well, we are almost to the max posts, so i wanted to update on my mature syngonium progress. i have 2 new leaves of 'mature form' AND also some variegation near veins - that's totally unexpected! so i have 5 leaves and 2 little 'horns' at the ends, just like other mature leaves. when i took the cutting, the last very young leaf got mangled in xfer , so i cut it off, but left the stalk (where the new leaf develops) - so the 1st leaf was def formed BEFORE i took the cutting. now the 2nd? i am not sure - may be it was already formed inside there too? so i'll have to wait for a few more to be sure. but so far i am happy - i fed it well, so new leaves are dark green, the older leaves are slowly decaying one by one. but that's normal. now the big question is - when do i trim the vine? i think i'll grow may be 10 leaves , so i can trim it and root again and then see what will come out. and then of course i am afraid that after the trim the young immature leaves start popping. but that will be end of summer, not sooner. so, the leaves on the left are new. they have a little hard time unfurling, so they some spots and tears. they are folded in a very interesting 'origami' fashion. next time i'll take pics as they unfold to show you.

Kite, Rhizo's right about ivy's being difficult to grow indoors. Rhizo, before I continue, I have a question for you. Although Hedera Helix is hardy, are variegated types as hardy? English and Bostons even thrive here in IL, but I've never seen any variegated types, not in this part of IL..Boston grows on brick, but don't know if they redden naturally or from sun and chilly air. What do you think? Kite, did you want to grow outdoors or try indoors? Do you have a cool room? Enclosed porch, etc. The cooler the better. Variegated Ivy is a beautiful plant, especially types with deep variegation. But Variegated need more sun than strickly green. Low light causes spindly growth despite color. If you place your ivy in a bright window, w/cooler temps, 'away from gas heat,' ventilation, and spray the leaves daily, it should do fine. If the room is hot, dry and stuffy, Spider Mites will attack. In winter, water less. Don't keep soil constantly wet, it needs to dry between drinks, especially if your winters are always gray. I withhold fertilizer during winter, but depending where you are in Tn, if days have more sun than clouds, 1/4-1/2 strength will suffice. Is your ivy hanging or staked? Toni

I have 1 large Silver maple, 1 large Sugar maple, and used to have 5 large Norway maples in this yard. In my experience, there is a significant difference amongst the 3. The Silver maple is very greedy about water and has large gnarly surface roots that grow aggressively into the gardens that are irrigated. These trees have a high anaerobic tolerance, can tolerate seasonal flooding, and I wouldn't worry in the slightest about piling mulch or soil in the root zone (1 foot of soil is a bit much - on the other hand, the roots might be gleeful to have more soil to grow into). I also regularly hack away at large roots to cut them back from the perennials and septic system, with little apparent effect. It's not easy to grow under these trees, but drought tolerant plants do okay. The Sugar maple has much more well-behaved roots. Only, these trees don't tolerate root disturbance, salt, suffocation, or compaction. I dug out 2 large Burning bush from one side of this tree and within months it suffered die back on the trunk on that side and a strip of bark peeled off. So I only dig gently around this tree or not at all. Norways are near impossible. They have dense shade, allelopathic roots, and they suck the soil dry. Not to mention they are extremely invasive. I had 4 of them cut down. The only thing growing happily in the root zone of the remaining tree is Vinca minor. I love the native maples, but they aren't easy to garden under, and I'm not interested in pampering plants to be able to do so. But I have other places to garden.

Pamela, thank you and I promise to write it down this time. :-) Blackcatgirl, your Elle is very pretty. I agree, Gean has a wonderful way with words. Patricia, I can assure you that you do not want to see a photo of my garden right now. The spots have spots. The big picture isn't lovely but there are areas that are beautiful in the midst of the general untidiness from falling leaves and fungal ridden roses. My RdO didn't rebloom very well until the past two years. She took a long time to get around to blooming much but she has been constantly blooming this summer. Always a few blooms, often lots of blooms. Do you think she would do better with a little more time? It's good to see you posting. I miss you! Lordy Hamp, that is a gorgeous big ole girl. She really does like the south. Post as many "huge" pictures as you would like. I've got to remember the "Monster Tillier" :-)My LH has also covered herself with buds just in the past two days. Her last hurrah I guess. I love it that you managed to talk Randy into a rose just as a side note.... Thank you Randall, I'll try to find that lavender. Where you gonna put your Ducher? :-) Lux, I love jasmine. I have Carolina and Confederate jasmine. I wish I could grow lemons here. When I was in California, Carol made us the most wonderful lemon dessert from Meyer lemons from her very own tree. I was most impressed. Your garden sounds lovely. I love reading about all of your gardens! Off to bed. Another long day of work tomorrow. Carol