Sam, you crack me up! You've asked this question before, I think just to get folks riled up...but the good thing is that folks like me get to hear all sides of the issue, to help us plan our ponds. Last summer, I did a lot of reading before putting in a bottom drain. I DIY'd it, with a toilet flange and 4" PVC...so far, no leaks! How do I know? Water level stays constant,except with hotter,drier weather, which I assume is evaporation. (Otherwise, the water loss would be constant) After all the reading I did, I came to the conclusion that a bottom drain would make things easier...and I want maximum enjoyment for minimum work! That's what I've got! :o) ~Kevin

Wow, what a great list. You all are awesome. Here are a few more that I think are unmentioned yet. Gentle as a lamb A sheepish smile A different kettle of fish Open a can of worms Quick like a bunny High on the hog If we came up with this many this fast, there must be even more. Feel free to come back and add more, if you think of any. I think I'll compile a list just for fun. Fantastic job, everyone. for you all. TM

I'd say plant them and find out come spring. Most want full sun, water varies but this time of year you can plant and wait and figure it out later. An iris rhizome without leaves does look like a turd. When I moved forgotten iris from my mother in laws house I was finding rhizomes that were well over a foot long. They were totally neglected and tangled with an old blue siberian and a bunch of tiger lily bulbs. I was actually a fun bed to dig up because every shovel full came up with something.

kawolski Kadie. I live in a tropical climate too. What soil media/ compost do you use for your DR? I tried different formulas. The recent typhoon season really killed quite a lot of my 1 year old plants. Their leaves turned dark green, then black. The branch will then go mushy and dropped off. The caudex rotted next. I gather the 3 weeks of torrential rain put paid to that. Fungal infection and rot. The plants that suffered was potted up with grit/gravel, cow manure, rice husk and soil. Ratio 1:1:1:1. I sprayed plants with fungicide too to no avail. I may have to try to resort to a different mix. I am currently building a shelter with clear transparent roof to house the plants in anticipation of the next bout of rainy days. Any advice will be deeply appreciated. Thanks. Kawolski, Oh my goodness! I am so terribly sorry that I missed your post of July 20! I was reviewing this thread to look at the history of my trees when I discovered my faux pax. However, I think it was meant to be as I am sure I would not have answered your question properly at that time...now I can. We had been getting a lot of tropical storms nearby, two typhoons hit us in March and May. This is all unusual for us at that time of year. We continue to have tropical storms around our area about every 4 weeks or so, and though thankfully we have not gotten hit lately, the rains thrown off the storms do blanket us. Sometimes rains over 5 days in a row. I have lost a number of 1 year old trees due to constant precipitation...rotting leaves and stems. Those trees that were planted in perlite:super soil:peat moss:vermiculite 7:1:1:1 have faired pretty well with no root rot, although some did get stem rot; others with more humus and were pot-bound had rotted at the root/caudex. I think the worst of our weather is gone (crossing my fingers), but nevertheless, I have decided to shelter my plants from these unseasonal rains. So...I am going to buy a canopy A-frame. If I can get the transparent canopy as you have done, that would be great. Otherwise, I will get a white canopy. Again, I apologize for not responding earlier. Kadie