Kelly I first read about this cloning machine in an article in a American Fuchsia Society bulletin. I went to one of the local hydroponic stores, got them to order one in for me. I use it mainly for Fuchsia cuttings but have used it for rooting cuttings of perennial Asters amongst other things, things seem to root in about a week. Basically it is a tub, a small pump with a spray bar attached sits inside, you fill the tub to a certain depth with water, cloning solution and a couple of other additives. There's a tray of little pots that sits above this once you've filled them with cuttings they are continually sprayed with solution. To keep the humidity up I went to a plastic shop and had a clear plexiglas cover made for it. I have a roofed area outside where I can plug it in. Most summers I have it full of some kind of cuttings. To use it inside I'd have to put it under lights so find I usually don't start it up until it has warmed up outside, no room for it in the greenhouse. Haven't tried Hoyas as I don't have any I can use as sacrificial lambs :o). I have never used vermiculite for rooting things so I can't give an opinion on that. Annette

Betty, so sorry to hear about your DH, but be glad he's on the mend and can now enjoy summer with you & the family. It's always something, isn't it??? My son was in track and I remember all the practices & the meets, but I LOVE track & field events so I was at every one of them through grade school & highschool with him. My oldest grandson tried track & he just doesn't have his dad's genes I guess, now he's great at almost every sport, especially if it involves balance, he was "dropping in" on the big vert ramp on his skateboard when he was 4, but he seems to have lead in his butt when it comes to running & track. Guess he'll stick to his guitar & cycling! I bet your son does make state if the did that well his first year! I'm just like you, I LOVE digging in the earth, all my nails are gone as soon as spring arrives. Everyone says "why don't you wear gardening gloves" I hate them, I want to feel the soil, get in there & get dirty & you are right, if I'm not dirty & sweaty by nite time, I did not have a good day in the yard!!! LOL And, like you, have back & shoulder problems, but if we let that stop us, we deprive ourselves of one more simple pleasure in this life, so I plod onward & continue to work in my yard, despite the problems!!! I will be mostly lurking too, unless I have some pics from yard sales to share.

I'm glad you checked in, too. You're so often in my thoughts and prayers. We,too, have some good moments, but the bad ones come,too, and often when we least expect them to. I'm glad you're able to smile about some things again. Your little guy will always be with you. Bless you.

Marion, my garden is great. I'm finally (after 3 years) starting on the front yard renovation. Got all the ugly shrubs out and have expanded the beds that were only about two feet wide up against the house. Around the front walkway I expaned the small narrow bed to a large (about 10 feet) rounded area. DH put in new Malibu lights and a new yard lamp that we've had forever! I transplanted a palm from the backyard along with a native firebush (hamelia patens) and three clumps of purple fountain grass. It's looking great so far and I'll probably spend most of the winter working on it a bit at a time. Linda, I know what you mean about being glad to have craft supplies on hand. I don't scrapbook but I do work on stained glass and am so happy I have a stash that I can dig into when the mood strikes. You all have great weekends. I have a yard to get mowed and I'm also babysitting a friends two large dogs for the weekend and they are begging for a walk. How I'm going to walk three big dogs is boggling my mind but I guess I'll give it a shot! Wish me luck! lol! Betsy