Hi Cory, You sure are knowledgable about orchids, all the different kinds ,the conditions in which they grow. I would say you are an expert. I know whom to ask if I decide to grow any.
At first I wasn't sure if you were a girl but figured out from your writing that you indeed were. Cory can sometimes be a male name so understand why people got confused.
Cory I have always loved cooking . When I was working I used to find cooking a good stress reliever therapeutic so to speak. I think it appears to all the senses and one can express their creativity through their culinary skills. I too love baking. I love making bread, One of my favourite things to do. But I refrain from baking too much because we also love to eat it.
How is the vegetarian diet going ?. My daughter in law and my three grandchildren are vegetarians. They seem to find lots of interesting food to eat and cook. I am making a big pot so veg soup today. It is comforting when it starts to rain. It seems like the family room will not be finished for awhile. The floor will be done today but now we have to wait for a carpenter to do the woodworking. The fumes are bad in here now
I have to be careful with my asthma. I have only been hospitalized once . Two years ago at Christmas we were in Jamaica and I got really sick,couldn't fly home for a week . Luckily I had a Dr. there who treated me and got me to the stage where I could get back to Canada where I was immediately
hospitalized . It took over two months to recover. I have medications always on hand and know when I need them. I hate when I have to take steroids though as the side effects can be brutal.
Take care Cory. Have a great day. My trees are waiting. Maggy

Hi Brian, how are you enjoying your vacation? I bet the movie at the drive-in last night was fun. I wish my Kishu would grow like yours .I water it,give it sunshine,fertilize with foilage pro and still nothing. Maybe I need to give some steroids . I even talk to it.
When do you start putting your trees in the greenhouse? I am thinking sometime in Oct. but then I suppose it depends on the first frost.
I haven't found a delônghi heater but I did see one like yours on eBay and it is new. About $70 and $25 shipping and $14 duties. I may buy it . Does that sound a reasonable price ? My husband 's friend who has a pool company is checking on the pool cover for me. It seems like this first year with the greenhouse is expensive but I figure if I do it right it will be a good investment. Next year will just be more money for trees . haaaaaaa
It is nice to feel human again Brian. I am sure never going to party like that again. It was fun at the time but not the next day.
Finally there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel for our basement.
The tile will be done today.and they found a carpenter for tomorrow. Friday they will move everything back . Then all that will be left is cleaning the stairs and family room carpet. It looks like we may have the family room back his week- end.
You have a great day. I believe you are going to Montreal tomorrow.
Take care my friend. Maggy

Maggy darling hope your weather is as nice as what is going on here and you to Mikey and Cory it's a 10 out of 10 day. You are so right Maggy Mike and Cory sure have a wealth of knowledge . These are your go to guys and Thankyou so much . For a beginner Maggy you probably know more than I , that says something . Cory thanks for all the info I didn't know there was baby orchids now that you told me I see them now . I guess to much focus on the citrus . I moved it to the back patio window , extremely bright there and the temperature always go up and down there . I will take another picture in October Thankyou so much buddy . Mike chin up or should I say multiple chins up which is a lot more difficult , it sounds like you are working way to hard and no fun for time . You have to do it buddy find some time for yourself and let loose . All work and no play makes for a very grey day .Your a great guy. Maggy I loved the movie last night and there was no mosquitos WOW . We were out most of the day pup went to the spa for hair and nails . He looks half of his size but he is so cute . Went to costco still no heaters but they have Christmas out , some . We came home and have been baking in the backyard love it . Have to look good for our trip to Montreal tomorrow , very excited about seeing my citrus oops I meant my sister in law lol. Maggy the price of the heater sounds kind of steep and I will warn you about the one I have if there is any kind of power surge or black out you will have to reset it or it will not come back on . All digital heaters with thermostats are probably like that but not sure . Back to the backyard going to cook up a huge batch of chickens and of course beverages . Have a nice evening everybody I will get back to you

Brian
.

Hi Brian, I am glad you have nice weather. We are not that lucky. Just had a major storm,thunder,lightening and huge wind. My husband was upset because I went outside to move a couple of trees in a more protected area. I got soaked. The wind was so strong.
Yes Cory and Mike are very knowledgable . I don't know that much Brian but what I know I learned here and from you ,Mike and others.
Isn't it exciting to discover you have baby orchids. That is neat. I will be looking forward to seeing pictures in Oct.
What movie was playing at the drive-in last night.? We were in bed by 9pm. We play for one day and need three to recover .
I have been looking at Costco for a heater but haven't seen anything yet. Thanks for looking there. Your very kind. And thanks for the info.re the heater needing to be reset after outage etc.
Isn't it amazing that the dog looks so small after grooming. Buddy is so heavy I can barely lift him but after his hair cut he looks tiny. Teddy was terrified tonight with the thunder. He stayed close to my husband .
Maybe this storm will cause my trees to have a growth sprout . I was sure they would be damaged from the wind but they seem o.k.
Brian have a wonderful trip to Montreal. Have fun. I know you are looking forward to it. I am so glad you are enjoying your time off.
Take care Maggy

Hi Maggy glad you guys are OK . On the evening news we saw that you guys were under a severe weather warning . Maggy didnt you're mom ever teach you not to go and play outside when there is a lot of lightning lol . Maggy please tie up those trees to something tomorrow I don't want you to get hit by lighting . I am afraid this is our fate tomorrow night and we will be in Montreal . My smaller trees like my Kishu I place under my larger trees when I know there is going to be a big storm so I don't have to worry about hail. The larger trees can take a lot of abuse . Maggy I look at it this way there will always be more trees if something bad happened to them . . Glad to here your basement is almost finished good news . I bet your fed up with that . I was trying to make a video of my garden tonight , my voice bites and so does my narrating it's not easy to do. Last night we went to see expendable's three loved it , I Love all the older actors . We bought the new spider man movie in 3d going to the basement to watch it on our projector , should be good . Tomorrow morning I am going to have to map out where all the HD are in Montreal , actually LaSalle which is about 5 minutes from downtown . Should be lots of fun . Thanks for warning me about ponds . I guess dogs and ponds don't mix to well . You must have almost had a stroke when you saw that your pup had fallen through the ice and into into the pond in the winter . Definitely now no pond here . The forecasters still think that September and October will be much above normal in the temperature department but they also said that there might be one early frost before the warm up . Good news bad news. Maggy I hope you and your husband and your pup have a nice relaxing night and please no more playing in the lightning .

Brian

Brian,

There are plenty of mosquitos in my backyard if you need some. I was just outside spraying my citrus trees and bushes with Fish emulsion and Dr. Bonner's Peppermint Oil Soap and was eaten alive in the process. Your phalaenopsis needs slightly brighter light, never direct sun or it will burn. It is a relatively low light plant. I hope you get some flower spikes this fall. Happy citrus hunting....oh, I mean have a nice time visiting the relatives. ;>)

Maggy, your asthma story is scary, and you were out of the country no less. Fortunately i have never had to go to the hospital. I have chronic bronchial asthma so I cough all the time. Lots of different smells, molds, smoke and aerosols set it off. I gave up on the medications though as everything I took didn't agree with me and the cough seems better to me than all the the bad reactions. I try to relax to try to get through the really bad episodes and so far it works for me. I also try not to get worn down healthwise as I am more susceptible then. You really get a lot of storms where you live! You have had several bad storms even since your family room got flooded. I am like you, running around rescuing my trees and plants during bad storms and getting soaking wet. They do blow over easily. I don't want to use heavier pots though as they are too hard for me to lift. That is one of the reasons I like the 5-1-1 mix.. It is relatively light weight.

Have a nice evening everyone.

Cory

Good morning Maggy just preparing for our little trip leaving soon . It's a beautiful morning here . I was sitting outside in the backyard taking everything in , everything is so beautiful at this time of year . We might stay for 2 nights they are calling for rain tonight and tomorrow , I guess I don't have to worry whether my trees will be receiving water . I guess kind of a good thing. Very excited Montreal has to be one of the most beautiful cities . Always lots to do there . I can't believe holiday is half way through , I could really get into this retirement thing . Hoping the day will be nice in Windsor so you can get out and play in the garden . Cory thanks for all the info. I will definitely keep an eye on the orchid so it doesn't get burnt from the sun. That must be frustrating you wait all winter to get into the garden then your eaten alive by mosquitos . Life sure isn't fair sometimes . Looking forward to see if there is still some citrus hanging around at the garden centers buy I am not holding my breath on that it is getting late in the season now . I see you spray your trees I have never tried that maybe I should it seems every winter I am battling with scale maybe next spring . You and Maggy are going to have to stop running outside in these bad storms you just have to tie your trees to something then they will not go anywhere . Who will I talk to if you guys get hit by lightning that's no fun . Here is a picture of a few of my plums which I am going to pick this morning for our trip .

You guys have a fantastic day

Brian

Good morning. Brian, you are right,I should not go outside when there is lighting. It was a fierce storm and my husband was reading that the wind was 100 kilometres an hour. A branch came crashing down on our back patio on top of the chairs. Good thing we were not there. Most of my trees are tied to the raining on our front steps. It was the new ones that I repotted that I wanted to move. I won't do that again. . It was not smart.and my husband was upset.
So you are off to Montreal lucky you. I know Lasalle well,in fact at one point lived there, it's been a long time since I have been in Montreal. I laughed when you said you have mapped out all the Home Depots . I did the same thing when we went to Toronto. I just love looking for trees. Brian, you don't have room for any more citrus. The way I figure it is I always have the sunroom if I run out of room in the greenhouse
Oh! Yes the basement. Can you believe they ran out of tile.because they didn't order enough. I called the restoration company and I lost it. I told them I wanat the family room back by the week- end. Enough is enough. They delivered the wood this morning for the carpenter to do the baseboard. So we will see.
Did you finish your video.? Are you going to post it or us it private? Love to see all your trees .
Brian you should be o.k. With a pond . I didn't mean to discourage you from the idea.My other dog doesn't go near it but Buddy is a really mischievous little guy who is always getting in trouble. He was on the ice and it broke. I was terrified. Poor little pup was so wet and cold.
You are going to have so much fun today. I love looking for trees and it is such a surprise when you find something .
Take care my friend and enjoy every minute. Maggy

Brian ' I think we were writing at the same time. Beautiful plum trees You sure have a green thumb. Wow! Look at all that fruit.
Have a wonderful trip I love Montreal. Drive safely and have fun
Maggy

Hi Cory, You are right we get some bad weather here. Lots of thunder storms. When I first moved here I couldn't believe how stormy it could be in the summer. Normally the winter's are mild so that kind of makes up for it. The forecast is rain and storms every day this week. Could use some sunshine.
Lucky Brian ,he is off to Montreal today. Hope he has good weather there.
Mike always says the trees grow when there is a storm and he is right.They seem to love it.
Having a medical problem in another country was a so frightening. I was so fortunate as the resort in Jamaica had two fantastic nurses and the Dr. Who treated me was exceptional. He even stayed with me all night one night because he was so worried about me.He treated me for 5 days before I could fly home. I really thought I was going to die.. It was the only time I was ever hospitalized for asthma. So last year we went back to the same resort. I knew if I didn't go back I would be too afraid to travel again so it helped me confront my fear and overcome it..I was fine and I am glad I went back.
Cory , as I am writing there is a sweet little humming bird on my Rose of Sharon tree. I find then fascinating. We have had an owl in our back yard for the past few nights. Such an errie sound.
It is hard to believe that summer is almost over. It seems like it went way too fast.
We are in for more rain today so it is dark and dreary. A good day to rug hook perhaps.
Take care and hope all is well with you.Maggy

Hi Maggy I guess great minds think a like . Just about to head out the door , I think the pup is more excited then we are . Maggy you give it to them , it's so hard to find service and good workmanship these days , unbelievable . My pup is just as mischievous as yours , so definitely no pond . Picking plums is like picking strawberries , one for me one for the trip one for me one for the trip . I have already eaten about 8 this morning , I guess I will be hitting every restroom between here and Montreal , oh no . You see Maggy that big branch could have come crashing down on you when you were out there . Promise me you will never do that again . I used to be like you when the storms came then I said hey wait a minute my life is just a little more important then my trees . Take care my friend and have a nice day.

Brian

Brian, I didn't get any bugs in my greenhouse last winter when I used Mike's fish emulsion solution a few times just before I brought my plants back inside. I always had problems other years even if I used other insecticides. Now I give all my plants a spray every couple of weeks throughout the summer. I was having trouble with something causing my privet hedge to die back thus summer. I have sprayed it a few times and now the hedge is almost back to normal. The bugs come flying out when I spray the bushes. You can get Alaska brand in HD. it smells a little for a few hours but I don't mind it. I mix in the peppermint oil or rosemary oil soap or essential oil to try to disguise the smell a little. The soap and oil also discourages the bugs. You still have time to do your trees this year. It works wonderfully on my orchids also. No more uncontrollable scale and mealybug outbreaks in the middle of the winter last year or aphids in the spring. I was amazed. Your tree is so full of fruit and looks so healthy. I would also like to see your video of your trees. Good luck at the home centers. None carry citrus trees by me which seems strange but I am always on the lookout. Geesh Maggy, after all this time they realize they didn't order enough tile! I hope they can get it now. Do your dogs swim? My sister's dog lives to swim. Every time she is at the beach she begs to go for her morning swim. She has had two hip replacements and is having chemotherapy treatments and some days can hardly walk from arthritis but she just loves to swim anyway. Recently we have to take her to the bay in her dog carriage but she just was so happy swimming we just couldn't deny her the pleasure. She did not start swimming until she was older. She is like one of my sister's children and follows her everywhere all day long. Have a good day everyone.

Cory

Hi Cory, isn't Brian's plum tree amazing with all that fruit. I can understand why he likes being home with such beautiful surroundings.
I am going to spray with fish emulsion as well. I have plain Bonner's natural soap and essential peppermint oil. Do you use an attachment for the water hose like Mike does? I have Neptune's fish emulsion so it should be o.k.
I keep saying I am going to spray but with the renovation going on here it is difficult. If I can avoid bugs in the greenhouse that will be good. Do you ever spray them when they are in the greenhouse?
I hope my trees survive the winter since this will be my first year overwintering them. I still need to get a solar cover for the greenhouse, an outdoor plug installed ,a heater and a fan. Hopefully we won't have frost before everything is ready. Oh! Yes and clean the greenhouse. It is full of peppers and tomato's which are not ripening.
My dog does not like to swim. The older one has been in our daughter's pool but didn't like it. He is beside me right now snoring. Too funny. They do love their bath though. You sister's dog sounds adorable. He sounds like he is so brave.They do like to follow us around. So cute. They are like children and bring so much joy.
Now the sun is shining. Earlier it was raining.
Cory I don't think our basement will ever be finished. I am starting to get cranky and tired of strangers coming and going in my house not to mention not being able to go out. We have tried to be patient but that is getting thin.
Hope you gave a great day.
Mike,we haven't seen you for awhile. Maggy

Maggy, I was wondering where Mike is too. I hope he did not end up in the hospital again. He seems to be doing too much. I use the fish emulsion in a Miracle Grow sprayer just as Mike does; I got the idea from him. I add a small amount of Dr. Bonners peppermint oil soap though as a wetter/sticker/spreader. Sometimes I just use the soap by itself or with some alcohol. It is effective as bug killer by itself. When I need to, I spray with a pump sprayer in the greenhouse. The hose is just too strong in there. I didn't need to spray for bugs at all last winter as the FE seemed to take care of all the bugs before everything came back in. I still didn't get to finish cleaning the greenhouse "glass" yet. There always seems to be grass to mow, hedges to trim, bushes to prune, weeds to pull, laundry to do, grocery shopping, etc. and of course house cleaning, that takes priority. I'm taking a lunch break while I wait for my batteries to recharge, and I will still have to go to the grocery store or we will have nothing to eat tonight. One year I got halfway through the cleaning and the weather got bad and I had to bring everything in and once they are in it is impossible to clean in there. So I started earlier, but I still have a way to go yet. I literally mean batteries. I have all electric tools now. The 40 volt tools are very powerful and last much longer times than previous batteries and the tools are light weight if you get the right ones. I love my lawn mower that I bought last spring. I would recommend it. I have a fairly large yard and in the front there is a small hill dropping to the street. It was getting to be to much for me with the heavy gas mower. When the gas mower died I took my chance on this mower after reading many reviews and trying to find one that was light weight and still powerful. I have several batteries that I rotate. I mulched all my leaves last autumn and I have lots of leaves and get the whole neighborhoods since my location collects all the leaves that blow in the wind. This little mower handled it all and it is still going strong this year. Our magnolia tree has already started to drop leaves! It is way too early. This is a very strange summer. Well, lunch is over, i better get to the grocery store. It is almost time to start dinner. I guess I will be finishing the lawn and hedge instead of cleaning the greenhouse tomorrow.

Cory

Btw, here is a picture of my tiny Kishu mandarin. I have had it 2-1/2 years and it just stays little. It is healthy and makes leaves and flowers but it doesn't hold any of its fruit yet. It is just over a foot tall. It is cute. I guess it would make a good bonsai candidate.

Cory

Good morning Cory,
That is a cute Kishu . Mine is remaining small as well and it seems healthy looking in the 5-1-1 but not showing any signs of growing. Brian's is getting lots of new growth. I have the same issue with the variegated lemon. No growth at all. I water,feed full dose of Dyna Gro every week but nothing happening. My other trees however are growing a lot.
Thanks for the info on spraying with fish emulsion. Mike had told me about it and he has also had great success using it. I need to start doing that soon. With the workmen here early every morning this week it has been impossible to get much done.
You sound so busy Cory.. Life can get that way sometimes.Having the plants and trees is a way to find some relaxing time,at least it is therapeutic for me.
Lucky Brian is in Montreal . Bet he is having a great time.
Always nice to hear from you Cory.
I am taking my friend for a biopsy today and for lunch.
Have a great day. Maggy

Hello my friends...Just a quick pit stop to let you all know that I have been to sick to even read let alone write..

Just thinking of you all and good night...Sorry(

Wow lots of posts, just took a skim, will have to go back thru. Lots of beautiful plant pics, and a cute doggie as well :)

Steve, did you thru hike?

Cory, I see some swiss chard, the bugs ate all of mine this year. Just moved down here and the growing conditions are so different, still trying to sort it out.

Mike, hope you are not seriously ill. Well wishes.

Hi gang . Just got back from Montreal . It was a very busy trip visiting the in-laws ( exhausted) . Maggy I checked 2 HD and a large nursery all I could find was lemons , limes , red navel , pumelo's and believe it or not mango trees 3 different varieties . I would have loved a mango but no room . I really went to find a nules for you Maggy and no luck , I am kind of disappointed but I guess that's what makes this hobby fun , it's really the hunt that's fun . I will check a couple of HD in Ottawa this weekend , going to visit my parents and there is a couple of HD's near them . Maybe I will find the nules there Maggy . Cory I saw lots of beautiful orchids in Montreal you would have loved it . Cory your Kishu is beautiful , I don't understand why it doesn't grow . How much sun does it receive ? Mine has now doubled in size but I think it's all the sun it gets here. Mike I hope you feel better buddy . It's not fun being sick . I've had two major colds this summer . Maggy I am keeping my fingers crossed for you . Everybody have a good night and here is a picture of the citrus I saw today .

Brian

Good morning Brian, Welcome home. Visiting relatives is always nice but I too am exhaunted afterwards. Sounds like you had a good time. Brian thank you for looking for the nules for me. That is so kind of you. I really appreciate it. I know that " the hunt" really is the fun part. I find it challenging and so excited . My husband not so much. Nice looking citrus in your picture. I guess those who do not have the citrus "bug" find it difficult to understand our fascination and the extremes we will go to find a specific tree. We have been having rain and high humidity. I have a little asthma the past few days and try to avoid outside . Today is the day I feed the trees so will be out for a bit. I think I asked this question but happens to the fruit on the trees when you put them in the greenhouse for the winter? Do they drop the fruit or does it stay on the trees.
Yes,Cory's Kishu is beautiful but like mine it is not growing much. All the other's are growing ,Even noticed this morning some growth on the variegated lemon. That does have nice foilage but is finicky as other's have found.
The electrician cannot install the outdoor plug until the end of Sept. I am a little worried it might get cold before then. Do you keep a fan going all winter?
Thank you once again for your efforts Brian. You are a gem. I also put the word out to a couple of nurseries in Toronto and Verneers in Welland to keep a look out for me.
Mike ,I am sorry to hear you are ill. You must take care care of yourself my friend. Your health is the most important thing .
Have a great day all. Maggy

Good morning Maggy . The weather here has been not to bad . We left here on Wednesday in the sun and the only rain we've encountered was between here and Montreal last night and it was only a sprinkle . Apparently Ottawa yesterday afternoon had a very heavy thunderstorm but it couldn't have hit here everything is so dry . That is to bad about your asthma that must be a real challenge . I am a smoker and I am going to try to give up the habit this fall , it's not very fun smoking outside in the winter and I can't even go smoke in the GH because the plants don't even want me smoking in there . I know I have to give it up I find it is hard to breath sometimes . My better half gave it up in Febuary so I am getting the pressure . Maggy the citrus in the picture were Meyer lemons with a couple of nice lemons on it , there was lots of limequats , lisbon lemons and a dead Washington navel . The trees had been well picked over . At another nursery they had a beautiful pummelo tree and some mango's . I have tried mango's in the past with no luck and at another nursery they had beautiful red navels with lots of fruit on them , they wanted $18.00 dollars for them but I have no room . I just love visiting the garden centers but I really can't buy anymore right now for myself . You are so lucky you have the sunroom . Maggy I was up at 8.00 am , starting to clean out the GH what a major mess . Tomatoes growing wild everywhere , I had to take them out . Spiders spiders everywhere . The floor is totally rotted out it comes today . Not looking forward to what I will find under there , maybe I should have a drink before I try to tackle that . Maggy I do keep a fan going all winter , it's very good for the plants . I wouldn't panic about not being hooked up to electricity yet , they are calling for a very warn September and October , let's keep our fingers crossed on that . Honestly Maggy my Kishu has doubled in size , and your right Maggy if the trunk on your Kishu is getting larger then you to will probably see lots of new growth on it soon . That is usually the first sign . Well back to prepping the GH . I hope you will be fine feeding your beautiful trees . Have a beautiful morning . Ps probably going back to Montreal in a few weeks we really love it there , it's takes us just as much time to go there as going to the cottage .

Brian

Oh Maggy forgot to mention when cleaning the GH this morning noticed one of my cuttings took . Here is a picture . The cutting is a page . Ya Hoo.

Brian

Brian, that is so nice.Did it root in the greenhouse.? I tried to root lime tree cuttings but they died. Maggy

Maggy they rotted in the GH . I've discovered I have a few more that rooted . Just repotted them all but the rots on the other ones aren't as large I don't know if those ones will make it. The one in the picture definitely . Maggy my clemenules needs a trim maybe I should try to make a few cuttings .

Brian

Brian, what a nice cutting. I started writing this several hrs ago and then the workmen came to put back the appliances and everything into the laundry room. They sent back one of the men we said we did not want in our house. This is the second time they have sent him and I lost it. Needless to say all Hell let loose. They are supposed to finish the floor today but I don't believe a word they say. What a sad excuse for a restoration company.The good news is that we have our family room tonight. They are supposed to clean the carpet next week because the workmen got it dirty. I have to tell you that the dogs are happy to have the family room back. They are wrestling and playing. So cute.
Brian if you could make a cutting of the Nules that would be so awesome. I haven't had any luck with my cuttings .I will try again
Right now it so so humid outside . I did get the trees fed and looked after this morning .i am laughing because Buddy is running around and around the coffee table so fast he is like a blurr. So funny.
Have a great day Brian. Thank you for everything. Maggy

Maggy going to HD down the street to look for the tape Cory mentioned I think it'd made by frost king . I have to start taping the bubble wrap . So glad to hear your family room is finished Ya Hooo . I guess I know where you will be tonight . Busy time of year for us gardeners , I will be glad when it's all over. I will trim the clemenules this afternoon . Here is the Kishu . Talk to you later Maggy.

Brian

Hello Everyone,

I am trying to finish cleaning my greenhouse too and it is a good time as it is cloudy and rainy the past few days so not as hot in there. What a messy job. My "glass" is corregated acrylic which has 3 sides to clean for every inch and 2 cracks to clean between. It is so built up with algae this year that it takes about 10 times of scrubbing with a sponge and rinsing to get it just fairly clean. It is a horrible job with the dirty water running down my arm and the rinse water dripping on my head. I get soaking wet after a few minutes work. When I get it done I am planning to spray it with vinegar to see if that will leave a film to keep the algae at bay. I've got a lot of useless junk that seems to accumulate in there to remove too and two new tierred 3-step benches to assemble. I am working on the hardest places today which is over and behind the gas furnaces at each end of the greenhouse and hard to reach even with various size ladders. So I understand what you are going through Brian. I've been working on it for at least a total of a week during the summer and am making progress slowly. Maggy, when the electrician runs a line to your greenhouse make sure you have a couple sockets to plug things into. I ended up adding another socket in the greenhouse at the opposite ends of the greenhouse as I run a couple of fans and a humidifier and you might want to have a light in there so you can see in there at night to fix something that goes wrong. If I had done the additional socket when the electric was originally installed it would have cost very little, but to add it later I had to pay for the additional visit and hookup. Even so, I could use more plugs out there and it is better not to have long extension cords in a wet greenhouse. You can purchase plastic gaskets that fit around the wire plug and extension cord to keep the water out where they connect. Also he should install a plastic box that covers the socket. It has a door and has holes to fit the wire through that keeps the water out of the electric socket When the appliances are plugged in. The socket should also have a GFI switch on it that will trip if water gets in or on your fan, heater or light. It is very easy to get water where you don't want it to get even when you are trying to be extra cautious. Also you should place the electric wires with a dip below where they enter the appliances so that water and condensation don't drip down the wire and into the appliance. I do all these protective things, and sometimes I still get shortages from the high humidity and have to wait for things to dry out a bit before resetting the gfi breaker and using the appliances in there. You can not be too careful. When things are close it is really easy to look around to find where the hose is kinked and spray water where it shouldn't go by mistake. Do you have to have a higher duty line run in to carry an electric heater? Again, I had that installed in case I need to use an electric heater for backup in case my gas furnaces failed (which has happened). Some electric heaters can draw a lot of electricity and need the heavier line. Did you mention to the electrician that you had tropical plants that would probably need heat before the end of September? When I built my greenhouse I started to run up against time in the autumn even though I started construction in the spring. Getting the heat, electricity and water installed got delayed by the permitting process. I was on pins and needles as it was late October and I had no heat yet and couldn't bring the plants in. I finally mentioned the plants would freeze and that got action. They weren't even thinking about the plants needing the heat! Well back to the cleaning. I hope I can get the ceiling finished today.

Cory

Brian, I am sorry but I missed your earlier post. I am so glad you had a good trip to Montreal and that you are going back. I love Montreal and am trying to get my husband to go for a week- end. I loved living there, Are you bilingual Brian? I am afraid my French is so limited.
I was a smoker when I was young but only smoked socially when out partying. I quite years ago . Speaking of smoking. I came home a few weeks ago and there was my husband smoking in the back yard. I was pretty upset. I am severely allergic to cigarette smoke . I think he sneaks them and doesn't tell me. He will have a Cuban cigar when we are away which I didn't mind so much. I have only had asthma since moving to Windsor 7 years ago. I think it is partly due to the humidity and pollution. I am very good about keeping it controlled and I have a protocol to follow if I start to get symptoms or if I am getting worse. I only go to the asthma clinic once a year now. Being educated about triggers and treatments really makes a difference.
I absolutely love garden centres . I could spend hours and hours looking at everything. We have a beautiful garden centre about 1/2 hr from here . They brought in only a few citrus this year. Lemon limes and oranges. They were unable to get any other varieties.but their trees are beautiful. At least two years old . I got my first three trees threre.
I do have the sunroom ,which is unheated . It likely would be expensive to heat that and the greenhouse. I will only buy more if I find something I really want like a Nules.
I spent as much time outside as I could this morning. I just love looking at ,touching ,playing with my trees. They are pretty amazing. Everyone thinks I am crazy I am sure. The neighbours must wonder what I am doing. .
Cleaning the greenhouse and putting in a new floor is a huge job. Have a drink . You are on vacation. I said after last week end I would never drink again. Going to have some wine tonight.We have to celebrate having the family room back.
Take care my friend. Enjoy every moment. Maggy

Cory. I don't know what is wrong with me today. I obviously missed your post as well. I think I am a little stressed with the work going on here all week. Finally the floor installer arrived with the rest of the tiles and can you believe he is drunk. Unbelievable. I don't want to go on a rant so I will stop now.
Sounds like cleaning your greenhouse is a huge and messy job. Luckily mine is pretty clean. But I will clean it again just to be safe.
Thank you for all the info about the electricity. Unfortunately the electrician is not putting the plug in the greenhouse but on the outside of our house. So I will have to run a heavy duty outdoor extension cord . I think that is what Brian and Mike do as well. Cory, I am concerned about watering in there with electricity .I had mentioned it before but is makes me very nervous. I don't want to electrocute myself .
He cannot come before the end of Sept due to other jobs he is doing. I am sure we will sort it out .
Hope you get a chance to relax a bit after the cleaning. Have a great day and evening. Thanks for taking the time to explain about the electrical. Maggy

Good day everyone . Cory no work in the GH today way to hot . It really is brutal work in there when the sun is out . Your doing it the right way Cory a little bit at a time . Not much progress on the GH yesterday , went out to look for the tape you mentioned and ended up at my parents place . Cory I didn't find the tape you mentioned. Cory I ended up buying sheathing tape do you think that will work? The gentleman at the store said once you tape the bubble wrap to the GH you will never be able to remove it . I just hope it works . Maggy checked 2 HD near my parents house yesterday where I did see the clemenules in the spring and trees they no longer had them. All they had were lemons and 1 Satuma tree and 2 parent navel trees . They also had a whole bunch of olive trees , very cool almost bought one . Speaking of the clemenules I repotted it about a hour and a half ago . The new growth seemed to me like it was not growing properly . The new leaves were very small and pale looking and they have been that way for 3 weeks now . Something was really wrong . Just in this little bit of time the leaves have started to green up and they are not curled any longer , very happy about this . Going back outside its a beautiful day . Everybody have a great day .

Brian

Hi Brian, Hope you are enjoying a nice day in the sun. It is actually sunny here . We have bad a lot of cloud and rain lately.
Thank you for looking for the nules . That is so nice of you. I didn't think there is much left in the citrus dept. This time of year.
What did you repot yours in? I am happy to hear that it has responded well. I repotted my Meyer lemon last week. In 5-1-1 . Unfortunately is not doing well. The leaves are turning yellow and falling off. I posted a picture here on the forum to see if anyone knows what is wrong. It could be shock from transplanting it. I hate to lose it . It's a cute little tree.
Brian do you think my Kishu will ever grow. Just sitting there looking pretty.
We thought the basement was finished but last night discovered the toilet is loose and rocks back and forth. That is after the floor installer showed up yesterday drunk. So discouraging. My husband is calling the insurance company on Monday.
Well enjoy the rest of your week- end. Maggy

Maggy Maggy what's going on drunk WOW. Maybe if you had offered him a drink the job might have been done properly . How did he get there by bus???. Oh Maggy you and your husband certainly are having no luck with this !!. Maggy I made a mix of fafard and the pro mix that was already in the pot . I am very confident with this mix , it feels fantastic . Maggy how much sun does your does your lemon and kishu receive ? My phone is dying , going to cook some steak on the barbecue then down to the basement to watch a coupLe of movies . Breath deep you guys and try to have a nice weekend .

Brian

Hello all,

Well, I never made it back to the greenhouse cleaning. Too many other things had to get done first. Maggy, you are really having a time with your basement repair. What a story you have with it and now a rocking toilet! I just realized you didn't have a washer and dryer during that time too. That is hard in itself! Welcome back from your vacation Brian. That was a whirlwind trip to Montreal. I love going to all the nurseries too. I could spend hours in them. I wish they got more citrus in the ones near me. None this year at all. Wow! You got a Page to root. That is a nice tree. I had fruit on mine last year but none this year. That would be great if you could root a Clemenules for Maggy. I don't know anything about the sheathing tape. I got the tape I told you about in Lowes, but I haven't seen it there this year so far. I didn't need to get it last year. I don't have any leftover to be able to look at the brand and name unfortunately. Maggy, I notice you asked a while back whether your fruit will continue to ripen in you're greenhouse. Yes, it will. You are lucky to have so many fruit on your trees. It will be so much fun watching them ripen and then picking and eating them. If your sunroom is on the sunny side of your house you may not need to heat it much. Most citrus can tolerate pretty low temperatures. If they are below about 55°F they go dormant and will not grow but they will be alright in the 40°Fs. Maybe you will need to provide a little heat on cold nights, but probably none during the days, especially if it is sunny weather. My sun porches didn't have any heat but they were very sunny. I also had a few water bottles in them to collect some of the heat during the day to try and moderate the night temperature differential. If it was cloudy for several days in a row I would cover them with newspaper or bubblewrap if it got too cold to tide them over until the sun came out again. I very rarely lost a plant to cold or freezing. Not so with my porch on the north side of my house. It never gets sun or warms up. I have lost quite a few plants to a surprise freeze there. Brian, my Kishu is in full sun and I fertilize it but it is a very slow grower. I don't know what I could do to speed it up. I love to get hummingbirds in my yard. They are so cute. Veggie girl, yes that is chard behind my kishu. I ate some of it today. The bugs have eaten a lot of my broccoli leaves but have left the chard alone. Mike, I will post a few pictures of some fragrant orchids that just care into bloom for you. I still never received an email from you with your address. Can I send to the address on the solar cover posting? I hope you still are not sick.

Cory

Mike,

This is one of my favorite, Rlc. Pennsylvania Spring 'Orchidglade'. It is fragrant, blooms several times a year, grows rapidly, and changes color from light green to yellow. It has large flowers and has multiple blooms all at once. It can't be beat. I'll see I can find you a piece.

Cory

This is another fragrant cattleya, C. Floralia's Azule x C. intermedia. It is a very nice blue. The picture color is true.

Cory

I can't remember the name of this one and it is missing a label. If you need to know I will look it up. Again the color is true. It often is hard to get the red and blue colors to come out true in pictures. The light must have been good today. There are a lot of buds above this flower that will come out soon. It should be quite spectacular.

Cory

Another red flower, Pot. Love Tapestry. This one is not fragrant but its color makes up for it. This is a mini cattleya and only grows to about 4 inches. It has a relatively large flower though.

Lastly, this is another tiny plant with a large flower, Leptotes bicolor 4N. The plant is less than 2 inches tall but the flower is at least 1 inch. That is a large paperclip so you can judge the flower and plant size by it. It likes cooler temperatures. It is hanging with my cymbidium plants which are in almost full sun.
Cory

Hello guys and gals! My friends...how are you all doing?

My headache is finally clearing up although I feel a bit oozy, but I wanted to say a quick hello..Looks like I have some catching up to do..

I did happen to see the pics first and I must say Cory, BRAVO! Cory, that one at the top, MY goodness! I love it. That's the very kind of orchid I have been looking for forever..One that blooms a lot, grows fast, and smells good...I would love a piece of that one..You are too kind.
I am drooling over your plants..How in the world do any of them bloom now when mine don't do so until winter?
I don't get it...None of mine are in bloom just yet although I am getting tons of buds on my Shary Baby..
Amazing work..Do you feed them? I think you said that you do...

Maggy, your Kishu is still bigger than mine and seems to be growing faster! I love it..It's a beauty..
I did see your question on your Meyer one, and I gave you some suggestions..)

Brian, I can't believe how many citrus they sell there..It's weird...None of the stores around here sell them like that. What gives? I can't believe you can buy those..You are so lucky...

Ok, now that looking at pics required no brain work, it's time to do some reading and prey my headache doesn't come back..My eyes hurt too..

Hi Veggi girl..I noticed you are still around too..That's great.

Have a wonderful day everyone...I am going to the gym and I am going to finally get some warm sun rays while they last. I'll be back..Enjoy)

Mike

Hi All, first I wanted you to see the 3 yr. old Meyer lemon I got today for $4. The nursery in the county where I got my lemon,orange lime trees had a 40% off sale and I had a $20 gift certificate. Wow! How could I resist for that price..
Is it too late in the season to repot in 5-1-1 or should I leave it up disturbed until spring. It has lots of fruit and blossoms. As my little Meyer lemon is struggling after repotting .as Mike has suggested on my other post that it might partly be the changing temperatures.
Mike so good to see you back and feeling better.
Cort,Cory,Cory. I am in love with your orchids. Soooooo beautiful. My favourite is the no name red with a little yellow in the centre. Stunning. I just love the mini ones. Now I want to grow some . I think I saw some at Lowe's May be asking you for advise. I was looking on eBay at plumeria. Are they hard to grow and would growing them from seed work, or better to buy cuttings or plants? The flowers are so beautiful. Do you put your orchids in the greenhouse.? I gave to plant my orchid cacti cuttings.
Cory we had a washer and dryer off and on through out this renovation. My husband is going to deal with the company tomorrow. I just can't deal with them anymore. Once the toilet is fixed( properly by a Plummer) and the carpet is cleaned we are done. Great to have the family room back. The dogs were very happy last night,playing with their toys, hanging out with us. I guess they have missed it too Unfortunately my sun room faces west so not much sun. Do you think grow lights and a heater would work? If they didn't all fit in the greenhouse.or just a heater and let gone go dormant.
Brian, How are you?. Did you get your greenhouse cleaned? ' I am going to pull out the tomato's soon and get mine cleaned. Everything in there is dying.
What do you think of my new Meyer Lemon ? Quite a bargain for a three years old tree. I couldn't resist it. I know I was only going to buy a Nules when I find one !
We just got back from the county. Got a bushel of Roma's I am going to make salsa and some tomato sauce. I will get another basket next week and do chopped tomato's . They are so fresh in the middle of winter. Also got a big box of fresh blueberries which will be frozen . Nothing like blueberry pie. Yummy. Did you see Cory's orchids ?. Stunning! I think I need to grow something with beautiful flowers.
Brian you run a power cord to your greenhouse right? I remember discussing the electricity and water issue with you. I hope I don't electrocute myself.
I have to seriously look for a heater and a fan soon. Probably will order a solar cover this week.
Veggie girl. Glad you are still here.
Have a great afternoon everyone. Maggy

Cory your orchids are absolutely stunning . Your home should be designated a tourist attraction . Have you ever contacted any of these gardening shows that are on tv. I am sure they would love to do a segment on your garden . That's unbelievable . I have been to different botanical garden greenhouse with lots of orchids from around the world well let me tell you my friend yours are just as stunning . Cory I think next weekend will be good for working on the GH , they are calling for rain all weekend . Mike even I cannot believe we can find citrus like those here. It has been like this for the last couple of years now . Years ago there was nothing , I guess everybody has caught the citrus craze here . I see you have placed some of your plants on your roof very cool or should I say very hot . I noticed a lot of your trees have new growth starting , that will surely move them along . I see you also have your fig up there , maybe this year you might actually be able to eat them they sure are delicious. Nice to see you back buddy . Maggy I am glad you had a very relaxing drive after all the stuff you've been going through . Your Meyer is gorgeous lots of new growth and flowers . Did you just buy it or did you buy it when you went on your trip? Maggy what a beautiful day here . Back to the grind tomorrow oh how I hate Monday's , but a long weekend coming something to look forward to . Maggy I made all kinds of cuttings of the clemenules . Hopefully one of the will root before winter sets in so I can mail it to you . My success rate with cuttings is not that great , I made at least 15 , I will baby them . Maggy I seldom think of the water electricity thing , I am just very careful not to water the plug . I always place the plug on top of the first pot inside the GH so it's off the floor . When I water I just lift the plug and wait for the water to go down in the soil then place the plug back . 10 years I have been doing it this way and nothing has happened so far. Everybody have a great evening

Brian

Maggy I am sorry I didn't notice that you bought your Meyer today , what a steal 4 dollars . It's beautiful !!!! . It's always nice when these things come unexpectedly . Have a great night Maggy .

Brian

Hi Brian, I am in awe of Cory's orchids.They are the most beautiful I have every seen. I just noticed the Orchid society here is having a sale in Oct. I think I will go and check them out.
We have had a very relaxing day. The pups enjoyed the ride to the country and a little ice cream taste. I think I will make fresh blueberries pies tomorrow.
Thank you for offering a Clemenules cutting if they grow. I would love that. I tried to root the lime but they all died. I will try again. Maybe put them in the greenhouse. Yes it was such a bargain for the Meyer tree and you are right about finding the unexpected. So exciting. Even my husband was pleased I found it.
Have a great night. I know it must be difficult to go back to work tomorrow.
I am relieved to see Mike is o.k. Maggy

Maggy your very welcome I would love to be able to give you a nules cutting if any take . I tried so hard to find you one on my holidays and I know you would have done the same for me. I guess that's the way it goes , you'll find it when you least expect it just like today for you and a Kishu from Winnipeg. That is one beautiful Meyer . There is going to be lots of lemons for your corona's this winter . Glad you had a very relaxing day , so did we . We didn't do to much with the GH it was just way to hot . We will start the floor next weekend , it's supposed to be cooler. I hope your evening is just as relaxing.

Brian

Maggy, what a beautiful Meyer Lemon and such a bargain! I couldn't have gone home without it either. The citrus bug has seriously bitten you. I would think a western sun room would have plenty of sun for your trees especially in winter. Mike, be careful on the roof, but I would do it too if I had a flat roof which got lots of sun. My yard is sun challenged too. The citrus trees get the prime real estate but as the summer goes on, there is less sun and more shade. My roof is very steep so no plants can be placed anywhere on it. Even the roofers don't want to go up there. Thanks everyone for your nice comments on my orchids. Mike, your orchids probably just bloom in late winter and spring when many do. I have some summer bloomers, but many orchids concentrate on growing roots and leaves during the summer. I also have some hybrids that can bloom several times a year if they are getting all the conditions they need like light, fertilizer and temperature and a chance get a quick rest between bloomings. Many orchids will be starting to set flower buds now as the temperature difference between day and night increases and day length decreases So it is good to keep them in a place that they will get the temperature differential without getting too cold at night. A few hours below 65°F, even to the lower 50°Fs is probably ok even for those that like very warm temperatures. They need the temperature drop to set the bud, and it is easier to do it naturally now as it is harder once they are in the house and the windows are closed and the heat is on. Yes, I fertilize them and attempt to give them a low dosage weekly. They really like to be outside in the summer. As the nights get cooler though I have to watch that their leaves are dry by the evening as the cooler temperatures make them more susceptible to rot, especially my baby cattleyas. Vanda types will rot at the leaf axles along the stem if water collects in those places so make sure these dry. So will all the other orchids at the leaf nodes. We are getting night time lows in the 50°Fs already so I better finish cleaning the greenhouse and start bringing in those that are intolerant of temperatures much below 65°F. I have separated my plants into groups in different sections of my yard and marked them with a colored tag by temperature tolerance so I can find them fast if I need to bring them in in a hurry. It was too hot in the greenhouse this afternoon to work in there. I will have to wait for a cloudy day. I separated and potted up some Moro Blood Orange and Fukushu Kumquat seedlings I planted as a group in a pot last spring this morning. I have been meaning to do it for a while. I hope they survive. I still have a lot of plants that need repotting but it is getting late to be repotting orchids without forfeiting next seasons blooms. Maybe I can get away with just up-potting some of them. Most of the media is ok, they are just bursting out of their pots. Brian, good luck rooting those Clemenules. I don't have a good record on getting citrus to root so far, but it may be the only way Maggy will get a clemenules. I run my electric wires up high where the roof meets the sides to keep them off the wet ground and also use the water proof boxes that fit over the connections to keep the water from getting in there. The greenhouse lines run through conduit to keep them dry. Even though I am extra careful I still trip things sometimes. It is good to have a GFI breaker on the socket just in case. Oh Maggy, plumerias like it hot and very sunny to bloom. Mine did really well last year, but not too much bloom this year, I think because of the cooler weather at night and the cloudy days this summer. I have never tried growing them from seed, just cuttings. They can rot easily during the winter so you have to keep an eye on them. If you have an orchid society near you I would highly recommend you join or go to a few meetings. You will get a lot of hands on help from the members and learn so much. Also you can buy orchids there for low prices during their fund raising sales, raffles and auctions. Also members often give away divisions. It is much cheaper to learn on these low or no cost plants until you learn the plants needs. Most people water orchids too much and kill them as their roots rot easily. The members will show you which potting medias to use and help you with potting and repotting. Warning: orchid growing can be very addicting maybe even more than citrus growing.

Cory

A picture if the recent citrus seedling tranaplants.

Cory

Any of yo still around. If you are. My seed grown Fukushu kumquat tree in ground is 7 feet tall 5 feet diameter and now flowering. A scion from this tree grafted to C35 is 5 feet tall 3 feet around is also flowering. The other seed grown Fukushu is also in a container is 6 feet by 3 feet tall and produced 12 kumquats while in my friends possession

in ground Fukushu kumquat has completed its fifth year outside.

Any of you still around. If you are. My seed grown Fukushu kumquat tree completed 7.5 years outside in ground is 8 feet tall 5.5 feet diameter and now flowering. A scion from this tree grafted to C35 is 5 feet tall 3 feet around is also fruiting. The other seed grown Fukushu is also in a container is 6 feet by 3 feet tall and produced 12 kumquats while in my friends possession.

 Is it growing outside  in cold

It is outside in ground inside a greenhouse with light heating support.