I know that life isn't fair but still...NO FAIR! Woke up at 5 am to the radio announcing that it was 80 degrees outside with a projected high of 101 today. Then he kindly reminded everyone to drink plenty of water and not forget that we've had 24 heat related deaths in the county so far this month...make sure you check on the elderly and those without AC! Well, I spent 8 hours as one of those without AC, and I get to do it tomorrow when it's just as hot. There are 2 things I hate about the south...July and August! One of the guys I worked with today came from PA and he couldn't wait to tell me it was 65 when his wife woke up this morning. NO FAIR! NO FAIR! NO FAIR! We had a very brief thunderstorm tonight, dropped at least 10 raindrops which did nothing but add to the humidity. They were the first raindrops I've seen in weeks and I ran outside to stand in them. After a few minutes, I ran back inside so I could breath. It felt like a warm, wet wool blanket was being wrapped around my head. UGH. The gardens look worse than they ever have. Even the psycho plant (as Suzanne calls it) is starting to die. The "survival of the fittest" no longer applies. Nothing is immune to heat and drought. Nothing except ants. And cockroaches. And they seem to find the tiniest crack to gain entrance to the house. The cats do not like the ants but are quite enthralled with the roaches and I know exactly what they're doing when I hear the pitter patter of their tiny feet half the night...cockroach soccer! On the bright side, I haven't had to mow grass in weeks. Last time I remember the summer being this hot, it was followed the a winter of record snowfall. Can't help but wonder what this winter will hold in store. And on an even brighter note, I've been called for a job interview! It's a staff job with the Special Forces in an office where I turned down a job twice before. But this one is as the Chief of that office, something I've wished for for a long time. I'm surprised I was called since they usually promote from within, but it seems my reputation preceeds me. And I have many friends who are happy to spread word of my reputation around. So, I at least have a shot, and for that I'm thankful. Now, if I could have a little luck and land it, I'd be walking on cloud nine! Of course, I'd definitely wear spike heels and pierce that cloud and make it rain! Keep your fingers crossed for me! I've had enough of this fox hole, it's time for me to move on to another one.

Lillian is a lovely pink. There are so many pretty pinks rather similar, I don't think I have any light pink like it. And I really like the look. I take it back, I have Ed Brown. The blooms always look good, but it doesn't bloom that long & it hasn't multiplied much at all since I've had it. Wonder of it All seems to do so well for everyone, & a beautiful daylily, I've always admired it. And Jay Farquar, AND We are the Champions. And....well, you can tell I don't have many blooms left, I love every one of them. If I pick an absolute favorite though, would have to be Spacecoast Francil Busby.

Estreya, yup I'm still here! Here's a (very long) rundown of what I did. I did this process after talking to several nurseries, talking to my mom who is an avid gardener, and reading a bunch of books. It may not be what everyone advises (I'm sure someone out there has other methods!), but it worked brilliantly for us. First, I soaked the tree in it nursery pot in a big bin of water for an hour or two to make sure it was really REALLY hydrated. Meanwhile, my poor husband dug a super big hole, putting the dirt he dug out into a wheelbarrow. Into this wheelbarrow I added some "good" soil. Our "good soil" was Miracle Grow Tree and Shrub Soil since we were in a hurry and didn't have time to make a custom blend, but I'm sure you could be more foofy with your blend if you want! I would say the ratio was about 2/3 regular garden soil to 1/3 Miracle Grow soil. I mixed everything super well, making sure to water the Miracle Grow soil properly since it was bone dry. Now, back to the hole for the tree. In the very bottom of the hole, I made a mound for the tree to rest on. You can see how to do this in any good tree book. This helps the tree get good drainage. Then I put the tree in, checking one last time to make sure the tree was at the correct height, and then started backfilling with the soil mixture. I did not tamp the soil down with a shovel. Instead, I used water from a hose, which washes the soil down evenly, preventing air pockets. Then I would add more soil, water it in, add more soil, and etc. It took a ton of soil and a ton of water, too! But it really worked. Those trees did not settle at all. They stayed exactly as planted. So be slow and careful with this stage. It's worth it! Finally, we made a watering ring about four feet in diameter using the last of the soil, and gave the tree one last drink. And then I gave it a good serving of Miracle Gro Quick Start Transplant Solution. I use this on everything I plant, and it really seems to help when planting in the heat of summer. Things may wilt for an hour or two after planting, and then they are fine! I used to use organic everything, but the Miracle Grow stuff just is amazing. I love it. As for watering, I give each tree half an hour with the hose (just lay the hose down and walk away) two times a week minimum. You can buy plastic watering rings, but I was pretty sure these would be stolen since I live in PDX. I know this is a lot more info than you asked for, but I was hoping to prevent you some of the suffering and indecision we went through planting our trees last year. We were so scared! But it all worked out great. Here is a link that might be useful: Miracle Gro Quick Start Transplant Solution

Jim, My saba is only on it's 6th leaf now, counting the leaves it made indoors, it's on it's 8th. The bananas have grown slower this year than usual, hopefully next year they will grow fast again. My Ice Cream banana is growing too slowly, it's being shaded by the cannas (now 12 feet tall) and elephant ear (now over 6 feet tall). Hopefully it grows at least 3 more leaves this summer and Im hoping for 4 or 5 more leaves from the Saba before frost! Issac should give you a lot of needed rain! We ended up with about 4 inches this month, not bad but the tropicals definitely respond better to more rain than that as long as it's warm out! Thanks Eric! I wish I was a master! Plants have minds of their own. One year they might grow great, the next year they might not grow at all. My bananas have been slow this year and my Bougainvillea is usually covered in blooms by now, but it doesnt have a single one at the moment! But I have had a lot of luck with my cannas, and elephant ears this year, I'm always learning, but even if I do the same thing year after year and the weather is similar, the plants still respond differently! Thanks for looking! -Alex