Sure you can water them. You live in the tropics, they will probably all want some water year round. You will have to adapt your watering to your soil and your humid climate, and realise that while many people grow these plants in summer they may grow mostly in winter for you, especially since you have not so much a winter as a dry (or less wet!) season from December to March. It is natural for Lithops soil to be dry much of the time. They will probably grow best in quite a dense heavy soil, one which holds more water than the one you describe, but left dry for a period between each watering. That works well in hot dry climates, but be cautious until you see how it goes in a hot humid climate. If they appear wrinkled and thirsty then I think you should water them. Make sure that any water is enough to get to the roots which may all be an inch or more deep. In winter the old leaves will naturally get wrinkled but in hot sunny climates they will still like a little water. I find that Haworthia don't like to be dry for too long or the roots die. Some people in hot climates find that they must be left dry in summer because they go dormant, and they accept that the roots may die at that time. I don't know if or when they might go dormant for you, you don't get the same excessive heat as somewhere like Arizona but you do get very warm nights all summer. In winter I think you should water them regularly, and more than a spray. Again, watch for signs of being thirsty. Pleiospilos are adapted to water at any time of year but never a lot of water. They can be left dry for long periods between watering or sprayed regularly. They are also likely to go dormant in summer but will certainly be trying to grow in winter. Water lightly when they appear to be growing and try to limit the year-round water so that they always return to a single split-rock state during summer.

Hi abbiejan, I have ordered from several places this year, and twice from Eclectic Gardens. If I could go back and do it all over, I would order only from them. The owner, Julie , is great to work with. She communicates well, sends very generous bonuses, and the plants were very healthy and strong. They smelled so good when they arrived, and the root systems were terrific. All are growing well. My only regret is that I ordered from anywhere else. If I can fit in any more, I will most definitly order from them. I am in Washington, so my climate is very similar to Oregon. When I add new daylilies to my wish list, I often check the AHS popularity polls and different awards to see how they grow in my area. Good luck, if you choose to order from Eclectic, I know you won't be disappointed. ~~Sharon

I am going to be working under a similar arrangement. It is my understanding that it will be a refinance because you are basically refinancing a lien that is on your property. In my case, it is a construction loan through a bank but in the builder's name since the rate is so much lower and the bank will take a lien against the property. I will be interested in how this works out for you. A few lenders that I have talked to seemed to be confused by this but my reading of the Fannie Mae rules shows it to be a refi. It may also depend on how long you've own your lot.

"Small alarm bell: he works in D.C. (he says) I live in Northern VA suburbs (huge) and his cell phone has a Maryland area code." I wouldn't freak about that. DH's cell doesn't match our area code either, plus we have bought from CL hours away. If you are worried, do what I do. Call mom. I ~know~ it is rude, but if I am nervous about a situation like that I will have her ON the phone, actively talking to her. Yes Mom, the guy is here fixing it now. Oh? You need yours done too? Well this guy's name is... Bob. You know what? He kind of looks like Walter! I'll let you know if he does a good job and give you his number. In a hairy situation, we will keep talking until whoever is gone. Also, I know I always say the same thing on these type of threads, but I am a firm believer in women carrying mace. And really carry it, not in your purse where it will take 30 seconds to dig it out.