B, What you're suffering from sounds like an issue many growers here have encountered before. The good news is that you there are ways to fix this. First though, could you tell us what kind of pots you're using? And this may seem a bit unnecessary to ask but, do your pots have drainage holes or some way that the water can drain away? My first thought upon reading your soil recipe is that it is very high in fine-particled, organic matter. Altogether you've got almost a 2:1 ratio of organic material:inorganic material. What this means is that water is going to hang around in the pot for an amount of time that will have a negative effect on the root zone. In the summer, I suspect that your plants are rotting due to a combination of moist conditions in the lower parts of the pot offering a lush breeding ground for the bacteria+fungi associated with root rot and the plants being already slightly stressed (potentially due to drought stress or potentially due to the roots not being able to perform the level of gas exchange that would be optimal). One way to correct this is to use a more inorganic based mix and water more frequently. Another way would be to use a wick or even a ballast. I'd suggest checking out the writings of our own Al (@tapla) over on the container gardening forum for more information on how to decide on a course of action. Best of luck.

Orlando has a really nice climate and considering how far away it is from the coast, it has very mild weather. Some areas by the coast (like tampa) which is south of orlando, got the same or cooler weather. I know that the theme parks in orlando (especially universal studios) has lots of tender plants that are growing very well (not sure how they are doing now though). Some of the plants I have seen there are... screw pines (Pandanus utilis) which was pretty tall and quite a few years old Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum wallisii) these were also pretty big and were in full shade Tri-color hibiscus (Talipariti tiliaceum) which was very large and heathy Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, which were large and flowering well, but not as healthy as they could be bromeliads, lots of different types from small airplants on the trees to large ones mounted on the trunk of the palms. Foxtail palms (Wodyetia bifurcata), they were large and healthy at the time and also right by a pond which probably help protect it from a frost And lots of others that I am forgetting too. They all seemed really happy before this freeze but I wonder if they are okay now (or if the park protected them from the freezes). I also think there are coconut palms in Sea World which are still alive (I think) and protected from extreme cold. Good luck!

This is an old thread but a goodie. coxfamily, I think you'll be very happy with your choice. When the last kid moved out of my parent's house back in the early 80's, my parents sold their 2400 square foot house, and bought a 3300 square foot house on 2 acres. Then they renovated and added a master suite that added an additional 800 square feet of space. My parents spent almost 30 very happy years in that house (it was a one story), hosting lots of get togethers and Sunday night dinners with all the kids and grandkids. Holidays too. My mother loved having land and not seeing her neighbors right in front of her. My DH and I just sold our 3 BR/ 2 BATH 1901 square feet condo and are building a 2870 square feet house. The majority of the space is on the main floor, but my studio and the guest bedroom/exercise room are upstairs. I'm already in my early 60's and just in case, we're building the house with an elevator. However being slightly claustrophobic, I have no intention of using that elevator to get to my studio, unless absolutely necessary. Why are we going bigger? Well DH wanted a room of his own and we wanted a larger entertaining space that is more indoor/outdoor space. And when kids come to visit, there's enough room to spread out without being on top of one another but not so much space that its unwieldy. We don't need lots of bedrooms or even large bedrooms, but we wanted more public space. Technically we have two bedrooms, the master and the guest bedroom, but my large studio will be a third bedroom when needed and if it's ever really needed DH's study can be a fourth bedroom.

Wow....what an amazing list of people.... too many of them no longer with us or active here. It is nice to remember some of their names and their struggles that we shared. Thanks for the memories.