C scanlon, Welcome back indeed, I'm also sorry to hear of your loss but glad to hear of your positive outlook " Out of darkness comes ligh.t" Congratulations on your new son what a blessing for you what did you name him? There are still many helpful peeps on this forum and the knowledge continues increasing more & more... Rosemarie & Jeff and many others as well always supply us with vast amounts of garden wisdom and cacti & succulent care. As far as the Cactus Shades I think they were OVER WATERED while in someones care and didn't make it past the last stop I'm sorry to report. Someone mentioned the other day that they wouldn't mind starting it up again but the missing link is the Shades themselves and then we can start the process again. I'm all for it seeing it's a good way to place a picture to a name, After all it's not just about plants but the people that grow them too Lol...:) Greg

Hello! I am back on the mainland and in my beloved zone 7. I am eagerly awaiting spring and hope to get my hands dirty again and get my garden cleaned up this year. The hardiest plants survived 3 tenants over 4 years (plus one summer of my own neglect while I unpacked) which has left quite a bit of space for new inspiration. At least the kids are old enough now to help! And they like gardening too - My daughter is really into it for the bugs so we managed to start a small butterfly garden for her at the end of last summer. I have a new baby coming in the beginning of April so I don't think I will be doing too many seeds inside this year. I think however I will used an unspent Christmas gift to buy one of those pre-planned shade gardens for one of my long term problem spots. (I think I can get the kids to put it in for me.) Not very creative but I didn't have time to think plants this winter. - besides that it is amazing how much I have forgotten of North American plants. I once was so foolish as to jest at a friend who had moved around and had trouble remembering which plants were perennials vs. annuals. Now here I am with a slightly more "mature" brain struggling to keep them straight after my time in the tropics. I have bantered enough. I am glad to be back and am looking forward to the next swap! Cecilia, I will have you in my prayers. LaurieBee

I just posted a bunch of lily pics on the Roses Forum on a thread about other plants grown with the roses. I have a lily obsession along with the Rose obsession... ive had polka for about 3 years now. It is own root and I live in zone 5 with a very short growing season. This year it is finally starting to grow and bloom well. In my zone, it probably would have done better grafted since I have such a short season. So far it has been very healthy for me in my humid summers. I would not call it a blackspot magnet.

I haved the same problem couple years with Hindu rope. I could never get rid of mealies so i through it out. It was not worth a hustle to me since i could easily find it in my local big box. Hope you get well.