Another thought - I purchased a "Black Cat" tuber that was marked as a Karma. I am actually hoping it's not a Karma, but rather the semi-cactus type that is better known. Does anyone know it there is a Karma "Black Cat"? I searched and can't find it anywhere.

Carolinas Dahlia Society's Annual Plant & Tuber Sale is scheduled for May 13 2006. In addition to tubers, we have information (free & for sale) on Dahlia Care & Culture. See website www.CarolinasDahlia Society.com for details. The North Carolina Chrysanthemum Society will be there as well. Members' Only Sale is Scheduled for May 6 at Lake Julian.

Plumie- I would just like to voice my opinion on your watering issue. Mike (mikeod) knows his sh#t when it comes to plumies and those other guys are full of sh#t. The single most common cause of failure in rooting cuttings is from watering. The most common cause of stem rot in summer is watering. period. Also, having an unrooted cutting exposed to the mid-day sun when it is 100+ degrees is asking for sunburn stems and other problems. Plumeria stems are full of water and it is not being used unless there are leaves to use it. Simple misting replaces any moisture loss through the stem. What you can do is go around the inside edge of the pot and push your fingers into the soil mix to make a small moat up against the pot wall. Carefully, using a sports water bottle, fill the moat so water runs down the outside soil but the middle stays dry. this basically increases the humidity in the center of the pot but is not wet except down the inside wall of the pot. When in doubt, do nothing. Watering does not mean the plant will fail every time but not watering has a far smaller failure rate. Realize that many nursury people know alot about plants but almost nothing about plumies. Also, P.101 has some excellent information and some I totally disagree with (ie. using pea gravel to hold a cutting- I call it how to burn your stem and sunburn your plant.) This forum has some very experience individuals who have tried and failed enough to form good opinions. Mike, Tony, Karyn, Dave, Joe, Phillip, and Janet to name just a few whose posts I always respect their opinions and usually totally agree with their comments. Their experiences are in the same environments that we grow in. Their successes and failures are the same that we will experience. I will listen to them over a boatload of nursery workers because in my experiences i recognize the quality of their experiences. Just my opinion- Bill

Saturday, April 11th, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. MDS Annual Tuber Sale Location: Bachman's Garden Center, Heritage Room 6010 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Open to the Public Meet our group, enjoy a beverage, get expert advice for everything you need to know about growing show quality dahlias. Learn about our fun filled calendar of events, potlucks, picnics, tours, Arboretum 3 mile drive garden we tend this could be a great year to start growing and join our society.