Take a deep breath, Alicia. ;o) First, so there is no argument: there is really no such thing as a 'proper' container soil for any plant; though, there are soils that are more appropriate and make it easier to coax your plants into being as close to what they can be as possible, within the limits of other cultural factors. Even though it's often argued, we can say that the large majority will hold that soils made of significant fractions of topsoil/garden soil should be avoided in containers because of their small particle size and excessive water retention, which goes hand in hand with insufficient aeration. Many of us have taken the logical position that soils comprised primarily of other fine particles - peat, compost, coir, also hold more water than we prefer, and feel these soils hold our plants back in terms of growth and vitality. I found this to be very true in my plants by accident. I tried to grow bonsai in soils like MG or other bagged soils, and failed miserably (it's more difficult to grow in shallow pots using heavy soils). After considerable effort spent educating myself about bonsai soils, I started experimenting with ALL my soils for container plants. What grew out of it were the 5:1:1 mix and the gritty mix. Having switched to these soils, I can unabashedly say that the level of growth and vitality, as well how easy it is to achieve these common goals is greatly facilitated by these soils. In the end, it all boils down to how much time/effort you'd like to devote to your growing experience. Fortunately, you have lots of people here willing to hold your hand and help you along if you decide to try something new. The number of people who have found out the same things I have is large, so there is little need to worry about the potential value of the soil(s) to your plants, only whether or not you're up for the journey. ;o) "Do you mix any soil with this gritty mix?" No, the gritty mix IS the soil. It's made from 3 ingredients and looks like this: or this: I have been growing all my houseplants and my long term plantings in this soil for more than 20 years. I'm always experimenting, and IF, in that time, I had found anything better, I'd be using it and helping others learn how tom make it, but so far, this is the best I've found. We're always here to help if you need/want it. Al

Here's a picture of mine at the end of August 2013. Thought I bought it last year, but my records show it arrived in November of 2012. My camera doesn't capture the color all that accurately--it is more blue than the shot shows. I have it planted around 30 feet from the base of an 80+ foot tall ash tree, so it receives high shade/dappled sun for part of the day in the summer, and full sun the rest of the day. Full sun all day in the winter when the ash is dormant. S. namaensis started blooming in the spring of 2013 and bloomed steadily thru our baking summer heat (100+ days here are common). However, this is a dry heat, almost no humidity. Rainfall is low, and last year, as the drought continued, I don't think we had even 10 inches. The plant bloomed into December, and still had flowers, although fewer, throughout January and February. It required very little water, even in the heat of summer. Has stayed around 1 1/2 to 2 feet tall with a little wider spread. The foliage is very appealing to me as are the flowers. It's now a favorite and I just ordered another one. Melissa

I have four black and blue, three in the ground and one in a pot. This winter I will be trying a few overwintering methods to see what works best. Two of them will remain in the ground and get covered with the leaf bags and tarp. The other in-ground plant will be dug up and stored in a dark bag in my semi-heated basement, although I'm not sure 55-60F degrees will be low enough to keep it dormant. The potted b&b will get stored in my unattached, unheated garage. It gets very cold in there, but it should at least be a bit warmer than outside and I will also cover the pot with leaf bags. I also have a guaranitica 'blue ensign' that I definitely want back next year so I'll try the leaf bag and tarp method on it. Some greggiis and agastaches will get the bag/tarp treatment as well.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! Barb! look at all of those flowers! Those violets are pretty but they are a real pest here! spread like wiregrass! You really make me miss tulips too! (I knew winter was good for something!) Is that a trillium at the top! I can't remember the last time I saw a trillium!I am sorry to hear that Al has pain, I have suffered from hip/joint pain for several years, the doctors have told me the best treatment is 'keep moving' grrrr, sometimes it is very tough to do. Regina I am happy that you are getting some rain! (I hate to complain about water from the sky but it is still raining off and on here! The plants are loving it, but it sure makes it unpleasant outside (muggy, mosquitos and soggy) That Brug is beautiful! I can't wait till mine bloom, I have 3 potted and one in the ground, I just love those leaves! Even if they didn't have flowers My elephant ears hit the ground running too, all this water really perked them up. I cannot believe the size of the leaf on one of them (Is it my imagination or are those leafs still growing?!?!) Here is a photo of some of the plants Michelle sent (see the little rose that bloomed in the box!!! 9 different coleus cuttings!!! can't wait to pot those up! they are gorgeous! Michelle I am sorry to hear about your little GH! Glad that is was not worse and that you and your family are fine! Last of the Iris Peony my herb garden Hummingbird magnet! Tropical Sub-Tropical Surplus Swap Status 1.bigmama4ever sends to chellflower 2. ladygreensleeves sends to rosepedal SURPLUS SENT and RECIEVED! 3. fcoffill sends to Tina_2 SURPLUS SENT and RECIEVED 4. rosepedal sends to deig01991 SURPLUS SENT AND RECIEVED 5. deig01991 sends to divahethr SURPLUS SENT and RECIEVED 6. chellflower sends to ladygreensleeves SURPLUS SENT and RECIEVED 7.divahether sends to greenthumbgrow SURPLUS SENT and RECIEVED 8. greenthumbgrow sends ro Micyrey SURPLUS SENT 9. tina_2 and micyrey send SMALL (yes SMALL please) boxes to fcoffill miceyrey - SURPLUS SENT and RECIEVED Have a great day everyone! Frances