My parents made it to Israel a couple of years before my Mom passed away. They had wanted to go for years and years and when their parish was running a trip they went for it. Mom had a hard time getting around but she was always a trooper and seeing things that held so much significance for her spurred her along. A year or two ago I read they've irrigated parts of the Negev desert and grow melons down there. Probably other things by now. I'm not sure where they grow the plants and cut flowers they export but it's becoming a sizable business sector. That botanical garden is tremendous from the website information. OT...triple_b, I got my father some "own root" roses from Heirloom Roses for Christmas. We were so upset when they arrived in May because they were so, so tiny. The miniature "Love Potion" (24" @ maturity) has 5 buds on it that are ready to open! The floribunda "Wistful" just bloomed and it was a gorgeous lavender. We didn't cut it because it's the only bloom showing so far. The lavender floribunda is right next to a 34 year old red floribunda that's almost denuded from black spot and/or rust but still blooming its head off. The lavender floribunda and other new little rose bushes haven't caught the blight(s) and I'm hoping their rating of "very disease resistant" holds up as time goes on. If my condo balcony wasn't so dark from facing north I'd have a couple miniatures in pots. Spend so much time here at my father's though I finally decided "we" needed some color so found relative sanity in starting gardens. I've quickly found out why I chose to live in a condo...LOL...a LOT less work.

I recently made a list of Tomatoes which I understand do well in Hot Summer weather. IâÂÂm certain this is not all varieties but it is a good starting point. Much is based on an individualâÂÂs growing conditions and some varieties listed were varieties developed with certain abilities to deal with summer heat. Happy Gardening to us All! Gary Tomatoes for Hot/Dry Climates Atkinson Arkansas Traveler Mortgage Lifter Cherokee Purple. Kentucky Beefsteak Creole Rutgers Siletz Box Car Willie Amish Paste, Aunt Ruby's German Green, Creole, German Johnson, Radiator Charlie's Mortgage Lifter, Gregori's Altai, Homestead 24-F, Mule Team, Stupice, Super Sioux, Tropic. Arkansas Traveler, Costuluto Genovese, Hawaiian, Heatwave, Homestead, Homestead 24, Manalucie, Solar Set, Sunbeam, Sun Leaper Sungold Ramapo Floradade Mortgage lifter German Red Strawberry Soldaki Opalka Riesentraube Sioux and Super Sioux ⢠According to the Dr. Tomato Seed Company, the Sioux is an heirloom variety that was originally released in 1944 by the University of Nebraska. It has a sweet, tangy flavor, and the plants produce reliably large harvests, even in hot, dry climates. The fruit is red and weighs about 6 oz. when ripe. It is indeterminate, which means it produces until the first frost, and sets in 70 days. The Super Sioux is an improved version of the Sioux, but the plant is smaller and produces 4 oz. fruit. Costoluto Genovese ⢠The Costoluto Genovese tomato is hearty and does well in hot weather. When ripe, it is red with a lobed, convoluted shaped. It has an intense, acidic flavor that makes it good for sauces and pastes. This variety will continue to produce even when the weather turns cool. It is indeterminate and sets in 78 days. Pearson Improved ⢠The Pearson Improved tomato plant produces large, red, flattened-globe-shaped, smooth-skinned fruit. This type of tomato averages about 7 oz. and is determinate, which means all of its fruit ripens in a short period of time. It sets in 80 days and is considered good for canning. Porter's Pride ⢠Tomato Growers Supply Company describes this canning tomato as medium-size with "larger, rounder and bright red" fruits. The tomato is plum-shape with tender skin and a sweet flavor. Its heartiness makes it suited for dry regions such as Texas. It is indeterminate and takes about 70 days to set. Abe Lincoln Heirloom Open Pollinated Tomato has beautiful large dark red fruits .... it does well in many growing conditions, especially in hot and humid regions ...

I used to have terrible luck with containers, but then I found this great soil in Cloverdale, CA called Big Roots, they home make it at a place called Soil King. Its a business that sells only specialty gardening items, its not a chain. I had great soil in San Francisco and I had no room for containers in the house and no where to lift them. The soil is very bad soil, since I just started the garden. I was not going to let them stay in containers, but I just could not get the soil ready in time, so containers was only a short term idea, but it's working so well, that I am glad I took a chance. It did cost a lot of money to buy the soil and the containers. The own roots roses can stay in the containers for at least a year. The full sized ones, I am going to try to plant maybe in the fall. I don't think I want to transplant in full summer heat of over 100.

Thank you everyone so much for what you do with your plants. Rina, your plants looks so happy, I really adore those aeoniums & echeverias! I like the motto SOS! I need to do that during the next downsizing. I wouldn't want to move all my plants either unless of the most severe storms (tornado warnings). Margaret, your weather sounds very comfortable, and what a typical Spring would be like in New England. I'm not usually in the super hot weather for a long time as there is AC indoors. When I'm in the pool the heat is great, just trying to avoid sunburn. I guess my plants and I have a lot in common, lol. Crenda, your tricolors remind me of past problems that I am trying to avoid, so I too feel they do best away from high humidity. It's like years of growing them and a few days of humidity turns them ugly. Maybe this is why some folks choose not to grow them.... so darn fussy. Ewwmayo, agreed on that shade cloth, love having it....what percent are you using? Mine is 30% but is doubled at the moment, when I get a chance later I will make it one layer. Pagan, too funny, I hope the mesembs are happier under that tough love...seems like it :) Mike, what is this about sitting back and enjoying the plants?!? Ha... I was just thinking the other day I don't have a chair in the gazebo, it's full of plants! I keep meaning to grab a chair and I forget. I collected rain water last night and earlier today I watered the 200+ plants. Looking around I have A LOT of repotting at least 50 to a 100! I do worry of older mixes being compact or they simply outgrew their pot. I'm going out soon and will get more potting mix. I'm sure the gazebo blocks more light than the plants could take. Western sun facing the shade cloth side, mostly jades and random succulents get the brightest area. CC/TC/Rhipsallis are further inward, they get some morning sun though on the other side. -Nancy