Depending on pot size, sometimes it's difficult testing soil..If the container is larger than 12", sticking finger in soil doesn't work as well as it does testing smaller pots..That's why guages are used, but economically speaking, lifting pot works fine..if plant is light weight when lifted, you can bet soil is dry..if heavy, even if top soil looks crumbly, mid to lower soil is moist. IMO, Marginatas prefer dry well-draing soil, but need a hearty drink when dry..they also enjoy humidity..I mist its leaves daily, and set in shower every week or two. Bright light works fine, but depending on the species, (variegated) needs more sun than green w/red edge..otherwise the pink/green and/or red leaf loses color. There's a pic in the Plant Expert Plant book of a red leaf marginata..beautiful plant..But to keep leaves red, sun is mandatory..I think they'd adapt to full sun, even direct summer light, but placing in driect sun would have to be done gradually, especially if wintered indoors. I rotatee marginatas, but keep pink and reds closer to light in south windows..Drooping occurs when soil is over or underwatered..it takes experimenting. Also, marges prefer cooler temps than other Dracaenas..Hot, stuffy rooms invite mites and mealy..Toni

Maybe she works for the counseling agency thats doing all the spamming that makes no sense.

OK, haven't read each word of each post, but I got a couple a thoughts here. Firstly, unfortunatley, maybe this guy's mind probably is more with trying to balance you and his kids and he really wasn't thinking (stressing "not thinking") about the joint thing for New Year's. While it's honorable that he is spending time with his kids, after 4 months, I would think he would have pitched an alternate celebration time for the two of you. Yes, dissapointing that you can't be together on the "day of", but at least his head would have been in the right direction - including YOU in his plans. This is not to say that he's not worth it - he probably is, but sometimes, espcially when kid's are involved, men just don't think as creatively as women. He may even be doing this to keep arguments down with his ex - this may have happened to him before and he knows the ocnsequences. The other possibility - I really think the control issue is involved with suggesting monogomy. Why on earth would a man ask someone about that after 4 months!! Something like that comes's naturally - you don't ask someone to do that!! He's probably carrying baggage from the former marriage or someone else since the divorce. If he is bold enough to ask that at this stage, he should be willing to fasttrack the rest of the relationoship by possibly spending at least one day of the Season as a group - with the kids. My real concern here is the commitment issue. Spending time on NY's with the kids, may force him to think about that, and he may not be ready. If he really hasn't decided on "the one", that makes sense. We wouldn't want our kids to be exposed to each girlfriend the ex brought home for the holidays. OK, FEAR - of being hurt by a woman, including the ex (no matter his thoughts about her), or her wrath, and of a commitment. With all else being equal, this guy might be worth it. However, if you are talking about breaking up over this, there has to be something else missing - like chemistry, maybe... I sincerely hope that something nice works out for you, but give it some time before making that decision, unless of course you are sure you don't want to deal with the family thing. Remember, this WON'T be the only disappointng time when it comes decisions related to kids of their age. If someone has touch on my points - well, great ideas! K-J: BOLD post Kid, but also very thoughts to consider. In these types of situations, it isn't easy, no matter how you look at it. Times are a changn' and in this day and age, one really has to consider the whole compromise thing. Seems like everyone has in this boat these days. Four months really isn't a long time to know about a relationship. While it's disappointing not to spend the holiday with someone special, partying like it's 2099 pales in comparison with being with your kids! Very Good Points!! OK, I know, big soapbox, so I'll get off. Hi to everyone!! gng

It may interest you to know that those are juvenile stage plants. Adult plants have leaves up to 18" wide with slits similar to those of philodendron pertusum. To reach maturity, the plants need to climb up a surface such as tree bark. If you give them a slab of moist tree bark to climb, you might get a plant with leaves 6 inches in diameter. You might enjoy that challenge instead of remaining content with small leaved plants. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epipremnum_aureum