Marie, I think the decision is yours as to whether or not to let them continue to grow as evergreen. Many times a bulb will let you know what its preference is by loosing its leaves, usually one by one. Sometimes I will be left with just one green leaf for the winter and in that case I only water very sparingly. As for your Ruby Star, I don't see any dying leaves, just wilting. The rest of your plants look extremely happy and healthy so why this one is wilting is a mystery to me too. I guess if it were mine I would stake those leaves and try to give them a little help in standing up. It appears that your room gets plenty of light and I'm assuming some sun also so that can't be the problem. Just make sure it doesn't stay too wet and let us know how it looks in a week or so. Hopefully, it too will be soon be standing at attention like the others!! Donnaâºâºâº

vickij, Check out the forum that I linked in one of my above posts. Also check out Mary Shomon's site and Stop The Thyroid Maddness site. There is so much info on Armour. bigbaby, I commend you for trying to live a more healthy lifestyle. There is a lot of info to help you learn about a natural life. I like Dr. Andrew Weil's books. As far as eating, try to eat foods in their natural state, i.e. from the ground, the sky, the water, not a box, bag or can. Eat a lot of fish, brown rice, fruit, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, small amounts of antibiotic free meats, whole wheat pasta, (unless you are going gluten free), organic dark chocolate, 60% or higher Cocoa. STAY AWAY from sugar, too much dairy, chips and all junk foods, cookies, cakes etc., meats injected with growth hormones, soft drinks, juices, alchohol, anything out of a box, bag, (except frozen veggies), or can. You get the picture. Try and walk daily and live a stress free lifestyle. Listen to your body!!! If something doesn't feel right find out why. Western medicine loves to throw pills at any symptom. Sometimes pills are a necessary evil. Most times a lifestyle change would benefit more. Do you know what the number one risk factor for heart disease and cancer is? Constipation. That's why diet is so important. You only have this one body. Put the best foods you can afford in it. Organic is best if you can pay the prices. Nourish your body with fresh healthy foods and it will give you many years of vitality. Try and keep stress levels low and get a good nights sleep. Donna

I just came from seeing the Donna Sandra in a full slab (several actually) and it is indeed NOT super white. The Super white IS a Quartzite, but has Marble properties & will scratch, etch & stain like a marble. I know this because the Super White was my 1st love. I wanted the Super White so so bad, but with much research & sifting through the many places in my area within 200miles, actually driving to see it & seeing for myself, that depending on the slab yard/ distributor & seeing it in several places, it was being called anything from a Marble, to a Quartzite to a GRANITE, it got so confusing & annoying. I finally found out through my Nephew who's a Geologist that it's a Quartzite & rates 4-5 on the Moth scale, which is just slightly higher than Marble unfortunately, but wow ow is it beautiful & he said that given it's Marble properties, if you, not only have your fabricator seal it, but get it professionally sealed at least one more time before use, then you should have less problems with it. Which brings me to the Donna Sandra, it's a TRUE Quartzite. I spent over an hour testing it, sealed & unsealed & it definatly etched when not sealed, but a lot less with the sealed piece & cut right through my glass tile with little pressure. Again though, you need to seal it more than once preferably or even though it's a Quartzite, it'll still etch & stain easier than a Granite will. But OMG, I love it even more than the Super White, which says alot, because I love the Super White. I think I'm going to take the chance :)

The only way to you keep them from desiccating when holding back water for weeks is keeping them at very cold temps or low light without water. If you are keeping them at warmer temps above 50, then you must water once in a while as long as you are growing them in a mix that dries out rather quickly, one that is porous, and provide good light , and water often if temps are warmer than that, I'm talking warm house temps above 60 with good sunlight, or you will run the risk of rot and poor root growth. Elongated plants too. If you live in a climate where you have to keep them inside then it's a must to keep them in a very porous mix or porous container or both to also prevent issues. Too you must provide good conditions whether you choose to hold back water or are allowed to water frequently or do not row them at all. If you have already held back water and you want to come out of rest without any issues, then put then in a good warm/hot area with lots of direct sunlight and resume watering and let dry out between watering s like most any other plant. Mike