Yup, sorry an attack of 'sometimers' hits me now and then. Ursula, I am with you on the scale battle. My plants that have it are getting the "cold shoulder" right now, i.e. I'm leaving them unprotected when the temps go down into the 40's. Hoping that might discourage the little beasties. This may be my last chance at that strategy, as one more cold front is upon us this week. Have not lost anyone yet, but my Chia Lin that was so badly infested last fall has lost several big pb's. It has a new one coming, though, which is encouraging.
The Howeara is a terrific bloomer, twice a year it seems to put up these nice long-lasting sprays of small flowers. It was one of my orphans from the local orchid grower who had to quit. I bought nearly 50 orchids from them, and wish I'd bought more! Out of all those I've only lost one and it was nearly on it's last legs when I brought it home. But it was a Boll. Midnight Blue 'Cardinal's Roost' so I had to give it a try! Seeing Jim's beautiful flowers, that is another one on my list to look for.
