The jasmine is really pretty! I wouldn't mind a whiff of the scent - but I guess scratch-and-sniff screens are not in the cards for some time to come. The fern looks really cool too! -The other day, I was just about to throw out some stuff from a window box, that had been overgrown with weeds (after salvaging a few samples of what I wanted to keep of course), when I noticed a tiny little fern seedling in there. It must have come with the wind or a bird or something, as I have never grown ferns myself. -Do you have any recommendations? -I don't know what kind it is of course, but I'm hoping it's cold hardy, and not just something from someone's house fern! -It COULD be the same kind as yours. For now, I have just planted it with the morning glories as my guess was, not to use too much fertilizer. VG

WHAT A GREAT FORUM...Isn't it everyone? The help, the ideas, and the experiences from others astounds me. Everyone here has so much in common with their love of plants.. It is very interesting to see how others feel and what you do... Larry b, your concern for hurting others was noticed. And yet you are discrete in sharing the truth of it all...You are a good person, as is all the rest of everyone here.. I will say this.. Everyone made me think alot about the way I view my plants. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I think my plants look great, and that's whats important. Toni will vouch for that...:-) I am sure that most of our plants feel the same about themselves too...lol When that experienced plant friend of mine came over that day and said, "most" my plants were telling me they have issues, need help, more attention to manicuring, because a "few" of their leaves were anything but perfect, some with even a little mark on them,it bothered me. He even called my soil anything but good for my tropicals, partly to blame for the way a few looked. But He didn't get me to question that one though!! I almost believed that I was not doing enough for them to look perfect, after I felt I was doing the best I could do for them, and having fun at it too.. I wanted to continue to experience the JOY of this hobby. So I came here for the right view of how our plants should look, and what each of you do to their imperfect look if any, and why? Isn't this a purpose of these forums? You have all picked me up. Encouraged me.. Showed me a balanced view. I personally LOVE to look at my plants everyday, I mean everyday.. I am one of those that does not ignore them, not for one day. I spend huge amounts of time in my plant room, everyday, because it is there where I find great peace for many reasons. I CAN and will still look past their blemishes, their defects, because beyond that, they are beautful, at least to me.. Some here have seen them. I never heard a bad thing of them, not yet anyways...lol. If there are any plants not "perfect" in shape and in every leaf color or form, it is not do to our failing our plants as my nursery "friend" suggested.. They are a reflection of our love for them, even if they have a few flaws, not manicured as often as suggested. I thought I was failing them and that their leaves were a sign of that. I am not perfect, so they will never be too I guess.. If there is a true health conditon that needs to be fixed, then I will accept. I think there is a balance between a sick plant that suffers for many reasons that we strive to find out why, and yet, as to one that just gives us an imperfect leaf or shape ,a blemished look, once in a while, no need to be overly consumed. A few of you continue to show me how to look at my plants in a balanced view, in ways I not thought of once before.I appreciate it. You are always learning something new in this hobby for sure. Yes, jeannie7 said something that really stuck a cord in me, and put a huge smile on my face. She made me see the reality of it all... To quote: "The leaves plants form are perfect...who's to say the plant doesn't know how to make a leaf according to its genes. It's the conditions that man gives the plant that causes the brown on the tips and edges. If you want to see the plant in all its splendour, then give it back to its natural home." It is the "nature" of plants, even in the outdoors, and I am going to continue to "ignore" their flawed leaves, unless it is a sign of negligance on my part..:-) I am not aiming for flawlees plants, just happy healthy ones! This is what my nursery friend should have appreciated in mine, or even his, but didn't. I guess I let his experience in nurseries almost change my view.. I hope he doesn't look at peoples flaws like this. Oh boy! Oh, just yesterday he told me he no houseplants of own..I wonder why...lol. He just asked for a couple of mine though. Why? He says they are so much more unique than the ones he sees at the nursery. What's wrong with this picture? lol I am going to agree with what Pirot girl said.... "I personally will not engage in lest it turn my pleasureable hobby into a burdensome chore which is not my idea of a pleasant hobby." Except for the insects, which I have accepted that comes with the territory and takes diligance, I find that when I do what I can for them when I can, it is a great source of joy! This is the nature of houseplants... We can do what is best to make them happy and healthy, and in turn they will do their best to make us happy too. If they show signs of pest infestation or fertilizer problems, that is a different story. But this is not what this thread I started is about. Thanks for seeing my point. Thanks, for making this encouraging forum happen.:-)

Tiff LOL dont be silly lady, im just gonna jump on all Your threads, post MY pics, get my answeres, and let You look like the bad guy! hehee seriously we're ALL learning, from Each Other, thats whats soo cool bout this joint (i think) ...and the Fun along the way. btw i dont (Hate) Anybody. or anything,, cept Stink Bugs! dem im goin to War on hehe oh may bad (5.1.1) of course,, hmm I'll try it on something to get a reference (perspective), heck ive got like every soil ammendment ingredient known to Man! lol ..been wantin to anyway :) yea big plants Are impressive, but i really like 'miniatures' in Lots of things, not just plants,, plus i dont have the space,,, i actually enjoy picking up each plant (on weekends, when ive the time) and taking to my lighted magnifier Lamp, giving em the once over before taking em to the sink,,, its kind of a bonding thing sorta,, Not like breast-feeding acourse! lol oh wow, yea i wasnt aware he was strugglin a bit, and the expense, Sorry to hear that Tiff, i'll definitely put you n your family on my Prayer list. :) hmm ive never married, thus no kids, so i dont know the 'joys',,, but man, talk about 'taking-the-good-with-the-bad' your probably thinkin (somedays) 'is this Really what i Wanted'? hmm,, wow really Nice sentiment Polly :) dang Polly? you type soo much younger than that!? hehe :)~ shoot its too late 4 pics, tomm maybe,, you kids in bed then, now? i gotta learn military time lol Night all, Tiff,, 110 oz's?? really, im not even gonna ask hehee i can still catch a cpl mins of Avat...rrr...zzzzzz

Hi Nelson - we forgive you! Mistakes do happen, and you did let us know about it, which is what counts. I am still tickled about the night-blooming jasmine - and could kick myself for not taking those Black EEs you had before we all went down to eat - I think the heat and/or the excitement from all the plants was getting to me! I don't have the reg black ones, just those that I brought Paulette (you know, from dumpster diving a couple of weeks ago). Better run finish paperwork for the state - don't beat yourself up over the vine.