I love your collection. I am a beginner at growing succulents but someday I hope to have something that at least resembles what you have grown. Really impressive!

Erin, nice show, its amazing how stress can cause something beautiful. Thanks for sharing,

Greg

Wilsocn - Mine is small in comparison. I too am a beginner. I've only been collecting/gardening for less than a year but thank you! I try! LOL

Greg - It IS pretty amazing how stress sometimes does that. However, I'm finding myself just hovering over my plants wondering what to do with them or just looking to see if there is any new, interesting growth. I feel quite pathetic actually. I thought Spring Break from college was supposed to be relaxing and fun? Not the case for this girl. It's not easy having a family member with terminal cancer on her death bed. Especially when it's your husband's family and they make you feel like an outsider every step you make. (Sorry for the small session)

~Erin~

Erin, these plants gave you relaxing time, but they stress me out for looking at them so much. Just kidding.
Big collection for a short time. They are beautiful.
Marie

Great plants you have there Erin, thanks for sharing. I'm sorry to learn of the family health problems, it must be a difficult time for you all.
I agree, plants can be a real stress buster can't they? I like nothing more than spending and hour or 2 or 3 or 4 pottering about in the greenhouse or garden with my plants and seeds...all very relaxing indeed as hopefully you are finding too...take care.
Gill from the UK.

Great collection Erin, love the euphorbias.your plants are lovin that florida sunshine, and btw I know how it is to be an 'outsider', I hope you are feeling better.

Erin, love your plants! In pots like in photo 23 or 24, do those plants already have roots, or did you put them in there to root? I want to do some group planting in pots like I see in photos.

I'm sorry to hear that there is illness in the family. Illness causes stress on everyone, and, as hard as it is, try to be patient with the people around you.

pennyhal - the plants in 23 and 24 are a mix of rooted and unrooted. Especially in 23! If a leaf falls of I usually don't notice or I leave it and it roots where it lies. Most were rooted prior though.

~Erin~

Gill,

You can even tell them I'll turn off my pop-up blocker for a whole week if they give us the forum.

Erin,

I meant to post that in the Adenium post, but while I'm here...nice start of a collection. Yep, plants help out.

Erin, I am sorry for the extra stress in your life.
As a widow of someone who died from cancer, I will tell you that your dh's family isn't making you feel that way on purpose. It's a very hard thing; dont take it personally, his families' hearts are full of worry. They're not pushing you away, they are trying to 'hold it together'.
A good thing to do is send prayers (you probably already are) and keep working with your lovely plants.
When I see your plants outdoors in sunshine, I am jealous! In a couple of months (or more) I can safely put mine outside . . .

Erin,
Sometimes it feels good just to say something about it so thanks for sharing your heart, at times like this the best path is the road of kindness and love and should the loved one pass you'll feel totally happy with your decision to have taken the higher road and that my friend will stay with you forever...

Remain supportive of your husband durring this time because It's not his fault and before you realize it you'll regain your joy which is your true strength.

Well hope that's received I only mean to help.

Greg

Erin, your plants look very happy! I like the white pebbles, they all seem to be smiling healthy, bright smiles.

My condolences to your family. Plants definitely are stress relief. I sometimes think I might be this way due to the first 2/3 of my life being a cornucopia of trauma. Now I'm determined to enjoy every day of my life on my own terms.

Your Lithops look like they might be in trouble. When one plant splits into 2 or more heads, it's still one taproot. That means if one is suffering, the other is not far behind. While you're still learning about them, it's good to keep them in small pots that dry out quickly. I made that mistake early on and wiped out half of my collection by overwatering. I could go on about this but a link is better. If you're interested, and you may have seen this before, it's worth a read.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hammertime

Ryan,

You're going to make me get my pajama pants out and bust a move.

~Erin~ You have a great collection going there. I cannot wait to see how it progresses during the summer. In times of sorrow I hide in my plants. Somehow they know how to comfort me. Paula