Hi Toni The potting mix for leaves needs to be very light with at least fifty percent perlite which creates air pockets for the roots to breathe. Then add potting mix. I get the one labelled for AVs from Ace Hardware and Garden Center. Some people add some vermiculite which retains moisture in the mix. They should be placed in very small cups such as very small solo cups with small holes cut in the bottom for drainage. I use an Xacto knife also bought at Ace. Sometimes I cut about a 3/4" around from the top of the cup if it seems too tall. It is better for no more than one or two per cup because when they grow, they need space. If you cannot do this all in one day, put the leaves in water with a pinch of sugar. You can find many photos on this forum for rooting leaves and samples of trays with clear plastic lids to put them in after putting them into each small cup. You can also find the trays with tall covers at Ace. Because you live in Calif you probably have an Ace near you. The leaves will take nine months to grow to the small plant stage so they won't take up much space for a long time. You will start to see many more white plants in stores. It can be hard to find pure white but I saw Optimara has a new one on their website also. Yes, some folks like older or vintage violets. Have fun. J

Margaret, I followed the planting instructions for container grown lotus on the thread link I am posting below. The only exception is that I put half black cow and half of the cheapest brand top soil from walmart in each container. The more expensive topsoil brands have peat which will float. Also, I only put in 3/4 cup of osmocote instead of a cup but I have lots of pond fertilizer tabs I got cheap on ebay that I will add later in the summer. I did them the same way last time with good results. Lotus tubers are only sold usually March through the end of April so you will need to order early. Once they break dormancy they are very fragile and so people won't usually ship them. Last time I got mine off ebay and a few were not what they were supposed to be :/ This time I ordered from Texas Waterlilies and I got way bigger tubers and I have always received the correct tropical waterlilies from them so trust them to send the correct lotus lol. They also have some planting and care info on their webpages. You can start from seed but you may not get blooms the first year just depending on when you start them. Lotus will go dormant in the winter and are quite hardy even in freezing temps as long as the tuber itself does not freeze. I break up mosquito dunks to prevent mosquitos and throw a piece in each tub. You could also probably grow the Hardy waterlilies in tubs as well I have a yellow one that went crazy in a tub. They won't freeze and you don't have to protect them in winter like you do the Tropical waterlilies. I have found Hardy waterlilies in Petco & Petmart (by the pond products) sometimes Lowes also has them in late spring. Hibiscus::: I ordered Tie dye, Plum Fantasy, Heartthrob, Jazzberry Jam, Berrylicious, and a red dinner plate un-named one. I do like that Cranberry Crush I almost got that one as well LOL!. So many pretties out there.... It seems like the hardy hibicus should be easy to root from cuttings- have you ever tried that? Good idea on the wintersown seed method. I soaked the Luna Swirl seeds and started them indoors on the heat mat. I think the seeds came from Parks Seed. Here is a link that might be useful: Barrel Lotus This post was edited by sultry_jasmine_night on Tue, Mar 25, 14 at 11:46

The sun shouldn't have killed any plants from seeds you sowed directly in the soil, unless the ground was very dry -farmers plant seeds in the open ground with no protection. Might have been slugs, cutworms or damping off fungus, although damping off doesn't usually occur in the open ground. You'll need to harden off the plants you purchase - expose them gradually to sun and the cold of night over a week or two. You start them with just a couple hours of morning sun, until you get them up to full sun. Some of your plants look like they have yellowing veins, which you might google on. Since it seems to occur in different kinds of plants, it's more likely to be a nutritional deficiency than a disease. But don't over fertilize. Your prepared bed looks great.

herb nerd i'd love to have some poppies, arugula, foxglove and yarrow. please let me know if you would like to trade or a sase. i don't need all that many seeds, just a nice sample of each. thanks kindly, earthly