Epiphyllum oxypetalum HTH Chris

From the title I thought you were talking about me;) That is funny Vera and something I would do. Thanks for the laugh! Betsy

Thanks amberroses for the prayers. I did have a good reason to plant red rather than orange. One thing I was concerned about was the possibility of an overload of orange along my highway. I gave seeds to a BUNCH of passing motorists last summer (and fall & this winter.) Who knows where they all live. I did have an even more compelling reason too, but for the life of me can't recall what that was at the moment. (Houzz never notified me about your reply, so I'm caught a little off guard.) Thinking about is odd because the O. Kings were so successful & Orange is a favorite color of mine! Perhaps it was only that I just had the urge for something different after 2 years of Orange. I definitely urge you to try O. King. I believe if you google "orange king zinnia seeds" and "free shipping", you'll find the same great bargain I got. Zen-I'll likely still be starting some seeds indoors again despite no apparent advantage. I just adore growing things and this recent warm spell has me chomping at the bit. For sure, I'll start some quick ripening mater varieties around St. Patty's day; however, I fear that won't completely satiate my urge to grow some things. I guess I'll just have to wing it on the placement of the California Giants and the Benary's. I wouldn't know where else to look to find out which is tallest. My main flowerbed is actually a large even mound. That should help me deal with the height issue if it's no TOO great. I got 4 new large beds started so far this winter at the back of my property. The hardest work is done. They'll be partially shaded from 3 PM on. But hey! I certainly have plenty of seeds & I think that'll be enough sun to trail some other combinations. So far, my Zinnias have required little real work once they're established. Even weeds cease to be a problem if I keep after them for the first month. dowlinggram-I had orange Magellan 2 summers ago and did like them, a lot! However, they were not nearly as showy from the road as the Orange King were. Last week my Snowdrops started blooming in mass and last night I started watering and slightly warming my Bonfire Begonia tubers in their hanging planters. It's getting more officially spring like every day! Maybe the groundhog wasn't completely right about the number of winter weeks left. : )

I’m located near the coast in Los Angeles. It’s been a little colder the past few weeks but nothing really extreme. Mostly in the 60’s-70’s. A few days of rain and a few days in the 50’s. No herbicide use. The soil seems pretty dry around it. The only gardener activity I am aware of was the cutting.