WANTED: Who would like to group-buy some hosta liners with me?

18 years ago

This is an investigative message only at this stage....

I'd like to buy some hosta liners - these are very young tissue culture babies of named varieties. They need a little more TLC than the regular ones we buy in the local garden centre.

I've sent out a request to the supplier for confirmation of availability of a list of over 80 varieties - and will very likely cull that further, to help us all make a choice. The average cost per plant comes to CD$3.44, and there will be an additional equal share per person of the shipping cost, which would obviously depend on how many people would be interested in participating ..... The shipping cost starts with a CD$63 (approximately) phytosanitary certificate charge, as the supplier's in the US, so probably $80 to $100 total.

The minimum number to order per variety is 6. Thus, I'd be willing to order a given variety if at least 6 plants were requested - doesn't matter who wants how many.

I would handle all the ordering, pre-paying... and the bookkeeping.... all you'd have to do is show up at my doorstep here in Ottawa, on the agreed-upon date, with the correct amount of $$ in your fist!

Just to clarify, not a cent of profit is involved here - all the profit's in getting a variety of interesting young hostas, at very low price.

Any takers?

Digs.

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Comments (15)

maureen_ottawa
18 years ago
I'll have a look at the list. But I'm already growing hostas in the driveway so I wouldn't be buying a huge quantity.
Gardeness
18 years ago
Can you forward me the list of Hostas when you receive it?
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Hi Digs, Well, I am surprised to see you post about placing an order after I wrote to ask you for the information in order to place an order myself . Is that what spurred you to do it ? LOL !! I might be interested but most of the hostas you have listed are small or minis with only one or two mediums and I am interested more in large or giant hostas .....but .....I will say yes tentatively and wait and see what happens. Signet
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If I count myself, we're up to 5 participants, so we'll proceed, provided EVERYONE has a WANTED list up on their Trade List, and it is best to have a list of what you already have in your garden. Each participant should send me an e-mail with their GW screen name, full name and shipping address, by Friday June 26th. Please use the e-mail link on My Page above, you have to be logged-in to be able to use it. I will leave this invitation open for inclusion of more participants until Friday June 25th. You will be sent the name of your recipient by Sunday morning June 27th latest. Here are the basic rules of the game: 1. While most swap rules say you should send a minimum of least one plant to your designated recipient, I believe you get as good as you give and I encourage people to send at least 3, possibly 5 or more even. It makes it more worthwhile for the shipping costs involved, particularly when shipping out of province. 2. If possible make your gift plants ones that are on the recipient's wanted list, or failing that, send them plants they do not already have - this is where it becomes important to have a list up of what you already have in the garden. 3. Make sure you know how to identify HVX and foliar nematode damage. If you do NOT know, kindly refrain from participating as you do not want to be the one who sent diseased plants to an unsuspecting recipient. It is best to send divisions from plants you've had in your yard at least 3 years or more in order to minimize the possibility of shipping plants with a dirty payload. 4. Your divisions should be at least one healthy shoot, or 'eye' if you prefer, with a good number of roots. Rinse all the soil off the roots and wrap them in soaking wet paper towels, tuck in a name tag and roll into plastic wrap and tie off with an elastic band. Take a look at this page on my website if you have never done this before. Water will leak out of this bundle and you should wrap the entire bundle of Hostas in something like a plastic bread bag before you put it into a shipping container. This to make sure the seeping water doesn't soak into the cardboard and renders the box next to useless. Try and keep the box as compact as possible since you pay not just for weight and distance but also cubic volume. 5. Shipping to be done Canada Post 3 day Xpres Post and e-mail me the confirmation number when you have sent it. It is customary to acknowledge receipt of your gift Hostas as part of this thread. Pieter
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Hi guys! I was away for a while. I came back to this thread to use some of the ideas that you all suggested. Then I realized, my last post, which was to thank all of you for all your help, somehow, it must of never posted because I do not see it here. So, I just wanted to make sure that I re-thank everyone for sharing their information and pictures! It sure will help out with my new bed! I live on a fresh water lake, with trees that go right up to the waterline in certain areas, so I am going for the natural look I think, just hosta, and some rocks, I do not think I want any other plants, thinking they would take away from the hostas. I think the rocks are a good compliment to the water. I am thinking of maybe doing some family groupings too. I thought it would be neat to do a grouping of Lakeside hostas near the actual lakeside! (well, not too close). I am also going to bury them in containers I think, instead of planting them right in the ground. I hope that is a good idea? I have to find a place where I can get nursery pots cheap. But I am still thinking of ideas. Thanks again for everyone who helped! I will let you know how it turns out (if it ever gets done! LOL!) Christy
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ella - what a lovely space you created! To help keep the soil in good shape you'll need to add organic matter yearly. Compost spread as mulch in late fall topped with irregular wood chips has worked well for our beds. I reach into the beds in spring using whatever tool is handy to be sure the mulch is pulled back from the plants, but don't dare step into the beds because the soil is just too soft & wet. Slug control is 3 pronged - sluggo type bait, hunt & remove when soil is moist, & also spray with ammonia water... Repeat. Repeat. Especially vigilant late summer to get all the adults possible and in early spring spray often with the ammonia water to get in & around emerging hostas to prevent damage. You're right that Burgundy Glow ajuga spreads less vigorously than Bronze Beauty, but in my 9 month wet climate still spreads fairly well. --3 Burg. Glow bareroot starts from a plant swap this April -- poor soil mulched with coarse wood chips around stepping stones across a low area in part shade became 30+ by now in August spreading out 3 feet square! --spring planted Bronze Beauty 12" apart on center by the next spring was solid around stepping stones, hose reel, etc. That patch is easily 4 feet x 6 feet up & over each other so that not all even rooted just runners spread. Easy care for that area when stepped upon & an easy source of countless starts for other gardens. In another area about 10 runners removed & planted became 3 feet x 6 feet in a year's time growing over pathway rocks toward stepping stones in the middle of the path. If you keep an eye on it & remove the excess runners your hosta will be safe. Otherwise the ajuga will over run & shoot runners between stems & even into the crown. Since the biggest growth spurt is in late spring I just snip the runners in early summer before they root. I am running out of new garden space and friends who don't have their own ajuga patch.
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bumble_bee
18 years ago
Please, send me the list too.
imcanadian
18 years ago
I may be interested also, could I see the list too please. Thank you, Joelle
signet_gw(6b)
18 years ago
I'd like to look at the list of hostas as well please when you get it.

Signet
perennial_girl
18 years ago
I would like to look at the list also, but since I wouldn't be able to pick them up at the door would you be willing to ship them for me and I of course would pay for shipping?
:) Donna
digs57
Original Author
18 years ago
Hi, all, I just sent you a request for email so I can send you the worksheet.
I'm happy to pursue this. The only wrinkle is, after 2 messages to the supplier and one to an associate, I still haven't received a single reply.
Will keep trying, though.
Digs.
digs57
Original Author
18 years ago
Those of you who expressed interest to this idea, check your emails; I just sent you a current availability list.

I had a very nice chat today with the lady who runs the shop, and she will be very happy to have our business.

I'm feeling excited - we can make this happen!

Digs.
Gardeness
18 years ago
What an awesome looking list! I love this game.
MrMicawber
18 years ago
Digs,

Can I get in on this?

Mike
digs57
Original Author
18 years ago
Hey everyone, our hosta babies have arrived.
So check your emails... and come on over & claim your little new treasures ;-)

Digs.
bcgift52
18 years ago
Ooh ! I'm jealous now, but next time around I and a few
west coasters hope to join you.
digs57
Original Author
18 years ago
OK, everyone, the last set of plants was collected last week. So I'm happy to declare the exercise completed.

Some observations for future reference:
8 people participated.
We had 2 rounds of sending out lists to get an order together, which took 2 months.
Once the order was placed, it took just over 2 weeks or so to get the phytosanitary certficate.
We ordered 32 varieties, of which 12 were not available by the time of shipment.
Shipping cost was US$80 for 114 plants, or C$0.86 per plant.

The liners varied tremendously in size. The little ones withstood shipment much better than the largest two varieties. On the other hand, the large ones, though they lost leaves due to heat stress, had root systems to die for.

Each 6-pack came with only 1 label, so I had to make tags for each plant - cut-up yogurt and milk plastic containers came in handy, but lacked in elegance ;-) sorry!

Mistakes happen.... I was charged $15 for a variety that didn't get shipped & am still waiting for that one to be reversed; and a pick-up mix-up in my absence resulted in some tags (though not plants) getting lost.

I'd be very interested to hear in May how you all overwintered these babies, and how many made it through the winter.

I planted all of mine directly in the ground, in wire cages to protect against squirrels & rabbits. Bugs/slugs ate the leaves off one down to the ground while I was away, but most of the rest have lots of new leaves. That said, a Komodo Dragon made up of merely 2 flat green leaves the size of quarters is a baby only a mother could love.

It was a great "little" game.
Digs.
signet_gw(6b)
18 years ago
Hi Digs,

I personally was thrilled with what I got in the liners experience...I know I was confused a little at the start and that may have caused some time delay ss well as not completely understanding the concept , I apologise for that , but I am ready to do it again whenever you are....all but two of my liners have put out new leaves and are doing well. L . Sparkle Plenty and Alice in Wonderland are the two that are holding back on me, they have not deteriorated , they are just holding back putting out new leaves right now......

I appreciate the efforts you made and I am thrilled with my little babies, and there are a whole lot more out there that I would love to own....so if you decide to do it again, count me in!!!!!

I also appreciated the extra effort and time involved in mailing them on to me as I dont live anywhere near you....

Thanks again

Signet
Gardeness
18 years ago
Ditto what Signet said - my hosta liner order is fine for the most part and I too would like to participate again... next spring maybe?

Much appreciation to Digs for all her efforts. I'll continue to baby my hosta babies and hopefully all will come through the winter.

Thanks Digs!!
-Liz

WANTED: Who would like to group-buy some hosta liners with me?

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