I know this post is old but figured it could help others... I have purchased many cactus seeds from Succseed and have had great results. I have purchased a whole lot of cactus seed from different sources and Succseed is as good as any other. The plants I am growing from him seem true to type as well, growing and looking as they should. So far no unwanted surprises. Another option you can try is cactusstore.com, he usually has seeds of many Opuntia species available among others. Also, the CSSA seed depot sometimes has Opuntia species and they are a great seed resource for unique succulents (cssainc.org). Hope this helps

I agree, I think this is a good time of year to be considering shadecloth! IÂve got my Aluminet shadecloth rigged up in a number of temporary ways...tape, string, baling wire. IÂm looking forward to winter temps so I can take them down and do some sewing to make them look and function better. IÂve read that shadecloth is most effective when used on the outside of the GH, but I donÂt want to fight our bad winds to keep an outside shadecloth in place. IÂve only had my GH up since July, but I will use it year round. IÂm exploring ways to use shadecloth inside, or well-secured in screen frames outside. For outside, I made screens out of Aluminet shade cloth using the DIY screen components at the box stores, and right now theyÂre on my outside south wall, on top of the poly panels. In hot weather I remove the poly panels and just have screens in place. Inside, I have Aluminet draped over a rod at the roof peak, going down to the eave on each side (like a tent, just under the roof.) I also have a triangular shadecloth piece blocking the evening sun on west gable end (itÂs stuck up with tape now, but IÂll use Velcro eventually.) ItÂs hard for me to reach my walls since I filled the benches with prickly plants, so you might consider how your access will change once you have benches and plants moved in. I could reach a side cord to raise and lower shades...but I wouldnÂt be able to push or pull the bottom of a shade without crawling under benches and bonking my head. :-) I read about someone using vinyl miniblinds inside, and they deformed from the heat. (Aluminum would be better.) I also know (from my house) how quickly mini blinds gather dirt, and they might be hard to clean in a greenhouse that had high moisture levels (algae or other green stuff.) I like the idea of something that rolls up and down. I hope youÂll post back as your ideas progress! Sheri

Just saw this question. I have grown the wild Mexican tomato for more than 15 years. Sold by Park Seed under the name of "Spoon". Never failed in NJ or PA. July seeding in 07 yielded heavy crop before frost. Always sweet and approximately the size of peas. Closeout this year's catalog at .75 **** if one were to look in the other species section of the SSE Yearbook you'd see that there isn't just one listing for a "wild cherry", there are many and they aren't all the same. Matt's Wild Cherry is what's called a cerasiforme, as noted at Johnny's, b'c that tells us it's a half domesticated cherry, still in the genus Solanum, aka Lycipersicon, but not a different species, as it Spoon. Spoon is a typical tiny red currant type in the genus and species Solanum, aka Lycopersicon, pimpinellifolium. And there are many red currants, Spoon being just one of them. My favorite red currant is Sara's Galapagos. Carolyn

I freeze cream cheese all the time. As mentioned, it's best used in recipes, but if you let it defrost completely, then beat it well with an electric mixer (at least 5-10 minutes), it will get much smoother and creamier--and I feel it's acceptable as a spread. You could always try freezing half a package--that you bought on sale, of course, then see how it turns out, and whether or not you're satisfied with the results.