Bkay, The steroid issue generally relates too first and second year tissue culture plants. Steroids are used to manipulate faster production and faster growth rate. I haven't seen it dramatically influence leaf size, etc. Steroids are part of the tissue culture process; doesn't make it bad. It is when plants are sold young, primarily on a retail level, we find problems. On a wholesale level a "good grower" will know how to raise most of them. When plants are sold prematurely the gardner often has a year or two where the plant just sits there or dies. It is has relyed on steroids to make roots and growth; hasn't had to rely on the sun for nutrient uptake, growth and root developement. It has not had time to adjust to how a plant really grows; photosynthesis. Once a plant is beyond living off "steroids" you have something that can be reliably put out in the garden, where it will prosper on it's own. Unless, of course it has a huge white center. As previously stated, plants that are root-pot bound will look different. Generally, they will appear more upright, rippling-piecrusting can also appear, margins can be wider/larger, sometimes better substance, etc. High levels of phosphorus can manipulate "psychedelic coloring". The intensity of the colors is brighter, more flamboyant and tri-colored than we find in general garden plantings. An example: gold may turn to oarnge. The oarnge can be as bright as an oarnge peal. You will often find a thin, bright yellow line/coloring between the center and the edge color. In general, colors are intensly vivid. Heat and humidity can influence leaf size; especially in juvenile and mature leaves. In general, the leaf "shape" should be the same. Plants can also look different depending on the integrity of the "producer". Some cull for the slightest differences. Some may call a general look, "close enough". Some don't seem to cull at all. I think what you are seeing is a low percentage of culls, worn out parent plants and mislabeling. I don't think you meant anything by putting me in the "peeps" class? Take Care, Rick

Nice bathtub. It is built similar to the barrels they age whiskey in and sell as half barrels....just not that diameter. I'd love to find something like that wooden tub and use it as a fish pond/fountain. Is your existing pot with the Empress 24inches in diameter or less? I put a link below to what is called a POT LIFTER which can deal with 200 lbs up to 24 inches diameter. I was thinking about getting one when I can no longer lift or wiggle the bigger pots around the garden alone. You might could rig up something similar to fit your current pot if it happens to be really too large for such a lifter. I hope you throw an Empress Wu COMING OUT PARTY for the friends ensconcing her on the new throne? Why not think at least about a suitable consort? Something like Yellow Emperor? :) Hosta can be so much fun. Here is a link that might be useful: Pot lifter 200 lbs 24 inch pot limit

Phil, your TRex is beautiful. I've been complaining about mine all spring and summer. I think I even posted about moving it several times. Your leaves are all so uniform and the shape is beautiful. Mine are all different sizes and has an ugly shape. It had 10 eyes this spring and looks smaller than yours. I wonder if this is due to the crazy spring we had. TJ - OK, 10 years, I was really sweating it. We'll have all the grass gone in the back yard by then. My hunch that I should stop buying hostas is probably correct based on your pictures!

You know, Ken, I was sure I'd seen dimensions on there before. But all week when I looked up plants I couldn't find any. I was thinking, "sure, photos are nice, but I really need a bit MORE than that," (grumble, grumble) . I found the link now, thanks. Some of the listings don’t give enough detail. Thanks for the additional information, Bernd and Donna. I now know that at 48" wide, I can’t put them where I’d planned. I may dig up a large Frances Williams and put one there, which would be near a young Elegans and a 3+ year old Blue Angel. I was reading here (while dodging doing actual work in the yard) that some sun is needed to show best color, and it is bright there, though direct sun is brief. Then, no idea where the other should go…original plan was to put both in a different, symmetrical bed.