Margaret, I followed the planting instructions for container grown lotus on the thread link I am posting below. The only exception is that I put half black cow and half of the cheapest brand top soil from walmart in each container. The more expensive topsoil brands have peat which will float. Also, I only put in 3/4 cup of osmocote instead of a cup but I have lots of pond fertilizer tabs I got cheap on ebay that I will add later in the summer. I did them the same way last time with good results. Lotus tubers are only sold usually March through the end of April so you will need to order early. Once they break dormancy they are very fragile and so people won't usually ship them. Last time I got mine off ebay and a few were not what they were supposed to be :/ This time I ordered from Texas Waterlilies and I got way bigger tubers and I have always received the correct tropical waterlilies from them so trust them to send the correct lotus lol. They also have some planting and care info on their webpages. You can start from seed but you may not get blooms the first year just depending on when you start them. Lotus will go dormant in the winter and are quite hardy even in freezing temps as long as the tuber itself does not freeze. I break up mosquito dunks to prevent mosquitos and throw a piece in each tub. You could also probably grow the Hardy waterlilies in tubs as well I have a yellow one that went crazy in a tub. They won't freeze and you don't have to protect them in winter like you do the Tropical waterlilies. I have found Hardy waterlilies in Petco & Petmart (by the pond products) sometimes Lowes also has them in late spring. Hibiscus::: I ordered Tie dye, Plum Fantasy, Heartthrob, Jazzberry Jam, Berrylicious, and a red dinner plate un-named one. I do like that Cranberry Crush I almost got that one as well LOL!. So many pretties out there.... It seems like the hardy hibicus should be easy to root from cuttings- have you ever tried that? Good idea on the wintersown seed method. I soaked the Luna Swirl seeds and started them indoors on the heat mat. I think the seeds came from Parks Seed. Here is a link that might be useful: Barrel Lotus This post was edited by sultry_jasmine_night on Tue, Mar 25, 14 at 11:46

Katie, I'm not sure what you meant by an airlock. You mean a passage so they can get inside and outside? Or a way you can get in and they can't get out? A few suggestions. Make sure you get welded wire that's made for bird cages. A lot of places on the internet sell that, and large retail bird shops can get it for you. The Aviary in Perrine, between So Miami and Homestead has it. Since it's for finches, I would build it out of 1 X 1 wood frame. With 1/2 X 1 inch welded wire. The wire comes in 3 and 4 ft widths. Build all six panels separate (four sides, roof and floor), with welded wire on both sides of the wood frame. Varmits can't reach through and grab your birds that way. You can use a staple gun with SS staples for that, goes real fast. Then drill holes and put it together with SS screws and lock nuts, so you can take it apart if you ever need to. A 6 X 8 X 4 aviary built this way is strong and not heavy at all. Two people can move it with no problems. If you need a way to get in, just build a separate box with another door that you can attach to the outside. That you can use just one layer of welded wire. Build the door to the inside as a 1/2 door, open at the bottom. The birds will go up when you try to get in and not past you and into the airlock. Another trick is to paint the wire, both sides, with dark brown annodized paint. You can roll that on. It makes the wire disappear. Personally, I would have the cage above the ground with no contact. Birds get a lot a parasites and disease from dirt. If you want to put them on dirt, I suggest you get a gallon of Novalsan and learn how to use it. Novalsan you can get at most any large feed and seed farm supply. Corrie

Oh, yes!!! I've got a Yellow-naped Amazon, Mr. Coqui, and he is the King of the Universe (just ask him, he'll tell you!) He'll also tell you when it's breakfast time, when it's dinner time, when it's time to come out to play, when the coffee machine beeps it's swan song, tell the dogs to stop barking, tell the dogs to stop when they're playing too roughly, etc. He's a riot, and a much loved member of the family, but he does take a lot of work and attention (as do my two dogs and two cats - really, I joke about having to work just to buy pet food and toys and then spend the rest my time feeding and playing with them!) Finches are a good bird to start with if you're interested in birds, because they are very self-sufficient as long as they've got room to fly, nest and amuse themselves. A flight cage is ideal. I've had birds most of my adult life, and highly second the suggestion to find a bird store locally and talk with them - it's not a high income profession, so the people that own bird stores do it for love of the species and have a wealth of knowledge and advice.

the link below may help, i looked in my bird book but you realy need to see the bird to get any idea what to look for the impressions in most bird books have got a lot of artistic license me thinks. len Here is a link that might be useful: birds inbackyards