Hey everyone. Been a while since I've posted here, but I'm loving seeing everyones plants so much that I thought I'd share some of my favorites with everyone as well. My oldest Thanksgiving cactus. It'll be 4 years in January. It doesn't look like much, but I'm thrilled with it 'cause it lost all its segments during the spring and I think it's coming back quite nicely. Opuntia santa-rita. One of my favs. Will be 2 years in April. Jade ovata 'Gollum'. Turned 2 in September. Haworthia fasciata. Really like this one. 1.5 years old. Philodendron scandens. 3.5 years old. Another Phildendron. Not sure of its exact name. Only 6 months old. Dracaena deremensis 'Yellow Stipe'. My mother can't grow these worth a bean, but mine's doing quite well I think. Will be 3 years in May. Dracaena marginata. Turned 4 in September. Ficus elastica 'Black Prince'. 2.5 years old. Hildewinteria aureispina. Will be 3 years in April. Coleus blumei. Looks quite pathetic right now but that's because I just cut it back hard. It always grows back beautifully. I'm proud of this one because Coleus plants are classified as annuals and this one is turning 3 years next month (Decemeber). Hope I didn't post too much. Thanks for sharing everyone and thanks for looking at mine.

Tom, Thanks for mentioning this. Winter protection from cold winter winds is definitely a must for most but especially us. We discussed this issue above in a few posts, but my backyard where most of my garden (and Japanese Maples)is located is protected on all sides. Two sides, north and east, by a wood fence that borders my yard and two neighbors, and the western side by my house. The southern side has a chain link fence partially protected by bamboo fencing, beyond which is a large neighboring yard. Even the side that is more exposed has houses beyond the yard breaking up wind from that direction. My front yard facing north gets most wind between my house and a neighbor's, but the north winds get partially blocked by the neighbor's house. Here, I have a few Maples, two of which are most exposed to wind--one an AP 'palmatum' (parent cultivar) has done fine for two years. The other a Acer Shirasawanum 'Palmatifolium' I put in this year. I will probably put wire around this and burlap or other protection as suggested. Other palmatums: A Red Dragon, Hogyoku and Bloodgood have done fine for two years and a Kandy Kitchen over the winter. These are in a bed that get some north winds exposure in the front. Back to my backyard though I have a micro-climate created by the enclosure of the fences. I plan to extend and improve my bamboo fencing. And in fact, when I go to the best Japanese gardens typically they have all the most delicate and finer plants located in an enclosure of some sort here (at Botanic Gardens). Actually making a garden enclosure is not just for protection but looks nicer as well. I also have two Norway Spruces anchoring the corner of my backyard garden which provide a windbreak. I also have other conifers (Pines) in the garden which provide some protection from wind too. A larger Norway Maple away from the main area provides some afternoon shade for summer heat, but I have had to prune this to allow more sunlight to get through. My pleasant surprise is that these cultivars are much hardier than they have been given credit for, but we here in northern Illinois have not seen drastic winter temps. I haven't seen temps in the -25 degree range for over fifteen years. Since I've been collecting (very short time) the winters have reached -15, but this is only for one or two days. Long term cold fronts typically are in the zero degree, plus or minus 5 degrees range. Wind chill can be much colder. But it is the temperature below ground that is key. In fact, snow as tough as it is to deal with in some ways actually protects the roots from the cold and wind. It is a natural insulator. The real killer is actually late frosts after a warming trend as many here on the forum can attest to--the killer Spring frost of 2007 that drastically affected the Southern states and southern Illinois though not here because the warming trend here was brief enough that it did not cause the trees to leaf. These type of events can quickly take the life of our trees as I found out this year with a small Bloodgood. Late frost can happen in any zone, but affect areas that are more prone to drastic temperature swings in the Spring. More later, Ken

This should help. What Laura shared with me.. Laura LaRosa Thank you guys. Cory, I hope all of yours come out soon. I think after this cold snap, we will be good to go. It only got to 47 here, so I did not move anyone inside. I watered thoroughly tonight and will probably fertilize tomorrow or the day after. Mike, I have been alternating between FP and Peters, when I run out of FP, I will just stick with Peters. I have a huge bag of it lol! I do use vinegar but may try to go without it a bit and see what happens. Mike, here is a link for the lights: Philips 433557 23W 100-watt T2 Twister 6500K CFL Light Bulb, 4-Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M6SR1JM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_bNrezbCC5RFKH I put them as close as I can without burning the trees even though I had a few scorched leaves on a few. The trees really responded incredibly well to them. I would say the growth was not as perfect as when outdoors, but not too bad - not terribly lanky. I don't know how many you will need. I started with like 15 and little by little added more until I was satisfied they were all getting enough light. The Ikea lights are very basic, but they work and are cheap. Take down was a bit of a pain, but not terrible. I removed the bulbs and stored them in a plastic bin, then just shoved the lamps into a crawlspace. I can tell you that watering them was like a yoga workout...I ended up in a sweat! In my case, I just had so many that I could hardly reach some of them without some serious stretching. You are in good shape though, so you will manage ;-). I also think the lights will help you with any seasonal effects that may bring you down. I sat in my sunroom every morning and night and was very happy in there in spite of almost needing sunglasses! Brian, you are the king of gorgeous trees. I would love it if you would share some of your awesome trees. I could never let mine get that big and overwinter them in my house. Hobby, I hope you can get yours out soon (you too Brian). Oh and Mike, no Alexander does not defoliate that badly every year (never has that badly). I think it was the mites and the treatments for mites that did him in. I was a little worried, but he is bouncing back nicely. Amanda...yes, BRIGHT! I was afraid I would get sunburned in there!

So many wonderful pictures to look at! I wish there was a "love" button that we could push. ♡ Amanda, beautiful pic of your son and the Hibiscus. Your citrus are doing splendid this summer. John, love the barred owl. Beautiful picture. Evan, I am always in awe of your trees and all of the fruitful varieties that you have! Your key lime is so productive! Wow! Have the Pomona Sweet Lemon and the Cocktail Grapefruit produced decent, edible fruit for you yet? I have a young Pomona, but am still waiting (since last season) for a mailing nursery to get the Cocktail back in stock. I hope the Oro Blanco fruit taste much better for you this time around. Brian, I love your "tropical" paradise! Just lovely! Perfection! Mike and Brian, we have had a number of nights that have been down into the forties ! July sure feels more like fall. What's up with that?? Lol..The only good thing about it is that the cool nights helped my Santa Teresa Lemons set some flowering buds. I hope to get some lemons that stay on and mature this time around. The cooler weather has not been good for my tomatoes. I usually have ripe tomatoes by this time and my garden tomatoes are still small and green. Mike, what a stunning orchid! I am so happy for you that it finally bloomed after three years! Well worth the wait. :) Laura, Kevin the key lime looks great in his new pot! I look forward to the key lime pie pictures in the near future, I do not envy you getting him to fit back in the house this fall though.. :D We had some rain showers earlier in the week but I was able to fertilize all of the trees on Friday. Rain in the forecast for tomorrow evening!