Laura, sorry about your misfortune, but don't kick yourself to hard, sometimes those things happen and there isn't anything you can do about it. It does sound like he wasn't taking the precaution about carrying it correctly. Kinda feel like he didn't deserve something that was created from your heart! Just think positive about all of the great stuff you made that was perfect and everyone loved!! Just like we love your junque and know you would never, ever sell anything that would knowingly fall apart. My heart goes out to you because I can see how that sincerely hurt you. Don't worry, you're doing the best you can, thats all you can do! We LOVE your creations, so get back in there, and don't let this stop you!! Listen real close... that's all of us, cheering you on!! blessings-sherri

coleus prefers growing in shade or at lest partial shade. I'd try moving them to a bit less light. It's too soon to feed them so I'd also cut back on watering them. Often stunted growth is a result of root rot from too much moisture. What's the air temp under your lights? You might want to monitor it and see if a +/- change there might kick them into a growth spurt. Hope this helps. Dave

Andrew: If you can not find the ingredients you need to make the gritty or 5.1.1 mix, you could always amend a bagged one you are planning on using to hold you over briefly until you do. Yup, I actually said that. Many still find a way to grow in amended mixes bagged mixes. I would sift most of the peat fraction out of any bagged mix until you have mostly bark left over. Do 5 parts left over bark, one part of that sifted out peat, and one part perlite. The smaller perlite will work well if you just strain the dust out with a sifter/spaggetti collander. It would be better than any mix right out of the bag. In fact, you WILL need a better mix if you want those small cuttings to thrive, epsecially on those roots. Let us know what you do. When you get some time, you should really look into investing some time into finding any of the ingredients you need to make the mix you use to be much more efficient and durable. Perlite you can practically buy at any box store or nursery. Try and give them the best start as possible into anything better than what you described. You might want to watch they don't over dry out in those black pots since the hot sun this time of year can practicllay burn them in pots black, that big. Can you pot them into colored ones, or even better, clay? Over watering and under watering can be very tricky in containers, black that size. It is great to see you back buddy! I love those little plants. Mike

You've done well, grasshopper. If the blooms had not fallen off, I would have recommended you cut them off to promote tree size and strength... usually after the blooms comes a growth spurt. One thing I have noticed in Meyers is if you overfertilize them, it will often lead to blooming soon after; but if the tree is not strong enough, the blooms will only suck up a lot of energy, then set few fruits. If you only have one, I would rely on a good specialized citrus fertilizer and apply it according to label at the dripline 3 times per year.