Thanks Everyone for participating. It's the same story for box #2, nothing made it (all the leaves turned totally brown, even a good-sized plantlet with several leaves couldn't handle the heat)! It's no one's fault, the heat is too much and baked all the leaves in the box. This has been really disappointing! Let's do this again when the weather cools off. Hugs, Deb

Sue, Watching the leaves grow is really exciting! I'm sure they will do well for you! I'll do this again in the spring! :) Maybe this time with 2 boxes. This Fall trading season taught me that leaves really don't last much at all if water is added, so many neat leaves were lost to rot. And if in the box too long- stuff should be dated. That way you can decide what to 'save.' Know what to replace. Smaller swaps (less people per box) would be better for the varieties- quicker turn around. George, Good point! I followed someone a couple of times in a swap that lived in an area colder than mine- and then sent the box to a warmer area! More than usual rotted. So, it made me wonder if chill to heat stresses the leaves out terribly! Maybe doing the box (in the same climate) makes a lot of sense! Brunhilda, Yes minis/semis rot first, that's really true! Also, variegated leaves go quickly! The variegation starts to rot! Always try to catch it with cinnamon. Use a sharp razor to cut it off. Scissors smash cells- What I've learned the most this year, is you can't please everyone- eventually someone's going to complain-and be unhappy with your box! Take it lightly- always do your best! Pack a box you would love to receive- that's really all you can do! :) Lastly, if you receive brown cold dead leaves- don't blame anyone, it's the weather! Or the leaves are just delicate, and bruised during shipment! Stuff dies, be willing to take a chance! Replace what you can in each box, and have fun! We all grow violets because we love them! You just never know what 'must have' leaf can be in that box! :) Deb

Does anyone have a description for Mardigra that was included in the RR box? Pat packed a wonderful selection of variegates off of my want list and I can't thank her enough for such beautiful and healthy leaves. Optimara Hawaii, Violet Trail (which I was very sad about) and a couple others were just translucent and just too far gone to even take anything from and I tried everything to save a few of the others and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they make it. Thanks again for a great first RR. Looking forward to Spring already.

Louise.. Thanks for offering to start the av 'only' box. We will go with that.. I'm trying to get a little interest in our Fall swap going. ;) Hopefully we get a lot more people interested in joining. If not, we could still do the swap with the few that are interested. I'm sure by the time the box goes around- all new stuff would be in it by the time it came back! Deb