I am so happy to find this post. I have almost the opposite problem - I live in the hot wet tropics, never cold. I purchased some Crocus (Saffron) corms (was very expensive here so trying to not make mistakes). I put them in my veggie drawer in the refrigerator (all fruits removed from fridge) at 3C/37F. I read that they must have a cold period of at least 15 weeks to have a proper healthy bloom. After being in the fridge less than 3 weeks, each are having a white sprout coming out the top, but no roots. So do: 1. Ignore and wait the 15 weeks (will they starve to death?) or 2. Plant now (they are going in a pot) being very careful not to break the tender shoots and water only once until green shoots emerge from the soil? Thank you so much for the help, Christa

It would definitely benefit from a change to a more appropriate soil and room for roots to run. Everyone has their own view about what makes a bonsai. Some are only happy if the proportions are approximate to established guidelines, and others are perfectly happy with a liner in a pot. Whatever you feel is a bonsai should be a bonsai to all of us, even if only for the sake of encouragement. It's always been my philosophy that the more experienced of us shouldn't steal your budding joy by criticizing you for not conforming to our own arbitrary set of standards, that we should see your trees through YOUR eyes instead of our own. It's ok for me to tell you what I would do, but at the same time I think I should encourage you to do what YOU want to do, and that's what I'm doing. If it pleases you to trim it up and make it more compact, then go ahead. It will slow the growth, but if you get more enjoyment out of looking at it, then do it. Have fun and don't worry about what everyone thinks. If you stay with bonsai, there will come a time when you'll want to reach a little further and strive to improve the visual impact of your trees. You'll know when that is, so don't let anyone push you toward it prematurely. Al

Hi Moonie, Here is the link to my root pruning... I sure hope this helps... Your tree is looking great to all of us Plumeria Lovers!!! Some of mine are so ugly, they are "cute.." : ) I have one tree "Pele" that looks like it went through a nuclear meltdown when the temps were Ahhh... very hot in the greenhouse last year.. Won't mention any names.. Cough, cough... He is still in the dog house for that one.. : ) I now have the temps under control.. This was the only one that looks bad.. So, your tree looks great to me too! : ) You are so right about our temps here.. We can have cool temps and then extreme heat. That is why you need to be careful to acclimate your trees in the spring. It sounds like you have a great handle on yours!! Good Luck and keep us posted!! Rachel, You are so kind to say.... Thank you!!! So nice to say those comments. I am still learning. We will always continue to search for all of the answers.. and hopefully apply what we learn and see the "rewards" from our beloved trees and plants. They tell us if we are doing a good job!! : ) Just remember its the learning climb to the top to get us to where we want to be.. I hope it takes me a long time to get there.. I always want to be on the climb up and keep learning... I hope everyone has a wonderful evening!!! Laura Here is a link that might be useful: Taking A Bare Rooted Tree....

My "later on" master bath "update" turned into "more" and "now" due to a leaking shower pan. My house is a 1964 ranch originally built with sort of a "french/english country" feel. My "update" plans were to replace the sink/fixtures and countertops, texture/paint walls, re-paint cabinets and frame the mirror, still sticking with the beige/cream/taupe color scheme. Bedroom hasn't been redone. . .now it will follow the bath. The leaking shower pan added a complete shower gut/re-do/new shower fixtures (maybe a multi-head and in-out swing door). I'm afraid just replacing the shower pan and attempting to re-use the tile or match it would just look bad. I would like to keep the original floor tile and for a couple of reasons do not plan on pulling out the bulkhead or re-doing the ceiling (although it's not totally out of the question) the "big bath" for the other two bedrooms has a similar tile in white/brushed gold and the same bulkhead and that trim is all over the house (and I kind of like it. . .guess I'm a 60's kind of gal!!). So, I'm thinking just putting in 3 cans or pendants, probably cans. . .while they are beautiful, I don't like pendants in my bathroom. . tend to bang them into the mirror/wall). Will replace the large mirror with single mirrors over the lavatory and make-up area and add an electrical outlet in the space between them and change ceiling heater to a vent/heater. Probably replace the shutters (like the shutters, the inserts not so much and can't figure out how to get them out. . or how to put something in). My biggest concern is the floor. . .do you think it's salvageable and do you think I can find something for the shower that will blend. I do want some accent tiles in the shower, maybe glass?? FWIW, I'm not a "blue" person. . .more soft greens, taupe, greys, red/burgandy/pink and yellows. Any thoughts on how much, what kind, and what color of lipstick I can put on this little piggy would be greatly appreciated!!