jank -- it doesn't rain on the plant but maybe I'm watering too much? I have a feeling that I probably watered it when I saw the spikes (partly b/c I realize I hadn't been watering it...) So maybe I need to be better about watering it regularly, then holding off when it spikes?

ohhhh my malcome?? sure!! you just keep track and fire me off a list, LOL and they are yours!! :')) i do have some kinda baptisia in the house, i need to plant them out. and boy they sure do brighten my day!! i was so happy to see my datura bloom!! then talla pulled the blooms off, then she told me she ate it, i FREAKED!!!! i told her she can't they are poisonous!! so she said that she actually put it in the fairy garden, so i'm like ok. i shoulda checked. but she does everything for her fairies. so its no surprise. LOL ummm no coleus. maybe bee balm :'))

Sharon;Wheres a picture of your Black cat? Bobbert? You know,Snoopy was so skinny and dirty,I didn't even know she was my cat when she came back to my door after being gone for 3 weeks,I stood there looking at her, asking her who is she,and where did she come from,and she kept looking at me with a very low Meow,Then I kept asking her if she is snoopy,and her meow got louder, then I knew it WAS my cat returned home. so I opened my door and let her in and she went straight to where her food dish and water is kept. nat4b;;I am so sorry you have lost your cat,and sorry my story made you so sad.It will get better soon. Jason. Thank you for the kind words,and won't you show us a picture of your cats, too? Nancy, Thank you for the nice comments. ngraham ..The Basket on the right is a Boganvilla, not sure I spelled it right. and the other basket is Purple Verbena's. KAY, Thank you for the nice comments.I lost a bunch of roses due to some critter making tunnels in my rose bed and ate all the roots off them.I lost a HUGE rose I was so proud of, it was huge, but at least,I rooted another one off it, so I still have one growing, much smaller, but, it will grow,if it aint ate up again. SARAH, the mulch is shredded cypress mulch.It was so cheap till I wanted to try some of it,I ran out and have to get some more soon, and the sale is over now. RITA, Thank you for them nice comments.I have worked very hard in the yard lately spreading that mulch and pulling weeds out first.But, my yard don't hold a candle to yours in beauty.Your gardens pictures should be in a garden magazine as your gardens are fantastic.I had to keep stopping and go rest for a little while, then go back to it again, with one daughter fussing at me, that I was over doing it and need to rest.I told her when I am finished with what I am trying to get done, then I will rest awhile. CINDYJUDY, You grow clematis by seed the same as anything else. sprinkle the seeds in some potting soil like I do, or a seed mix, then cover the seeds slightly,and keep watered.They do not sprout as fast as other seeds do, so have to be patient.I had some seed came up after 2 weeks,and some didnt come up for nearly a year. Jean

Hi and welcome H, You may have fertilized properly for a normal year, but the extra heavy rains in Huston this year may have leached it all out of the soil. Try giving it a time-released fertilizer like Osmocote. Has the soil level subsided significantly since you potted it up? If a plant has been in the same pot for several years, you will notice the soil level going down as it is consumed by the plant and microorganisms. Give it a top dressing at the same time you add the fertilizer. Next spring as it is coming out of dormancy, remove it from the pot, remove all the old soil, trim the roots, and put it back in the same or larger pot with all new soil. This will give it a new lease on life. One more point, plumeria need to prepare in advance for blooming. If it went all out for you last year, it may not have any tips this year that are mature enough to bloom, or it may bloom late this year. If it stores enough energy this year, it will bloom well for you next year. Philip PS: Welcome Leslie.