Mailin, Great story about your plumeria stick...I too started out with my obsession with plumeria in Oahu....Exactly at the ABC store!!! Congratulations on your determination to grow/rescue your troubled plant...It sounds like you really have a green thumb...Keep up the good work because you will be truly rewarded in the future with a lovely plant and some beautiful blooms like you had seen in Hawaii!! Laura

Looks like unhappy roots to me....? roxanne

I've had days like that. I think you need to set some goals of 'me' time and figure out some ways to make it work. Part of that is getting your dh to help and part will be teaching your child to be more independent. You already know that your dh needs to help you more and give you a break. That's the hard part. I would suggest telling him you need help. I have to ask/tell my dh the same thing. If I want help getting the kids to bed or help getting them to brush their teeth, I have to ask him. He doesn't just jump in there. The same goes for when I need 'me' time. My dh isn't unwilling to help and he doesn't take subtle hints. He is a good guy, but he needs someone to flat out tell him to help. At a year and a half, your ds probably likes a little more physical or outdoor activities. I'd probably start by asking your dh to take ds to the park or go for a walk or even play ball in the yard. Your dh should be able to do that without needing you there. Tell him you need time by yourself. If your presence at home is too handy, then physically remove yourself. Go get get a haircut, go shopping, or take your own walk. Do something for yourself even if it is grocery shopping without a child in the cart. I'm guessing you're a SAHM. I would suggest finding some other SAHM's out there and letting your kids play together. If you could find one or form one, a playgroup would be great for support for you and playmates for your child. Other ways to meet parents with children would be to call around and find out about various preschool activities in your area. Most libraries have a reading hour. Go on a couple of different days to see if one group is better than another. If you have a zoo, they may have something. Stick your child in a stroller and go walking around the neighborhood. Youll meet some local people and possibly others with small children. Some churches have childrens programs like choir that you and your child could participate in. Money may/may not be a factor for you in getting other help. Another option would be to find a preschool or Mom's Day out that would take your child for a few hours a day or two a week. Meeting other other moms for that little bit of interaction would probably help you tremendously. It would help your ds, because it would distract him and teach him to play with others. Things may not magically change overnight. You can do it. Pick a small goal for yourself for this weekend such as a trip to the store by yourself. Go buy a few flower bulbs or seeds to plant in the yard this week if the weather is nice. It'll give you something to look forward to and it will be a distraction. I think you'll start feeling better.

I'm not sure about blood meal, but my plant seems to love bone meal. I have had great success with Miracle Gro palm, cactus, citrus garden soil with bone meal and the leaves have gotten so large and a beautiful green. The results were so good that I now use that type of soil for all my tropical plants and they all seem so happy. I know that most people say to never use garden soil in pots because the soil is too heavy and other reasons, but this soil is very light and high drainage. Anyway, yes, bone meal is okay and I think your plant will be happy.