Xuan, Thanks - they're getting to be, but I hope they're not going to get overwatered in our rains. Tom, We have that one, too, and, yes, I remember Woody - ah, ah, ah AH ah. And as I said, I hope I have the mix right. Right now, everything's soaked and it's 54F. Chadec, I have mostly ones that don't grow that quickly (and they tend to be small, since they have to go inside in the winter) - no A. augustifolia for Jeffy.

Actually my older ones are more interested in the Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches and my 14 yr old DS wanted one for a pet. I don't think so. lol The elementary school that my kids attended had raising Painted Lady butterflies as part of the science curriculum. They were each given Painted Lady eggs, a special food (it wasn't leaves) and a small cage that they had to clean (frass became a favorite word lol). Once they made a chrysalis they were attached to the inside of a mesh tent. The school has a courtyard that was built with help from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and a butterfly release party was the highlight of the unit. I hope this is still part of the curriculum by the time my youngest is in grade school. They also got to hatch duck eggs. I miss their being in elementary school. lol Karyn

I live in the great white north now, but got the cactus bug when I lived in Phoenix for two years. I found that I couldn't keep any Crassulaceae outside in the peak of summer, as they all died. It might have something to do with overnight lows being too high for CAM plants to initiate gas exchange ??? Purportedly some people can keep some of these non-cacti outside in the shade, but I couldn't. If you live in Phoenix, go to the Desert Botanical Garden, which is in between Tempe and Scottsdale. Look around for your plants. If you don't see it growing there, it probably can't be done. I didn't develop a good way to deal with this in my little house, but probably the best thing would be to have it inside but in a sunny spot, and set your plant outside again in late September. They should be deliriously happy from then until May.

Hey there Tomboy, what a lovely vision of a garden. Why don't you create one for yourself- childless or not? Have you got nieces or nephews or little ones of friend you can play in a garden with that you can invite over?? Perhaps you can share a garden with children and that can be very satisfying. So many kids these never get to experience more than maybe just a lawn or an apartment concrete playground. A lady I know has enjoyed the company of a friend's son (like a special Aunt to him as they have no close family)and has toys and games for him to do with her when they visit them. careytearose