Almost all bulbs can be grown from seed, it just takes longer to reach first blooming. I would start from bulbs. I don't know if they can be found at this time of year. My freesias are ready to send up flower stems now. They bloom here in the middle of winter. We are having frost everyday and it does not bother them. I have cimbidium orchids also in temperatures to 26 degrees happily sending up flower stems. Al

There have probably been totems around as long as man. Indians and Eskimos seem have to most history in carving them from trees. They have been stone, wood, mud. Probably to stack up and scare someone coming from a distance to harm them. Someone came along and made a stack of glass and called it a totem. The first I saw was years ago on the Trash to Treasure segment of Decorating Cents. He made a stack of several to make a raised cake plate, sometimes a candle holder. Now we use glass, pottery, lamp parts, rocks and wood to make stacks of stuff. Could have called them stacks but not as pretty sounding huh. They are used as art pieces in the home and in the garden, something to give a little bling to the plants.

1. Small plants will sometimes look like the tree form that you describe. Later on, they send more shoots and achieve the "normal" hydrangea shrub look. I would not worry about that. 2. All large-leafed plants -like hydrangeas- wilt at times. Your plants will wilt quite often during the summer, specially their very first one. Keep an eye on your soil moisture daily and mulch 3-4" past the drip line. When the soil feels dry or almost dry at a depth of 3-4", water. Wilting will not be such an issue in future years, only the first year, when the plant is becoming established. Ignore wilting episodes in which the plant recovers on its own by bedtime or by next morning. If wilting persists by next morning, increase the amount of water being used on a regular basis (decrease it in the fall). Extreme wilting episodes require immediate watering. Watch out for windy days; they will also cause wilting; pay attention to wind advisories for your area. 3. Because they are small young plants, their sticks cannot support much weight yet. Add blossoms and they will bend. In time, the sticks grow older and this problem will fade. If you wish, you can try to locate some wire and use it to prop up the plant during the growing season. I thought I saw some useful wire products at Lowe's a few months ago. Luis

Thanks for responding Patser. I guess the floors must about 50 years old but I'm really not sure. I think they've been covered with carpet for most of this time. I plan on using water-based due to health issues but if this wasn't a concern I'd probably go with oil-based. The entire area is about 337 sq ft. with about 14 sq ft. that needs to be replaced/installed. The area in question is not just spots or small areas but an entire section that is much darker than the rest of the floor so it will not blend in if it remains darker. The one contractor yesterday told me that after sanding, it will all look uniform but after the process the water damaged area might once again appear much darker. The 1-800 contractor did not even mention that this might be a problem. lol I have another appointment with someone highly recommended in my area tomorrow. From what I've heard his prices are very competitive and now I just hope he gives me good news about the water stained areas. He quoted me $950 on refinishing and staining the floors although he has not actually seen or measured it yet and this does not include the small area that needs to be installed. Even as I was writing my original post and wanting very much to take the easy way out and go with the 1-800-woodfloor contractor, I knew on some level that this was not wise. lol Does anyone have any thoughts on floating, engineered flooring in case I cannot have the floor refinished? What would this cost to buy and have installed? My ex tells me this would be a good way to go but I'm not sure I should believe him. lol Thanks and please wish me luck!