Hi MissMax, so sorry that happened, what a bummer :( But your plant should bounce back well. I agree with Mike, re-cut the broken branch on the main plant, let the latex stop flowing and then seal it with caulk or DAP to prevent moisture from getting in there. I would also fluff out the roots of the main plant and repot in a bigger pot. This will help stabilize the plant a bit more as well as give the roots some much needed room to grow. As for the broken fork, you need to recut the bottom part to get an even cut and I don't know how much you'll have left after you cut it, you may need to make 2 cuttings out of it. Cut them, let them callus for 2 weeks and then pot those up. One of the best ways to callus I've learned from this forum is to put hardwood mulch in a container & put the cuttings in there just above the mulch while keeping the container fairly warm. The humidity usually helps keep the cutting from shrinking back too much. Good luck & please keep us updated on your progress!

Here is one potential problem that jumps at at me: "it doesn't get that hot in it as it is still cool out. I come home and they are shriveling up and dying." You need a couple of thermometers in there and closer monitoring plus some sort of vents and fans. On average with the sun out it will be 25-35 degrees hotter inside the greenhouse than the air temps is outside. That is why all greenhouse type set ups have to have auto ventilation systems with good, moving air circulation inside. So if it is 60 degrees outside it can easily be 85-90 or more inside and that is lethal for seedlings. Plus it is dry stagnant air. That alone quickly dries mix and shrivels up seedlings. Second thing: "I used a mix of half soilless/seeds starting mix. They germinated inconsistently because once I took them off the mat (as the first couple started germinating), I can never seem to get the balance right with the soil moisture, and things start dying, and the rest don't germinate. I refuse to use the only soil-less mix, as many articles tell you is so perfect for seedlings." The flip side of over-watering is soil mix that doesn't drain well. That is why using a soil-less mix is recommended. Because it DOES drain well. Mix it up with other stuff and it can create a 'cook the roots' situation. But honestly I thin - based on the info so far - the real problem is the environment in your GH. It needs to be modified for better air circulation and cooling if you can't be there to monitor the plants. Post some pictures of your greenhouse and I can help you with specific suggestions. Dave

Many hugs! My husband just got laid-off 2 weeks ago. His company was small-- only 50 employees, and 25% were let go. This was not due to the economy, but because of a Canadian company suing Microsoft and winning. . .his product was based on the feature Microsoft could no longer use. It is sad around his former workplace, I'm sure, too, as there are no more plans for expansion. But anyway, that's not my point! I remember coming home with my DDs from piano lessons (this was at 10 a.m.) and seeing DH getting out of his car. I immediately asked him, "Do you still have a job?" Nope! The baby (2 month old) was crying, it was cold out . . .felt like a scene from a made-for-TV movie. But you know what? Even though this was NOT due the economy, we all talk about it enough to know, it could happen at any time. So, I wasted all those months worrying, and, guess what? It did NOTHING! Worrying didn't protect his job! It just depressed me! So, at this time, I have been able to push all negative thoughts out of my head. Coincidentally, my oldest daughter is learning about the Great Depression with her history group. It's made me realize, as long as a person isn't dead (!) he/she just keeps on going. We survive, we get through things-- we find a way. I am not saying everything in life always works out (I'm thinking of illness, violent crime, etc. are part of any big plan) but "most" things do. My best advice is to live like there's no tomorrow, because "tomorrow is promised to no one." But, at the same time, get proactive and think out-of-the-box. Remember that whatever decision you make now isn't for forever! What do you like about retail? Could you keep your current job and become an online retailer, either a reseller or something like etsy? Obviously, you don't want to sink too much in to start, but while you still have some hours, this would be a great time to do something different! Here is an affirmation you might enjoy: There is One Power, Which is perfect abundance and fulfillment. And I (your name), am a perfect manifestation of this Power. The Power, working for me and through me, provides for me all The abundance and fulfillment which is rightfully mine. I draw to me and create in my life all that I need in the World of Form To fulfill my needs; This may come specifically in the form of money. I hereby release all cause, effect, manifestation, form, and essence And any channel within me, Which may have been preventing the appropriate flow of Abundance in my life. I draw upon the balance of resources in the Universe, For the good of all, According to the free will of all, And I affirm my own wisdom in understanding my needs, and how To fulfill them. I call to me just enough resources, Knowing I deprive none, And am not deprived myself, I have just enough. And so it must be.

OH MY GOD! You are practically working a full time job there, and not getting compensated. You are making only like $2.30 an hour! *gasp* I understand that you don't want to lose your job, but I also understand that you are being totally underpaid. Especially if you are doing extras like cooking, cleaning and bathing. For a babysitter, working those hours, I would expect to pay (I'm from RI, and a young mom, so I probably sympathize more with you than the parents..) at LEAST $150, and even that is probably too low. This is how I would approach it, and it might be hard to talk to these parents about money, but you have to! I would say: (make sure you discuss it at a convient time, not when they are stressed/running out the door) "I really enjoy taking care of your girls, we have a lot of fun together, and I enjoy working for you. I was wondering with school starting up and the increased responsibilities that I will have if it would be possible for me to get a raise. I have (college, bills, fill in the blank) to take care of finacially, would that be a possibility?" If they don't seem interested, or balk at the idea of giving you a raise, you may want to point out, "Do you realize that I am only making $2.30 an hour to TAKE CARE OF YOUR CHILDREN." Peoples children are supposed to be the most important thing in their lives, and these people obviously trust you, they should be willing to compensate you for the important job you are doing. Ask them. The worst scenario is that they say no, and then you decide whether or not to work for them. Good Luck!!!!!!