Tammypie, I've had retusa for a while now. Love it. And cummingiana is on it's way. :) I've developed my own rooting methods over the last few years that seem to work well in my climate. Baggies and aquariums do NOT work well here (I found out the hard way). :( But, live and learn! Mike, aldrichii is one that's been in my collection for over a year. My rooted piece is alive, but just not doing much of anything. Just wanted to add a bit to it from a different location to see if it would acclimate faster. GG - "does it have to be human"? hehehehe Carolyn

Hi. I'm new to this, so bear with me. I have so very much enjoyed the birds in my yard since I moved to Arizona in April--a small compensation for long-term unemployment in tough economic times. A few weeks ago I saw an oriole on my finch-feeder--wow! he just showed up, as I'm typing this! a hooded oriole! Cool. Anyway a few days after that I was in a hardware store and saw and "oriole feeder," and I bought it. It's like a hummer feeder but orange. Within an hour or so of hanging it outside it was simply encrusted with bees (honeybees, as far as I can tell, although I can't be sure). After that, the bees seemed to discover my hummer feeders, of which I have three. One has yellow plastic "flowers" but the other two are completely red, so I don't think the color is the problem. I've tried spraying them with water (needless to say I took down the oriole feeder) but they seem to have moved in. I understand that honeybees are in trouble, so I don't want to hurt them, but I don't want them scaring off my lovely hummers, either. Any other suggestions?

EAH, if you plan on getting MORE hosta, might as well spring for the big bag of MiracleGro potting mix WITHOUT the moisture control in it. That will rot your hosta, who like good water but also like good drainage. I get a pot thats a nice size for the roots, and build a cone of potting mix in the center of it high up to the top of the pot. I then drape the roots like a wet mop around the sides of the cone, push down to seat the crown on top of the cone, and begin covering the roots with more mix. Make sure all the roots are covered, but the crown is not buried. Water gently and let the pot drain. Where needed top it back up with potting mix, and water again. Set the plant in the shade for a couple of days to get over the shock. It is highly recommended by Ken Adrian that you use some low tack masking tape (I use the blue stuff) to gather the petioles of the hosta together and wrap with the tape. This keeps them from flopping over, because once they flop, they will not stand up straight again. Also, if a leaf is torn, or a petiole/stem is damaged, do not break it off, but leave it be. It is doing its job unless it is brown and dead. June is a strong grower, so she will probably perk right up for you. So pleased that you have become enamored of the hosta. That's why I suggested getting BIG BAG of MiracleGro. I bet you cannot stop with JUST ONE hosta! :) (And I'm 2 miles south of I-10 in Mobile, lack about 20 miles being as far south as Houston is according to latitude. And I am familiar with the Houston weather. Good luck and happy growing.

gibsona, I'm glad the pig arrived in one piece. I'm also glad my friend cathy's lovely little box arrived at its destination too - she is off on vacation in CA and we'll post her bank when she gets home. She's led our local art camp for about 12 years now, so doing it with the camp tile was a perfect choice for her. I got back from Italy in the wee hours of the morning and I just dropped in to see if it got to you --- now I'm off to the post office and pick up my bank!!