Same idea slightly different scenario. I have heard Fred talk, been to his greenhouse and have been growing the FCC 'After Dark' for a couple of years. The roots on the new growth have just reached 2" and I moved it from the dry area to be watered. I think 4" to 5" is too long a wait. The Calanthes are different in that at the beginning of their dormancy they start to grow the flower stalk. Entirely with the energy stored in their now leafless bulbs, they make 2' to 3' long flower stalks with many beautiful flowers. Then in Feb, right about now the new growths appear. Again it is recommended that water is withheld until the roots are at least 1" long. Some people recommend to cut off the flowers to give the plant more energy for the new growth. These plants are much more forgiving than the Mormodes and some watering is tolerated. Another interesting thing I have learned is that some of the deciduous Calanthes have hour glass bulbs. The link will take you to a photo which is a composite of 4 . Look at the lower left and you'll see the hourglass shaped bulb. http://www.orchidspecies.com/orphotdir/calancardioglossa.jpg This is part of their reproductive effort. All you have to do is look at the top part of the hourglass and it will break off. I just got the plant from Andy, a purple one and the alba version, both had multiple bulbs and despite careful handling, by the time I got them home all the top parts had broken off. This is normal, they will be planted and make new plants. I bought 2 plants but will end up with 7 because of this. The owner of Haiku Maui Orchids from whom I bought 3 more clones told me that he actually stopped selling some as the customers were upset over the breakage. He said they did handstands to try to stabilize the top portion of these bulbs but were unsuccessful. Nick

ifraser - OT but just ran across your gorgeous Max picta. Quite the speciman. WC8 Here is a link that might be useful: Maxillaria picta

I hate Blistex and Chapstick and Burt's Bees and every other lipbalm I've ever tried. The only thing that works for me is Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Lip Butter (Dark Chocolate & Peppermint flavor). It tastes great, looks amazing (people always think I'm wearing lipstick, even though it's clear), and works beautifully. If my lips are in the state you describe, all I have to do is put some on before bed, and when I wake up, my lips are perfectly moisturized. I love it to the point that I buy 10-15 of them when I see them; out here, very few stores have it, but I can sometimes find it at Walgreen's. In the Midwest, Meijer's usually has it. So does drugstore.com. See below. Good luck! Here is a link that might be useful: Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Lip Butter (Dark Chocolate & Peppermint flavor)

My life-style and appearance is the total opposite of hers, but I will say she is creative - and consistent in her art, ad art it is. One sure meets a lot of different folks on these quotation pages. (smiling)