We'd love to see you there Diane! We now have a confirmation that Dr. Croat will be spending the afternoon with us at the Myriad Center Garden so if anyone has questions about aroids this would be the perfect time to get an answer from the world expert on this family of plants. You'll find Tom to be very friendly and always willing to help you find the answers you need! Since his schedule is very hectic this is a chance many aroid growers may never have again. The Myriad Center has also told us they will be providing a guide for the afternoon so you'll have a double chance to ask questions on plants int their collection. Please RSVP to Zach DuFran zach@zachandchristie.com or to Steve Lucas at Steve@ExoticRainforest.com so we can have an approximate count. We'll see you in Oklahoma City in just a few weeks! Myriad Botanical Gardens and Crystal Bridge on November 21 at 1:00 PM. Here is a link that might be useful: International Aroid Society MidAmerica Chapter

Dr. Larry: Hi,this is Bob,and I feel that I know you from your 'Consultation''s in the CSJ. Thanks for the ID confirmation on the 'fosterianus'. As one of the'northern'collectors you refered to,it was good news to read that you and Michael K. are going to be able to expand the cryptanthus offerings. We on GW think highly of Michael and his operation,and order from him often. Additionally,as mentioned in earlier postings,I assist the Staff at the Buffalo Botanical Gardens with the bromeliad collection procurement and maintenance,and currently are preparing an order for him that will be quite extensive.These new broms will be used to establish an all new display in a soon to be completed 'Epiphyte House'remodeling.I will post a few photos,to give all my friends here an idea of the building size,an also some pics of the damage that occured around the property during the surprise early October snowstorm this week. The report is that 80% of our areas trees were badly damaged by the wet 18" snowfall and winds,as the leaves were still on them,and the weight was just too much. This freak storm was caused by a 40deg.difference in the Lake Erie water temp. and the freezing air temp.,resulting in just the perfect conditions to give us so much snow in just 12 hours.Ironically,after it passed,the temperatures were in the high 60's,and all the snow melted away. Good to see you on GW,and hope to hear from you and enjoy any photo posts you may have for us. Some BBG pics; Front view of the Main Dome and the Fern house and right Dome building,housing the bromeliad collection .The left Dome [not in picture] is the one being remodled for the bromeliad and epiphyte collections. View from the South side,showing the Dome bldg.for the epiphytes nearing the completion of the new glass installation. Back side view of the 3 Domes...and a few snow piles. Typical tree damage in the last three photos

HI Keith, I'm going on my eleventh year as a member so I may not attend so much as be obligated to share some insight on the chapter. You do not have to be an experienced gardener to become a member of the organization. You only need to be willing to learn and willing to serve as a volunteer and willing to meet new people and be a part of the team. If you are interested, please email your name, email, and phone to mg.greenecounty@gmail.com. This will assure that you will be informed of the orientation dates which have not yet been set but should be announced sometime in January. It's a great group and there's no better way to learn about gardening than being around other gardeners. Here is a link that might be useful: Details

Glad I can help. Not from Illinois, although I grew up in Ohio. I did spend 4 months in Chicago once. I didn't have much time off but I managed to visit the Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Botanic Garden. Really nice. The wind off the lake in January, on the other hand... Most of the time I look at posts like this and go 'that looks like something I've seen' and then it's flipping through the wildflower books and image searching on the family name and checking the manuals to see what similar species might exist. Not very scientific, but it helps keep my hand in and it's an excuse to look at plant pictures.