Mohave, I'd suspect temperature to be the reason the new growth is not variegated. I have a couple of plants that lost their variegation over the summer when the room where I grow my AVs (my home office) was not air conditioned much of the time. The variegation returned in the new growth when the temperatures cooled. In a year's time, this plant should have bloomed for you. I believe temperature can affect bloom size and quantity, but it should still bloom. Factors such as inconsistent watering and fertilization can also have an impact on the plants ability to bloom. Before I give you advice, I should mention that I'm not an expert - I've only been growing AVs for a couple of years. If this were my plant, I'd remove the outer couple rows of leaves and unpot the plant looking for any signs of pest problems or rot. Then I'd repot in the same size pot with fresh pottimg mix lowering the plant in the pot so that the (new) bottom row of leaves is just on top of the soil. I'd put the plant in a window that didn't get quite so much direct sun or under fluorescent light and begin a consistent watering/fertilization program. This plant is clearly a survivor - it'll thrive with a little TLC. BTW - You can propagate new plants with the leaves that you remove - I do this regularly when I'm re-potting plants as insurance in case the newly repotted plant doesn't make it. Please look at the links below - you'll find a wealth of information about the culture and care of AVs: http://www.rachelsreflections.org/ http://www.violetbarn.com/plant_care.html -Tim

As promised last week, I said I would post my update along with a new review of this company. Update: They are non responsive and never sent replacements. Review: Your review of Girard Nurseries may be different than mine, but here is my review based on my experience: ( QUALITY OF PLANTS RATED D- ) Conifer 1 - looked like it was pressed against the wall and could only grow one way leaving it extremely bare on one side. This plant was advertised as an 8-12" groundcover. I received something 3' tall 4-5" wide. Conifer 2 - looked like it may have lost all needles at some point in the year and then regrew a little leaving this plant extremely bare Conifer 3 - Appeared OK out of the box, Once I inspected it more closely it appears to have root rot Conifer 4 - Looks good all around, very happy ( Customer Service Rated C- ) They seemed very helpful when I asked about there products. I added onto my order and each time they responded withing 24 hours. However, when explaining to them the quality issues I had, they are unresponsive. ( Packaging Rated D ) It looks like they took the plants out of the 1 gal containers and tossed them into a plastic bag. They didn't bother to tie the bag in any way leaving dirt in the box. Then it was filled with hay. A couple of the larger plants they had bent nearly in half (I'm very surprised they didn't snap) to make them fit. Final thoughts - It seems this company does have some good plants and would be better off (for our sake) being a local nursery. There mail order side is lacking. I don't think they inspect there plants before shipping, they choose whatever is closer to them. I would not recommend this company to anyone unless you are able to visit in person to pick the good stock.

/Beth I think davidcummingii just really needs consistency. It is not tolerant of going too dry or staying too wet. I haven't had mine as long as others have, so you might receive more thorough advice elsewhere. What I know is that mine isn't routinely high maintenance, just violently upsettable during seasonal changes (read: fall). So, maybe that just further confirms that it doesn't like inconsistency. Perhaps it comes from a very stable region? When David recommends growing davidcummingii in hydroton, he is referring to a semi-hydro setup (with water reservoir), which allows moisture to be consistently wicked up to the roots without the risk of overwatering. /Susan That's true, merrilli has jawdroppingly SHINY leaves. I wish it was easier to capture in a photograph because they look like they are covered in high gloss lacquer irl.

i really like your flooring, counter tops and BS/over stove, lighting - great! does the bs tile go around the wall between cabs also? I'm having trouble telling if it does. I think maybe you should decide on cabinet color next... maybe get some large poster boards (in colors?) and prop up around your kitchen cabs (tape at the top?) and live with them a few days and see what you like best. then go on to the walls. I think I'd go with a creamy color on the cabs to pick up from the counter top and BS. then figure out the grn/blk/whatever color for the desk area and walls. I'm sure some decorators will be along who will be able to co-ordinate better than i can.