I just made a post asking what part of the Coneflower seedpod the actual seed is. Please check back in a day or 2 at this forum to see who replies, if that will help you. I have some seed that I harvested myself, but there are 2 distinctly different parts; some are black straight pins and some are white little wedges. I will sow them all, but still want to know.

Thanks for the info, while I was researching aster yellows, I came across some info on eriophyid mites. After studying my remaining coneflowers, I almost think that's what they may have. I don't really have that deformed growth that the aster yellows usually exhibits. You know anything about these mites? In various articles I read, it says with the mites you can simply cut the plants back and they will be fine the next season, however with the aster yellows, it is recommended to completely remove them. I'm not sure which way to go. http://urbanext.illinois.edu/focus/per_echinacea.cfm

I find that my mint goes a bit purple with the cold - a bit like my hands and feet! I don't worry about it at all. As long as the new growth is healthy, everything's just fine. I also live in the subtropics, where temperatures are mild, but perhaps you had a bit of a cold snap overnight recently? Don't overdo the fertiliser. It's as easy to kill any plant with too much fertiliser as it is to ignore it completely. A handful of compost or fresh potting mix to top up soil levels in the pot, or a repotting in fresh potting mix, is all you really need to do. If you must fertilise, use a general-purpose, slow-release one according to manufacturer's instructions. You can overwater mint, but it isn't an easy thing to do if it's in a pot with adequate drainage holes. A bit of subtropical rain isn't going to do it any harm at all - yep, I'm in the subtropics, too. I have only ever lost one plant due to overhead watering/rain - and that was Lamb's Ears, whose leaves absorb water.

Hi mrsjustice, I had a similar idea about putting some kind of shade over my tomato plants. It gets so hot here in Arkansas... 90 ~ 100 degrees almost every day for weeks. I'm thinking the Cherokee Purple may be less suited to heat then most other varieties of tomatoes, because they are the sickliest plants I have. I wonder if people up north in a cooler climate have better luck with these plants. But yes, your idea about a drop cloth is a good one. It's at least worth an experiment.