Hi eahamel and thanks so much for your input! I actually have 21 citrus trees now (including grapefruits, satsumas, tangelos, clementines, oranges, tamgerines, a pummelo and a kumquat--plus my new Calamondins and Meyer Lemon), some of which I've had for several years now. But this is the first time I ever bought anything that's not grafted and it seems that I've heard that the soil requirements are different--that a tree on its own roots prefers less acidic soil. And the reason I wondered if they're hardier in some way was an article I read somewhere in which people were discussing how their non grafted trees faired better in frosty temps. But I think your reminder about size is something to definitely keep in mind since I don't have a bit of experience with that. With that in mind, seedlings probably do better in containers than in the ground too, but I'll be planting mine. I also bought a seedling Meyer Lemon and did get the grafted Calamondin today and it should produce quite well since it's a much older tree. So is your limequat more sour than the Calamondin? Perhaps you can replace it with a Meiwa Kumquat, which are quite sweet when you let them stay on the tree long enough. In fact, I've eaten enough of my Calamondins now to realize how much of a difference that makes with them too! The riper they get, the less sour they get, and I do like the really ripe ones. But as you said, in addition to actually liking them, I do like that they bear fruit and bloom year round, which they might not do as much in my area as they do in yours. They might do more like your kumquats and bear twice a year, but I love the fragrance of citrus blossoms so any additional opportunities to smell them is good as far as I'm concerned, which is why I'm choosing my new ones this year! I'm sure your tree is beautiful, but since I can't see, I can't see the picture. I know I'd really love seeing all the pics everyone shares--it really would be quite inspiring! Again, thanks for sharing your experience and for reminding me that my seedlings are likely to get bigger than all of my grafted trees. BB in FL

I find erythrostemmas very hardy and easy to maintain. I grow them in a chunky mix that dries out well and they tolerate a bit of drought. The cutting you receive will no doubt arrive in good shape as they travel quite well. This is deceptive, because the petioles become a bit fragile during travel even though the leaves remain green and robust. They are easy to accidentally knock off. Handle very carefully. After it's rooted, then they are no more fragile than the next Hoya.

I think Moon Gardens got their name in Victorian England, though I'm sure people have been going "Wow" at the way white, and many purple plants seem to glow at dusk, and under moonlight. In addition, these flowers often are more visible at night because they are polinated by nocturnal insects, and so are more likely to be scented at night. In Tampa, it is too hot to enjoy the garden, come deep summer. We wave to it in passing, as we dive for the iced tea. I garden at and after dusk, on those hot summer days, so a moon garden became more and more atractive to me. I like both the glowing white plants, and the boldly dark ones, because the white are less conspicuous during the day, while the dark drop out at night. This gives me two gardens for the effort of one...a third even, if you consider how different the purples look at dusk, when they glow. I have a dining room with three walls being floor to ceiling windows, and I planted my moon garden to be seen from the central of those windows. I used very tall plants farthest from the windows, to give depth, and have tryed to create a sceen. Even on moonless nights, the lights from the dining room cause the white to stand out. My newest treasure is a Datura Metal, witha black/purple outer flower, and a pearl white inner...that is, when it gets big enough to bloom. Even as a baby though, it has lovely dark leaves. Snow on the mountain looks great by moonlight, too, with the white top leaves seeming to almost float. For me, it's about contrast, and the way light gives me a new garden, throughout the day.

Lynn, Here is the poem I wanted to share with you and yours but couldn't find it before. Please share if it will help in some way. I'm sending more thoughts and prayers your way today. To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say... but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay. I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above. Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love. Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight. Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night. That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through, God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you." It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone. As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on. I need you here badly; you're part of my plan. There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man." God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do. And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you. And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight. God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night. When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears. But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain. Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain. I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned. But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand. But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er. I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before. There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb; but together we can do it by taking one day at a time. It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too... that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you. If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain, then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain." And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile, knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile. So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low, just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go. When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind; I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind. And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free, remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me. ~Author~ Ruth Ann Mahaffey éCopyright 1998