oldhaole...thanks for the advice...does it make a difference if they are in pots and getting kind of root bound? Also one plant has completely lost its dry yellow fan leaves so I'm thinking that one might be done.

I'm also going away sailing for 3 days so I have my fingers crossed they can get by on being flushed tonight and also that I won't get ripped off. They are on a top story outside deck of a remote locked house so any thieves would have to do some serious breaking and entering to get at em or else have a big ladder!