I have had spiderworts for 8 years and have NEVER fed them. That could be the basis of your problems. Try ignoring them for a few months. I also cut my plants down after their initial flush of blooms because they tend to dry up in the heat anyway. Will do some reblooming in cooler weather. Diana Pederson, Michigan, Zone 5, United States SUITE101 Editor: http://www.suite101.com/topics/page.cfm/262 Home page: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Acres/1945/index.html -