D Pierce. You wrote, I did not overwater. Are you sure? Mentha mentioned heavy soil which is a possibility..but even if you had used heavy soil, if it dried between waterings, where soil looked and felt crumbly, then you can say, I didn't overwater. :) Unless the store you're purchasing Ficus from have diseased or buggy plants, the problem lies on your end. How do Ficus look when you first bring them home? Do you inspect leaves, stems and branches? And how long do they last before dying? Ficus are fussy plants..They dislike change. Some leaf drop is normal, but not an entire plant. If you buy another or more, try duplicating their care at the nursery. Ficus are sun lovers, a south or west window is fine. Water thoroughly, but let soil dry between drinks. Pots should have drainage holes, so water drains freely, not sit in water for long periods. Don't overpot. In you transplant from one pot to another, increase 1-2 sizes higher. In some cases plants don't need larger pots. Wait a while before fertilizing. I noticed more and more nurseries are adding timed-release ferts in soil. You mentioned keeping Ficus outdoors in summer. Although they'll survive in cool temps, (45F) if you wait too long to bring Ficus indoors, they take longer to adapt to a warm, dry house. Mid-Sept is about the right time to bring indoors, depending where you live. Good luck, Toni

Boy this subject is getting a lot of traction this year. Yep by looking at the picture of your hand is Bermuda seed heads. So all I can say what is the problem? Seed heads are normal and caused by two things, stress and maturity. Stress is caused by many things most notably hot dry weather, drought, low soil fertility, PH levels, etc. The seed heads is a defense mechanism to preserve itself Maturity is letting the grass grow and it produces seed heads like any plant does to preserve itself and reproduce. It is possible you may be over watering or under watering. Being in Phoenix depending exactly where you are your soil type. or lack of soil I should say could be mountain granite rubble and sand, to out west toward Gilbert where soils tend to be sandy loam where all the commercial farming is. Also in Phoenix water tends to be salty. You need to learn how to let your grass tell you when to water by looking at it, then when needed soak it. With that said I just moved to the north of you up in Prescott. Right now we have to water every morning because like Phoenix we do not have soil, we have rubble and sand and thes 80/90 degree temps with bone dry air just sucks the water right out of everything. There is nothing in the soil to hold moisture. In Phoenix the problem is compounded with 100/110 temps, bone dry air, and being in the low valley you do not even cool off much at night like we do up here. So the answer to your water question does depend completely on your soil type. If it is the sandy gravel crap you will have to water everyday, and approach fertilizing differently. With th everyday watering and soiless conditions purges all nutrients out quickly as there is nothing to hold nutrients.

Hi Sabrina and welcome to the Hosta forum. Be prepared to spend alot of time here! I looked at your pictures and you have some nice hosta there. I'm not real good at identifying them, but I do know that your picture of Krossa Regal or Pineapple Pole is definately not Krossa Regal, so it may be Pineapple Poll. Not sure if you know about the Hosta Library, but it's a great website with lots of pictures and info to help with identification. I've given the link below. Welcome again and thanks for sharing your pictures with us! Feel free to join in the converstaion or ask questions, and good luck with that new hosta bed! Janet Here is a link that might be useful: Hosta Library

E-bay is the only way I can now get Authentic Patterns, Inc., a square dance dress pattern company that is now out of business. Look for patterns that are uncut and come from a smoke-free home. If anyone in the forum has any, pls let me know if you want to sell/give them away. Mary