They are mothballs, but they were taken up within an hour of putting them down. I planted garlic next to them and I'm sure they would have poisoned my root vegetables and edible lettuces nearby. I have some other sprouts that look more like the marigold leaves on the second set of leaves, so these maybe maple. I just didn't want to pull them up as a weed if they were my marigolds. I planted some last year and none sprouted, now I see a variety of new shoots resembling those more in the picture of the real ones, not those in my yard. Do you really think they could be maple? The leaves don't look like maple. I did get some leaves from my dad's yard and he's got lots of maples.

I'd be surprised if they get over 20-25m tall in the east; Pacific coastal Pseudotsuga menziesii subsp. menziesii is the really big one, but can't cope with eastern continental climates, while interior Pseudotsuga menziesii subsp. glauca is much smaller, and is also disease-prone in the east's high summer humidity. Yours is likely the latter. The pine seedling could well be Loblolly, though they're not easily identifiable at that age. Resin

Hey Mike.. The day is dark..where's the sun? lol..Wonder if it's going to snow..Has it snowed up east yet, or too early? One thing about snow...it brightens up a home..ever notice? Snow reflects off walls (I only use Semi-Gloss White paint) and other bright objects.. Mike, the things we do for our plants! I've placed aluminum foil behind plants so when we do have sun, it reflects off the foil..lol.. One time, I tried collecting snow for plants..lol...Don't bother. One year, I placed containers outside while it was snowing, blizard-like. The containers collected snow, filled, 'which took forever,' then brought inside to melt..I wanted to cry. There was about 2" of water..lol..All that work for nothing.. Here's another thing I do, but am not recommending. When snow is fresh, I grab a handful and place directly on soil. Most of you reading this are shaking your head, thinking, she's NUTS, lol, but fresh snow, although cold, is pure. The problem doing this is it can chill roots..So, when I add snow, it has to be sunny and early in the morning. Never at night. So far, Thank God, snow has never harmed a plant. Again, I'm NOT telling anyone to do this.. BTW, I don't add snow to cactus and succulents. I agree about caring for our plants like children, with one exception..What's the number one plant killer? OVERWATERING. Sometimes, people kill plants because they're too caring, and continue adding more and more water..Leaves droop, so they think, oh oh it needs more water or fertilizer..then the plant dies.. So, yes, I agree, we need to be alert, (especially when a plant shows signs of distress,) inspect, mist, shower, water when needed, fertilize at the proper time, etc, but never in excess.. BTW, if I'm not mistaken, the number 2 killer is over-fertiliizing. 3 is underwatering. Then there's the INSECT problem..sheesh..in some cases, insects are beyond our control. Especially for those starting out..they go shopping, find a pretty plant, unaware it's loaded with mites, bring home, and a wk later the plant is dead. But never neglect plants either. Heck, I talk and sing to them..lol..you should see my birds when they see me talking, especially singing to a plant..lol..it's hilarious. I found the variegated CC on Ebay..Ebay is the BEST..I wouldnt have half the plants I do if it wasn't for Ebay or the internet in general. Most stores and nurseries here sell the same, old, common plants. When they get something they deem rare, prices are hiked up 100%. Terrible. Oh, I agree, 'playing' with plants is more 'funner' than cooking or cleaning..lol. Oh you do have a MOO??? GReat..Flowers don't last long like you say, similar to tropical Hibiscus. Speaking of which, my Hib tree had several buds and one opened flower..it opened 3 days ago and still going, but starting to look crinkly..I snapped a pic last night, but haven't put it on Flickr yet.. What I'd love to find is a variegated MOO..lol..now that be sometehing..I'd also like to find a variegated Stephanotis..ohhh, wonder if any exist..lol.. Have a wonderful day..hugs, Toni

Most of these reviews/responses are from people that only read and hear what they want to hear about the "HCG" diet, and probably anything else they don't understand! I think they missed the part about the maintenance program "resetting" your metabolism, and of course encouraging healthy eating and exercise. I think the reason why Dr. Oz stayed neutral is because it works! I will not tell you it is right for everyone, but I will tell you it works 100% of the time, for 100% of the people that do the program correct, how do I know...I have personally lost 110 pounds in 135 days, have contributed to a book on HCG, and have helped well over 100 people. I am not selling you anything, or even giving out my name, simply want people to understand that this works, but only if you are willing to give it a chance to owrk; otherwise find a program that works for you, either way quit posting ignorant posts and possibly disuading people from this or any other program that may help them, especially when you do not understand it! I wish everyone success, whether you choose the HCG program or not on a happy healthy life, and lifestyle!!...TJM