Welcome Candice and son!! here are some sites to check out www.butterfliesandmoths.org for what butterflies are in your area and what they eat: www.whatsthatbug.com for what the "cats"(caterpillars) look like: www.monarchwatch.org www.butterfliesetc.com These are chocked full of general information!! Check out local nurseries, ask if you can take their "cats" (buy a couple of what their on!!) buy tomatoe plants-doesn't matter what kind-the cheaper the better- they attract hornworms, I know their not pretty butterflies but my son thinks their the coolest and that's what counts:-) also fennel, dill, and parsley will attract swallowtails, you can buy them at the supermarket already potted (sometimes) If you like I can send some milkweed seed just email me! Brandy

Hi everyone, Iraley - There are as many different potting mixes for bromeliads as there are growers. Everyone has their own special mix which they say is the best, but it's up to the individual grower to make/buy a mix that suites their own environmental requirements. HDD hit it right on the head with those two words "well draining". That's the basis of all good bromeliad mixes. If you consider what type of bromeliads you are growing, they will be mainly from one of two groups; those that "in habitat" grow on trees or rocks, and those that grow in the soil. I can't advise on the ones that grow in the soil as I don't grow those types, but the ones that grow on trees have good air circulation around the roots continually. If we put one of these in a pot we need to make sure that the mix is open and well draining so air can still get to the roots as well. Here in Australia there is a cymbidium orchid mix which I have found very good. It's just very simply, aged composted pine bark. It's free draining and will last the life of the plant until it requires repotting and is reasonably priced. If you want to make your own mix; Pine bark, charcoal, polystyrene granules, Perlite, Coco-Peat chunks and many other different ingredients are all used in various ratios in mixes throughout the country, with pine bark usually being the basis of the mix. In the wet tropics here, brom's are just grown in straight volcanic rock or plain river gravel so they drain immediately and can't become waterlogged. Remember, overwatering is the main danger to bromeliads and what ever you use must be free draining All the best, Nev.

Found this one. But have not made one, maybe this will give you an idea to design your own. Looks easy enough to make. Here is a link that might be useful: cowboy cooler

Probably easier to use a ice chest for the cooler. If you desire the old drain spout you could connect the existing drain on the cooler to your desired spout using a little rubber hose and a couple of clamps. Should be able to design one using some 2'X 4' for the legs and build a box to fit your cooler. I have seen them but don't know about any plans for one. Just do your thing, you may come up with something better than using someone elses pattern.