I agree Howard, that Ctsm saccatum is not just some unknown species in Holst's book and that, as you say, it's "habits are well known." Well, apparently they are well known ... to other people who grow them and know them well. Holst clearly states that saccatum most often doesn't go completely dormant to begin with and will start to bloom "mostly in the summer... but can bloom at various times of the year." Now mind you, the operative word is "bloom," not spike, and summer is certainly not "just before its dormancy" as you stated. Plants kept indoors in warm houses can do even stranger things. When it comes to Catasetums, you really have to read the plant and take your cues from it. As Carolyn said, after a while you get a feel for them. So while I enjoy many of your well-researched posts here on various subjects, you apparently don't have much hands-on experience with Catasetums and have not read the book either. I make a point of not posting advice unless I am absolutely sure it is correct and applicable and preferably based on first-hand experience. If I am not really sure, I say that. If I don't know, I don't post. I don't want to kill someone's plant with advice under a false veneer of expertise I didn't have. You have never seen a post from me on, for example, Masdevallias because I have never grown them, couldn't if I tried, and therefore have not researched them enough to know them well. All I really know about Masdies is that they like it humid and cool, even allowing for the fact I have first-hand experience with the type of habitat they live in in the wild and can describe that. I steer away from stuff I don't really know well personally and will only submit my "guesses" if no one else has any solid advice either.

Can't help you with the second one other than to suggest you check the Thompson Morgan growing guide for them to get the details as they provide the best info. But I find that Portulaca - one of the wife's favs - does best when direct sown after your last frost date. It doesn't like cold nor does it tolerate transplanting well but does great when direct seeded. If you choose to do some pre-starting with it I'd suggest direct seeding to potting mix containers rather than the baggie method and save some of your seeds for direct planting later too. That way you're guaranteed success. Hope this helps. ;) Dave Here is a link that might be useful: Lychnis guide

Once again, mightyanvil has relayed excellent information in a very polite manner. I promise you that there are many others that read some of these posts and walk away because they can't say what they want nicely. That "line" that mighty is referring to is known by anyone involved in contractor/sub work, whether it's folks in commercial work or residential work, from building trades to service work of all types. Another guarantee that I'll make is that I'm not the only one that cringed a little when reading your post. Nothing against you at all, it's just that that degree of conversation between you, GS and ND is more than I'd like to see. Those simple little requests always have the potential to drag either the requester or requested over the line and can eventually lead to unrest or dispute. Some of us are touchier than others about the politics and maintaining the proper flow of information. I cannot tell you how many times I see the customer fishing for a little too much conversation from my subs. Many subs can only resist so long before they either take the attitude that GS has or turn into a big gossiping nelly. Just this week I have to solidify the customer/vendor relationship with one of my customers because the sub was being overly talkative. These things are not always born of ill-wishes. But, when your sub calls and says "hey, i just got off the phone with the customer, and..." it is more than an annoyance, it is a pothole in the relationship.

A clue, Scooby Doo.. at the back property line, near the train tracks, there's a hand pump that I think may be for water. I'm starting to wonder if I don't have a well or spring running near the foundation, and that's where the water is coming from. The mystery deepens. I'll take a picture of The Hole tomorrow when i go back over.