Ok what did I do wrong I used three different ones and only one showed up.So frustrating

Good job picking up that Frithia pulchra! They've been showing up recently for the first time in my area. I bought all 4 the first week, then all 4 the second week, (I always get multiples for seed production) so now I have 8 and mine are flowering too. The flowers are taking a long time to open so be patient. Yes, they have similar care to Lithops and other Mesembs but they seem to like to stay moist, being from the grasslands. Also, they seem to prefer more shade than other Mesembs. Some sun won't hurt but I would give it the same amount of light as you would a Haworthia or Gasteraloe, limited sun, bright indirect light. Keep it from turning pink. If the leaves feel soft to the touch, it needs a little drink but don't soak it, just a sip. The condition you describe of your Gasteraloe sounds like it had too much sun, dried out, maybe the roots had died off. You seem to have revived it nicely so just keep doing what you're doing. Some plants have an actual dormant period and some just grow better at certain times of year. I personally only change up my routine for Haworthias, Aeoniums and Mesembs. Everything else does fine with regular watering year-round. Eventually, you'll learn to read the plants and react accordingly instead of following set rules.

I swear I saw a picture from you Stephen with snow on your conifers. Wasn't it last year? If not, do you *never* get snow accumulations? I always figured your weather nearly mirrored that of the Pacific Northwest, in general, and thus would occasionally get snow storms dropping 20-30 cm's of snow. I have three 'Teddy' specimens, and the two oldest are certainly trying to 'open up' from heavy rains and probably last years monster snow storm. The two largest are in pots and I have been thinking about planting them in the ground - perhaps surrounded by heather - with hopes they would stay tighter in their older age. -Will

Everything looks great! The cactus really seem to shine in late spring/early summer and once they are finished blooming you have huge tropicals that take over! The castors are going to be ridiculous by the end of this season! If you get a late frost, I would expect them to reach at LEAST 14' Thanks for sharing! -Alex