I winter sowed all I had, and have never tried them before from seed. Only one yellow I had collected from my own plant, and just wanted to see if the seeds would germinate. I'm grateful for the other columbine thread where we were cautioned they may take a very long time so I won't get impatient and throw them out too soon, will have to water them once the tops come open, probably shouldn't let them dry out if it doesn't rain. Those lovely red ones (Swallowtail) were so different, not sure what red you're talking about, but they were only 10 seeds/pkt, and I passed them up, have been extravagant enough as it is. Now if I have good fortune, I will have several varieties of columbines and am not keen on them crossing, would welcome it for some. But you never know. I don't know how much of a tendency they have to cross or revert. One of my yellows, not the whole plant, just one part, had some red in it, every year, didn't care for it. If say my Nora Barlows cross with Blue Star or some odd kind I got, I would probably save seeds but don't know if they would stay true to form or not. I don't even know if they do cross if too different.

Couldn't you find someone ~ perhaps a neighbor or a HS student, to tend to your feeder? I think if temp is not too hot, one replenishing should do it! If others around have feeders & garden blossoms they should be fine, IMHO. We are on similar zone ~ they'll be traveling back home in a few more weeks, you may have a few stopping by for a fill-ups! From what I read, they have a great memory for where great stops are, I'm sure they'll find their way again!

They must've remembered from last year Vickie. I believe they return to the same spot every year. I bought a few plants for the hummingbirds. Orchlein's in Republic had hanging baskets of red verbena on sale for $7.50. I got one for my mother and one for myself. Wal-Mart and Lowe's in north Spfd both had annual red salvia on clearance so I got a couple six packs of that too. I couldn't find any 'Lady in Red' like I got there last year. I think they like it better than the common salvia splendens that they always have. Hoping they'll get some in later. If anyone sees 'Black and Blue' anywhere, let me know. I'd like to get one of those. Lowe's had it last year but they were out already when I checked.

After having the plexi on for a half hour at about 1:00 pm, only one bluebird was able to get through the hole... all these blues (9) are from broods that were hatched here this summer, I presume, so they are all around 6-7 months old. They don't seem to be able to fit through the 1.5" plexi hole. Maybe they are too fat? LOL. I could make the holes a little larger for them to fit through... what do you think? Its like they can't get their wings to fit. I don't want them to injure themselves trying to get food. I am sure its just that they are not used to going through a hole like this... to get food. The one who made it went in through a side hole (where the tape is) and then out through the end - solid. What to do?