>There are a lot of mis-conceptions in this thread. True, and that is why I posted to attempt unification of the partial answers into a comprehensive answer for John. Unfortunately you have introduced several new misconceptions in your answer which I must rebut. I won't quibble with your advice to measure the light with meters nor the link which I have not looked at but: >all light diminishes as it travels through space, the atmosphere etc. This is absolutely not true in the case of interstellar space. The atmosphere, yes, but it takes miles of atmosphere to affect the intensity of solar light to any appreciable extent. >The sunlight reaching the earth is a misiscule amount of what leaves the sun. Of course, but not because there was any degredation in light intensity from traveling 93M miles through space but because only the portion of solar disk directly intercepted by Earth gets light from the Sun. If there could be a shade on the Sun capturing all the light that heads off in other directions it would all get here. You think Global Warming is bad? >Most glass absorbs a lot of light and that light level diminishes exponetionally as the distance changes. Most glass absorbs minimal light unless heavily tinted. Windows are not usually heavily tinted. And a given thickness of glass does not absorb any more or less light as the distance changes, it is a fixed amount of reduction. >Much glass has UV absorbtion factors built into the glass. A good thing. UV is an undesirable by-product and has no bearing on the intensity of beneficial light frequencies. >This also happens outdoors not just windows. The light level at the roof of a greenhouse or shadehouse will be much stronger that lower near the floor. In an absolutely empty greenhouse the light will be exactly the same at the floor as at the roof. It is only in the typical packed to the rafters greenhouse that one has to hang high light plants at the apex to get them out of the shade of competing plants. Under the benches the only direct sun is low angle sidelight and I will explain why that light is lower intensity next. >Light is filtered heavily as it goes through the atmosphere. When I measure sunlight in an open southern exposure in SW Florida in July it is usually 11,000 foot candles. In December at the same spot it never exceeds 5,000. The sun is lower in the sky and travels a longer distance with more being filtered along the way. This is why it is colder in winter and plants slow down growth. If you could do the trigonometry of how much more atmosphere the sunlight passes through in December vs July you would see that while in essence your observations are correct the reasons are obvious. It takes many, many thousands of feet of atmosphere to lower the intensity of the sun any appreciable amount and the trivial distances involved in, say the difference between the roof of a greenhouse and the ground or at the windowpane and 3' into the room are beyond miniscule. >The only way to judge your light is to measure it. A reference for measuring with a camera is attached. The only way for greenhouse and patio growers to measure light is to measure it. For the indoor and windowsill grower there is little point to measuring a fixed quantity of light. That is kind of like buying a scale to weigh a 5lb. bag of sugar. Again I am sorry for the point by point dissection but a number of your 'mis-conceptions' came up in earlier posts so obviously you come by it honestly but it is... incorrect in places. This forum is archived and is a legacy of sorts I would think we would want the most accurate information archived for posterity. And I absolutely am open to any of my points being challenged. I am not by any means infalliable or a know it all. H

I didn't have much luck in finding data on the sales of various hosta, so Plan B. Please review the following list of Hosta of the Year and give your opinion on which best represents the following. 1- Best example of dark blue or green 2- Best example of light green or Chartruese for the French literati among us. 3- yellow 4- Light outside margin / light center (Fragrant Bouquet, for example) 5- Light center variegated 6- Light rim variegated 7- Tri-color 8, 9, 10 ????????? Thanks. This is where I will need help in the project. I will tally the votes and then submit a questionnaire for the people's choices of representative hosta to evaluate the conditions grown and evaluate the results in a variety of locations and conditions to provide a guide to the age old question 'How much sun should I plant this hosta in?' 2014 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd' 2013'Rainforest Sunrise' 2012'Liberty' 2011'Praying Hands' 2010'First Frost' 2009'Earth Angel' 2008'Blue Mouse Ears' 2007'Paradigm' 2006'Stained Glass' 2005'Striptease' 2004'Sum and Substance' 2003'Regal Splendor' 2002'Guacamole' 2001'June' 2000'Sagae' 1999'Paul's Glory' 1998'Fragrant Bouquet' 1997'Patriot' 1996'So Sweet' If you think there is a hosta that would be widely grown and fits a particular niche, then please add it to the list. The object is to get as many examples as possible in order to get the best sampling, it is not a vote on which one you like best. Thanks, Jon

That's an interesting question. I've never done that myself, but I think the basics can suggest an answer... I think the existing leaves would retain their U/V tolerance, but new leaves would not have that. I don't really think that seedlings develop any temperature tolerance - it is either warm enough for growth or it isn't. One other benefit of outdoor exposure is stem thickness growth as a result of wind exposure. I would think the seedlings would keep that (in that I can't see them growing skinnier when kept out of wind). Regarding the "wind" thing"; I have a cheap oscillating fan that I turn on for an hour a day when the seedlings are inside under artificial or windowsill light. I think it makes the stems stockier and the leaves thicker. While sudden all-day U/V exposure certainly causes leaf damage, I think many people under-estimate the dehydrating effects of wind. Regarding the problem of U/V exposure; I know most people don't have the luxury of setting their seedlings outside for true gradual sunlight adaption an extra hour each day for a week (I'm retired so I can do that). But if you place them where they will be exposed to more direct sun each day (by placing them in locations that get an extra hour of sun per day), that will help. What I mean is, place them where they will be shaded most of the whole day at first (by a wall or artificial barrier like a plywood or cardboard sheet), bring them in at evening, and move them to a slightly sunnier spot the next few days.

So very sorry to hear that your dear mom never saw the completion of your kitchen here on this earth but know that she is happily smiling down on you from heaven. I agree with Bee, your mom will wink at you from time to time. I lost my dearest friend, my mother, nine years ago. I miss her dearly but she still sends me a wink from time to time. Your kitchen is absolutely gorgeous. I love your home, it is so very charming. I lam so fond of a one story home especially as I get older. Our main home is two stories and more steps than I care for. Our other home is a one story that I love. Unfortunately hubby has to have garages and has two huge garages at our country home and there is no room for additional garage space in our other house. I will definitely return to this post over and over again for inspiration. I can't imagine a lovelier addition. Best of luck to you and your DH!!!