I finally had time to make a list of my bloomers. Yes it's a lot and no I don't feel guilty having this many to enjoy :>) Phals - cornu-cervi (2), equestris, Taida Sunshine, amboinensis (3) H.P.Norton, bellina (2) gigantea x tetraspis (3) Rothschildiana, Yaphon Lobspis, tetraspis (2) violacea (2) Alice Millard, lindenii, celebensis, deliciosa, lueddemanniana, Joy Micholitzii Lueddie, aphrodite, micholitzii Dens - Mingle's Sapphire, tobaense, macrophyllum, alexanderae, Roy Tokunada Bulbo - septimtriol, arfakianum, grandiflorum, lilacinum Lycaste - Corrimal, Sulphurea, guatemalensis, x niennnesiae, macrophylla ssp macrophylla, dowiana, occulta Phrags - Cardinale, Bowl of Cherries, Wossen, Lucy Robbins, fischerii Psychopsis - Butterfly, krammeriana, papillio alba, Mendenhall Masdies - Angel Frost, Bobcat, ayabacana, Red Wing, Marguerite, amplexa, Morning Glory, Tortoise, Geneva Spots, Anochecer, Heathii, imposter x floribunda, Peaches & Cream, Mauii Gold, Mary Stahl, Measuresiana, Angel Heart, pteroglossa, geminiflora, ludibunda, Hampsshire Prolific (3), infracta, Charisma Odds and Ends - Epi. cochleata, Max. splendens, richi and sophronitis, Scapho peruviana and decorum, Renanthera Singaporeans, Liparis condylobulban, Dendrochillum bicallosum and cobbiana, Drac. lotax, Helpilia Becky Unruh Catts - rubescens, walkeriana cerulea, percivalaniana, labiata, Bow Bells, schroderae, loddigessii, Gold Throat (2) and Goldenzelle 'Lemon Chiffon' Here is the Goldenzelle Bullsie sent this to me a couple of years as a seedling when she was thinning the herd. She also sent me another one, George King Serendipity (I think that's the name) and it is also in bud. Thanks Bullsie, it's a nice one. Sorry about any typos and slightly incorrect names :>) Brooke

I'm trying to sort out what actions to take here. I have 50 pots, some with multiple bulbs, that stayed in my very hot greenhouse all summer. I gave as much air circulation as possible and the sun was filtered through heavy "clear type" swimming pool cover (for insulation especially in winter) Temperatures usually got up over 100 most days. All except one each of Ruby Meyer, Emerald, Green Goddess and Papilio put on various numbers of leaves that they still have and some are even putting out new leaves. The four mentioned above are now putting out leaves. The Ruby Meyer also has a bulblet with leaves about 3" but very few roots on mother. I have no place to put these guys and gals that can be kept consistantly cool. My garage can get up in the 70-80F during many days even in the coolest part. Last night was in the high 40's but it is now 69 and sunny outside. Probably will reach around 80 today. Most of the winter is like that here. We have, usually, very short cold spells, sometimes even into the low teens, but followed by warm sunny days. The warm sunny days, with sun hitting southwest wall of garage, in addition to heat from a freezer and fridge keep the temps up most of the time. (In summer I aircondition this area for the dogs. Winter I'll use a heater close to their indoor area if temps get down to and below 38 or so, which doesn't happen too oftern.) Question: Since I can't keep the potted amaryllis at a consistantly low temperature should I just let them stay in the greenhouse and do what they want to do? Thanks, geekgranny

To all: My zone is thusly listed because I'm right on the border between two zones and need to figure out precisely how the Ohio river and the weather pattern affectations will affect my growing here. Anyway... I grew up on a fairly large farm raising beef, but once I left home my father has sold off nearly everything, maintaining only trash land which he recently decided to try to sell. I live too far away to make owning it practical (although I may come to regret this) and my dad is too weird to deal with. However, about 1.5 years ago I purchased 10 acres outside Corydon, IN. My home is a tad close to the road for my liking, but we do what we have to. I have great interest in turning the front 2 or 3 acres into an idyllic homestead, functional, practical AND as pretty as I can make it (a rough homestead has its own charm as far as I'm concerned), but I'm going to have to figure out the best layouts AND come up with the know-how to make the most of what I've got. My long-range plans include: - A small orchard (10-20 different trees) - Some berry trellises (25-30 plants) - A small grape area (probably 12-15 plants) - Chicken coop, pheasant coop - A pretty hefty garden plot for vegetables - Strawberry bed kept separately - Garden plot for melon and pumpkin patch - Wood shed - Finnish sauna (used to heat pole barn and greenhouse) - Greenhouse ... and eventually a milk cow (I love fresh milk) and a moody pony. I also have ideas for an outdoor kitchen area for both summer cooking and canning times, to avoid heating the whole darned house, and I'm trying to come up with ideas for a live-in storm shelter, an underground pantry-cum-root cellar and the most elusive critter of all, the mythical underground, renewable resource freezer (probably based on old icehouse designs). Okay, before anyone tells me, that last one will probably REMAIN a myth, I know. I'm browsing this site for ideas and input on layouts, as well as other knowledge on various topics. Hope to make some new acquaintances, too!

Good morning, Karen, take care of yourself and up the vitamin C. I hate strep. Being allergic to most antibiotics I have to go every day for a shot of the only antibiotic I can take. Such a pain. Let's look at the bright side... You may feel too bad to eat and lose a few extra pounds! :) Poor Baby. I'm not trying to make fun of you. Just trying to make you smile. Jas, 15 minutes from the beach! How awesome is that!!!! We started camping with a tent. Then a friend gave us a good deal on a older pop-up. Nothing fancy, but has air conditioning. The older I get the less I can handle these hot, muggy, sweaty days. Harold, I know what you mean about the glasses. I take mine off and turn off the light at night , wake up and reach for them first thing in the morning. Otherwise my world is REALLY fuzzy! Ek, That waist is so tiny I got my magnifying glass out to see it! Encouraging is what Harold does best. Which Carolina are you from? I love both. Our favorite vacation is Nags Head. If it is just the 2 of us we like the off season so we can have the beach to ourselves. Snuck away one New Years and it was GRAND! We were all alone on Pea Island and the sea shells were fantastic!!!! Dh and I have a running contest of who finds the biggest seashell and biggeat piece of sea glass. He ALWAYS wins. One year after a storm I found a gallon vinegar jar washed up and claimed the biggest sea glass for the day!! He said I cheated,but I don't care!! His favorite was when I found a tall wooden step ladder washed up and dragged it forever to reach the truck. Hey, it was already salt treated! I spent a week in Chapel Hill with my niece last May. Loved the shopping. It's a beautiful town. We finally made it to Hilton Head year before last with another niece. Even sneaked down to Savannah and had lunch at 'The Lady and Sons' and checked out the beautiful homes while we were there. I'm dreading starting to work out to tone and tighten. I really need inspiration for that. I can do the treadmill, no problem. But, I don't even want to talk about all of that ab, thigh, etc. I am lazy,lazy.lazy. I will get off of the treadmill and stand in front of the mirror and do maybe 10 bicep curls, tricep extensions, and side leg raises and that's it. Hopefully when I lose a little more weight I can get motivated. I've got this lower stomach thing going on that I've had since I had my hystorectomy 22 years ago. It almost looks like the Dr forgot to bring the muscles back down and sew them back together and they 'pouch' out, for lack of a better word. My niece says she has the same little area since her cancer operation. Maybe the Pilates would help with that? I hope everyone has a great day. Betty