Mindy, Next spring or early summer when the temps moderate enough to put the pots out for the summer, I will use a granular systemic with imidacloprid. I don't have the name on the tip of my tongue, but I read it on another forum and wrote it down somewhere. You won't need it until next summer, and in the meantime, I will look it up. I always hesitate to use a poison, especially a systemic which will affect all aspects of the plant, the flowers and the pollen, but since all my plants with the exception of one or two will have bloomed inside this winter, I won't worry that the pollen may be affected and harm the bees and other pollen loving insects. If I get a summer flower, I'll bring the plant inside until the flowering is over. I would hesitate to use this on bulbs planted in the ground for this very reason. The bees have enough problems of their own without me poisoning them. But as all my bulbs are in pots as I'm sure yours are also this shouldn't be a problem for us...This was really a problem for me this year, as I pulled maggot after maggot out of some of my bulbs. They're quite large and they can devastate a bulb..my husband couldn't believe his eyes when he first saw them. I usually keep my bulbs in different places all over the yard, including 2 decks and every location had a couple of eaten bulbs. I had a group of about 6 bulbs that earlier in the season had a thrip or some other sucking insect problem that left white marks on the leaves and we (husband) sprayed them and drenched them with a liquid systemic with imidacloprid and it did the trick.. all subsequent leaves were clear and no NFB. But, the liquid is a pain in the neck to use and messy and not feasible for 150 pots, so next year it will be granules. Donna

Jan, I have to have one of the Hoya australis "Rupicola" to go with my small collection of Hoya varieties (3 different, one red and 2 pink, one of which is the variegated form. I've had one of the for more than 30 years! And the other two for 25! Very hardy, rugged plants. I envy your blooms - mine are resting here in the north and will start to bloom in March or April. One new hippie is about 1/4 to 1/2 the way open, not who it is supposed to be though. Makes me most unhappy too. Will post it's pix when fully open. Rebecca

This thread is 9 years old, and some things have changed. I rarely buy at Weston any more, but they are a distance from me and I would usually go there for their trees and shrubs which I haven't planted many of in recent years. They are very expensive, but if I needed a tree, I'd probably wait for a good sale. I might be looking for a Rhododendron soon and I'd go there, it is their specialty. I've become more likely to go to Russell's for everything I need, because they have everything and they do organic and offer organic seedlings in the spring and organic supplies. Not everyone does. Their perennial section is extensive and well organized. I find trees and shrubs a small selection. Annuals - I don't buy many of, and theirs are expensive. I buy bagged goods there all the time. Mahoney's seems to have improved but I still find the only thing I've gone there for is their bagged mulch. And I'm thinking of switching to Russell's because it's just as good and less expensive. Mahoney's seems to have upgraded their florist section and offer what looks like very pretty arrangements, but I haven't bought any so I can't say if you get what you order. And I haven't bought from them because they upgraded their prices and priced me out. I am disappointed with McCue's. They are a good family run business, and I still stop in there, but I find I am buying less and less. They don't carry organic products. Not even Coast of Maine Compost. I did buy potted bulbs and pansies this spring, but I have resolved not to buy their pansies again, because the 6 pack they use attaches all the cells at the top inch so I have to rip them all apart and they are nothing but roots. Garden in the Woods - I haven't bought anything there in awhile, but my past experiences were very positive. I haven't been to Wilson's in a long time because they expanded their food to go department at the expense of their nursery. I had the same experience at Stonegate with the potted trees. I bought one on sale that was so potbound, it didn't make it. They refunded part of my money. That was my last purchase there.

Petra, I guess being lean to begin with, a day in a panic, with no food or water just made her ribs a little more visible. I've always had longer hair dogs so I never noticed ribs... Dinkie, I'm so sorry for your loss. It was easy enough to get attached after 36 hrs so I know you must have been devastated. :( Calliope, I got an 80 on the profile, 4 stars - only concern was 'no fenced yard' :) Anne-Marie, Gordon is adorable! But after 2 sons, a dh, and a tomcat it's time for a little girl! I think we have a really good idea what we're in for, ZippityDooDog was a crackling ball of energy, not tuckered out at all from her outdoor adventure. I talked to the breeder (a couple who are both DVMs and breed specifically for temperament)and we are on the list for a late Oct litter, ready by Christmas, little girl. We are visiting their farm next weekend! Super nice people - they interviewed me as much as I interviewed them lol. "Northgate terriers are members of our family. As veterinarians, we keep a close eye on the health and genetics of our terriers. All of our terriers are BAER normal and CERF tested annually. At Northgate, we strive to produce well-socialized terriers with outstanding dispositions. We produce only a few carefully planned litters each year and our puppies are hand raised with our children, Erin and Gregory."