I'm a rose lover first and if you've grown roses in my area any length of time you are very aware of Thrips. My solution on the rose problem was to eliminate the roses that were the Thrips magnets. This was after many years of frustrating alternatives. I don't spray insecticides unless the health of the plant is threatened so the old standbye of spraying Orthene on the buds every 3 days was out for me. I am usually forced to use a miticide at least once a season, and the product AVID (a miticide) is effective against adult Thrips, but not their eggs. On a daylily where the bloom is only open for a day I would think that this would be pointless. However, there are some solutions that a good company called Rosemania has listed. One is your spinosid. BTW remember that many times the chemicals available to customers via box stores, local nurseries etc. are of a lesser strength of the active ingredient then from a chemical supplier. I say this in case you are shocked by the prices. Here is a link that might be useful: Rosemania for Thrips

Another new plant that Ive found this season that works well for hummers is "Wendy's Wish" but is best in a pot. It also fared well in this summers heat wave. Hummers seem to like it quite well putting it in my top 5 this year.

There are many great determinate varieties available ranging from new hybrid ones to good old stand-byes that have been around for years. So what I have gathered is determinates/bush fruits all ripen with-in a 2 week period? Not necessarily. ;) While they may form the majority of their fruit onver a 3 week period, they don't all ripen at the same time and many will produce a second crop later in the fall once the worst of the heat is over. Tree or dwarf's are small plants, but their fruits ripen through out the summer like indeterminate? "Tree" tomatoes are of 2 kinds: indeterminate varieties that are mis-labeled and sold as Giant Tomato Tree, and family Cyphomandra betacea or "Tree Tomato", which is really a tamarillo and not a tomato at all. Dwarf production depends on the variety. Many determinate varieties have been hybridized to a dwarf stature so they will produce like a determinate. Also is there a good selection of short tomatoes other than different pastes(maybe cherries or beef's)? Most definitely. Hundreds of them. ;) Start with anything with "bush" in its name such as Bush Champion, Early Bush, Bush Celebrity, etc. Then check out Rutgers, Green Grape, Prime Time, Health Kick (already mentioned), etc. Check out the 99 available for just one source linked below. ;) Hope this helps. Enjoy your tomatoes! Dave Here is a link that might be useful: Tomato Growers Supply - Bush/Determinate Varieties

this is one of my favs that I use with leftover or grilled chicken from the store - more of a warm weather meal. From The Splendid Table Almond Chutney Chicken in Lettuce Roll-Ups Ingredients: Chicken Salad: One 3-pound roasted chicken(take-out works here) 1 medium red onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice Grated zest of 1 large lemon Juice of 3 large lemons, or more to taste 2 jalapenos, seeded and minced, or hot sauce to taste 9-ounce jar Major Grey Chutney, cut into bite-size pieces if necessary 1/2 cup mayonnaise Salt and fresh-ground black pepper to taste 3 large stalks celery, cut into 1/4-inch dice 1 cup whole salted almonds, coarse chopped Lettuce Cups and Herbs: 1 large head Bibb lettuce, leaves separated, washed and dried 1 large bunch fresh basil, washed and dried 1 large bunch fresh coriander, washed and dried 8 radishes, thin sliced 1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and sliced into thin rounds or 2-inch sticks Method: Pull the meat from the chicken carcass, discarding the skin and bones. Cut it into bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl combine the onions, lemon zest and juice, jalapeno, chutney, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper. Fold in the chicken. Taste the mix for lemon, mayonnaise, and herbs, adding more as needed. Let it stand 20 minutes to blend flavors, or refrigerate overnight. To serve, blend the celery and nuts into the chicken mixture. Mound the salad at one side of a big platter. Pile up the lettuce leaves at the other side, and cluster sprigs of herbs in the center. Tuck the radishes and cucumbers next to the herbs. Put a few herb leaves in the bottom of a lettuce "cup," top them with a spoonful of the salad, a slice each of radish and cucumber, and roll up. Here is a link that might be useful: Almond Chutney Chicken in Lettuce Roll-Ups