have growing on the fence around the garden. Hope y'all are staying cool in this heat! Dawn

"I have been gradually moving a few worms at a time " If your worm population is good, and you want to increase your 'giving away' population faster, it can be worth moving more than a few at a time. Population increase slows right down as the bin population rises, but if you take a reasonable amount out at one time, the worms left get bigger and breed faster.

Aw, you made that up with curly ribbon and crepe paper. Just kidding!!!! I did a search on Yuccado.com and they don't have it listed, but good ole google does. Here is a link that might be useful: Billbergia brachysiphon images