$20 for a sprouted bulb is high... but I agree that we've probably all paid too much for some plants. One of my better purchases this season was for a pre-planted pot with 3 Gervase bulbs for $25 (plus shipping) from Living Gardens. http://www.livinggardens.com/store/sale/gervaseoverstock I've had the pot for only a few weeks, but each bulb is putting up 2 fat, healthy scapes. It should be stunning when it blooms. Ironically, the shipping cost was less when I added a set of paperwhite forcing jars to the order. -Tina

If it says grafted im pretty sure its grafted. I emailed some of his customer and this is one of them Hello, no bother. It is a tree, came aout a 1/2 pencil thick,8" tall with a small graft on top. I was initially dissapointed but the thing took off (under grow lights in N.Y)I also have a bush type from Logees that is super small when you get it, but is healthy and grows before your eyes.toreiteraite, I am in NYC and may not be the best to ask abot this.... Al

Hey y'all! Did a little internet-sleuthing and found out that 'Bandana Rose' is a 2007 hybrid. Meaning it's brand new, no telling how it will perform since there is no history on it. I ran across a weird thing I haven't seen before. It's written on the plant tag as well as the info I found online: "Propagation prohibited." Meaning, I can't make a cutting from my own plant? Are there plant propagation police? I guess they (Fischer) own all the rights to propagating this lantana hybrid? How is that even possible? Anyone heard of this?

I get my bulk ingredients from a local feedmill, so start by searching for local co-ops, grain elevators, or feedmills. And yes, most store bought bags of "mixed seed" are filled with junk, which is a cheap way to add weight, so they can sack you for 20lbs, when they actually only have 5 to 10lbs of useful seed in it. As for those blackbirds and other regulars, I have them too. Here's how I have my feeders set up: First, I have my main area, where I feed only black oil sunflower seed, and suet for the woodpeckers. Then, about 20 feet away, I have a tray feeder with my homemade mixed seed, which equals 1 part sunflower, 1 part cracked corn, 2 parts white proso millet. This mix keep all the sparrows, blackbirds, and doves entertained, while allowing the neater birds like cardinals and various finches, to eat in peace, away from the more aggressive birds. On the the bluejays, my favorite bird. It's perfectly safe to feed them cat & dog food, although for me, the crows would just eat it all. I find that my bluejays like peanuts the most, especially in the shell. They also love cobbed corn, and also really like cheese nip crackers. Also, you said that your squirrels eat the cat food?? I can't seem to get them to eat anything but my sunflower seed. They'll do everything they can to get on my feeders, even though I give them corn and peanuts to eat. So yeah, try & find a source of bulk seed, and buy the big three. Don't get carried away on the cracked corn though, because it does spoil over time, so I limit it to 50lbs, which lasts a long time. The others can last 2 to 3 years, if you keep them stored in a dry place. I use metal trash cans, and keep them in my garage, and make sure to clean up ALL spilled seed to keep mice away. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how there is no more wasted seed when you feed the seed the birds want. The only time I got weeds was when I had feeders over mulched areas, because it would get under the mulch where the birds couldn't find it, then sprout. But, I moved my feeders to grass areas, so all the ground feeding birds eat the spilled seed. Good luck! Joe