Hi Linda - Last year was my first year for geraniums, so I don't have that much experience. Looking at my notes they started sprouting in 3 days. The geraniums I sowed this year (4 days ago), haven't sprouted yet. I looked at Swallowtail seeds info and they say at 75degrees it is 14-21 days. Dont know why I got such fast germination last year. I am sure it varies among the different types. I have to confess that I bought more seed on line yesterday. I was looking specifically on Swallowtail's site for more coleus, but I ended up spending another 41 bucks (free shipping for $40 orders). Along with the coleus I decided I would give Begonias and Lisanthus another try - they didn't do well for me last year. It actually a little late to start them, but - what the heck. Also got some more impatiens, scabiosa, zinnia, and yes - two more types of petunias, Dolcissima Frangolina and Sophistica Lime Bicolor. The Frangolina are similar to the Flambe, but the color is deeper. They have really nice varieties of annuals available and are a little cheaper than Johnny's or Parks.

Zonepusher, last winter I protected my trachy exactly the way you plan to this next winter. I will tell you, the method definitely worked for me. But, it comes at a price: First, it IS expensive. I estimate that our electric bill increased by about $50 each month Dec - March. That hurt. Second, I said that I "estimate" that our bill went up that much. That is because our bill was even higher than that due to heating the trachy. But, I don't count that extra amount because of the second problem I want to warn you about: Namely, the thermostat in our brand new outdoor-rated space heater failed in the middle of December, so that the heater ran all the time, even when it got up to 80* in the greenhouse. So, I set the dumb heater to run all the time, but then purchased a thermostat to plug the heater into. That thermostat was supposed to turn things off if the temp got above 50*. But that thermostat proved to be unpredictable when things got real cold. The trachy did get the heat it needed - but the heater ended up running more than it needed to. (Make sure you have a wireless thermometer in the greenhouse.) Third, make sure you are careful about how you aim the heater. I dried out the bottom fronds. Right now I am planning to use the method Arctictropical described in other postings on this forum. Zonepusher, could you describe once again in a little more detail what you do with your basjoos each fall and winter?

Let me first say, I love these trees. Yes, they use to be abundant when the area was primarily agricultural. Now with the spreading suburbia, they are quickly disappearing. In part I'm at fault because I cut down a 1/2 mile hedgerow that was slated to for a new subdivision. One tree was over 4' wide. If you're going to use it for firewood, split it as soon as you cut it and never use it in a fireplace. Actually it can burn too hot even for an unlined cast iron stove. Dangerous wood to burn as it is a "sparkling" wood that will spit out embers. LOTS of ash but NOTHING burns as long or as hot other than coal itself. Many bird varieties were in the hedgerow including blue birds, indigo buntings, cardinals, hawks, owls, and even raccoons, possum, but never saw a squirrel! Hedge rows should be protected! They are an amazing wildlife habitant. Sorry to have cut this one down but otherwise they would have bulldozed it and just burnt it in the field. Remarkable wood. Peal off the bark and it will last 100yrs. Farmers made fence posting out of it. Not a great wood to work with as far as furniture or the like. Extremely hard after drying. I've cut old fence posts and had sparks flying while cutting. Full chisel chain works best for cutting this wood when green.

Thanks Angie. I will indeed photograph more often. I set the tripod and camera in my kitchen sink and the feeder is maybe nine feet away. The birds are becoming more and more trusting of me. When I go outside in the morning to fill the feeder (sunflower hearts) there's singing and more and more birds are venturing closer to me... especially a Downy woodpecker. He will allow me to get near the feeder when he's on the railing before he flies off. Of course I enjoy greeting him and the other birds with a simple: "hello guys" or "good morning guys" One question I have is the use of capitalization when talking about birds. I'm very well versed in trees/etc- What is correct with birds, i.e.: Northern Cardinal or Northern cardinal White-breasted Nuthatch or White-breasted nuthatch The "common names" of trees are always lower case, i.e. fir, spruce, maple, oak, etc- Never Oak or Maple, etc- Many thanks guys and gals! Dax