Thanks Austransplant, Scott, & Geraldo! Just because Im nervous about attracting FB to the AP tree, and my other apples, I think Ill stay well clear of the Hosui. The chart on this page seems to indicate that even the best FB resistant pears like Shinko are, at best, only moderately resistant to FB. But, this chart seems to indicate that the Shinko is indeed more resistant than the Kousi. So, its sounding to me like my choice is coming down to the bigger, better looking Korean Giant, or the not-quite-as-big, or good-looking, and harder-to-find but better FB resistant Shinko. Ha! I just found a quote that summed up my thinking: In summary, it appears that Shinko and Korean Giant may be the two most promising varieties for commercial or home plantings because of their higher level of fire blight resistance, good tree characteristics, yielding ability, and quality fruit I would only be planting a single tree, and I dont know of any other pear/AP pollination source in my neighborhood. I was thinking of doing this so I wouldnt have to do so much thinning that the others talked about. Not that thinning one tree sounds like a huge deal, but if I only want to plant one, and Id have to thin out all those zillion pears anyway, this seems like a better plan? Worst case, if the self-pollination didnt max out my tree, then I could graft on a Korean Giant branch and then get ready to do a lot of thinning? So, BET: grows too large of tree for me, but good damp soil resistance (Which could be important to me),. But OH333, more reasonable size tree, but doesnt have damp soil resistance, smaller fruit over time, sets fruit earlier, need to find a source. Both seem to have good FB resistance. Sounds like OH333 might be a better choice for me, but Id need to find a source. Thanks all for the help, -Glenn From the cummins site: OHxF 333 A semi-dwarfing pear rootstock. It is 1/2 to 2/3 standard size. Its resistance to fireblight, collar rot, woolly pear aphids and pear decline make this a very healthy stock. Precocious, well-anchored. Trees are very productive. Some reports that fruit size is reduced SOLD OUT FOR 2008 Pyrus betulifolia ("BET") seedlings are the rootstocks of choice for Asian pears. A number of extensive field trials have shown that fruit size is increased significantly as compared to other rootstocks. We also use Winter Nelis seedlings -- somewhat more winter-hardy than BET. AVAILABLE FOR 2007: Pyrusbetulifolia ("BET")

Hi Ginny - They are redoing the greenhouses and botanical gardens at Roger Williams. I'm not exactly sure when it will open, maybe March? There is supposed to be a Valentine's Day Gala/Auction, "Love In Bloom" on Feb 14, in one of the newly planted greenhouses there. If you ever make it there in late spring or summer, please let me know. My friend Frank lives about a block from Roger Williams Park and he has the absolutely most amazing tropical gardens in his front, side, and backyard. Every fall (I don't know how he does it) everything goes into the basement and he recreates it in spring. It's just amazing - like visiting SeaWorld's gardens or something. Bill Here is a link that might be useful: Botanical Gardens at Roger Williams

I have been going to Logee's since the late 60's. They used to have even more rare and unusual things, when Joy Logee Martin ran the place. I had a small greenhouse then, so it was an incredible source. Prices were good too. But in the last several years, it's gotten so much more commercial, and they offer only about half of what they used to have. The prices are quite high for the size of the plants, But I'm sure this has arisen out of necessity, with higher costs of running a business nowadays. As for the camellias there, they do offer a couple of hardy ones, but you get a very small, rooted cutting for a fairly high price. What you get from Camforest or some other online nurseries, even with shipping, are much more established plants. I don't know if you've considered the fall flowering types, but they are quite hardy too, and bloom when little else is blooming. Good luck with whatever you choose. Monrovia offer a few hardy types also, and they will now ship to local garden centers at no charge! You pay them online and pick up at your local nursery. I know they ship to Forest Hills Nursery in Cranston. I have a couple of things on order that I will pick up probably in April. Not a bad deal.

That's cool Ray! I am a serious Purple Martin landlord wannabe! This will actually be my 4th season trying to establish, and I have learned so much over that time. The first 2 seasons, my pole was not in an optimal location, and so I moved it a few feet to a better location last year. Had LOTS of visitors last year, and am hoping that some of them will come back to me this year. I am offering 6 Troyer vertical gourds right now to start. Originally offered a house and some gourds, but found that the house only attracted the HOSP's in. I think that Martins in my area prefer gourds anyway. I have lots of Purple Martin landlord friends and some who live nearby to me fill their 80+ gourds each season. They are so much fun to observe!~~Angie