Could be a fungus like Vladimir said, could also be an insect egg or just dirt on a bit of fluff. However, I'm more concerned with how dusty the leaves are. I may just be dust or it could be the beginnings of a spider mite infestation. It's a good idea to wash off the leaves from time to time, like maybe every 4-6 weeks. Take them outside and hose them off, or if that's not possible, put them in the shower and shower them off with cool water. Then let them drain well and put them back where they were. It helps prevent spider mites as they're attracted to dusty plants. And your plants love the rinsing off!

Admitting to doing evil things to animals is something I just can't understand. I think of it in about the same light as I would if someone admitted to doing bad/illegal things to little children. Animals often don't have any way to know that what they are doing bothers us. They are just doing what they do naturally. I know some of the comments I sometimes see on Gardenweb are just joking around, and that's alright as long as the poster ensures that the reader knows they are just kidding. But, admitting to torturing animals or needlessly killing them is something that speaks extremely poorly of the person making the claim. Sometimes we are forced to deal with animal issues that negatively impact us. When this happens there are usually many varied solutions. Civilized people will solve the problem in a way that doesn't involve torture or needless slaughtering. People that do evil things to animals are one of the very lowest elements in society (a.k.a. scum).

Hi Alex, " I'd already seen the listing for that book with a rather steep price tag attached to it, even used. ...I think I'll hold off and see if it comes to us on its own at the bookshop or on a housecall. " The prices for that book vary all over the map, and some offerings on Amazon are far greater than its MSRP !!! When I first saw the book listed on Amazon, its price was in the neighborhood of $200 ! I could tell from Amazon's Look Inside feature in the Table of Contents that its Chapter 12 was devoted to zinnias, but as I recall I couldn't access any of Chapter 12 online. I didn't even know about Google access at that time. I didn't know of any other significant available information on zinnia breeding, so I really wanted the book. Then Amazon ran some kind of sale, and I purchased the paperback version new from Amazon Prime in January 2008 for $96.70. With your contacts in the bookstore world you might find access to a new or used copy at a price acceptable to you, hopefully less than $100. I have found the book quite helpful. Apparently I should re-read it more carefully, because I completely missed its relevant info about your zinnia pollination question that fortunately Joseph called our attention to. " ...you're still planting? " I finished the prep work and planting of my last seedbed day before yesterday. I will still fill in a few blank places with seeds for the next couple of weeks. In the past I have planted zinnias as late as in August for a Fall crop, but I won't do that this year. ZM

Going to work through replies: JudyG - now that I have been down there I am pretty much back to square one. The credenza is too large for the wall or how I would want to use the wall. :( I am going to check into the "goldstone" paint and try to find the SW equivalent to test out. HollyBar - The cabinetry in person is so very nice, I really feel that I need to embrace it and figure out how to lighten the mood while utilizing the built-ins. I do agree (and the decorator mentioned it as well) that I need to echo the tone of built-ins strategically. Jan Moyer - The decorator did measure and we provided him a key to our condo. He can do in any time he needs to re-check a concept. I am not a hands off person, so the measurements are for me. I will be testing out any of his suggestions while continuing to look for ideas myself. I want to be sure the end result with the decorator is "me". Tootsie - Your thought is logical and in our Maine vacation condo, that would be blocked. At this condo, the previous owner already had a wonky color. That being said, after being there, I am not going to get clever with the color and will keep the ceiling classic white like the interior of the unit. I concluded that waiting white inside and blue on the lanai, breaks up the flow between inside and outside when we open the invisible walls. BeverlyFLADeziner - I understand your point. That is just not in the budget. I need to embrace and incorporate. Joseph Corlette - Plentry of contractor options. No one paying $500 per night. Also, there are beautiful exterior stairs that I used the whole two days. We are up only two flights. There is also an elevator. There are only 16 units in the building. I never had to wait for the few times I preferred the elevator to the stairs. I think I covered it. It was an exhausting few days - two travel, two working on the condo, but we are excited. I appreciate every suggestion provided. As I wrap my head around things, I am sure I will be posting more, here or in a new thread depending. <3