Tom, "John, are you using the white bags? I'd be concerned about the dyes and chemicals in the other colors.... " Good point. Heres what they (Greenbag Inc) say... "Is made from non-toxic, non-corrosive materials and safe color-fast dyes". I'm interested in these for several reasons, drainage, cooling and cost. I know they drain well, I don't think you could ever fill one with a garden hose. The upside down tomato bag I tried last spring stayed cool and it was black. The ones from Publix are a buck and I hear W mart's are cheaper. So I'll give it a try. john

Paul, I use the 30:1 ratio recommended for general cleaning as found on back label of bottle. I use the concentrate instead of the premixed spray for cost cutting measures. The green version has sassafras and smells wonderful. There is a lemon version, and I think orange also.

Well, the one Ronnie is growing is a real winner,I'm sure we ALL PRAY he has success. :) I have some that don't seem to have names, but that are breathtaking. Then a gal sent me one, which is called "Wisteria Tye Dye" and, is speckeled. Then there's some Ronnie sent me,(he's been very generous), I am anxious to get in the ground, like Blue Silk,Fusino momo,(that s could be a j). :) Anywho, my stand bys like Akasuki no umi, and Shiruki ao, which I call "Love is Blue" There's no way I could let a spring go by without planting these two, and both have varigated leaves. One vine I collected from is white with brownish pink lines exploding from the center, which I call"Chocolate Explosion", really interesting. The Tye Dyes, purple,blue,and pink,and several mix's that have some that look like "Star of India", but the colors are more vivid. The trick for me is to get them in the ground early, even if it's cool, that way they seem to have time to soak in the damp spring weather, and come up at different times, just not plant TOO late. A couple of mine were lost last year because I got them in the ground late, and they didn't set seed just like you mentioned. I'm not one for starting seeds inside very much. Oh, - I have a camera now, but have'ft to figure out how to post pics. Karyn, seems like you have the same problem as I do, SO many, SO little space. "If there's a will , there's a way"!!! :) Fran, Ron has had so many useful ideas, I love the one he gave you, it also works great for Moonvine, which I had trouble getting seeds to before. Now I have a ton, due to his good pointers. Last year I let a lot of my MG seeds come up that had just dropped, and If I liked the vine, I would let it grow, and if I had one that came up that wasn't that special, I would pull it out. Only problem, I have never really met a MG I didn't like. Even the Noah is really neat, but goodness is it invasive! Just to see a MG poking it's little stem out of the ground is so exciting, and you wonder what it's going to look like, that is, if it comes up in MY garden anyway! :) arum

A pound of worms in that container is "fine". More would be fine too. Less would be fine too. NO DRAIN HOLES! There are nice folks here at The Forum that might help you with your first start. Some did for me. As soon as my initial batch has grown substantially, I will "pay it forward" as well. Barring that, you (and I) just have to bit the bullet and pay for worms by the pound. The most recent lesson I have learned is "LEAVE THEM ALONE AND THEY DO JUST FINE!" However, I sincerely appreciate that when starting a new venture, one wants to "learn", and observing is often learning. So, I will say the following: "Play with them (disturb) them as much as you like until you are bored of it. Then leave them alone for a month or two, and you will have a VERY pleasant surprise when you do look in on them. ("Not disturbing" includes raising the lid once a week or so to make sure 'things' are OK.) Paul