Hello everybody. Have been enjoying my visit with all of you this evening -- even though you didn't know I was there :-) Dizzy, don't think we've met (my loss) because I only joined a few months ago, but congratulations on your baby -- such a blessing. She's going to be a beauty, for sure. You will post pictures, right? We're finally getting spring here, and you're getting colder there. I, too, really enjoy sharing. Chaz mentioned epiphyllum, which I also have, and one is just starting to bloom. Had for a couple years and fertilized heavily last summer. Here's a not-so-great picture of it. Flower is about three inches across. Have to warn you, though, it does get quite large. Would be good for you folks who live where it's warm. It does like being outside. Do have others I can probably get a few pieces from, but not currently in bloom, so don't know which is which because they're unfortunately not labeled. People have just given me cuttings, and I stick them in a hanging pot and keep them watered. The parent of this red one originated in Berlin. Yes, it went through WWII.

Thank you, Chaz! I'd love some Lupine seeds! We grew them at the garden center I worked at years ago... a few would bloom the first year, the majority the second... they were started in a large greenhouse, so I think that might account for the first year flowers... but every time I planted them in my garden, they would flower very sparsely and die out by the second year. They were planted on the south side of a patio fence enclosure, so I thought they were fairly well protected... although I'm sure the northern winters are what killed them. When I trucked cross country with my ex many years ago, I saw loads of beautiful native Lupines growing along the highways in Colorado! What a sight that was! I've always wanted to include them in my cottage style borders, but they just never did well for me. That was in zone 4b, so maybe they'll have a better chance of survival here in zone 5b. Thanks, HoustonPat! I love spring blooming bulbs, tulips being one of my favorites! We have plans to add more Parrot Tulips and Species Tulips this fall, so next spring the gardens should be even more gorgeous! Those raised beds began life as backdrops for archery targets... they were heavily screened on both sides and have rope handles for ease of moving, as you can see in the photo... I've removed the screening from one side to open them up, laid them flat, and they make excellent raised beds! There are about a dozen total of these screened frames, and we've commandeered all of them for use as raised beds, since they weren't in use as target backdrops... several are veggie and herb beds, and the remainder will be used to grow on perennial seedlings for sale purposes... we're starting a small driveway flower business to help offset the cost of gardening and plant purchases! Gardening can be an expensive hobby! Kitty, those blooms are gorgeous! I especially like the Mont Blanc! I'm really glad the majority of your older bulbs survived and came back to flower for you! We don't have any Tree Peonies yet, but I do plan to petition for some to be planted next year! The catalog photos are always so beautiful! I wasn't even aware they grew in such northern zones! I never looked into them before because trees and shrubs aren't really my specialty in gardening, but now that I have more space to garden in, I've become a lot more aware of the larger things that make up the "bones" of good landscaping and gardening! I'd love to see photos of yours!

@ Amber It does sound like you have more in common than not. Maybe if you can remember major wrestlers, he will eventually learn major Hoyas. xD I have to say, punk rock and wrestling is an unexpected combination, for me. @ Kittee I try to keep my plants orderly looking, but after you surpass a certain quantity the effect is nowhere close to the monastic simplicity that many neat freaks adore. I'm thinking I probably need to slow down and focus on order for a while. There always seem to be a couple of bark pieces on the floor. I learned everything I know about cooking from a vegan, so I also am most happy with Pho Chay. @ Cindy I've often thought about installing computer fans around my plants. You are lucky!! @ Ingrid I am so sorry to hear about your legal battles. To add such stress onto your existing condition must be tough. I hope things get better for you, soon. I have had such a fear of Lyme disease for many years, because I have a close friend who suffered under very extreme symptoms. Even with friends he seemed "alone in a crowd" and though he never complained, it hurt me to see how abnormal his life had become. Happily, after all this time, they have finally had some success with some treatments and his life is much better. So, now I feel more hopeful. There are several others in the Hoya community with this diagnosis, so you're not alone even here! My favorite sentence you wrote was "So, we have a lot on our mind and a lot of stress, but we have no struggle at all when it comes to being together or the Hoyas." I couldn't help but smile. If you have that, everything else becomes easier. :) @ goddess lol @ your boyfriend. Having a sense of humor about our addiction is a good way to go. I actually think the video game/plant care dynamic probably works really well, because both are very absorbing activities that take up a couple hours, but you can still be around each other. No, sadly I'm not. My guy's Vietnamese - that's how I got hooked on the Pho. ;) @ Planto I look forward to the day when 90 year olds are dominating the MMORPG scene. That would actually be a retirement home people might enjoy. ;) And they could totally own the real money auctionhouse! @ Aggie I just realized you're saying your husband took that nice photo for you. Does he snap all your Hoya pics? That's doing his part! @ Mitzi Yes... this is why I fear the onset of joint checking accounts...

I'm sorry I didn't get this posted yesterday (Friday), we're at a critical phase with one of the canines. The heat (103F, 112F with the heat index today) is causing some complications for an already very old dog with issues related to age alone. Friday he gave us quite a scare and I didn't even get online to check email, much more cruise any websites. Box - which I will add as much to as possible between now and mailing time, but these things at least I know "for sure" if you will unless otherwise noted: Seeds - selection of herbs, veggies, melons, & pretties - most of these will be heirloom varieties. If there's anything the 'winner' doesn't want, like say peppers due an allergy or something, just let me know! pencil & plant "stakes" for labeling Stationery - suitable for laser printers, typewriters, etc. How Does Your Garden Grow theme an old print of a Garden Tea Room - kitties and a touch of Victorian Era theme Assortment of Teas - and I do mean an assortment. :) I'm a tea-aholic! Hot tea that is, but this assortment will contain not just tea (real tea), but also bags/sachets for infusions that have no tea in them at all (herbs, etc.) Demerara sugar/organic pure cane sugar - Did I say I like tea? HOT tea? I got hooked on Demerara sugar when living in Scotland and now go back and forth between it and "white" sugar. The Demerara is divine especially when bothered by allergies or under-the-weather and during the colder months. *MAYBE* some Stevia Plus packets - an all-natural sweetener from the Stevia plant. These are a "maybe" because I can't remember if I gave them away already! I have to check! Mother-of-Thousands seedlings - Kalanchoe sp. - succulent plant(s). I adore the mother-plant to these seedlings - she looks absolutely alien! hehe Neat diversity to have amongst your houseplants and requires very little maintenance. some Messenger(R) - if you're not familiar with Messenger, I'll happily include info. I use Messenger on ALL of my plants! "Velma's Cactus" pups - heirloom cactus of a "barrel type". Pups are small, but the largest specimen I have had of this variety was about a foot and a half tall. This cactus has a "history" to it, that I will share either here (in a different post) or the recipient of the box. It blooms a beautiful magenta-fuchsia in colour, isn't terribly "vicious" where its prickles are concerned - a rather mild-mannered cactus compared to others. Unlike prickly-pear cactus, you won't have to worry about "invisible" sticklers in your skin causing pain. Obedient Plant - this one blooms light purple in colour. Very pretty perennial. Heirloom Iris tubers (rhizomes? roots - you get the idea!) These are an anybody's-guess on colours and form. They were grown by the now-deceased elderly couple that used to live on this property. They were what those of us in the south call "good people". Some of these irises might very well date back to their parents' or grandparents' gardening. I didn't have the heart to get rid of them, but they don't get the love here that they should so I'd like to share them with another iris-lover. Provided there is room, I'm probably also going to tuck in some body/bath stuff that I make. It's too hot for soap-making this time of year but I think I've got some wee bottles to at least give some samples of Gardenia bubble bath, etc. Some other succulent cuttings/leaves for rooting, such as Hummel's Sunset, an heirloom White-flowering Sedum, etc. I'll also include some Rooting Hormone and directions incase the recipient is unfamiliar with rooting succulents/cacti from cuttings. Themed stickers - either for scrapbooking or for fun to include with correspondence/parcels, etc. Garden related on one level or another. :) And whatever else I can fit into the box! LOL