When both lights are new, it helps to run for an hour or so at a time. That's what I did when I got new fixtures and didn't have trouble with burning. When you change out, don't change both at the same time, either. Change one and wait at least a month before you change the other. I use only Oyama Planters: 3.5, 4 and 5" for standards, 1.5 and 2.5" for minis and 2.5" and 3.5" for semi-minis. I also use my 1.5" for starting leaves since I no longer grow minis and micro minis. You can get three 1.5" pots for $5.10+ shipping from avplanters.com. Don't know how that compares with the eBay price. Also, for those interested, the 2.5" are 10% off. Hope this helps. Linda I am not affiliated with Oyama Planters or AV Planters.

Joanne - they cannot wrap leaves in plastic - they will rot. You always get some damage on the leaves - they are going to get tossed in the mail. Strong young plant will get over it - and if you have broken leaves - put them down for babies. If you order from any vendor - always put a note - no substitutions - or give a list of plants that are your second choice for substitutions. Bluebird Greenhouses have a very good selection, bunch of rare plants. They recently downsized their operation from greenhouses to home growing- so probably they have less plants- but the quality is better under the lights. These people are very involved in the works of the AVSA - so could be at the Convention or meeting at that time. I personally met owners several times - and they are great people, pleasure to know and deal with. You cannot get from mail as nicely looking plants as you get just unpacked from Optimara truck. These are packed in boxes, transported in the temperature controlled trucks, they do not touch one another - sitting in open sleeves in boxes...But the only thing you can get that way - Optimaras. When you get your parcel - you sometimes wonder -if somebody was playing soccer with these boxes. But you are paying for a healthy starter of the rare variety, not for the fact that every leaf in some miraculous way arrived immaculate. Every vendor has some customers who are not 100% satisfied. You can choose not to deal with them again. But - IMHO - these guys are good. You just need to be more specific regarding substitutes. Irina

Mimi, the snake trap is fine as long as you monitor it. If a snake becomes trapped, you must be nearby to release it or it can become entangled and die. Instead, I recommend that you baffle your nestboxes--I use the stovepipe baffle on all 35+ nestboxes that I monitor and I have never lost an egg, nestling or adult bird to a climbing predator. The stovepipe I use is 6" in diameter and 24" long . . . others use 8" diameter stovepipe. It is important to install the baffles so that they wobble as this keeps climbing predators such as raccoons from being able to shimmy up to the nestbox. I also recommend using the hardware cloth (as shown on the link below) as this entices snakes to climb inside the baffle towards daylight. Since they cannot get through the hardware cloth, they become frustrated and leave. I know for certain that there are snakes at all my nestbox locations, including the ones here at the house, and I also know that these baffles work and are doing their job! Kathy Here is a link that might be useful: Predator Baffles

Thanks for the quick reply. I managed to do what you said & it worked. Nice to know how to do it. But now its too slow. I will have to try to find a professional to decipher it. Thanks so much, Debbie