Mossiae and gaskelliana are spring bloomers - and both considered easy, but differ in that mossiae grows in previous year and blooms in following spring, whereas gaskelliana starts growing late winter and blooms before growth is complete in May. Trianae blooms in winter and can be growing again by early spring. The prima donna of the bunch is C. dowiana, who apparently likes higher light, but not a lot of heat. Also sensitive about moisture hanging around the roots, especially while resting. (Thanks to Arthur Chadwick's articles for this info) Don't really know the story on digbyana, except it's tough thick leaves would suggest lots of sun and warmth. Lots of water, but rapid drying. I got a mature one from Hawaii in sphagnum. All in all I don't myself find any of this helpful, except possibly the tendency for a higher light requirement -- which might explain why hobbyists have reported difficulty blooming them (as opposed to growing them which is not especially difficult), particularly in temperate regions. J

Am I the only person here who was a 'slower reader'? I grew up in what was technically my Grandfather's house. He and my Father had moved into it on the death of my grandmother in the 1930's and had been looked after/waited on by a housekeeper. During WWII my Father married and brought my Mother to live there . . . and boy did she resent Grampy . . . and being told by neighbours that she was lucky to have a roof over her head, as though she had been rescued from the gutter. So, I was often left with Gramps, who between sleeping and looking at the sports pages would read to me. My Grandmother who worked in a US book store/library often sent American books, so I had several little Golden books plus a few early 'Ladybird' books. I loved listening to stories but never once did it occur to me to try and read them myself. Reading was just something that Grown-ups did. I really struggled at school with reading and can still remember the incomprehension when given a card with pictures on it. A cat, a dog a doll etc. With the card came a small tin containing individual words. Of course the idea was to match the words to each picture. This I could not do because I never recognised any of the words! It appeared no-one (certainly not the teacher a kindly young woman) knew how to help me. Spelling tests were equally dreaded. I always go nothing out of ten and was late home to lunch as I had to write out my many mistakes five times each. I remember the 'correct' words were written on the board but I never knew which was which! As we were never given words to learn or take home and practice, the tests must have been hit and miss anyway. 'Reading' took place in small groups and I was so useless the 'best reader' leading the group would kindly let me off my turn for which everyone was grateful. It wasn't until I was probably nearly seven and had received a copy of What Katie Did for a Christmas present from US Granny, that my Father, not a 'family man' by nature, and bored with all this quality time told me to read the book to him. He sat me on the floor gripping me with his knees and soon found it was quite beyond me. I clearly remember him turning to my Mother and saying 'Why can't she read?" Mother probably answered "I don't know, that's why we send her to school, shouldn't they be teaching her?" She most likely went on "Well I was reading Scott and Dickens when I was seven/eight." Our parents loved to tell us how good they were at 'stuff' and how useless we were! That seemed to be the Damascene moment. It still took me some years to be able to cope with a 'proper' book, but fear (of my Father) was the starting point. And I still don't know what it was that Katie did. ;-)

Oh, the KA website is less for ordering regular flour than the specialty flours and ingredients. It's where I go for cocoa now that I can't get anything but Hersheys or store brand at the grocerey and the turnoover at specialty stores is questionable. They have pasta flours, high gluten and whole grains for breads. And very good quality parchment sheets. Flavorings and chips you won't find elsewhere. My sister enjoys their mixes so she got some as a housewarming gift -- that kind of thing. I ordered before Christmas, so I am good for now.

Thanks! I like to share these with family & friends on social media. It seems the info isn't always easily available.