Windowsill, you are a beautiful writer. Your tales evoke the true joys of gardening in all it's joys and triumphs and the occasional failures.

I might have to put my Meyer Lemon out of it's misery. It grew, made 3 lemons, got sawflies inside during the winter and is just petering out. I think we are on the climate edge of too cold to be out all the time, and not enjoying going in and out in Winter and Spring.

It is maybe 3 years old. Sad.

Sheila -- There are only two types of plants I've banned myself from trying again: citrus trees and gardenias. I love them so much, but they don't love me back. I do hope your meyer lemon makes a comeback. It's very nicely shaped.

Carol -- Look at all those buds on Life of the Party! Love the tones of that dahlia, too. Later I'm going to have to look up the new amaryllis you've ordered. Last year, I didn't do any bulbs over the winter, but this year, I think I'd like a few. Your Emily Bronte blooms are so delicately pretty. When I last went to the NY Botanic Garden, I was surprised to find they'd planted a full bed of Emily Bronte somewhat recently, I think (not sure when exactly). I've never seen them plant a DA rose there en masse; they generally just have individual DA specimens dotted throughout the side borders. So, I'm thinking they must have a a high opinion of its potential performance and disease-resistance. The plants looked very healthy. I'm glad she's doing well for you, too, as I know you've said DA roses don't usually perform well for you.

Carol, I don't mind moths, and these are very special ones. Quite a number seem to have gone into dormancy in odd little places, which is what they do in caves in the Snowies. There were no collars involved in the dog attack. A gate was left open and my son's dog got downstairs and flew at my daughter's dogs. Thanks about my roses. So far, many of my roses are looking good, though some are unlikely to have a Spring flush, as the possums ate all the buds. I'm not sure that Sespe Sunrise hasn't been nibbled on again. It's usually the first to bloom, but was the worst hit. You have me seriously thinking about trying Life of the Party - if space opens up for it. And that dahlia is gorgeous. i forgot to say before that the waterlily type doesn't look like that anemone one you posted. Those buds of Emily Bronte are sweet.

windowsill, I tried to read that article, but it wanted me to sign up. I could read the article for free, and cancel, but I'm a bit wary of doing that as I just had trouble with trying to cancel Britbox. I'm amazed the NYT had a story on it. I got as far as the bit saying scientists were pleased because the numbers are back up. I love that caterpillar. I move the caterpillars i find onto Marie van Houtte, as she is so vigorous I feel she can cope!

Thanks about Rosie. She was a sweet dog, though very fond of disappearing into woods and eating disgusting things! I had the nicest card from the vet's - we had been frequent visitors over the years! Although I sometimes found walking her a chore, I'm missing those outings. I took her on lots of different walks, and now i don't go to those places. My son's dog has very bad arthritis. so I can't walk him. He went crazy when we rescued him over 10 years ago and kept throwing himself down steps and off ledges here.

I'm sorry to hear about your plant losses. Disappointing. And it's worrying when you don't know why. I'm really hoping that new apartment block doesn't affect you. Fancy managing to grow a pineapple! I remember cutting tops off and planting them, but they never did anything. I love that yellow bouquet especially.

I totally agree with what Sheila said about your writing.

Sheila, I've tried growing dwarf oranges in pots with no luck, and I didn't even have to move them indoors.

windowsill, have you read the thread that used to be on here about suicidal gardenias? It's hilarious. Also, the one about how to get dogs out of meat. I don't know whether they're still accessible.