Everyone is asking for a porcelain slab fabricator close to where they live. What I did was search on Houzz to find local contractors with porcelain slab installations. Then viewing work that they did a few years ago for any cracking particularly around the sink faucets. I did not have good experiences asking the material vendor for contractors for other projects I have done.

I have a bookmark to RMG as well. I haven't been coming to the forum that much in the last few months, so not sure if it changed awhile back or if it's a recent change! I added a clip of what it looks like for me now. I put red lines around that parts I don't remember being like that before. I definitely don't remember having to select topics, and the other things I circled. I think the part at the top that you use to make a new post is a little confusing because it says 'what are you working on?' - doesn't really apply to RMG, and I first thought that it might post to Houzz in general and not RMG. But I think it gave me a choice afterwards that I had to select to where I wanted it posted. Again, I don't remember having to do that before because I was on the RMG page, so it knew to post there! It's ok, just got to get used to it!! Does it look like this to you? I use Firefox browser, and am on Windows 7.

Joanne- I am sure they will enjoy the presentation. (And drive to the store to buy more Optimaras). Thing is - humidity is house specific- and drier houses probably will need a heavier mix with vermiculite to retain the water. Like we use to say - buy AV mix- and split it with perlite. The lady from New Jersey who posted today asking for help with her not too happy AVs added 50% perlite - and in the way she grows- it didn't retain enough moisture for them to prosper. In my conditions on wicks and mats - they would probably be very happy. So - whatever works for you, Joanne - will work in your area. The further from your conditions - the more tweaking will be required. There is no universal soil recipe to end all recipes...Good growers - adjust! We all have a wonderful free tool. It is our index finger. Stick it in the pot - and it will tell you if the soil is dry or wet, too loose or too compressed... (Just do not show them your middle finger 8-O!) I.

It's certainly been a learning curve! Things I thought I'd never do, I ended up doing (I treated every plant remaining with everything I had- anti-bacterials, fungicides, insecticides, miticides, etc., thus they will remain indoors for quite some time, so I don't hurt any beneficial critters). Eventually, I'll replace what was lost, but for now, I am grateful for what has survived! Thanks for the empathy, and again, I am sorry for just disappearing. It was a stressful ordeal, combined with the everyday stress of life, and I needed to just get away from it all. I also made my Facebook private and deleted everyone, including groups. No offense to anyone; it had nothing to do with the plant issues. There were just a bunch of people I didn't know trying to friend me; people with Ebay issues were contacting me on FB instead of Ebay; and some random strangers (no one ya'll know- hopefully) were asking for things they should not have been asking for (freebie plants were not the only thing asked for...ewww). I don't mind chatting here and sharing photos here, and will continue to do so (when I have the time), but from now on, my Facebook will be off-limits, for privacy reasons, and for my sanity. As soon as I am confident that my plants don't have any further issues, I will replace my favorites that were lost, and eventually, I may start trading. I don't think I'll be selling any time soon (to busy with my "real job"), but perhaps, in the future?