Zusya..You asked if you're a total moron..NO, you are not, but the clerk who told you to use soap and water to rid mealy, is. It's important you isolate plant/s that have mealybug ..of all plant bugs, mealy is the worse and most difficult to rid. So, place infested plant in another room away from heathy, non-infested plants. I don't use chemical insecticides, only organic and made-up concoctions to prevent or kill bugs, but I've yet to find anything that kills mealy. Sorry..I haven't had a chance to read Mr. Sub's blog, so he may have information pertaining to rid those suckers. If not, perhaps someone else will chime in. Many people claim rubbing alcohol does the trick, but I'd say going over each stem/leaf would have to be repeated a couple times a wk. Spraying the entire plant w/rubbing alcohol, especially if it isn't diluted w/water could burn and kill a plant..(if the mealy hasn't already) Depending on how dear your China Doll is to you, and/or if it's a rare find, if it's badly infested, I'd toss in the trash..(outside, away from other plants) I've also read, (think it was the Hoya forum) people use crushed scented geraniums to prevent plants from getting mealy..It may or may not work, but worth a try. Cylamen: They bloom once a year, but flowers last several months..after flowers fade, it goes dormant..that means, very little water and no fertilizer..after 6 weeks or so, (more in some cases) you should spot baby leaves.. Older leaves die back while new leaves grow in. Cyclamin loves summer outdoors.. One thing, it's important Cyclamen isn't overwatered. Corms rot. Rotted corms have a sour/bitter odor. Campanula is an annual/biennial/perrenial plant, mainly grown in outdoor gardens. Zusya, it's fun growing outdoor (annual/perrenial) plants inside, but it can also be dangerous..If garden plants aren't getting fresh, circulating air, they develop insects, usually spider mites and white fly. I wish you the best of luck, Toni

It looks great to me. But if you don't think it's as perky as it used to be, the soil may be degrading into tiny particles after a year, in conjunction with roots filling the pot. Even little trees make extensive root systems. Do you think it may be time to repot? Is excess water able to escape from the pot when you water (to avoid a build-up of tap water chemicals and fertilizer?) If it's just looking kind of dull, it might like to go out in the rain, in the shade, to get the dust off, though I don't say this to imply that I see any dust. Most plants look fantastic after a little shower, and the soil gets flushed with rain water in the process. It also looks like there may be a multitude of tiny individuals? How many? If so, the bigger ones might bully the little ones, so to speak, blocking the light and pushing them out of the way. When repotting, they can be separated if you want. If you like this bushy appearance, I would probably leave them, though might spread them out in the pot a bit more, occasionally chopping off the top of the tallest one, for a constant flush of low, new growth - bushy. The other plants would hide the cut(s) when made, only you would know this is going on.

I've never had a hard plastic that I couldn't clean with a little soap and water. You might try some damp soda, try it on the back to see if it is safe. shoes and sock should be available at dolls shops. I don't know about the styles. I would think Alice in Wonderland would just have ordinary synthetic doll socks unless she is very old.

Not even close...and I don't think you can alter a barbie pattern to fit...If I were you and I really wanted to sew some outfits, I'd buy a doll and just make my own patterns...