I love using those old ashtrays. I have the word out with TS friends to keep their eyes open for more!! I like that something that was related to a unhealthy habit is now made into something pretty. I prefer drilling but I am also using GE silicone glue or auto goop depending on project. My basement is filled with glass now. Kinda scary I also found a batch of runway and traffic light lenses at a TS on a 50% day!! Not super cheap but 2.50 for 13 in and 1.25 for 8 inch in very bright colors (red yellow and blue). YOu should seen the look on my face when I spotted them - pure bliss

Heehee, the first new pic is the same hideous Adenium that in the earlier pics I 'found' its caudex! (Just shows that even if you think a seedling is ugly now, it may turn into something beautiful like this! Although I didn't think it was ugly at the time!)I think I chopped the top of it the next day after the pic was taken. My Adeniums seem to have branched with out any help but I think I took the top off most when they where about 2-3 months old, but only did about six to try and judge what was the best option, (to chop or not). As for my results, I'd say that the side branches grow faster and larger if you remove the middle one and when they are the age mine are they look nicer because they are more even. I will try and find some pics that show this. In summer I watered them everyday as they dried out everyday (I had them in full outdoor sun), and fertilized them with liquid cacti and succulent food once a week. Otherwise I don't know what made them branch, but the ones I raise from seed myself often branch quite early. Please remember that although I have done a lot of online research into growing Adeniums my oldest is just over a year old so I am no expert! Thanks deanie and kaktuskris, I've put a lot of effort in to my babies so its nice to have them admired :P. And deanie your babies will get there, I have no doubt yours will be just as nice! I couldn't find any pics that show good chopped/non chopped Adenium examples but here are some group photo's anyway that might be interesting to some :P. I haven't chopped the top off any of the younger ones (except for a few that had mites earlier) as it is winter here now. Eeeppppp, its so exciting sharing these pics with people all around the world whole love adeniums just like me!!! And I love seeing other people photo's too. So post away everyone!

That's the thing.... Humidity in my area of northern California is below 20 percent right now....very dry. With the ceiling fan and the sunny windows, one would suspect that I'd be watering often. In other parts of the world, with more humidity and more gloom, one would think that a porous mix would be *even more important* than it is here. I can understand folks desiring a more moisture retentive mix for the Summer season....but not for the Winter. I'd rather water slightly more often in the Summer, in order to have the perfect mix for the Winter when the real problems face those of us in more northerly climes. Josh

Hi Deva: I'm sorry I haven't respond to this post ... I thought it's advertisement for flowers. Own-root roses are great gifts for Mother's Day, they last longer in the ground and more disease-resistant than the cheap bare-roots at store, which are grafted on Dr. Huey. Grafted roses decline and have more diseases. Roses Unlimited have a sale 1st week or 2nd week of June, half-price. Last year they sold roses for $8 per gallon own-root. See the below link as to which roses are most disease-resistant, and no spray. Here is a link that might be useful: Your most healthy and no-spray roses?