Or you could trade it in for a fat lazy cat like mine who more often then not finds it not worth while to jump up on the comfy couch so instead opts for the hardwood floor. Getting to the plants is just an unfathomable expenditure of energy that she just doesn't feel like exerting...ever...

Thanks for the advise WC8 and Ginnibug, WC8 tomorrow I'll make sure to start a new thread about my lighting. I'd do it right now but since I'm on my iPod and don't want to turn on my computer to get the pictures it'll have to hold off unroll tomorrow. -- Thanks, Carl

Putting oil of any kind on the leaves of a plant can smother it. Horticultural oils are especially fine. I doubt your basic tea tree oil is refined enough to do no harm. Get your cat a plant he/she can chew. You have to give them a substitute. A spider plant is good, because it is indestructible and doesn't need much light. Also some cats love to play with the droopies. Put it in a separate place away from the orchids, so they can easily tell where it's ok, and where it's not. Close off the room the orchids are in temporarily if you can, or move them temporarily to a room that can be shut or to a place where you are there a lot to stop the depredations. Just till they've gotten used to "their" new plant. Cats are plenty smart enough to discern "this is mine, that is the Big Cat's who gets mad when I go near it" if they are trained. And they learn in just a few trials, too. It's harder if you're not home, but if you can catch them in the act even once, you can deter them. Mine occasionally, like once a year or so, try to sneak a bite, but they act guilty when they're doing it, and mostly seem to think it isn't worth the chance of being caught doing it and "acked" by the Big Cat.

Morning... Hey OG. About MRI's..I was told and read they were safer than X-Rays, so what can one do? They detect much better than X-rays, that's for sure. My doctor sent me for an X-ray of my knee..When the X-ray tech asked the reasons I needed an X-ray, and I explained, he shook his head..He said, Toni, I don't understand why your doc ordered an X-ray for your problem. You need an MRI. 'Which I ended up getting a couple weeks later.' For a tech to admit an X-ray was useless makes me wonder why so many are given. MRI's are expensive, but when someone has chronic pain, and an X-ray doesn't show everything, plus they too are now costly,' it makes one wonder. Nuclear is a scary word, though...:( I wish we had a solarium, lol, but that'll never happen. Think you're talking about a Lean To. Usually a smaller gh that attaches to the house. Check charleysgreenhouse.com Once you're on the home page click on Sussex or Kensington. Charley's prices increased, but you can get an idea of home-attached green houses..those you'd consider and like. They sure are pretty. Lol, we were supposed to notify the village, get and 'pay' for a permit, but imo, since we already pay taxes, and it's our property, why should a person have to pay for something they place on their property.. Here, one needs a permit to work on their outdoor steps. What BS! The whole thing makes me sick. We're supposed to pay a yearly fee, per pet, too..it's none of their business. Too many laws, all crap. Money, money and more money. OG, I'm unsure of the the exact years we went to Hausermann's, but both times were in the 90's. Normally, I wouldn't say something so mean but that rude woman should have been fired. Well, it's her loss..I'm sure I'd have purchased something..But florist prices were too expensive anyway..Way more than the main Hausermann's gh. OG, thanks for the heads up on Housermann's supplies..I just checked their site; they sell bark..size needed, too.. Hausermann's is in Villa Park, on Addison Road. Depending on time of day and traffic, we could be there in 20 minutes..but w/the rain, it'd take an hour..It's pouring! I also need to go to a place called Schroeder's Materials in Worth...They sell coarse sand called Torp, and the smallest Pea Pebbles..perfect for succulents. Son and I drived to Worth summer 2011. I bought two 25lb bags of sand, and one, 25lb bag of pebbles..price came out to 2.75. lol..what a deal! I need to go back, too.. Regarding Perlite. I found a seller here in IL. He sells large 25lbs bags of coarse Perlite..Instead of having it shipped, we drove to his house..Paid 20.00 for 50lbs..not bad..right? Problem is, I don't like driving long distances, but don't want to pay shipping charges either..each company, of course, happens to be in opposite directions. lol. Murphy's Law! I rarely purchase small bags..expensive and goes fast. Og, most of my plants were purchased small, except for one Gardenia, citrus, 'size between 2.5-3' tall,' and a Cinnamon Tree, purchased at HD for 4.00. I kill small Gardenias, so when it was purchased, 1994/5, it stood about 1' tall. Wish it wasn't raining..I'd like to shop at a few places for repotting supplies. Get it over. When you said you buy larger ORchids, how tall did you mean? Mature Orchids are too costly, unless on sale. Something I rarely find..lol..So, it's babies or nothing. OG. just counted. I have 16 Orchids plus one variegated Vanilla and one green Vanilla Orchid. So, 18 in all. None are really tall..they fit on a home-made shelf dh made..he added lights on each shelf. The plastic shelf cost 20.00 at Menards. Doubt I'd buy more, unless a fragrant flowered type came along..I think ALL fragrant orchids cost a small fortune??? Wow, you have fragrant ORchids? What scent are flowers? I've NEVER smelled a fragrant Orchid bloom. Surprising, the variegated Brug hole wasn't all that large..Unlike my first Brug. Less roots, too. I think leaves tend to fall more after Brugs are brought indoors..Outside, they get better light, and fresh air. Once inside, especially when heat is turned on, they lose the requirement of fresh, circulating air and sun..although, I don't expect much light in winter. You know how it goes... Every so often I turn on the ceiling fan so air rotates. It helps to a degree, but nothing beats fresh, outdoor air. Ha, dh does very little work, if any..But, he goes to work daily, so I don't say much..no matter how messy and lazy he happens to be..lol. At times I get irritable when he and son are lying around and I'm rushing to get things done. It's frustrating...but what can I do? Our son is an adult, capable of helping, but dh doesn't admonish him while he's lying in bed, watching TV or listening to music on Youtube. I bought a few hanging planters from Collections Inc..they're so cute. A few came w/brackets. Dh was supposed to place brackets on the wall...a little more than a week ago. I'm still waiting..lol Anyway, have a great wkend. Hugs, Toni