Cereus-validus wrote:
If the plants were any good, they would have been vigorous when you
bought
them without the need to coax them along for years.

Buying sick plants is a foolish thing to do regardless of your
ultimate
results. The risks far outweigh any possible reward, especially when
you are
buying generic plants of little value in the first place.

For some people, the reward of gardening *is* taking something that has
little chance of living, and turning it into a beautiful thing. At risk
was the 30-cents paid for the three plants, and some compost, mulch and
water. The pay-off was three years of enjoyment. The positive results
were a bonus. Even if they had not survived, the experience of trying to
save them was the real pay-off.

Anyone can go out and buy healthy, vigorous plants. That's no more fun
than going out and buying new socks.

--
Warren H.

==========
Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my
employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife.
Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is
coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this
response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants
to go outside now.
Blatant Plug: Cooking with Intense Heat
http://www.holzemville.com/community...eat/index.html