A layer of Hydroton on the bottom of containers would be about the same as a layer of marbles of the same size. Initially, when they were dry, they'd absorb some water, but after they were wet, they'd remain saturated. If the layer was shallow, it would have no impact on reducing the ht of the perched water table & probably nearly no impact on o/a water retention. If the layer was deep, soil would probably rest on top of the layer & cause the PWT to be even taller than w/o the Hydroton. They wouldn't have any notable impact on drainage (flow through rates), and if you were just looking for ballast to reduce o/a water retention, marbles or stones (something not internally porous) would actually be a better choice. Al

Thanks Mike..actually, I dont think I saw the post. How have you been? How are plants? Bringing any indoors yet or is it too soon? The night before spraying, all but Fish Emulsion is placed in the mister..It's said never keep fertilizers after 'X' hours, so add FE right before spraying. Shake thoroughly..All ingredients need to blend in, so when you spray, each part of the plant gets equal amounts. BTW, I add FE for two reasons..One is it rids and prevents scale. The other ingredients kill/prevent mites. Unfortunately, this concoction doesn't bother mealy, a major, very contageous enemy of plants. The second reason is it makes a fantastic, organic, last foliar feed of the year, (here in IL.) I'm glad it rid/prevented scale on your trees last year. I'll never forget the Olive tree shipped to my house, bearing hundreds, literally hundreds of scale. Sticky Traps are also fantastic, non-toxic traps that kill whitefly. After reading this thread, I Googled Yellow Sticky Traps. Park's Seeds sells traps..here's what they say traps capture: aphids, fungus gnats, whitefly, leafminer, carrot rust flies, gypsy moths, thrips, and many more... They sell 'Large' traps..9 traps w/holders for 4.95. GardensAlive.com doesn't list the same shape traps I bought from them. They sell an ornamental shaped butterfly trap,(for indoor plants.) LOL Planet Natural, (I've never ordered from this company) sells traps and has articles regarding LM'ers and other pests.. Depending on the amount of traps one needs, Planet Natural sells 25 3x5" for 8.95. They also sell 3 traps. There's numerous nurseries, but check Ebay. Even though the prices listed aren't bad. In Il, local hardware stores sell large traps..they're probably used to catch roaches, waterbugs, mice, etc. Yuck! For those who want to trap Fungus Gnats, one nursery recommends laying the trap horizontally. That makes sense. Brass, you're right..using traps and spray will definatly stop or at the minimum, reduce insects. Hopefully, kill all. Toni PS...Thanks again Mike..

Thank you kay and Nancy., well, now I am not expecting seeds from this,so if I do get seeds and they turn out they are good one and grow me a new daylily, I will be very surprised.Hope it works,anyway.maybe I be beginers luck? jean

cercis / redbud and althea / rose of sharon