1) Is the growing light too close? 1-2" above is what is recommended although it isn't needed until germination happens as already mentioned. 2) The 2" lid has side vents that I opened half way to let some air in. Is this OK? Should I open the vent at the top of the lid? No, because your soil may already be too dry as Flora said. The tray/cells is loaded with moist potting mix (thoroughly wet and then wrung out), not dry, and misting is not enough. If you moisten your soil properly then you can use the vents if you wish. Most lids do not have them (it is a pay more gimmick) so it isn't really an issue. 3) Should the growing light be on 24/7 for the time being? Do I need to worry about melting the top of the plastic lid from the heat of the growing lamp? No, once needed on 16-18 hours, off 6-8. 4) What about watering from this point on? I believe I'm supposed to remove the seedlings from the flat, add water (how much and how often?) to the bottom of the flat and put the seedlings back in so that they could draw the water in from underneath. Right now the only water I added was when I moistened the soil prior to planting the seeds. Then if it was wet you shouldn't need any additional watering until after germination.. if there is moisture on the inside of the lid there is enough water in there. Raise the lid for an hour or so each day to let fresh air in. 5) Is growing in my garage not advisable for any reason? We're getting a late start to the spring here in the Northeast and its not exactly warm in my garage but not exactly freezing cold. Most of us construct some sort of small enclosure so you don't have to heat the whole area. A simple plastic tent works well and can raise the temp inside the enclosed area by 20 degrees. 6) I will be out of town for four days next week. Do I need to ask someone to care for them in my absence? Yes because if they germinate they will need to be removed from under the lid ASAP. You apparently have mixed multiple varieties within the same tray but they will have different germination times. One the plant breaks the soil surface it has to be out from under the lid. One reason why many never use covers. 7) Do I need to monitor the temperature of the heating mat and/or get a timer for it? If it has no thermostat (an optional purchase) it is set to keep soil temp 10-20 degrees higher than the surrounding air temp. Another reason to build an enclosure. If it is 40 in the garage then the heat mat will have to run constantly just to keep the soil temp up to 60. If you review all the great FAQs here you'll find most of these questions are covered by them, not in detail true, but the basics are there. Some great discussions here too with even more details that the search will pull up on specific questions. Dave

OKAY Guys!! It's Mid-August in Southern WV, and i've never owned a brugmansia before, but my peaches&cream Bloomed!!! Here is the pick of the same plant when it arrived in the mail at the end of April '08: And here is the Same Plant, Now, in the middle of August: Here's some shots of it's Corollas: None of the other 4 Brugs (All of them Versicolors, and 3 of them Very young), did not flower this year. BUT, They have Grown Up Quite a Bit over the season, Here's my Versi-Peach i got from Katz Kuntry Kuttins, (Note: the Peaches&Cream Also Came from Her), so here's my Versi Peach straight out of the mail, in April: And here is the Same Plant NOW, in August: I'm *SO* excited about my Peaches & Cream flowering, and you guys gave me more confidence than you probably Believe, when i first arrived here. but i've got a Big Question for you, and it involves my Peaches&Cream Brug. Throughout the Season, 3 additional "Trunks" have just "developed" around the main, center trunk of the brug. so, Basically i have 4 Trunks, almost like 4 brugs, their trunks at the bottom very similar in size, but the 3 trunks around the main one aren't really woody at all here are some picks of what i'm talking about: (you will notice 2 shoots of old bamboo coming out of the soil, i had to support my plant, as it sometimes can get VERY windy): but so, Ok The "Main" Brug, the mature one in the Center? I would like for it to have just it's Single Trunk, by itSelf I don't want to loose the "other" 3 plants, either, though. Is there any "good" way i can "Salvage" them as 3 new Brugs?

It's not a real snapdragon, but a vine I saw while walking near my house. It's called a snapdragon vine even though it is no relation to snapdragons. My real snapdragons fell over in the rain too. If the blooms are fading go ahead and cut them back. They may bloom again before it gets hot. They don't like hot weather, but you can try keeping them in shade and letting them rest in the summer to bring them out again in the fall. If we have a really hot, dry summer they may not make it or may not be worth the space you have to give up. I plan to try cuttings of the little vine to get it planted in my yard. Like everything else around here it appears to be growing out of solid rock so no way to dig it up without killing it. It's really cute and I've linked to the thread below. Here is a link that might be useful: Link to previous thread

I remember Mr Whipple and I'm not that old! lol I think the actor that played him recently died. Linda all my Tootsie buds dropped but it was infested with Broad Mites. I treated it with Forbid and the mites are gone and I have new buds. We'll see if these hold. If you want to look up their skirts just give them little patent leather shoes ; ) Karyn