Variegated plants, as a rule, require more light than solid green plants. I can't speak to the efficacy of the brand of grow light you are speaking of, but it would have to be quite effective. Your best bet in watering is to learn to judge a soil's dryness by feeling with your fingers. Moisture meters are notoriously erroneous. Jade plants should be watered very well when it's time, then allowed to dry out again. Frequent little sips are a no-no. If you do make your bedroom humid, it is likely that all of your plants will benefit, and might need less frequent watering, as well. Your watering problems might be solved if you make sure that your potting mix is VERY fast draining, coarse-textured. That makes is far less likely your plant will have problems with overwatering. However, allowing plants to wilt is preventable, too. Remember: drench the plant thoroughly on watering day, and then let it dry out....but not to the wilting point.

The tallest variegated trees in these parts would be Acer platanoides 'Variegatum' (variegated norway maple). It has become a fairly common tree over the past several years. I've seen a few in the 35' range, but most are 25' or less. The two I have were planted around 2002, and are about 12'. Slow growing, but no branch/foliage reversion to this point.

BG, I have never seen VFs in these numbers before, and I've been doing this for around 12 years now. One or two here and there and that's all. They are having a field day or days I should say, nectaring, mating, and laying eggs. They are not shy at all. I can stand right next to them as they nectar and they act like I'm not even there! LOL! This has been a wonderful opportunity to observe their behavior, etc. Color patterns appear to vary as well, from a butterscotch yellow to fairly bright orange. Some I can tell they are in the longwing family and not frit family, but others are shorter, rounder forewings. Much variation in size as well. I have a few blooming things right now - Dallas Red Lantana, Coreopsis 'Jethro Tull', Verbena bonariensis, Dianthus, Spanish Lavender, white clover, but that's about it. I have so much to do - plant Zinnia, Tithonia, and other seeds I direct sow. Pot up my Oscar Milkweeds and Japanese MGs. Sandy, my Purple Milkweeds are up and doing well. Slow growing, but they survived winter and probably my horrid gardening techniques Don't think A. sullivanti made it, tho. I have A. speciosa coming up everywhere and it is about to bloom, too. It's supposed to have a very pretty bloom so I can't wait. I got my plants from Almost Eden this week, too, Lavendar Porterweed, Hamelia patens, and Miami Sunrise Tecoma. Can't wait to get these planted out as well. Am very anxious to see the blooms on the Tecoma. Supposed to be orange fading to yellow, a relatively new cultivar. Christie, re: Spicebush Swallowtails. Sometimes a banner year is followed by a sparse year. Don't worry, they'll be along....... Have you planted another splendid Zinnia patch? MissSherry - of course, there are many of your butterflies I'd love to see. I know it's very unlikely I'll ever see a Palamedes Swallowtail. I have seen a couple of RSPs, but doubt I'll ever see many and they are sooooooo gorgeous! Same for Viceroys. They just are not a butterfly found in urban areas here. Occasional strays only and I cherish these sightings. I am missing Swallowtails of any kind this year. Haven't seen one at all. Too bad, I have all these big, blowsy, clumps of Fennel just waiting to whet their appetites. Maybe a bit later on....... Susan

Thank you for all the kind comments :) Yes, I'm glad to have a machine now for the piecing (makes it go quicker) even if I still like to quilt by hand when possible. I didn't on this quilt, because I expect it will be used a lot, but I did hand embroider the label (writing, and then onto the back). I did pre-wash it actually. I washed the flannel before quilting, and then I washed the entire quilt when it was finished, just to make sure :) So it has been washed ... that gives me peace of mind when giving it away! So on my little card, I will write machine washable. I will certainly let them know that it is made to be used, and not to worry about that. I want to tell them that it is 100% cotton. Is there any other important information to include with a gifted quilt that I am forgetting?