Thanks so much for the info. After reading, as you suspected, it seems unlikely that CMV is the culprit since the first several aphid treatments were simply blasting off with water and no other plants exhibit the ailment. While it certainly doesn't look as bad as the worst pic, it does very much resemble the others but the condition does seem to be improving if very slowly. Hmmm. I'll take more detailed pics to measure advancement or retreat of the condition, consider potting up and or rooting a cutting from another plant. Do you know, should it be a virus, could it be contained to the symptomatic parts? You'd think it would be mentioned as a treatment if pruning would be helpful but it is odd that only the top of the plant is affected ... I've never seen anything like it before. Thanks for the help!

"Yes, many plants don't need insecticides but some definitely do." That's kind of an absolute statement, don't you think? I haven't used an insecticide on anything since 1996, and that includes indoors and out while gardening in both tropical and midwest climates. I have tropicals now that summer outdoors and come in for the winter and they get nothing aside from a strong blast of water or soaked in a bucket before I bring them in. I believe that it is more about prevention and observational skills than anything else. If you see scale or mealybugs while there are just a few of them it is easy to get them off. If you wait until there are swarms of the things it will be more difficult. I think the best plan for indoor plants is to place them in cache pots so you can switch them out easily if one gets too bedraggled or looses its appeal. Keep the less than perfect in another area until you get them back in shape. And all youse guys with 'disposable orchids' can send them to me! It pains me to think of plants being destroyed just because their blooming period is over.

Thank you for all your suggestions. pbrisjar, that is very interesting about needing plywood underlayment. I think 3cm is common around here. It would be wonderful to think I could put down plywood and then actually make use of it for underlayment of the slab. I'm not sure how to search for a granite person in our area willing to do 2cm. How thick would the plywood underlayment be for a 2cm counter? Does it show? kitchenredo2, you're so kind. Thanks for offering your laminate, but I'm thinking we're going to go with the plywood. Since we have that 6" bumpout, and we might have to live with this for 6 months, I need, for my sanity's sake, to have it look "together." It's been a long haul and I'm ready to be normal again. Even if it's only temporary. :)

Hello Girls Yes it was on my porch after 6 last night. My package from Margo got me ready for fall. It had Bath and body works wallflowers holder with a caramel pumpkin swirl scent. French lavender and honey shower gel,. A beautiful blue butterfly canvas picture,solar dancing butterfly, insect repelling band{always use these} sour watermelon worms 2 cute bug rocks { I want to make these} poached egg seeds fleabane seeds dwarf toadflax seeds Mixed columbine seeds Margo I love all items Thank you for another great month in this friendly group.