I grow mainly indoors, and I grow mainly bulbs... I also grow mainly in a rendition of the Gritty Mix. I have found that before I mix a batch, I need to soak the bark a bit so it's moist. If I do this, and I make sure I'm in keeping with the concept of the medium with regard to particle size, screening, etc... I have no issues following a re-pot. Also, aftercare is very important... ensuring that the plant has a good opportunity to adjust to it's new medium out of direct sunlight and winds. But if I fail to pre-wet the bark, or keep in mind the concept of the medium and aftercare, I'm doomed to failure. I found that there's no cheating when it comes to good preparation of the ingredients, using the right ingredients, proper aftercare, and that my habits in watering and fertilizing would change. I'd be watering more often, and feeding on a more consistent basis. One other thing I found is that not every plant will enjoy the Gritty Mix. There are a few that are happier in more moisture retentive circumstances... so I adjust for this using medium that more closely resembles the 511, or by adjusting the ingredient ratios or using different ingredients, creating a custom medium for the plant in question. Ambient temperature is a consideration in certain climates, too. Growing indoors, I keep pot edges from touching the window glass, and keep leaves off the glass, too. My preference is unglazed clay, though I do use a few plastic pots for certain plants more sensitive to temperature or moisture retention. One of the biggest mistakes I made in the beginning was not watering enough, and not ensuring the bark was pre-soaked prior to mixing batches of medium. But if I'm honestly doing everything exactly as directed, I have no issues, whatsoever. I think the keys are in understanding the concept, not taking any short cuts, adjusting my care habits, and understanding the limitations of my unique environment and those of the particular plant I'm trying to grow.

Obviously late to the party, but am really interested in indoor gardening, especially for people in apartments or other small spaces who don't have sufficient light (~99.9999% of almost any indoor location for veggies). I found this post b/c I was looking for tower garden reviews. I also found one called iGarden and Gardyn. One mentioned earlier, Green Diamond, looked like it was for a farm. I have two reasons for inquiring. One is my own, personal reason: I don't have tons of time, but would really, really, really love to have fresh veggies, including tomatoes - grown indoors. (I live in a condo with no balcony.) This other is because I have a small nonprofit [yes, 501(c)(3)], and one of its missions is to have sustainable buildings and environs - which also includes the ability for people to grow at least some of their own food in their apartments! With regard to the second reason, whatever solution must be energy efficient since one of our goals is to develop sustainable affordable housing - but, as executive director, I would like to also see some sort of program for very low income: many live in food deserts and most have a similar situation to me (apartment, no balcony). The system must be plug and play or close to it. I know a lot of people who work up to three (!) jobs, and still have trouble making ends meet. So many people may not have high income, but they are extremely busy. [Although it might be nice to develop a DYI system and methodology and point some of these people to that, b/c not everyone's working 18 hour days and, of course, some or retired or are otherwise not working FT.] Thanks so much in advance for your advice! I super appreciate it!

Well, I just got caught up on the welcomes on the Whos Here thread, so let me do it here too! Hi Redrockgarden. Oh how I envy you living out in the foothills! Id love it out there! The end of last August I found a private cabin (built in the 30's by the CCC) out in Bailey on a year-round stream and spent a couple days out there. Nothing but pure peace and quiet! It was wonderful! Im not showing anybody real close to you thats checked in yet. The people on the far west side of Denver would probably be the closest. But, who knows, maybe some other Morrison people will find their way here. Meershaum, its nice to meet youeven if you arent too into flowersyet! But, hey, veggies are good too! Im into that too. And, well, veggies have flowers! But youre one of the ones who definitely has to go to the What Does Your Name Mean thread to tell uswhere did your name come from? When I first saw it, I wanted to ask, does a meershaum look anything like a meerkat? :-) So now, whenever I see it, I cant think of anything but meerkats! So maybe youd like to set the record straight on that one. And, chickwit (you MUST tell us where your name comes from too!), I bet youre glad we didnt get the snow yesterday so your tulips didnt get all smooshed down. It looks like there may be more coming on Monday or Tuesday, but if theyre right, the temps will be warm enough that itll be rain instead of snow. We can all use rain. Sorry to hear about the "ghastly development," but if you have 2 trees and 5 bushes, at least its a start for some great perennial beds! And, wow, if youre home all the time to be sure they stay watered, you can even start a lot of your perennials from seedgreat money-saver. Yeah, it takes them a while to grow up, but its a lot of fun to watch the little babies growing too. And, oddidahoian, I think you need to go to that other thread too, to tell us where the "odd" comes from! And, yes, you are definitely on the right forum. You have one other compadre up there in Idaho, digit/Steve, but hes up in the "chimney/panhandle." There are a lot of folks around here with a lot of answers for you, so dont be afraid to come ask as youre getting started in this great addiction. Welcome to each of you, and thank you all for checking in. Ive added your names to the "list," and hope to repost it in the next couple weeks since there have been quite a few additions since the first posting. Have a good weekend everyone, Skybird

I think I might be the only person who hasn't added there stuff yet so here goes. I really don't like summer at all. IT's hot and muggy and I get sunburned everytime I walk out the door. Oh and did I mention it's hot. Then there's the fact that the kids are out of school and drive me completely nuts the whole time. I love'em I really do but I am so glad when fall comes and they go back to school so I can have a bit of a break. I love the fall and the winter it's my favorite time of year. I hate coffee, tea, crystal light. I like lemonade but usually only the fresh made stuff. I love absolutely love flavored hot chocolates. As for fabric I really go thru stages of what I like. Right now I am collecting reds and blues for a red white and blue quilt for my bed. bright ones, that pop, not the darker tones that go better with tans. Oh and I also love homespun plaids, or really any plaids for that matter. I would love some tan or cream on white plaids I have such a hard time finding the light plaids and I could use some for mixing with the darker. But I like pinks and blues and yellows too. Really I don't have anything I really favor, I just love what ever I am working with at the time. Oh and I am not really a novelty fabric kinda gal. I like some florals but most of what I pick out for myself is blender fabrics, like marbles or mottled. Hope all this helps my partner. I love to cook too. But simple stuff. It needs to be fast, with 3 boys I am usually hoppin trying to keep up with them and need stuff that doesn't take alot of time. We do grill out alot so grill recipes are always good. I don't do really any other crafts. I do hand quilt as well as machine. I love flowers and hostas. I like to have a garden but I don't do to hot at growing it, but my DH does so I just pick the weeds for him and he grows me the flowers. Right now we have petunias, roses, lantana, pansies, verbena, tomatoes, mums, some suculants, hostas, star gazer lily's, some day lily's, and another flower that I can't remember the name of right now but they look kinda like a gerber daisy, oh and some Vinca's on my balcony upstairs. So seeds are always good, I love trying to grow new flowers. I think that's about it. I really hope all this helps my partner put together the perfect swap gift for me. Amy