Wow, Cindee! Excellent! You're doing very well with pollinating and seed production! I think your success has a tiny bit to do with your wonderful climate! Although, up here in Coldville, Frigidland I have quite a few seed pods either ripening, beginning to swell, or just plain popping open! I don't have too many photos of just the seed pods, but if you check out the "Jungle" threads, you can see pods in some of the pictures! I just harvested seeds from Limona, Exotic Star, Red Pearl, Exposure, Hermitage, and Pamela... they are all selfs, so I didn't think it was necessary to type out the whole blank x blank thing... I still have pods ripening on Rapido, Picotee, Minerva, Charisma, Limona, Red Pearl, Hermitage, Exposure... and I just pollinated Baby Doll and Supreme Garden, all selfs. I have a bad feeling that Charisma may abort... the pods are rather small yet, and they're beginning to shrivel a bit... well, you win some and you lose some... that's how it works. The failures are many, but the few successes make it all worth while! And now... to plant the very first seeds I've ever produced... Limona x Limona! I'll actually float them... but first, I need to collect some water from the tap in the kennel, as that source is not softened... Does anyone have any advice for me that may help me germinate my seeds? I plan to float them in tepid, un-softened well water, in a clear plastic take-out container, similar to the ones Maria and everyone uses... is there anything I need to add to the water to keep it fresh? Since the room temperature in the apartment fluctuates, I'll set the containers on my heat mat, which is under a grow light... is this workable? I appreciate any insight anyone can give me... this will be my very first seed germination attempt with hippi seeds, that I've grown!

Well, the last pod on Evergreen aborted... it's going to be tougher to breed this one, I think. It didn't self for me, and the pollen I used on Lemon Star was a bust. I had a feeling it wouldn't work, but it never hurts to try. Last year, I had tons of seeds... this year, I've got two pods total, both from Lemon Star selfings. You win some, you lose some... it would be nice if Mother Nature cooperated when we'd like her to, but those are the breaks!

(Hope you all realized my typo-Should be "PICS" not Pica...DOH, spell check!) Yes, so exciting here! I am so glad Soultan helped me order some new babies later on so now that the last of my San Remo, from blooms round one is fading, I will have a whole new batch! I am getting a 2nd scape on both Sumatra and my demure Miss Ethel. Jodi, I lost all but one pod on Charisma (of course 2 were crossed with Misty). My Sumatra pods are holding on so far although they are pale compared to my other HUGE seed pods. Vera is just a slow poke, I guess liltika. I swear, it doesn't move at all! Magic Green I am wondering about as it is so red. I cannot believe the flower is going to be pale with all the dark color I have on the scapes and buds. We shall see! Oh, and another Arriving soon....My Epidendrum Orchid, Ballerina Fireball-buds forming! Will send photo for Jodi when Dennis gets off my computer. I am on his son's right now.

I usually give my friend David most of the leftovers, he enjoys them. I did bring home the extra peach pie muffins, Kim took two for work today and I had one for breakfast. I forgot to mention, there was a small cruise in the harbor yesterday (around 100) and I had a nice rush on sales then. I gave out samples of the raspberry bars and I think everyone that tried a sample bought at least one. They also liked the sugar cookies. My cinnamon rolls were already sold out by that time. We will get many bus tours that stop in town during color season, they love to pick up things to nibble on. Charlevoix has been on the color tour stop list for many years. Nancy