--"Leaf shows water stress, as in not enough getting to the top. "-- Curious if the soil is reading so soggy why it's having that issue. I wonder what else would stop it from being able to pull the water from the ground. I have a total of 5 trees planted pretty much the same way and all the others dry out in a few days to a week, and this one does not. --"If still hot, temporary shade might help." -- Over the weekend I removed the red wood mulch entirely to see if that helps with the soil drainage, and did a mulching of pure compost in the basin and 1 foot around the bricks for now. Last week I also added a 30% shade sunblock cloth over the tree to hope to reduce the direct heat. So far no change. --"Using your handy ever-present moisture meter -- a finger -- inserted into the soil and rootball is much more reliable than a meter device. "-- I did so and basically found, yet it's damp to moist. Pretty much a less accurate version of what I found by metering. not sure why that is more reliable. --"Also check for borer damage around the graft union"-- Could you be a bit more specific on what I'm looking for an where; I'm a bit new to fruit trees and still figuring it out. Appreciate any additional info. --"When you say you dug a big hole did you dig it deep or wide?'-- Mostly wide, the depth was about the same, maybe a little less than the root ball with about 2-3 feet out in every direction. Since the topsoil in the yard is basically exactly the same as a kid's sandbox - seems like it would need something a bit healthier to get started in. I can take a look to see if it seems like it sunk: but you're saying it should be ok to pull and replant a bit higher if so? --"Is it in a spot where other water may be filtering down to it (at the bottom of a hill, or in a bowl). Other considerations are the type of soil : If it is mostly clay, you may have created a large pot which the water can't get out of." It's on the same level as the rest of the yard and honestly we've had like 0 inches of rain this year so the only water in the yard is what is being applied directly (no runoff to speak of). The soil is sand, very very loose sand. I have a total of 5 trees planted pretty much the same way and all the others dry out in a few days to a week, and this one does not. --"Putting compost in the planting hole was a mistake because it's causing the water to not drain."-- I'm interested in this as the compost had the exact same consistency of the bagged garden soil - so just curious why it would hold water- or are we saying it all will?

Growing orchids in Florida is fun! You will find as many suggestions as there are growers, however - and this is true for any zone :) While some swear by full sun, I only have certain orchids in full sun (epi radicans, certain dends) Most get a LOT of light, very bright diffused light. My shadehouse is located in full sun, under 50% shade cloth. Rain season is the biggest headache if the drainage is not adequate - but otherwise, it is the best time of the year for orchids to grow. They love the rain and the humidity I grow a LOT of cattleays - lots of Brazilian species..All in clay pots or in baskets, with fast draining medium. Catts will grow in sphagnum moss as well - given lots of light and air movement... The only thing I avoid in my mixes is bark. Bark molds and decomposes so fast during the rain season... I only use either pure sphagnum, lava rock mixes or tree fern mixes Good luck Olya

There is an "Aztec Sweet Herb" which is not stevia. (can't remember it's botaniocal name) The advice byTucker303 is spot on. Stevia seeds need light to germinate. Leave them on top of your growing medium. I use vermiculite on top of a commercial 'seed raising mix'. I mist the seeds 2-3 times a day I use a beaut $2 mister fom the reject shop Michael2 Here is a link that might be useful: The Fragrant Garden

Steve, thanks for the tip about lancifolia. I recall some discussion before about the change of classification on some hosta, so I get antsy using terms. My mind is not able these days to incorporate or SAVE corrections to past info. I call it "confused" not "demented." :) And thanks, BK. I give credit to the plants themselves. And maybe the weather, which is balmy and so very beautiful this week.