Jodik says: The coir might look dry on top, but down in the center of the pot, it could be quite moisture-laden! I have found it helpful to insert little wooden skewers carefully into the soil to about root level, and leave them there... I take them out and press them against my cheek to test for dampness... if they feel at all damp, I wait to water... but if the skewer comes out dry, it's time to water. My coir is 4" deep in a closed pot. I put the skewer to the bottom of the pot. When I take it out how many inches of bone dry top "soil" should there be before it's time to water again? Is it 1", 2" or 4"? I just went 10 days without water and only 1" of the top was dry so am I supposed to water this direct sun pot once every two weeks or so to avoid over watering, really? And how much water for my 6" closed pot? I had been watering 1 1/2 cup or so once a week and my plant was fine but I'm now worried that was too much so I'm re-evaluating. I know what conventional wisdom says (water deep, not shallow) but that advice doesn't seem to apply to my situation. Also how long should it be before I see new leaf growth in the summer time (first season outside)? My 18 month old Red Lion so far has only grown new leaves once a year. At potting and at dormancy end.

Maybe we can repost this with a note NOT to reply that way it stays at the top? Is there a way we can sticky this?

With a little searching you shouldn't have to deal with the patents. Most of them are garbage patents anyway. Look at the patented varieties of Verbena. Now look at the various species. There are a few unique Verbenas that deserve to be patented, but the majority of them look identical to some respective species. Cuphea llavea, same deal. There is a patent for one of them (Firecracker?) that looks only marginally better than the species, and you can often find a seedling that looks just as good. Aside from all this, growing patented varieties shouldn't be a big deal. The cost is passed to you through the cost of plugs/liners and you may have to agree to allow inspection of the greenhouse by the agent. No big deal if you are not propagating patented varieties. My only problem with the whole patent thing is it is turning into an unethical mess. There are plants that claim PPAF, but you can't find a thing out about the patent. There are patents that state the variety is a 'unique cultivar' of the species, and no further information on what the owner claims is unique, and when you look at the species and the cultivar, they are identical in all respects, as far as the eye can see. I think these patents are a way to monopolize a variety name, in which case they should register a trademarked name, or discourage others from propagating the plant at all.

Schumachers is like no other nursery I've ever been to. As well as the usual good stuff, they offer plants from around the world that grow well in Texas that other nurseries never heard of -- all in a more wholesale like setting, though they do have a display garden with a pond. It needs a little care though, but at least you can see how things look growing out. Take your gloves when you go and feel free to pull a few weeds. I just remembered I have a picture of my 'mulch guy' Bob patiently reading a book in the display garden while I shopped.