Hi everyone, once again I can't sleep so I'm doing plant stuff :) I potted the Dracaena reflexa in Pro-Mix (not sure which version since there are many) standard potting soil. There isn't as much perlite in that mix as I've seen in some others, so hopefully it won't cause the plant any harm. The Yucca has been potted in the same soil, however I added a fair bit of perlite, which I rinsed beforehand. Now, as for the Cordyline, I dug a hole in the soil so I could feel the soil all the way down at the bottom, and even though the moisture meters (three of them) read "wet" or very close to it, the soil only feels mildly damp down there (and at other levels too). In fact, I took a small handful from the very bottom and squeezed it in my hand and when I released it, it fell apart and didn't remain clumped up at all. This should mean the soil isn't too wet, right? I also noted as I was using my hand to dig down to the bottom, that the soil wasn't tightly compacted at all and felt fluffy and easy to dig through.... So, these should be good signs that the soil isn't too wet for the plant, no? In fact, it might even be time to water it again... hmmm. I appreciate very much everyone who responds to my postings on here. :) I realize I'm likely obsessing a bit about things regarding the plants, but after losing all of my plants for undetermined reasons a number of years ago, I want to make sure I do it right this time 'round. I'm still hesitant to water these large plants to the point where water drains from the bottom, though on one hand I really want to try it so I can see how well it does (or doesn't drain). If I do saturate them and they remain wet for a while, how long before root rot will set in? Some say that it's only an issue if you do it repeatedly, while others claim leaving them too wet even for a single watering cycle can be deadly. Also, here's a picture of the three of them, just because plant pics are fun.

LOL at the "ammending soil" retort. I just couldn't help myself. I added as little as I could tolerate, heh heh. I know they don't need much but I couldn't help myself. Thanks for the comments on the color schemes. I try to keep things somewhat harmonious, but my penchant for hot/bright colors often gets me in to trouble some times. :) I think moist to average soil suits schizostylus quite fine. They do seem to struggle a bit in really dry, powdery soil, but anything other than that seems to suit them fine. I've got mine mostly planted in a sloped west-facing bed which gets pretty dry during summer, though it has pretty good soil. They really are reliable for blooms from October through April or so, with occasional spikes in summer too. I may keep the water feature depending on my laziness. This back garden is very tiny so I was thinking of clearing most things out and having a pretty formal layout (in back) and the pond would alter that plan, but it may become a nice feature and if it's concrete as I suspect I'll probably leave it. I'll try to get some pics and start a different thread on it. Oh, something else looking good this week is Chilean glory flower (Eccremocarpus scaber) which is still in full bloom. I love this plant and wish more people would grow it. It's easy from seed, blooms quickly from seed the first year, and is generally a perennial in most of Western Washington. Mine are still covered in orange goldfish-looking blooms. I'll start a search for the white-flowering bergenias. I'm really growing attached to the plant and have built up a nice little collection of cultivars, though mostly in the pink to magenta range. Keep the updates coming. We'll all have to compare notes after the cold snap that is predicted for early next week. :) Take care, Grant

g'day richtrav, i didn't know any of the cordylines/dracaena's had trouble growing in the humid tropics here in qld they seem to thrive everywhere, to my knowledge most of the fancier ones are indemic to the tropical islands of polynesia and mycronesia. if you have had problems maybe research soil type/condition or aspect of that growing conditions. my help probably not much help though so maybe you could post this question over at ausgarden len Here is a link that might be useful: lens garden page

Those cordylines are really lovely Ian. Do you have trouble with anything eating them? I have two in the garden. One gets chomped and the other one doesn't. Is it snails? I'm so sorry to hear you are still in such dry conditions. It must make it very hard with all that garden to take care of. We've been pretty lucky with rainfall down here. You just seem to take it for granted when it's raining again. I know we shouldn't, but I guess that's just human nature. Cheers, Dee.