LOL the grouting process is not my favorite part either. I apply my grout with sections of those swim noodle thingys. I just slice it as thick as I want it and either half the slice or quarter it, depending on the project. you can either soak them water, wait for the grout to dry on them and knock it off, or just throw them away. I usually save them and use the same ones for the same color grout. I let the piece sit and dry a bit and clean with dry grout I sprinkle on the piece. Finishing touch is cleaning with white vinegar to shine it up and then seal the heck out of it. Hope this helps. It is by no means the ONLY way to do it, so just try the suggestions you will get here til you find the one that is right for you. Pat

No, cuttings will be fine. These are clones with the same genes as the parent and will be exactly the same. S guaranitica isn't the easiest to take cuttings from as it has a relatively unbranching habit, but if you can find suitable shoots they will work. I would try in April/May if you have fine weather. The method described by Rich is probably easier if you have suitable basal shoots but your plant may need to be bigger before it produces enough. I would think the 'dark basement' method of overwintering ought to work, if the basement is also cool - I haven't tried it but would suggest keeping the pot dry but not letting it dry out completely; watch carefully (check weekly at least from Jan) and be guided as to when to get it out and water more generously by when you notice the first sign of new shoots on the plant. However, they are fairly hardy and once you have good, big plants, if you can find a well-drained spot where they won't get too wet they might come through out of doors depending on what your winters are like - they should survive several degrees of frost if not sustained for many nights at a time. What colour flowers did the lime-leaved Salvia have?

Ok, I'm back with my own name now! I got another e-mail account and changed my name, so I feel more comfortable. I have lurked for a very long time but haven't posted. I have learned so much here and have gotten so many creative ideas and I finally felt I had something to contribute! sheesharee - It is a standard size kitchen trash can, uses 13-gallon bags. oceanna - Thank you! Yes, I built it from scratch. There is a thead on the Conversations side where sheesharee was looking for a litterbox cover and I posted a picture there of one that I made. It has probably scrolled down a couple of pages by now. I love woodworking and have been doing it for many years now. I really enjoy making things that you can't buy - that are made to just fit a specific place or for a rather unusual use, like the litterbox cabinet or trash can cabinet. I've also made hope chests, entertainment centers, coffee and end tables, book cases. That is more information than anyone asked for, but it is something I really enjoy and I am happy to be able to share something that might help someone else. -Dolores-

Hi Kaitlyn- I'd put up a bluebird box. I've got a good # of HOSP, too, but the sparrow spooker has worked out so far. My EABL's had 3 broods last year. The reason why the spooker goes up after the 1st egg is because the bluebirds are committed to the box after they lay an egg. Once you put up the spooker, make sure the bluebirds take to it. If you've got a 2nd egg the next day, then you're good to go. The reason why you don't want to keep the sparrow spooker up all the time is so the HOSP don't get too used to it. After the babies fledge, you take it down. The Sialis site is the best site to guide you on how to deal with HOSP. Fishing line can be used year round, but you want to make sure it's thick enough & weighted down so no birds get caught up in it. If HOSP get to box 1st, you are legally allowed to remove their nest & eggs. Sometimes, a Van Ert trap is necessary to trap them in box if they keep invading, but you need to monitor hourly so you don't trap a bluebird or something else. Others use ground traps, too. The Sialis site should guide you through this. Also, I feed dried mealworms in winter & live ones during nesting season to keep the bluebirds around. HOSP will eat anything, but they like seed better than anything else, so I don't use it. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help with. Nicole