Maybe mine aren't fattening because I have failed to treat them like succulents? (They've gotten plenty of water, so they're not bulging-out to store water?) I'm going to to stop letting them have so much water and get them into a much more porous mix (I think they're just in dirt right now--my transition to gritty mix is incomplete). I'll attempt a small batch of 5-1-1.

I still get excited about getting a good look at any kind of woodpecker, but your photo is great! I have never gotten a picture of any of my woodpeckers. We only rarely see the Pileated (it's a big favorite for me, too!!), but our Red-bellied and Downy Woodpeckers call all day long, every day in the Black Gum Swamp. We also get Red-headed Woodpeckers, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and Northern Flickers in there. Our very oldest, tallest Slash Pine is dying and I guess it will become a popular tree with the woodpeckers. It was struck by lightning at least twice since we moved to the property in 1997! Since we dug a new pond near our house we get to see a Belted Kingfisher and various enormous herons and egrets pretty often. Let's see, I guess my butterfly-related comment is that I wonder if there are any tricks to getting Red Admirals. Any suggestions on where I should plant my False Nettle seed? I already planted a lot in wet soil along the new pond where it's still bare. This forum is so tempting once spring comes along... but I need to go outside!

My goodness..Where have I been? Glen: Thank you very much for the vote of confidence..I think it will be ok..:-)I don't think I will be able to get another too soon, so I better do it right..Great to see you here! Bo: Hello..Thank you for your kind words..I had a feeling you would like the Orchid..Now we have to get you started on another group of plants..lol Josh: I just put a thin layer of just bark on top today..Thank you for all your neat ideas and support..So far so good..I can not wait to see a flower on your own plant too..:-) Pug;-)))))Thank you!I am glad you like the mix..I think all my CC's and all my new aquisitions will too..I will have to show you soon..By the way, their is a certain CC you know of that is starting to show signs of improvement, I think..:-) Linda: Thanks alot for your desire to see it do well...Let us see how many nice warm sunny days we get to push it along..Did you ever get my e-mail? Leah: Thank you for that... Have a great day everyone...I will fill you in on updates as time goes by..Much appreciated Mike

Manuel, I saw your comment on this. It will be interesting to know what kind of growth/ health and success you have with this soluble silicon. I admit to having become a very lazy hobbyist/gardener. I just counted over the weekend -- and have 83 succulent plants on my back lanai. Used to be that most were in small pots (3" or 4" pots generally), but many have grown and been repotted into 6" or even 8" pots. I start giving them away when they get to be that size. We joke that every plant in Florida really WANTS to become a tree. It's probably true. But being lazy, I just stay with saving gallon water jugs, filling them with tap water, and tossing in a small amount of Foliage Pro 9-3-6. Probably MORE than the 1/4 teaspoon I estimated. That said, I only use this concoction for plants in NON-SOIL based mixes -- but I use it at every watering because otherwise, they get ZERO nutrients. I guess it's working. On Saturday, I just repotted a Euphorbia lactea cristata (green one, not the white kind) from a 3" pot to a 4.5" pot. I bought online last October, and already the roots were growing out the bottom drainage hole! Yay! You will have the summer months to fertilize, and I bet by fall you WILL be able to tell, with the naked eye, how well the silicon is working and what results it generated. If you would, please let us know your observations. It's always interesting to hear what has delivered success and growth for growers.