Hi all, Those Elvas flowers are breathtaking. Cindee, yours looks different from the rest, maybe more ruffled (or is that just me?). I also purchased a couple Elvas from Parks this year, but all of my Amis are very slow to do anything. Perhaps it's been too cool in the greenhouse, not sure, but I'm mostly letting them do their own thing (they'll probably bloom by July!). Everything appears to have roots because when I give them a slight "tug" they are all fast. Yesterday, I brought my Appleblossom and one from the supermarket I believe to be an Orange Souvereign into the house because the flowers were just not opening like I thought they should.

Nkt, removing flower stalks opposed to allowing them to remain is mostly done to save berries/seeds for germination. I too read removing the stalk soon after flowers fade, strengthens the following years buds. If you want to sow seeds from your Clivia, use the brightest, mosts mature, red berries. I had an old 10 gallon aquarium filled w/a couple inches of soil. Odds andd ends were rooted inside. One year, I left the flower stalk on until berries reddened. I didn't want to toss them, so I removed each seed, and inserted in the aquarium soil. Months passed, 'can't recall how many,' and baby Clivia seedings grew. When each stood about 7", with 4 or more leaves, I gave them to friends. Give seeds a try....Toni

I water mine mabey every other day and thats because it's in the mid 90's and they get full sun and ,,they are in containers that get hot. on the hottest days I may water them daily only on the hottest dryest days if they start to get droopy from the heat.it hasn't rained it over 2 weeks here. tomatoes don't like lots of water..they like consistant moisture in the soil. I probe the soil down an inch or 2 ,,if it's moist I don't water. this has always worked pretty well for me.

I never cared for fake xmas trees...well except the aluminum or pink feather ones that some of my Tiki friends keep up year round in their lounges...LOL. But I do like the ones they have out now days, they are realistic looking and no clean up afterwards. I love the whole xmas decor thing and try to do it every year, especially if I my Mom is coming to stay and/or I am having a party. I place the tree in the corner of my dining room and it is a great fit. The quality of the Frontgate tree is fabulous. If you get one, be sure to purchase the rolling zip up storage bag. You keep the tree on that stand unzip the bag and roll it down to the floor and cover it up with your favorite xmas tree skirt. Easy-Peazy...my handyman likes it. I think mine is a noble fir, remote control LED lights, and I got the slimline 10 foot. I wasn't sure about the lights, but OMG it looks great and you don't have to worry about stringing them and they are evenly placed. I have some beautiful Victorian style glass ornaments from Southern Living at Home and then I dress it up with other colored ornaments and feathers, etc. I have been very happy with the purchase. Frontgate has great customer service, so if you got one and didn't like it you can return it...no hassles. I think it is a good investment that will last for many years. The branches and leaves are very sturdy and you can bend them as needed. It would be great for your place igloo, easy to set up and really suggest the slimline, it is plenty of tree. Frontgate usually doesn't put their trees online until a little later in the season. Also suggest you ask for the mailer catalog, the xmas one is just awesome...lots of great ideas.