"How does one know the light cycles needed for plants at different stages for the artificial lighting?" ANSWER: In nature, plants are able to recognize the length of time, probably even down to the minute, of sunlight in a day to gauge whether they should be growing their stems, leaves, and roots vigorously, or, when temperatures and other conditions such as nutrients permit, begin to produce abundant blooms and fruits. Now, in order to recreate this change in duration of light being emitted at your plants, you must know the magic number. Yes, there is a magic number under which all plants (whether they bloom with more than, or less than this magic number) obey. If one changes the amount of light a plant receives from 24 hours, being on all day, down to a smaller amount such as 18 hours, not much will happen! You have not gotten down to the magic number yet. What is important to know, is that no matter how close you get to this magic number, things don't start doing much till you actually reach it. It just so happens that when plants begin receiving 12, or some say 13, hours of light, and 12 or 11 hours of darkness, they are forced into what is called their flowering state. As previously stated, the plants will redirect their "hormones" and growth factors in a way such that the growth is now focusing on growing buds and blooms, and ultimately, tasty morsels for us to eat! And this all happens, again, at 12 hours of light per day! "What's the cheapest diy way to set up hydro/aero systems?" ANSWER: I prefer to use what is called the DWC, or Deep Water Culture type of setup because it is very easy to understand how it works, and is very economical. As to how I make them, that is very easy. If you don't mind some reading, reading from a MJ forum I might add, I have included a link to some invaluable instructions about how to create a DWC bucket: "Are there better systems for different types of plants?" ANSWER: Yes and no. I think it all really boils down to how much root space a plant needs. Obviously, a banana tree will be different than a rosemary bush, in many respects, but root space will determine which system would be more suited for the plant. I have no list of optimum systems for every plant out there, so I won't be of as much help here. Many people around this forum should be able to answer this question though. Here is a link that might be useful: DIY DWC Bucket

Purchased at a grocery store, my money would be on "Stargazer", a very popular Oriental lily. The Orienpet hybrid type "Anastasia" could be what it is as the flowers do look somewhat similar - but without any identification tag included with it, it could be whatever the supplier wanted it to be??? However, the short and sweet - if you bought it in bloom, each bloom usually lasts for under a week and the petals simply fall off leaving what is called a "candelabra" of spent blooms. This candelabra can be cut off. The lily only blooms once per season, oftentimes for a long time as each individual bud opens in succession - no amount of care will give you a second bloom, however. Don't think you did much with the self-pollination idea. Need an expert, but I think most lily cultivars are self sterile - they can't use their own pollen. Lilies are self contained units growing up from a bulb - the bulb pretty much has what it needs to grow, bloom, set seeds (if you let it), and the main stem to turn yellow/brown and woody. This dying back process is needed to replenish the bulb for next season. Watering heavily and often will pretty well insure the potted bulb will rot - they like well drained soil. Unlike here in cold climates where lilies can be left in the ground year 'round, in southern Florida lilies would need to be given a cold period called vernalization if you don't get long periods of sustained cold temps. Probably dug up and refrigerated for a period of 6 weeks or so. Lots of info on the internet by searching Orienpet lily Anastasia or just simply how to grow lilies in southern Florida.

I agree with ucvinero. Without generosity of some greatest chile growers all around of this globe, I would not have such selection of plants what I have now. I could have offered seeds for Condo, but I like more the milder C chinenses and my first Chocolate Habanero has not yet had any ripe fruit. I have to admit that the capitalized first letters annoy me and make the messages difficult to read for me. English is not my first language and I try to write my messages clear and sometimes even type them in word processor, which has spell checking. Sari

Oh, hi emmhip! :) I completely know what you mean. And while I subscribe to FlyLady's emails, I haven't checked them (my "list" email is the most organized thing in my home - it all goes to separate folders in my inbox, lol). Anyway, what I've been doing is just a bit here and there. Today, I went through all the drawers in my dresser, and got rid of matchless socks, underwear that weren't ever going to be worn by me again, and assorted other things that I was no longer using or planning to use (including a Motherhood slip - my youngest if now 4 years old, ahem). I also cleaned (with a toothbrush!!!) my bathroom sink, including wiping down the cabinets. Thoroughly cleaned the toilet, too. I've been vacuuming every day for the last week, and sweeping, too. Two days ago, I finally cleared (what a task!) the table and counters except for two hotspots that I'm still working on. The kids' bathroom had a decent clean two days ago; I still need to go in and do an "on my hands and knees" floor cleaning. And my laundry? Well, it's caught up only because we recently bought the largest capacity washer (and matching dryer - our old washer broke, perfect timing!) and for the first time EVER, my laundry has been caught up without my hubby stepping in to help. :) I LOVE my new W&D, and have taken meticulous care of it (I follow the care instructions carefully, lol). I was so proud the other day when I washed all the kids' bed linens in one day. I'm sure that hasn't been done before (by me, anyway). However, my wood floor is still in bad shape, and I really need to wipe down all the kitchen cabinets, and most of the doors in the house. My daughters' room is still a mess, but that's largely because my 7yo dd has learned my bad habits, so we both need work. ;) Anyway, there's still much to do, but I trust that FlyLady's admonition to take baby steps will eventually get me to where I need to be. And also, this isn't really part of the above, except that it is FOR ME, but about 3 months ago, I was dx'd with severe ADD symptoms and mild/moderate depression. I've been on Wellbutrin since then, and the change has made all the difference for me. It was slow getting here, but when I look back to where I was before, I'm amazed at the difference in how I feel, and how far I've come. The above probably doesn't apply to most folks, but I feel I'd be disingenuous if I didn't include it as well. Anyway, it's hard to struggle and feel like you can't get ahead, and then, to be so overwhelmed in your own home that it's not relaxing, but rather stress-inducing, and I realized I was the only one who could change that for me. And I am, slowly but surely. Best of luck to you, and yes, get that book! (Don't worry about her time tables for cleaning - for that, I'm fine with FlyLady's plan - I just need to know the "how-to" of taking care of a home.) Best of luck to you - you need to trust that you can do it, and that the changes will be their own reward, and even more.