I'm with you Sylvia. As far as I can see, those tests would primarily show a predisposition to certain diseases as opposed to a diagnosis. The costs are not prohibitive, and I'd suspect that down the road, those tests are going to be mainstream and routinely suggested just like mammograms and colonoscopies. So, they're going to go on your medical history anyway. I'm also with Beanmomma. If there is a way an insurance company can peg the poor risks, they will. I'm also with West Gardener. There should be complete anonymity. Your genetic profile is like your fingerprint. I believe I read that service personnel now have genetic samples taken for possible body identification. If that is the case.......large numbers of people already have entered the database. How secure are databases? How long are they kept and how long are the physical samples kept. Also there is the issue that physical samples taken for one purpose could be used for another by testing different markers. And, I'm also with Janis. Unless there were very special circumstances where there were a need to know.......I don't think I'd care to worry over something one might get, or might not.

I do love it. Now if it just were slightly nicer weather so I could get out and enjoy them. H. foetidus Sienna had been blooming for more than a month, oriental double pinks and pink anemone flowered followed not long after - with more of those plants from that years seedlings just now beginning to send up flower shoots too. A couple of Betty Ranicars are blooming now, Heronswood purple has shoots tall enough they are showing quite a bit of color and seem to be heavily budded. Heronswood yellow just now breaking ground. But I've had a strange helleborus year, with plants blooming sporadically since May. Several put out their first flowers out of season from seed grown plants ( none of those flowers produced seed but I understand thats normal.)

thirsty: No worries, man. =) I'm moving to a townhome with a nice size yard in a little over a week. Well, one worry maybe...about how the heck i'm going to transport insanely tall hanging basket Cherry tomato plants. All my others should do fine on the 2 mile trip. Enthusiasm made me fill up my porch a bit more than I should, so obviously some plants may not get as much sun as they need, but they still produce quite fine, from my previous experience (and this year! 15-20 maters already on the big Cherry plant). I keep every plant (full sun plants...except the 2 hanging basket Cherry's) on a daily rotation so they get their fair share of sun. That one Cherry is the only plant I have that's a bit leggy, probably because I started it too far inwards & too high up on that wall. I'll be eating maters off it quite soon though. =) ted: Oooooooooo...maybe with some fresh Mozzarella too! ;-) Did I sense a hint of sarcasm in your reply? lol. Don't worry, i'll save some seeds for next year. kterlep: I'd love to see your pics! I am wicked interested in growing Sungold next year. =) Toss them on a reply in this thread. I rarely pay much attention to package-printed DTM. It's usually off a bit. I tend to estimate things more from experience, which many people do. Peace - Steve

In addition to the following - it's usually worth a trip into the local Information Centre to ask about gardens open to the public. And a visit to the Auckland City library will also be helpful: there are books on NZ gardens open to the public. Most of them seem to charge around five dollars, though some are less or free. A few URLs to get you started perhaps: all www. marshwoodgardens.co.nz tramplitewalks.co.nz landsendtexotics.co.nz tauponativeplants.co.nz parnassus.co.nz aucklandbotanicgardens.co.nz koanga.org.nz gardens.org.nz heroicgardens.org.nz - based in Ak. Garden tour of LOTS of gardens. Two days - Feb 17-18 projectcrimson.org.nz King Country tour - fax (add all the bits for international) 7 878 4837 Green's Subtropical Gardens - Maungakaramea, Whangarei. Durant Subtropical Garden 40 Trig Rd, Whenuapai, Auckland Waitoka Gardens - north of Taihape 06 388 7822 (ring ahead) Worth a google - Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust Cross Hills, Otari Native Plant Museum, Ayrlies. There are heaps of others - I think the gardens.org.nz link will get you started. If you find you want to particularly follow an interest eg Fuchsias - do ask - and keep asking. If you are members of the Automobile Association, there may be a reciprocal agreement between countries so you can go to branches here and get maps and travel advice. You may also find the regional council offices helpful, and the conservancy or field offices of the Department of Conservation. Hope you enjoy your visit. Oh. A raincoat/umbrella is always prudent, ;-)