Okay, I think I finally have solstice sowing figured out. Remembrance: Carya illinoiensis (Pecan) - for my brother, who died at the beginning of 2009 - because he was such a nut :) Lovage - in remembrance of the herb garden I had to leave behind when I moved - these are seeds from that garden Life: An unknown tall field thistle in bloom in Alabama when I first got here - what a butterfly magnet! I would stand in front of them for several minutes just gawking at the butterflies - as soon as they went to seed, I was there collecting. I do not know the variety of this thistle, but I'm praying it's not as invasive as Canadian thistle, aka creeping thistle. Mother Nature: Halesia carolina (Carolina Silverbell) Magnolia tripelata Craetegus laevigata (English Hawthorn) Faith: Sesbania punicea (Scarlet Wisteria) - only one zone difference, so maybe if I find the right microclimate? Happy solstice, everyone!

Denise, I hear you loud and clear!! I just found new growth on my vitellinoides and clemensorium - two of my favorite hoyas that haven't done anything but maintain since I got them in July. I keep climping up on my kitchen table so that I can look at my new leaves with out bumping my plants. There is just nothing more devastating than accidently knocking off new growth while trying to get a closer look. I also found several new shoots on my finlaysonii that I have hanging in my bathroom east facing window! I totally understand my kids' need to grab and check the presents under the tree - obsessively. Glad to hear that others are actively looking. I too envy those in more tropical climes, Montana is so unpredictable, I don't even put my plants outside in summer as we have had July blizzards. Thanks for the post. Sara

Renee is the big 5-0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are going to the Southern Woman's show tomorrow. Has anyone here ever gone? Lots of stuff to see, taste, win, try. Its a whole day of fun.

socal: I just looked up the effect of air mass on solar energy and you are right. At the peak of summer the poles would get at least 30% less compared to the equator - assuming the measurement is done directly facing the Sun. Tapers off pretty rapidly in other months. And yet I clearly remember reading that solar panels can produce close to 100% of their power even close to the poles during the peak summer months. At one point I was looking up info on solar panels for our house but never got around to installing. Now I cannot find a decent article on studies how solar panels fare close to the poles. May be I read or interpreted wrong. I will have to keep trying to find info to reconcile this discrepancy. Edited a bit above for clarity.