I've put the hosta, which is in a pot, in a shaded spot outdoors. It won't be moved at all this year. There are weatherproof time lapse cameras available on the market, but I decided to use my DSLR, a Canon Eos 550 (I believe it's called a Rebel in the States). The camera is on a tripod. It is put in exactly the same spot every eveneing, just before sunset, using the same settings every night (100 mm lens, AV 5.6, automatic whitebalance). Of course there will be slight differences in whitebalance and position, but nothing that can't be fixed with Photoshop. After a week (7 pictures) you can see the pips come out of the soil and grow. I expect the first leaves unfurling in a day or 10.

Welcome to Gardenweb! I don't know why this forum is so slow this year. It used to be busier. The Trees Forum, where I hang out most of the time, is still hopping with activity, but this forum has slowed way down. As for transplanting Asclepias incarnata, I think you'll find that it's much easier than transplanting A tuberosa. It does need lots of sun, so maybe that's why yours is not doing as well. A incarnata is naturally more tall and lanky than tuberosa, so you shouldn't expect it to have similar form. It should flower though. Cimicifuga 'Hillside Black Beauty' is a really pretty plant, but do realize that it's patented. Growing unauthorized divisions would be illegal. If someone had it and no longer wanted it, they could turn over the entire plant to you, but they legally couldn't give you a division while continuing to grow the original plant. The legal issue of this plant may be like running a stopsign in the middle of the desert, where you can see that there are no cars in the surrounding miles, but I thought you still might want to know. Hope to see you at the swap. The fall swaps are typically a little smaller than the spring swaps, but we should have around 20 or so if things go as normal. We always have PLENTY of plants in need of a good home!

For Maryland, a professional engineer is not required. My husband did not sit for the exam, but he has been an engineer for 20 years, so he probably has more experience with these types of formulas than most. Having said that, the state provides "guidance" based on best practices, but they don't give a clear example of what might be needed in the calculations for most residential builds. Does that make sense?

I considered AS even tho I know they have a terrible reputation for quality and customer service. I was thisclose to ordering the Cambridge till my husband looked at it (it was for his bathroom) and said absolutely not. He didn't like the idea of a "plastic" tub and didn't like the looks. I think it was too short. We went with the Kholer cast iron Bellwether. I hate the 14" height. (To me) it doesn't match the high end materials and look of the bathroom. He likes it (or won't admit to not liking it) <lol> My tub is 19" tall. I'm 5' tall. I don't find it a problem. He doesn't like one that tall. I was hoping to compromise and find a 16" to 17" tub for him. That wouldn't have been a problem except he wanted a 30" wide tub. That really limited the cast iron heights.