I am hesitant about removing all the larger leaves because this is what I have done to another plant - I took off several large leaves at once - and it went down hill from there. I think I will just probably wait for new growth to come in and for the plant to follow its natural course. When the time of these older leaves is up, they will go by themselves. I ordered the least expensive timer from indoorgardening though I am still not sure exactly how it works. I guess I will see when it arrives.

Kippy, with your cuttings in 1g pots, you are doing what my friend Dennis does when he propagates. To cover the cuttings, he puts three or four small stakes into the soil around the rim of the pot and suspends a one-gallon clear baggie over them. For everyone else, do NOT check on the cuttings. No tugging, no lifting, no pulling ... just leave them alone. If you are using clear or translucent pots, roots will show on the side of the pot soon enough, or the cuttings turn black, whichever comes first. When I teach propagation workshops, I clearly explain to my students that the 'wait and watch' part of the process is definitely the most difficult thing about it. I only open the container to remove any fallen leaves or black cuttings, then I put the top right back on and walk away. I'm having good results so far this year ... I hope this is an indication of a very good propagation season overall. Connie

Again, I thank you two for your input. I have begun to do some research based on the things you guys had to say here and I am becomming very excited about the possibilities and potentials I have in my present situation! I also followed that link you gave me, tclynx, and found the most remarkable articles down at the bottom of the page called THE BURROW. It has the story of a guy's experiments with his worms and his findings, which already gives me some understanding of why I may have all these worms after all. I am also getting a feel that it isn't brain surgury and that I can actually improve my overall soil condition while getting rid of my little bit of food scraps. This is exciting! I also located pictures of what other people are doing to make their worm beds, plus, I lurked through all the things I could find in the forum and I have a much better idea of what a bed of worms consists of. It seems that any bed I can build for plants is potential as a worm bed as well. Also, plank pathways with leaf debris or shredded paper as a base will also encourage the worms as that is what they were doing when I found them, laying under stuff. I think I am going to purchase one of the containers / or perhaps make my own container and do some real experimenting. But, now I know that I can keep them outside...and if they don't have enough food with shredded paper and leaf fall and downed rotting trees...then they never will have enough food. I will keep that bag of leaves and test for worms in the spring. I think that the worms may have crawled in there by themselves already and I will report what I find. I also wondered if I could put bedding in a gallon plastic milk carton, punch holes in it all over, keep it damp and throw in 3 pairs of worms to see if I can get a carton of soil and a bunch of worms. I actually fixed up that experiment about a week before joining the forum and I dated the milk carton. I just had to know what is possible as my main interest started out being plants. Again, it is appreciated greatly that you both have responded. I can't tell the difference between species or breeds of worms and may never be able to, but as long as they eat until my soil is beautiful, that is enough for me, at this point. Thanks a bunch of worms! =o)

I really hope you have been in therapy or at some point will get some.I have been through similar things (although probably not as bad) I was also molested (by a cousin).In my teens I was pretty promiscuious and got mad when people called me a slut because I didnt think I was.In hindsight,I know It was a reaction to all I had exprienced. My mom kicked me out of the house alot and always put her loser boyfriends first too.They never tried anything with me,but were alcoholics and abusive to my mother. My relationship with my mom and sister has been a disaster for the last 15 years.Neither one of them has been there for me at all,and have only made my life more stressful. So I finally went to therapy because it was causing all kinds of problems.Severe anger,depression,anxiety...I learned alot.My therapist said it was more healthy for me to not have them in my life.Of course,they make that impossible,but I have learned to shut them out more and not let them interfere with my life. I think you are doing the right thing.Obviously your mother hasnt changed if she still has Jack in her life.Dont justify your mom's actions by saying you were supposed to help her have a better life.You didnt ask to be born.And unless your a moron,everyone knows having a baby doesnt make life easier! I'm really surprized you turned out so good considering.I have too only because I try to do the opposite of my mom at all costs. Just think how it good it felt to get it all out here.If you had a therapist you could really dig up those issues and even free yourself of all (or at least most) guilt. If you cant afford it,most counties have some kind of free mental health plan.Or on a sliding scale of much money you make. My husband has kinda saved me too.He has been the most stable person I have known.He has put up with alot from me because I was so "flighty" when we met cuz of all the drama.I essentially went to therapy for him,because I didnt want him to have to constantly hear about it or put him through any grief. It sucks to have a crappy family life.I'm sorry about all you have been through.But in a way it's nice to know I'm not the only one.