The trick is to get them something to plant that isn't boring. For boys, hot peppers are a good way to go. Even the manliest of men (or boys that think they are manly men) will stop to dig in the dirt if it means they end up with the world's hottest pepper they can use to dare their friends with. For girls, try odd colored fruits. Pink blueberries, white watermelons, or purple cauliflower. For both, highly unusual fruits and veggies can do the trick as well. Kiwano melons are absolutely BIZARRE looking, and that makes them fun to grow. The trick is to not try and get them interested in the gardening at first, but in the end product. Just make sure its something you can't buy in the grocery store that still looks fascinating so you can pull the "Well, the only way you will ever get to try one of these is if you grow your own." deal. By the time they actually get fruit, the bait and switch will be done and they'll (hopefully) enjoy the gardening for it's own sake.

Hello Max, I'm doing fine. When I recieved the two air layers, they were both doing great but within one or two weeks, one of the air layers started to drop all of its leaves and that air layer is now gone. When the air layer died, I peeled back the aluminum foil that wrapped the roots and it appeared as if all the roots were detached from the trunk of the tree as if someone perhaps unwrapped the tree for inspection and then accidentally squeezed the root ball too hard. The two air layers were treated exactly the same and I only have that one other one left. It is doing very well considering I have been keeping it indoors ever since I recieved it. All of its original leaves have fallen off and were replaced by approx the same number of new leaves. Once the weather in San Diego stabilizes, I will slowly acclimate it to the outdoors and then bring it back in again during the winter. Because this variety is so rare, I'm going to be extra careful with it. I recently contacted the USDA at Hilo again, where I got these air layers, and they said they will no longer ship air layers due to the difficulty in cleaning the roots but they will ship scions that an expert gardener may graft. My Kwa Luk air layer is still the same height but is slightly wider due to the new growth and the roots have completely filled the pot it is in and the roots are even starting to come out of the drainage holes. Hopefully the stronger light outside will help it gain some size this growing season.

So happy for the gardeners who are getting rain. I heard on the news the other day that we are not getting either El Nino or La Nina this year as previously thought. After checking the temperature in the Pacific Ocean, the weather forecasters (I want to call them the weathermongers, with some affection) have declared it will be La Nada, meaning nothing, no ocean effect. I am really not making this up.

Sandy, I was concerned because I heard that Hideout tends to spread and may not really be a mini. I didn't want it to be too crowded. But if I can butt that garden border wall out a few inches, that will allow me to make the space. You are right; always room for another hosta!