My guess is that as long as it isn't directly underneath some huge point load (like a valley rafter or the jack studs of a large-headed opening above) the answer is "probably". If the framing was laid out neatly, there is another stud bay or rafter bay above the joist bay you're using. Make the hole as neatly as possible, try not to destroy the band. If you would feel better, add a vertical 2x4 leg on the flat to each side of the hole. This will support the bottom plate above you, and hopefully prevent the band from crushing under load. Casey

A thin piece of plywood, melamine or something, cut to fit and clued over the holes would work. If you don't like the idea of an obvious patch, cutting a sheet of inexpensive tileboard to fit around the pipes and cover the mistakes would work. http://www.homedepot.com/p/EUCATILE-32-sq-ft-96-in-x-48-in-Hardboard-Thrifty-White-Tile-Board-HDDPTW48/205995949

We looked into portables but don't have room to put one. Also there are no used ones under $100 for sale near us, the few times we've checked. (I'm also squeamish and don't care to own a used dishwasher.) :-) The family is rooting for us to put a dishwasher in to make our lives more comfortable and convenient while waiting to buy. They know that not having a dishwasher is a drawback and deterrent to would-be buyers, too, so they feel this would help cover their investment should we decide to back out for some reason (we don't plan to unless the world ends). I LOVE to cook and cook elaborately and not having a d/w has forced me to resort to paper plates and many, many sandwiches and heat-ups. Believe me, we've thought this through and through, moving from/selling a home with a remodeled kitchen to this one, and have done the "trial period" of living w/o a d/w for 7 months now. Yep, I really want one. And the one I am getting will be the same one that gets re-installed into my remodeled kitchen -- researched them till my eyes bled. So it's not an impulsive decision for sure. :-)

since you just planted them, I would guess transplant shock. Conditions in their new home are almost certainly different from where they "grew up" and it takes a while for a plant to get used to it.