Hello Scott and congrats on the event! Here's a link to the article we have seen on here previously about 'which end is which on the seeds'... when still in the pod. Not exactly well explained but I interpret it as the free end of the pod has the root ends of the seeds and the end attached to the plant has the growth end...correct? It also suggests to remove the tufts and store the cleaned seeds for a day or so. Let us know how you go on with developing your forest please? Gill UK Here is a link that might be useful: which end is which on my seeds

Does anyone know what kind of bee this is? It's less cylindrical than a regular honeybee...it's got....corners. It's more geometric than cylindrical. From Garden and Flowers - 2010 Here is a link that might be useful:

Was it a Snowberry Clearwing Moth (Hemaris diffinis)? Here's a link to a US Forest page with more info: http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/hummingbird_moth.shtml Here is a link that might be useful: Pics of Snowberry Clearwing Moth

Hope your right Jeanne - By the way I love your style of pruneing - lol. Scissors in one hand - Martinis in the other - lol. Mindu - I could just loose a finger that way. Your funny :0) When I do something I do it big - all or nothing By the way Donnas - one of the books I have been reading by Linda Beutler titled Gardening with Clematis - Linda states (regarding pruning) "If you want a generalization that will carry you right through the entire genus, here it is: When all other logic fails, the best time to prune any clematis - to whatever degree you wish - is right after it has finished its first flowering of the growing season. You wont have to worry about disrupting the flower timing, and there will be more growing season remaining for the plants recovery. Carry this pearl of wisdom with you always" She also says " If your vines have become unsightly they are sending you a message: Prune me this very minute. So because my plants looked unsightly underneath (really twiggy and sticky looking) - I decided to go for it and see what happens. I will let you know what happens - I decided to try it on 2 of my clems - Jackmanni and Dr ruppel which is a group 2. Golden :0)