I think they're totally salvageable. The leaves are still green, and they've still got roots. Many moons ago, I also rooted jades in water and stuck them in MG water control soil. And in spite of doing it all wrong, they lived. Thrived, even. Who knows how. If you're new to this, you probably don't want to jump in to mixing the gritty mix so many of the gorgeous succulents you see here are growing in. I have 40+ plants, and as much as I'd like to start putting my plants in a good gravelly mix, I just use bagged soil. At the very least, go get a bag of cactus mix. If you can, buy the perlite, too, and mix it half and half. It makes a big difference. Put the cuttings in about an inch. They probably won't stand up on their own, I use the take-out chopsticks you get from the sushi joint, or a bamboo skewer, just stick it in the soil next to the cutting to help support it. Don't water for a few days, and then very lightly the first time. Depending on how fast the soil dries out where you are, water lightly about once a week (every 10 days in winter). Some people water deeply every two weeks ... I don't like the way they look when watered that way. Good luck!

"chijim, by "island coffee" do you mean how that coffee table in the rough sketch isn't close enough to either couch to be of use?? I am thinking the 30x48 coffee table is best rotated and parked at the love seat, with a couple ottomans for putting feet up at the couch. I have a couple petitie demilune tables that can handle a drink or coffee cup without blocking that main aisle into the seating. Like so:" Yes, LOL It's a personal pet peeve of mine when people--due to symmetry or visual balance, place them so far from sofa they cease to be useful. I think your revised layout will work. If you put a tray on an ottoman it can become an ersatz coffee table when needed too. Jim

Hi gang. Two weeks ago Marie suggested an experiment that involved doing this to a seedling: Um..I mean, cutting both ends of a seedling and letting it dry out. Mine disappeared for a few days before I found it on the floor. Remember the way that bottom part looks: it has to be that dry before putting it back in the pot; sealed, of course, with glue. I used wood glue. Then I potted it up in this, right on top of that Christmas ball. Next, this:It only has about a centimeter of its stem under the soil and note that when you water it, the soil will settle down a bit, exposing a little bit more of the stem. Since it has no roots, this means it will have zero support, only friction and gravity holds it in place. This is actually what I wanted because in my experience, once the stem has been exposed, burying it back under the soil often triggers scar tissue to form and it looks unsightly to me. Anyway, to support the barely-potted seedling, you can buttress it with something so it does not move, in this case, lava rocks. In the shade, watered only once and rained on once, we have new growth! Thanks for this, Marie! Pagan P.S. I also did one graft on a 6-month old seedling and it looks like it has taken. You'll know your graft has not failed (yet) when you see the edges of the scion dry up a little bit but there is no gap between it and the stock, indicating that tissue has grown to fuse the two pieces together. The scion will also look quite firm and, well, alive. Eventually, those edges will grow over. That's all folks. Hopefully I don't end up killing either of these things. If you have questions, ask Marie!

It's true. It is very beautiful down here....and coming from a cold and snowy place, the lack of gray and dingy dirty snow.... potholed streets... the ice cold weather.... it amazes me just how pretty it is. Seriously, when I first moved here I could not get over the beautiful, lush tropical foliage everywhere and I remarked that even the convenience stores/gas stations are landscaped to the hilt. The highways all have sound barrier high walll that have beautiful reliefs? of all the gorgeous birds found here. And that brings up the other thing I so enjoy here... the widlife! It is simply incredible..... I never tire of seeing it... and I still marvel at the sightings. I feel like a little kid feels when at Disney... I stop and point, smile and marvel at the sheer beauty of it all. That is about all I like, though. I find the constant heat to be relentless... I hate it. I don't care for the political bent of the state... I hate the gigantic RED STATE attitude toward everything. I hate the non caring government... the total disregard for working people... never mind the abuse they heap on the poor! I see the middle class and fixed income retirees who used to be considered the states bread and butter.... the engine that drove all the commerce... disappearing. The state seems only interested in making this another playground for the well, very well, to do. As if they needed yet another playground... a playground with exclusive policies. Anyway, happy birthday... I like the look and feel of wjere you live... just another thing I miss from up north, home. Neighborhoods.... I bet your party will be a blast... your posts always "shout" fun and enthusiasm!