Well, if the thread's going to be resurrected, I may as well weigh in here. I don't *hate* any plants, but I think I feel about palms (especially Chamaedorea and Kentia) the way other people feel about corn plants (Dracaena fragrans) -- I can appreciate a happy specimen if I see one somewhere, but they're so common I don't see much point in having one myself. Or something like that. I've had lots of bad experiences with palms before, too, which doesn't help. That said, I do still like lady palms (Rhapis) and fishtail palms (Caryota), though I don't have either right now. My love/hate relationship is with arrowhead plants (Syngonium): I don't think we're right for one another, they mostly just cause me grief, but since everybody *says* they're not that difficult, I keep trying. [insert scene of me and the Syngonium family hugging on one another while sweeping orchestral music swells in the background, with me saying through my tears, "I wish I knew how to quit you."]

Kimya, 'Plants do for us not because of what we do for them but in spite of what we do for them' (source unknown). There are a few things about growing plants in the office/mall or other commercial location that are different. It is true that plants require light but I have seen a healthy Chamaedorea seifrizii in an office where the only light is from a fluorescent desk lamp. Dark offices, lit by the computer screen(s) only are very much in vogue and they often have plants. Plants in these situations are treated as design features rather than horticultural specimens. The plants are carefully selected for size and shape and after installation they are maintained to the specs. of the interior designer. The technicians who maintain these plants must be some of the best horticulturists anywhere. Back to the plants in your office. Watering is the challenge. If the containers are free draining, be very careful of water spills; Murphy's first and second laws apply. If the containers do not drain, devise some way to determine if water is collecting in the bottom; Murphy's fifth law. Put a yellow sticky insect monitor into each plant to trap any bugs that find their way into the plants. If you are not into popularity contests, the presence of fungus gnats in your plants will guarantee that you are a non starter. Clean the plants regularly; the ubiquity of dust in what-are-supposed-to-be-dust-free environments will one day earn someone a PhD. Grow your plants out to the extent that they complement the rest of your office decor and maintain them to that standard ever after. Because if it does work out others will be encouraged to discard artificial plants in favor of the real thing. Now, that I believe, is a worthwhile endeavor.

Goodmorning Everybody ! :) I heard from my swappers last night...:))) Mariann I have a couple of surprizes for you...We love putting surprizes in our boxes Regina started it.. Chell you are so creative and your writing is so much fun to read... I bet the boys loved playing pirate.. I can see their smiling faces now...What a great idea to make a hideout.. They will always remeber their hideout mom made for them... Norma I havent traded with you but I am sure you went way above in sending her nice cuttings..I seen pics of what you send...They are awesome boxes..:)) Please dont be sad..:)) Regina howdy :) I am so sorry about Mark having to have surgery and the heart condition would just send me into heaven.. Wow I am so glad to read it all went well...Shooo My heart sank for a minute...He will be all healed for college this fall..:)) You empty nester dont go through what I went through...Stay busy and call them alot... I miss my kids so much it hurts sometimes... Dogs are okay but they cant replace our true babies...I love reading about chell and her boys... It makes me smile so much... Frances lol You poor gardener..ahhah You need a break from mother nature..Really..:)) Oh big snakes yucky... I would be screaming... I love chippies...They are so cute...Havent had many around with a cat now...Kiki has brought home two gardener snakes...He was very proud of himself... Yesterday I was getting ready to go out and play in the dirt...The crows or blackbirds were screaming...It just like a scene in the movie the "birds"... It creeped me out really bad...I couldnt see what they were yelling at.. I watched tv...Than got bored and went coleus shopping..lol The master gardener sale for the next county over is tommorow... I cant wait to see what they are going to be offering..I have never been to this one...Oh I almost forgot..I heard from the master gardener I met...Looks like we are building another gh..lol She wants to do it closer to fall since everyone is busy with their gardens...I am glad we could help her..They are a pain to build.. well I gabbed enough lol must be the strong coffee and I got a lot of sleep...:)) Have a good day everybody..Barb

Well! For the last few days, I've been telling myself I'm hallucinating, but today I'm sure: the stump of this thing has five new shoots. Five! In maybe two weeks. The top has started to root, too. For those in nice warm climates, this may be normal. But here in chilly, gloomy, nothing-grows-too-fast Massachusetts, this is like, JACKPOT. Do all Cordylines take off like this? If so, I need more...or not, as I'll soon be overwhelmed by this one... Amanda