There are many candidates. You didn't say, but that says to me "species" rather than hybrids, but there are many rare and exotic hybrids, particularly some of the older ones where there are only a few known plants. Orchid collecting is like any other collecting hobby. When we start off, any old stamp will do. We are looking to get a bunch. Then we start to be a bit selective and also learn about taking proper care of the collection. Eventually we may decide to specialize and grow only a limited group. For example, my collection is "new world epiphytes" consisting of Masdevallia hybrids, and Encyclia, Laelia and Cattleya species. I have other plants, but I am getting more and more selective and am willing to spend more and more money on an individual plant. I have tuned my conditions as much as possible to make these plants happy. I usually get one or two plants at a time so I can enjoy them. I trade and sell excess and divisions and plants that fall outside the collection. This week at San Francisco I sold two and made deals to trade two. What I am saying is make your collection fit your environment, then select what you are interested in. Have some idea of a plan for the collection even if you change your mind later. Good luck.

Oh yes Lisa, actually there are two kind (clone or species?) of variegated Zamioculcas here. They had been mutated in Thailand, as I knew from leaf-cutting. The more beautiful one is that you saw in the pic , it has more compact and wider leaves while another one has longer & striped leaves stalk, here. The first one is quite rare and still expensive, as it usually produces only nomal green or albino babies when propagate from leaves, only few appear to be variegated plant. If you love them, I can divide my clumps and give you via Mrs. Nongporn.

Hi all, Going on what I've read in Tropiflora's Cargo Reports,the major nursery plant sellers have the country's permit to gather certain plants,and must pass export and import inspection,and pay any associated fees. I suppose there are those that do not take that route tho. I would think tourists and/or plant thieves do their share of depredating,as its a way of making a living,tho I have no knowledge of this.But I like to think that Yucca Do and other reliable nurseries obey all the plant importation regulations.I would not want to help support any illeagel operations. Bob

Hi .... as for the Ohio buckeye, I have had this one for about eight years now ... it has done very well and is a very attractive specimen. BUT, it is not without its drawbacks ... firstly, it is not a fast grower (which is not necessarily a bad thing) and the autumn coloring is not overly nice and the foliage drops very quickly! BUT, otherwise the tree itself is very attractive and has the most handsome lobed foliage. Despite any drawbacks, it still ranks highly with me. There is a new one (but, not yet on the market?) called 'Autumn Splendor', which has very a nice show of reddish purple foliage ... but, when it becomes available and whether it will hold up to our colder climate, only time will tell. As for the horse chestnut ... I had collected seeds from a noted tree situated in downtown Edmonton. I had terrific germination (72 out of 75) and have given ever so many away! I had also grafted a specimen from that very same tree. As for the hardiness of these seedlings? ... well, mine still remain potted, but I was told that one out of every three seedlings have proven itself tough enough to cope with our climate. As for selections made elsewhere ... I think this is a difficult call. We often have much cooler summers than most of the prairies, and I truly think this makes a difference in things not having time to ripen and mature their wood before going into winter. I know of selections of sugar maples that fair poorly here, while doing just fine in southern parts of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Glen3a, I don't see your comments shown here (or is it just my computer?) but they did come to my email. Really good to hear of all the interesting plant material you have. I love the Japanese maples !!! I'd like to try one outside, of course protecting it for winter. Until mine gets too big, I shall ENJOY it as container grown. Interesting you have thus far had success with the Korean maple, seems very few have experienced such. I'd again like to attempt one, though this time in a much more sheltered locaton. I am really keen on the 'Yellow Ribbon' cedar and especially LOVE the 'Concorde' barberry! I MUST try the 'Blue Girl' and 'Blue Boy' holly! ... Annie, many of my plants are either given some form of winter protection OR container grown, though several just tough it out for themselves and are not pampered. Terry