It's too bad that you cant go just a tad bit shorter than 2 to 3 feet, I had lots of suggestions for you that stays with the same one plant, but with color varations. One suggestions was to go with the Cosmic cosmos--all three colors red, orange and yellow which are totally stunning and vibrant mixed together. And incredibly easy to grow from seed! Another suggestion was Magellan zinnias, which will grow like dwarf hydrangea shrubs smothered with handsized blooms that last for months. I had blooms that did not need be removed for 4 months, I kid you not! And there is just about every color available, coral, ivory, yellow, pink, scarlet, cherry, orange, salmon. I am growing over 400 of these this year. Another suggestion was a mixture of Celosia 'Fresh Look' colors in red, orange,and yellow. Most people hate celosia because they have never had good luck with keeping them going, but the Fresh Looks are very stunning, lush, healthy plants that get just under 2 foot tall, if I remember correctly. Another suggestion was to do Gomphrena, in a mixture of colors. Gomphrena, if plants are kept together and properly spaced will grow to a 2 foot tall airy "shrub" that stands up to rain, drought, etc. I grow the "All Around Purple', 'Strawberry Fields', and other colors from Park Seed, including white, rose and bicolor rose. Dont underestimate those small colored balls! They can REALLY make a huge standout, if they are grown correctly. I second the idea of using Profusion zinnias. These are like the perfect daisy like flower! Also, the blooms did not need removed for 4 months, available in colors: cherry, white, orange, Fire (reddish orange) and Apricot (my favorite). Very easy to grow from seed. You may want to check into the Tidal wave Petunias. If you space them about 2 foot apart, they will spread out like you wouldnt believe and grow to about 2 foot tall. I have never seen a petunia grow like this before last year! Though, the silver would blend right into your house color, but they do make a purple, hot pink, and cherry color that I will be doing this year. Tidals have a massive branching system to them. Do a search on gardenweb and you will find lots of pictures and ideas for them.

This is getting good! allison, for a trip, the European product sounds like it would be more effective. jlj, I've read people put Miracle Gro on roses, I have plenty, but hesitate to use too much as I've already applied Mills Magic and compost. Other than that, the one advantage to the bottles is it gets closer down to the roots and not as likely to water weed seeds near the surface. The other methods will indeed work and may try them. Last year I ran out of pepsi bottles for rooting roses and use them to start seeds in the ground with a little well scooped out and put in some potting soil in small areas. That method at this season, tops should be off for venting and you cut off the bottoms and screw them in. I only had to water about every 3 days as opposed to 3X a day to keep the soil moist enough for my seeds to germinate (some seeds don't like to be transplanted, and I was trying to grow florist gypsophilia - banned in some western states!). Yay, I finally have some buds after waiting 3 years. A person on the perennials forum told me to scratch some chalk dust in the soil. Um, I've been known to buy bottles at the supermarket when I run out. I mean 5 cents, pretty cheap gardening equipment. People in my state don't usually recycle soda bottles in trash but turn in at supermarket for deposit refund, but I do go through trash if I see something I need or might use. Sometimes I don't want it and offer it on Freecycle saying that it was rescued from trash, a twin stroller w/one broken wheel tagged airline ticket stub (prolly reimbursed in full by ins), a really nice office chair, a Lane Bryant leather coat w/small tear (those people got evicted). Oh, and a swivel desk chair that wasn't a good fit at my puter. People are glad to get a lot of things. Now if I could just find those bigger bottles. I don't usually drink that stuff.

My thanks to everyone who replied. I've got them labeled now, and it puts my mind at ease. By the way, jim_1, as a nursery grower, how fast should the Queen & Canary Island Date Palms grow under outdoor conditions in Florida? They seem to be growing pretty slowly on my window-sill here in Minnesota, and I'm thinking I may need to supply additional light. -Jon

The plant issues probably started from the peaty mix If the tissue on your plant in the 1st pic is soft at the base it may be harder to salvage. The peanut type cactus in the 2nd pic doesn't look bad. If there is rot danger (watery tissue) you need to cut away that portion from the main plant. Otherwise, I'd leave your plants out of pot to dry out for a week or two to make sure there is no rot danger. It's hard to say without a closer clearer picture of the areas in question.