Keiko, I did indeed look for the Imperial Taro when I was at the Asian Supermarket, but did not find any there. It may not be the best time to try to find some, I don't know. Ah, an electric steamer - I yearn for one also. I must get one soon. I have to increase my veggie intake. I believe I actually could be a vegetarian (not a vegan), because I don't eat much meat anyway. But, the old blood pressure is starting to rise with the sun now, and I need to start watching my diet. Starches are definitely not good as they convert to sugars. But at least I can plant them. Rsieminski - for some reason, I got the impression that they get their supply from South America, but they actually sell them here in the states. I will have to check that out again. I would really like to have at least a couple of the species, e.g. brasiliense, as Michael has mentioned. If I have to pay those ungodly shipping rates, I think I will look elsewhere, thank you very much. Especially if they are just tiny little tubers. If I thought I was getting a hefty tuber, it might be a different story. I might have read something about the fact that the size of their tubers could vary substantially, but that doesn't tell me anything factually. A lot of room for messing around with my money there. I have some time to search around and check out other sources. Right now, I'm too scared to go check out my back yard. You would know this would be the year we have these ghastly, horrid, frigid temperatures in Oklahoma, after several mild winters. Ah, Oklahoma, how I hate it here. Wish I could move with my daughter to Columbia, SC. Doesn't get near as cold there, and I would feel much more secure with my lovelies in the ground (8b). Susan

Hello, since it was in 2002, I am wanting to know how your Lychee tree is doing? By the way my name is Angie. As of now I have 20 Lychee seedlings planted. At different intervals of course. After soaking them in water for 3 days, that includes changing the water daily. I did mine by keeping them wrapped up in a paper towel and keeping them moist. When they started sprouting I planted them. I did it that way so that I knew the roots started growing. I couldn't just plant them, due to the fact I wanted to make sure they started sprouting. I started mine in styrofoam cups. Yes I put holes for drainage. I made a makeshift greenhouse for them. It's working good for keeping it warm and moist in there. I still have 5 more I'm waiting to see if they start germinating. When your seedlings sprouts enough you replant it into a 3 gallon pot with drainage holes of course for all pots. The following year, transplant it into a 7 gallon pot. Again the following year a 15 gallon pot, then a 25 gallon pot after that. Then you'll get a 5 year break from all the yearly transplanting. They say after 5 years in the 25 gallon pot it should be ready to be planted in the ground. Just think, I have a total of 25 to do. I hope I helped a little. Please let me know how your Lychee tree turned out. Thanks Angie

Musicman: wow...Pacific Northwest, huh? Somewhere up by Rainer? I was living in Seattle before I moved back here. I had to live there for work as I am in the technology field. I was there for about 2 years. I have to say, when it is sunny, it is a visually stunning area. However, those days are few and far between. I thought I was going to have to build an ark. It rained for 95 days straight the first year I was there, then stopped for one entire day before it rained some more. The second year was more of the same. Rain, more rain and then some more rain. Oh, and some snow too. When I had a chance for a job transfer back to Florida, I jumped on it. Puget Sound was not my 'cup o'coffee' (a little Starbucks pun...). But, I do know loads of people who love it there. I assume they hate sunshine and love paying $6 for a half a gallon of milk. From a gardening perspective, I was frustrated there as well. It seemed the only things that did well were azealas, ivy, spruce trees and that ugly colored 'cabbage' plant. The faux cabbage plant was everywhere. But, the azealas were huge and major show stoppers. Nothing like we have here in FLA. As for me, I don't think I'll ever leave Florida again now that I am back. I'm still not tired of one sunny day after another.

Orlando has a really nice climate and considering how far away it is from the coast, it has very mild weather. Some areas by the coast (like tampa) which is south of orlando, got the same or cooler weather. I know that the theme parks in orlando (especially universal studios) has lots of tender plants that are growing very well (not sure how they are doing now though). Some of the plants I have seen there are... screw pines (Pandanus utilis) which was pretty tall and quite a few years old Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum wallisii) these were also pretty big and were in full shade Tri-color hibiscus (Talipariti tiliaceum) which was very large and heathy Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, which were large and flowering well, but not as healthy as they could be bromeliads, lots of different types from small airplants on the trees to large ones mounted on the trunk of the palms. Foxtail palms (Wodyetia bifurcata), they were large and healthy at the time and also right by a pond which probably help protect it from a frost And lots of others that I am forgetting too. They all seemed really happy before this freeze but I wonder if they are okay now (or if the park protected them from the freezes). I also think there are coconut palms in Sea World which are still alive (I think) and protected from extreme cold. Good luck!