OK. I am brand new here and not even an orchid grower. I would not know how to pot one up if you paid me the current Lottery Prize. But sometimes, I come on over here and read a bit and see your stunning photos. I am, however, a gardener myself. I grow sweet peas, hippeastrums, narcissus, and many other things. I once went to a professional orchid show just to see what the fuss was about. There were many, many different types of orchids and colours and arrangements of them. It really was quite a show. I remember most of all some yellow and velvety brown ones and they were something! But the memory that most stands out in my mind is that of a visit to my hairdresser. On this occasion, there were three Cattleyas in an amethyst bowl on the nearby credenza. They were pure white and very large and had a very frilly, deep purple throat (almost the same colour as the bowl). The picture is still in my mind: that is what an orchid is to me. If I could grow them, I would get that one. I read this thread just to see what kind of remarks you had to make about general tips for beginners. I must say that you all are one polite and nice bunch. I have seen some people get some nasty remarks from others on some forums but so far this one is as you say, very decent. As one member said: just because this is the internet it is not an excuse to forget your manners. I was raised with them too; and I appreciate all of your helpful advice and polite and friendly manner. One should not have to defend oneself on a visit to GardenWeb, after all. You have a great Forum here in the orchid section.

It seems as if your micro climate is fairly mild if the area between you and your neighbor doesn't get below freezing, and your original fig was fine over the winter. You might get away with doing nothing - but I'd rather be safe than sorry. Younger figs tend to be more susceptible to cold than mature ones. You could push your figs together and throw something over them, but I wouldn't use a plastic tarp. Platic doesn't insulate much, and a darker tarp could heat up during the day causing fluctuating temps under it. Home Depot and Lowes carry rolls of silver bubble wrap that is an excellent insulator - folks on the forum have reported good results with it. They used to have wide rolls that you could measure what you needed, but around here only offer four foot rolls, you might have to staple (or tape) it to make the width you need. It can be reused. Discussion thread on topic: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/fig/msg1115011223117.html As for your friend in Zone 7, an unheated shed would be good protection for the figs - just watch for rodents. I don't know how his pots will fare, though. I've never buried cuttings, so I'll let others respond. Some figs produce fruit on both old and new wood. Brebas are produced on (usually) one-year-old wood. Main crop figs are produced on current year's growth. So if you cut a branch off now or in early spring, you will get main crop figs on the new growth next year. Hope this helps a little. Here is a link that might be useful: Silver Bubble Wrap Insulation

> I've had one Hoya from the big box store that has been a breeze to care for, although it has never bloomed. Let me guess. Hoya Carnosa? :-) The most popular one by far, but relatively stingy with blooms. Sources I've seen say it needs good light and needs to be around 3 years of age before it blooms. Mine has lived with me for just over 2 years, but soggy soil and lack of light for a while set it back, I suspect. Now that both those things have been corrected, it is shooting a long shoot pretty fast, so I am glad things are moving. I do not expect flowers for a couple more years though. > If I get fluorescent tubes, what kind should I get, how many, how close to the plants? T5 high output fluorescent fixtures are pretty much the thing for fluorescents. There is a LOT of debate about other lamp types MAYBE being better, with some people religiously defending some types (LEDs primarily). LEDs are more expensive and relatively new, so I went with the tried and true T5HOs. The top fixture in the picture is four 4-foot long bulbs. The bottom picture is 2 bulbs, but that was only because of the depth constraints of the shelf unit, otherwise I would have gotten another 4-bulb one. I've gotten a TON of new growth with these lights. Things are growing even now in the winter, which is really nice, 'cause I need the entertainment. I recommend this kind of setup, no comparison with results on my shady window sills. > What varieties would be scented but also good for a novice Hoya grower? Check out this list: http://srqhoyas.com/GUIDELINES. Denise mentioned this site, and I've bought cuttings from her (Joni) and am extremely satisfied. I bought 12 cuttings first, then 18 more. 100% of them are alive. You can buy cuttings by name, or you can buy cheaper "bundles" (http://srqhoyas.com/CUTTINGS/BUNDLES), and in the comments specify roughly what kinds you'd like. > Any yellow or orange blossomed ones? I thought I might even try to get one scented, one yellow or orange. See if Joni can take these instructions - or choose from her pictures if you definitely want to have particular hoya kinds. I've bought several cuttings from Denise as well. Denise, they are all doing fine, by the way - australis ssp australis is full of roots but lacunosa is definitely taking its sweet time just like you warned me. It looks great above ground though, so I am not worried. > can Hoyas ship in the winter or should I wait to purchase in the spring? You should mention in your profile which agricultural zone you are in. It's helpful in replying to questions like this one and also to understand people's comments in context of their plant culture. Hoyas have different temperature tolerances, but I would not subject them to under-50 temps in shipping if I could help it. Joni and other sellers can include a heat pack, but that is not a guarantee. I'd wait till spring or consult the seller you are considering. This post was edited by greentoe357 on Fri, Jan 3, 14 at 12:24

If the soil is peaty, I'd repot it again now too. With those *GIANT* windows, anything that doesn't require significant direct sun should do well. If you plan to live there indefinitely, (I'd have to be dragged out, kicking & screaming...) and you'd enjoy more plants, you might look at a few that are usually too big for the average home/window, like Monstera deliciosa, and bird of paradise (Strelitzia, there are several diff species.) Trees like various types of Dracaena, Schefflera (actinophylla is the bigger one,) and China doll (Radermachera) are usually fairly easy to find. Palms! I need to click submit now before I start rhapsodizing about the plants you could hang...!