I love reading these types of posts, it is really cool to see what everyone is growing or fighting...lol 1. What is your current favorite houseplant? Always & forever, my hoya's, any of them, even the ones without the flowers, though I have three that just flowered, and another in the process. 2. What is your least favorite houseplant? Why? I have a couple sanseveria, snake plants, and I really just don't like them. I just don't see the appeal. I have one (the hahnii **sp.) in a four inch pot that I tried to kill over the winter by not watering at all, and to my surprise, it is still alive, and has a new healthy pup. 3. What plant are you thinking of burning? A couple of mini roses......they are just too picky for inside the house, and since I am not much of an outdoor gardener, I wouldn't mind throwing them into the fire.....lol 4. What plant is number one on your wish list? Why? I have quite a few plants, mostly hoya's and gessie's on my wish list. Hoya's would be my number one plant on my wish list though. 5. What plant can't you get enough of? Why? Mine would have to be hoya's. I just took part in my first D. Liddle order, and my first hoya round robin (hoya swap), and I still want more. I won't be satisfied until I have them all. My whole life goal.....lol.....is to own every species of hoya. Whether or not they have flowers, these are my number one favorite plant!! Everyone should have one. tracy www.damnplants.blogspot.com Here is a link that might be useful: My plant blog

[B]Survey Results![/B] Thanks to everyone who took my survey. Here are the results: Survey Questions (with responses from 43 participants): 1. Please rank how knowledgeable you are in basic gardening techniques? a. 1 not knowledgeable 5 very knowledgeable 1. 0 2. 4 3. 14 4. 13 5. 12 2. What types of edible/medicinal plants have you grown indoors? a. ______________________ 1.cilantro basil Fri, 3/13/09 1:09 PM 2.Tomatoes, Bell peppers, basil, thyme, rosemary, aloe vera. Thu, 3/12/09 8:45 PM 3.started from seed: basil, parsley, lavender, rosemary Thu, 3/12/09 7:32 AM 4.Aloe,Citrus,Olive,Rosemary,Parsley,Taro, Laurel, herbs, Vanilla Wed, 3/11/09 3:08 PM 5.sage,oregano,rosemary,chives,tarragon,basil Mon, 3/9/09 1:33 PM 6.thyme,aloe Sun, 3/8/09 2:36 PM 7.Basil, chili pepper Fri, 3/6/09 7:13 PM 8.mostly aloes and herbs, and a few coffee bean trees Fri, 3/6/09 7:03 PM 9.cilantro, basil, dill, oregano, rosemary, sage Thu, 3/5/09 5:19 PM 10.mint, rosemary, lemon verbena, strawberry, winter squash (seed starts only) Thu, 3/5/09 3:20 PM 11.herbs Thu, 3/5/09 1:46 PM 12.sprouted or germinated for a life outdoors - garlic, shallot, chives, large and small leaf basils, mint, taro, ginger, potato, common sage, aloe, nasturtium. over-wintered: Rosemary, Immortelle (curry plant, helichrysum i) white sage (artemesia) pineapple sage. Thu, 3/5/09 11:39 AM 13.aloe, vegetable seedlings, herb seedlings Wed, 3/4/09 9:13 PM 14.herbs, tomatoes Tue, 3/3/09 9:31 PM 15.catnip and special spices Tue, 3/3/09 9:12 PM 16.herbs Tue, 3/3/09 6:37 PM 17.herbs, lettuces Tue, 3/3/09 3:26 PM 18.herbs, lettuce, spinach, peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Tue, 3/3/09 2:57 PM 19.Full range of herbs, dozens of garden veggies Tue, 3/3/09 2:15 PM 20.culinary herbs Tue, 3/3/09 2:04 PM 21.herbs, leafy greens, sprouts, cherry tomatoes Mon, 3/2/09 11:23 PM 22.Basil Mon, 3/2/09 10:26 PM 23.basil, lavender, dill, chamomile Mon, 3/2/09 7:33 PM 24.tomatoes, onions, peppers, echinacea, eggplant, parsley, rosemary, thyme Mon, 3/2/09 5:19 PM 25.brugmansia, pineapple sage, tomatoes, pennyroyal, annuals and perennials, vegetables. Mon, 3/2/09 4:13 PM 26.tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, watermelon, cucumber. Mon, 3/2/09 4:01 PM 27.Over 50 varieties of cooking herbs; 20 types of basil, 6 sage, thymes, tarragon, dill, and many, many more Mon, 3/2/09 2:54 PM 28.lots of vegetables, and a ton of herbs (for medicinal, culinary, and curiosity reasons). Mon, 3/2/09 1:35 PM 29.vegetables mainly but some herbs also Mon, 3/2/09 12:33 PM 30.tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, cabbage, cukes, and squash,. Mon, 3/2/09 12:28 PM 31.Almost all of the herbs (parsely, basil, thyme, oregano, borage, tarragon, cilantro, tarragon, rosemary, and the list goes on for about 100 species), many spices, including curry leaf and cassia, and a number of medicinals including comfrey, echinacea, goldenseal, arnica, and calendula. Mon, 3/2/09 11:55 AM 32.Basil & Rosemary Herbs Mon, 3/2/09 11:33 AM 33.Vegetables and Herbs (cooking) Mon, 3/2/09 9:35 AM 34.herbs, aloe Mon, 3/2/09 8:39 AM 35.Aloe vera for burns; tomato, pepper, herb seedlings for transplanting in Spring. Mon, 3/2/09 4:47 AM 36.lettuce, spinach, tomato, all sorts of seedlings Mon, 3/2/09 4:13 AM 37.lettuces, aloe vera,parsley, and I have started a variety of seed indoors for later growth outside. Sun, 3/1/09 11:43 PM 38.all kinds Sun, 3/1/09 11:39 PM 39.tomatos, basil, peppers, Flowers, cauliflower, all going to be transplanted out doors. Sun, 3/1/09 11:00 PM 40.herbs and veggies Sun, 3/1/09 9:19 PM 41.tomato, pepper, eggplant, various herbs Sun, 3/1/09 9:16 PM 42.Citrus, salad greens, herbs for food use/fun. Seedlings for transplant outdoors. Sun, 3/1/09 9:08 PM 43.herbs, seed starting Sun, 3/1/09 8:52 PM 3. For what reasons have you grow edible/medicinal plants in your home? Check all that apply: a. Source of food/food seasoning 93% b. Source of medicine 23.3% c. Improve my home environment/ appearance 37.2% d. Starting seeds 76.7% e. Growing plants during the winter 48.8% f. Save money on food/medicine 58.1% g. I have no place to grow outdoors 4.7% h. Other: _________________ 1.culinary Mon, 3/9/09 1:33 PM 2.source of herbs not commonly available. superior quality of fresh herbs. Thu, 3/5/09 11:39 AM 3.propagation using cuttings. Mon, 3/2/09 4:13 PM 4.the bugs eat them outside Mon, 3/2/09 4:13 AM 5.I grow a variety of seeds indoors for later transplant outside . I do this to obtain varieties I may not find locally for purchase and to save money. Sun, 3/1/09 11:43 PM 4. When growing plants indoors, what source of light have you used: a. Artificial grow lights 42.2% b. Natural light 53.5% c. I have used a hydroponic grow system with artificial light 2.3% 5. Why did you use this type of light/system instead of the other sources? 1.Its a hobby - it won't kill me if my plants don't grow. Artificial lights also use energy so if my plants don't grow indoors, I put the pots outdoors instead. Fri, 3/13/09 1:09 PM 2.The simplest! Let the Sun do its thing. Thu, 3/12/09 8:45 PM 3.I started my seeds early and artificial 'work shop' lights are much cheaper and cooler for the plants. Thu, 3/12/09 7:32 AM 4.I have lots of natural light, south facing exposure Wed, 3/11/09 3:08 PM 5.i have cats and dont want them to eat the herbs..so i had too put them in a room close to my kitchen and it had tinted windows... Mon, 3/9/09 1:33 PM 6.it's easy Sun, 3/8/09 2:36 PM 7.Don't have any grow lights Fri, 3/6/09 7:13 PM 8.It's cheap and it works....and its best for the plants! Fri, 3/6/09 7:03 PM 9.I don't get enough natural light for the seedlings. Thu, 3/5/09 5:19 PM 10.I have a nice window with decent sun, and I'm cheap/lazy and put the plants back out on the patio when it's warm enough again anyway. Thu, 3/5/09 3:20 PM 11.the sun is free!! Thu, 3/5/09 1:46 PM 12.I supplement natural light with artificial as needed during the winter. hydroponics just aren't my thing. Thu, 3/5/09 11:39 AM 13.these lights promote even growth (as opposed to a window, the seedlings lean and can become leggy) Wed, 3/4/09 9:13 PM 14.cheap Tue, 3/3/09 9:31 PM 15.yield Tue, 3/3/09 9:12 PM 16.more natural Tue, 3/3/09 6:37 PM 17.I was willing to accept the results I got. I was not growing large amounts and was not depending on the results for food or seedlings for outdoors. Tue, 3/3/09 3:26 PM 18.I have used both artificial and natural light - #4 does not let you choose 2. Atificial light can augment the natural and give you better growth; No experience with hdroponics Tue, 3/3/09 2:57 PM 19.New house has ample greenhouse windows; electric light not needed (except for starting seeds and preventing legginess). Tue, 3/3/09 2:15 PM 20.nothing else convenient Tue, 3/3/09 2:04 PM 21.inexpensive fluorescent lights work without all the dollar investment Mon, 3/2/09 11:23 PM 22.its free! :) Mon, 3/2/09 10:26 PM 23.Grow lights are on a timer and the whole system is easily controlled. Mon, 3/2/09 7:33 PM 24.because it is cheap and works just as well as artificial light. I am frugal Mon, 3/2/09 5:19 PM 25.Seems more natural to me. Light with soil is how it's done outdoors. Mon, 3/2/09 4:13 PM 26.Better results than natural light from windows. Mon, 3/2/09 4:01 PM 27.Grow lights allow me to use a variety of spectrums of light. HPS produces bushier plants, MH fruits and blooms. Full color lights allow a more natural cycle like outdoors. Mon, 3/2/09 2:54 PM 28.Not a lot of natural light available in my house. I had more plants than light, so I bought some light. Mon, 3/2/09 1:35 PM 29.I'm new at gardening and don't have a system set up yet to put plants under artificial lights. Mon, 3/2/09 12:33 PM 30.it was handy Mon, 3/2/09 12:28 PM 31.I had big south-facing windows - why waste the light? Mon, 3/2/09 11:55 AM 32.I had room on my windowsill so I used that source. If I didn't have room, I would have used artificial light. Mon, 3/2/09 11:33 AM 33.Not enough windows Mon, 3/2/09 9:35 AM 34.easy to put up and take down when not needed Mon, 3/2/09 8:39 AM 35.I have 2 very large windows which are sufficient for starting seeds. Mon, 3/2/09 4:47 AM 36.i used grow lights for some as well as natural light for others - ran out of window space Mon, 3/2/09 4:13 AM 37.TO give the plants a good start and i do not have enough sunlight in my growing area. Sun, 3/1/09 11:43 PM 38.whatever have easy Sun, 3/1/09 11:39 PM 39.better results than the window, flourescent is a cheaper investment than halide for year round growing indoors Sun, 3/1/09 11:00 PM 40.I think it does better than growing beside a window. Sun, 3/1/09 9:19 PM 41.inexpensive to set up Sun, 3/1/09 9:16 PM 42.Insufficient natural light, older house with small windows. Sun, 3/1/09 9:08 PM 43.space Sun, 3/1/09 8:52 PM 6. Have you transferred plants inside and outside? Check all that apply a. No 9.3% b. Yes, I have transferred plants from inside to an outside garden 86% c. Yes, I have transferred plants from an outside garden to inside 65.1% 7. Please describe the configuration of your indoor garden (e.g. I put potted plants on my window sill) a. __________________________ 1.Potted plants on a countertop in the kitchen with south and east-facing windows Fri, 3/13/09 1:09 PM 2.Potted plants near windows. Thu, 3/12/09 8:45 PM 3.i have plants under lights. Thu, 3/12/09 7:32 AM 4.Potted plants, either on stands, or placed in groups on the floor Wed, 3/11/09 3:08 PM 5.in two pots....and a small window box....look at number 5 for more info Mon, 3/9/09 1:33 PM 6.potted plants in small greenhouse Sun, 3/8/09 2:36 PM 7.potted plants on window sill Fri, 3/6/09 7:13 PM 8.Everywhere there is room. Plant stands in the living room, plants on the kitchen table, microwave stand, even one in the bathroom :) Fri, 3/6/09 7:03 PM 9.I start seeds in the seed starting systems and then transplant to small pots until ready to move outdoors. Thu, 3/5/09 5:19 PM 10.I put pots in every spare space of the floor of my kitchen and on kitchen table. Thu, 3/5/09 3:20 PM 11.most herbs are on a window sil, while others are in a well lit room Thu, 3/5/09 1:46 PM 12.bench on the 'enclosed' porch with flats for seedlings and cuttings, hanging baskets in bedroom windows (only other room with good light) have tried to over-winter larger containers without much success. Thu, 3/5/09 11:39 AM 13.I have a metal plant shelf that I try to fit all my plants on including my seedlings. Its tight. Wed, 3/4/09 9:13 PM 14.plants on the window sill Tue, 3/3/09 9:31 PM 15.window sill, basement lighting Tue, 3/3/09 9:12 PM 16.in my kitchen, in front of the window Tue, 3/3/09 6:37 PM 17.I have one long rectangular planter in one window and a few larger pots that sit in sunny spots. Tue, 3/3/09 3:26 PM 18.Potted plants on widow sill or plants on stand near window with lights. Tue, 3/3/09 2:57 PM 19.Dedicated greenhouse for food-growing mostly, plus other large windows for big houseplants. Tue, 3/3/09 2:15 PM 20.window sill in kitchen Tue, 3/3/09 2:04 PM 21.mini window greenhouse and window sills in the kitchen Mon, 3/2/09 11:23 PM 22.caly potted plants in the window sill Mon, 3/2/09 10:26 PM 23.I have small pots of plants under lights. Mon, 3/2/09 7:33 PM 24.I have a sunroom dedicated to my plants, and I also have a beautiful set up in my kitchen above my sink that stays moist and warm for germinating seeds. Mon, 3/2/09 5:19 PM 25.4' fluorescent shop lights mounted to the bottom of a baker's rack. For seed starting, I use two sets of lights per rack. The rack holds 4 shelves and uses 6 lights. Some plants are in a windowsill receiving only natural sunlight. The majority is done under artificial light. Mon, 3/2/09 4:13 PM 26.I put my plants on a industrial shelving unit with 2 shop lights suspended with T-8 fluorescent tubes. Mon, 3/2/09 4:01 PM 27.4 400w Grow lights - 3 HPS, 1 MH. One shelf unit with two 4 foot florescent lights on each of four shelves. Mon, 3/2/09 2:54 PM 28.Potted plants on window sill. Hanging baskets in front of windows. Table of plants in front of south windows. Two racks of plants under artificial light. Mon, 3/2/09 1:35 PM 29.potted plants on window sill Mon, 3/2/09 12:33 PM 30.starter trays on a table top and pots Mon, 3/2/09 12:28 PM 31.I built special shelving to hold the plants in front of the windows - there wasn't enough room on the sills. After that, every available flat surface and large areas of the floor were covered in plants as well. Mon, 3/2/09 11:55 AM 32.I have potted plants on my windowsill & some under artifical lights. Depending on space available. Mon, 3/2/09 11:33 AM 33.Shelving with hanging flourescent shop lights Mon, 3/2/09 9:35 AM 34.There are plants in every room in every possible space. Light stand is put up in the dining room for starting seeds for ornamental and edibles. Mon, 3/2/09 8:39 AM 35.I use a metal bakers rack to hold rubbermaid under-the-bed storage tubs full of small pots (contains spills, and makes transfers to the porch for hardening off mush quicker and simpler). Mon, 3/2/09 4:47 AM 36.planter boxes and pots near windows, grow light rigged up in a shelf unit with planter box Mon, 3/2/09 4:13 AM 37.I use a folding table that I set several trays of plants on. I use overhead lighting and my ceiling fan to give the plants their best possible start. I do get some midday sunlight to help offset lighting Sun, 3/1/09 11:43 PM 38.all over Sun, 3/1/09 11:39 PM 39.Just house plants right now, and veggies on a shelf Sun, 3/1/09 11:00 PM 40.I do have some plants beside a window as I have run out of space on my shelves with flourescent shop lights. Sun, 3/1/09 9:19 PM 41.table with a 4' grow light, frame fashioned fro PVC Sun, 3/1/09 9:16 PM 42.Potted plants in several rooms. Two seed starting racks with grow lights in basement. Sun, 3/1/09 9:08 PM 43.plants on floor near sliding glass door Sun, 3/1/09 8:52 PM 8. Would you ever give an edible/medicinal plant to someone as a gift? a. Yes, I have already 74.4% b. Yes , I know someone who would like that 11.6% c. No, I canÂt see myself doing that 14% 9. What complications have you come across growing edible/medicinal plants indoors using only natural sunlight from a window? a. N/A, I use grow lights/ hydroponics 11.6% b. Maintaining proper soil moisture 30.2% c. Getting enough light 60.5% d. Remembering to care for my plant 9.3% e. Pests 18.6% f. No complications 20.9% g. Other:___________________________ 1.Pests on occasion from other house plants Fri, 3/13/09 1:09 PM 2.tinted windows Mon, 3/9/09 1:33 PM 3.no complications except for seedlings Wed, 3/4/09 9:13 PM 4.avoiding large temperature swings-I accept this Tue, 3/3/09 3:26 PM 5.Sometimes mold from too much moisture. Tue, 3/3/09 2:15 PM 6.temperature fluctuations Mon, 3/2/09 4:13 AM 7.sometimes room temp too cool for good germination of pepper and eggplant Sun, 3/1/09 9:16 PM 10. How have you grown edible/medicinal plants indoors? a. From seeds 91.7% b. From my outdoor plants 41.7% c. From plants I bought from a retailer 52.8% d. Other:________________________ 1.cuttings or divisions from other gardeners Thu, 3/5/09 11:39 AM 2.from cuttings bought and traded online. Mon, 3/2/09 4:13 PM 3.roots (i.e. Ginger) started from items purchases at an organic food store. Mon, 3/2/09 2:54 PM 4.from plants I collected in nature. Mon, 3/2/09 11:55 AM 5.from gift cuttings Mon, 3/2/09 8:39 AM 6.cuttings from neighbors Mon, 3/2/09 4:47 AM

Interesting digressions here, from the original topic. First, big stomachs go with the territory of pregnancy, and whether covered or not, there is no reason to find them a problem, irregardless of attire. Like babies themselves, it is simple biology (how we can perceive babies as miracles is another issue), and biology is something we should be embracing, rather then finding "unmentionable". Nursing babies, is simply a function of motherhood, for most, and entirely too much fuss is made of it. Sorry, but I see puritanical aspects to some of the comments, and I place those in the same basket as all religious extremism, along with Islamic Jihad. However, I will agree, that nursing in public should include a lightweight drape, to make it palatable for everyone, yet, momentary flashes should not be considered objectionable. I also agree that rest rooms are not the best place to find privacy, much less sanitation. On the other hand, I am not an advocate of babies in the first place, as the entire world's resources are severely strained by burgeoning populations, everywhere. That's what happens, when you allow religion to speak ahead of science. Having babies should be an activity of responsibility, and not one of fashionability. I find it incredible, that people who cannot even support themselves, are having babies, just because it is "popular". No one will suffer more, than the children themselves, from being brought into a world, where they are not properly cared nor provided for. I cite the example of a post presented here, which I will simply mention.....in that a young mother (unmarried?) was ignoring her own responsibilities as a parent, and a grandmother was being expected to raise her child, while she went out and partied half the night! (I won't even get into the divorce rate and the psychological issues created in children in such situations.) Yet, everyone is complaining about property taxes......and the vast majority of those funds go to fund schools for the children, that everyone seems to think they should be entitled to have. Perhaps everyone should be forced to go back to the old method of school funding......where parents had to group together in the community to pay for a school building, and a school teacher, along with all other costs of maintaining and equipping the school, and educating the students. Perhaps that might make people wake up to their true financial responsibilities of child bearing. Someone please explain to me, where the world went insane?

Thanks Joann, Okay, this is a REALLY dumb question, but what then is a "food processor" used for? I have seen people use them, even for cookie dough (I think). I guess I don't really pay attention after all, otherwise I'd recall. But yes, a stand mixer. Thanks didn't know what to call the kind that sits on the counter and the bowl spins (or something) on. I recall my Grandma using one when I was a kid. She would also make cake batter in one too if memory serves. I took a look at KA's website and ooh some nice stand mixers ! :) I have to find a place for it to live if I get one. I do plan on putting up a pots and pan rack. I had one in my last home and LOVED it. I see no reason to not put one here in the new place. It would free up lots of cupboard space, but I just like being able to hang up stuff and let it air dry and not have pots "touching" each other and all. I'm weird I guess. Also, I plan to put some kind of slider storage or something to help utilize the vertical space in my one large lower cupboard that clearly has lots of wasted space right now. Then I would have a place for a stand mixer to live :) And then I could make cookies way easier. Not something I really need though :) :) But I LOVE to bring them to potlucks or to get-togethers. I have always had fun experimenting with different flavors and mixtures of chips and such. I once got obsessed with making the "perfect" chocolate chip cookie that suited my tastes (not too sweet, not too rich)... With baking your own I found it fun. Albeit I wasted alot of them when they didn't turn out the way I wanted. But it was fun. Gotta see if I pick up this habit again :) Thanks for the info about mixers. I guess if I were to get one, I practically wouldn't need a hand mixer any more? Or for small jobs are they good to keep around? Also, I guess I could make smashed potatoes as well in the stand mixer? I do find that when I want to make really creamy heavenly mashed potatoes I do find the hand mixer faster and easier. I have also many times made them with the hand masher. I got out of the habit of making them though. It was something I very commonly made when my ex was going thru cancer treatment. I guess we kinda od'd on them after awhile. But I had bought a "ricer" thingee to try but then never got around to trying it before I fell out of the habit. Also, can you use different mixing bowls of different sizes in the mixer stand? Or do mixers come with a bowl i.e. a SS bowl it seems? Or are there bowls that are mated to go with a stand mixer that you buy separately? Right now I do own several different mixing bowls. They're plastic, the kind with the rubber bases and the cool handles to grip it with. Probably not very advanced but you have to understand I've made cookie dough in a Tupperware bowl when I didn't know any better. I also tend to dislike the "feel" and noise of metal bowls. But I guess if one uses only wooden spoons or things like this funky rubber scaper/spatula thing I have I would avoid that? Thanks for answering all my dumb questions. I am very cooking and baking challenged :( Cheers, --jans