In addition to the drenching rains, thunderstorms and tornado threats which have characterized the recent weather here in zone 7 Maryland, we now have to contend with unseasonably early extreme heat and humidity. We’re in a four day stretch where daily temperature maxima are near 100º F. – so far we’ve matched one record high. How hot are we? I’ve got the house thermostat set to 84, and the air conditioner has been cranking all day. The combination of wet and heat can play havoc with bulbs, and I’ve been busy trying to get things out of the ground or under cover as soon as possible. Someone please send us some breathable air. Jim McKenney jimmckenney@jimmckenney.com Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, 39.03871º North, 77.09829º West, USDA zone 7, where the first water lily opened yesterday. My Virtual Maryland Garden http://www.jimmckenney.com/ BLOG! http://mcwort.blogspot.com/ Webmaster Potomac Valley Chapter, NARGS Editor PVC Bulletin http://www.pvcnargs.org/ Webmaster Potomac Lily Society http://www.potomaclilysociety.org/