Buttoning happens when stunted plants. your plant appears to be normal. Those heads develop fast so keep an eye on them. They can be full heads in three to five days. I would also tie the leaves together over the head. In the hot hot sun, exposed heads will discolor and have a strong taste. Be sure to cut them before the curd starts to seperate.

This is odd, there are similarities to soo many in this one. You are right Jodi and I sure most have better conditions for their babies. I try to keep them happy...haha! Would the actual size of the bloom have any indication? These blooms are pretty petite I would say...not mini, but not huge like my previous 'Red Lions'. Larissa, I've never had a Red Lion with streaks either, but Kristi has a beautiful one up there...this is so odd isn't it? Maybe I just want so much for it to not be just another Lion...haha! I wish I could capture the deep coloring because my camera makes it look so much lighter than it really is. If it will ever stop raining, I am going to try to snap it outside. Maybe I will just take Ryans advice and call it an original Frank Production...I like that! Thanks for all the input ya'll. :-) -Frank

Hi All- I bought my DoA from Bluestone's sale last summer. I planted in a 1 gallon container so she was keep moist at all times. My DH did all the pinching; something I haven't got the hang of yet. Don't really understand where you should pinch. She was planted last fall 2007. When we removed her from the container she had an amazing rootball. We planted her deep w/some bonemeal in the bottom of the hole. The pictures are of her very first blooms ever! I am so proud of her and I think she is a very pretty clematis. Now I need to find a vitacella to grow together w/my Henryi that is about 8 years old. He had wilt the first 3 years and this year he has just started blooming. I was thinking of VV but would love a nice blue like Ramona. How would Betty Corning look w/Henryi? I hear she is a great clematis and I love the bell-shaped flowers. I want something with color to really stand out w/Henryi. I guess I am not really sure what I want but would love some suggestions. suebot in CT

"On a slightly other note, it never really occurred to me that I had a "right" to be intimate with BF while his daughters are present in the apartment. The last time they were here that was 10 difficult days for me where everytime he tried to kiss me goodnight and our door was open, I was so tense I just felt angry. I am hypersensitive to being observed, and I knew they could see us. It's just not natural for me - I am a little uptight but also I'm just concerned to not do anything in front of them that they would be upset by/tell BM" It is my view that you should be affectionate in front of the kids. After they've seen the aftermath (and during-math, if that's a word) of a bad and/or dysfunctional relationship, they need to see what a good one looks like. They will learn from that example more than any talk. That doesn't mean you have to be perfect or that you can't even disagree. But, as I've said before, kids need an example of both how to love someone AND how to deal with a disagreement. Now, I'm definitely not saying that you should have a make-out session on the couch when they are there. But a short but sweet kiss or cuddling on the couch while watching a movie or even an affectionate nickname will show them that you are happy together and secure in your relationship.