*Random pregnant lady amused...and wants to steal/share your popcorn* I'm siding with mrlike2u. If someone asks a question, they're asking for a specific answer, and it's a good idea to give one, or don't at least don't get knickers in a twist. (*yawn-it's late*) It's part of keeping a friendly fourm where people feel comfortable asking questions. Give advice if you'd like, but always err on the side of super politeness/harmlessness because you never know who's feeling down-you might hurt them more than you intended...also you don't want to come across as uppity. In the end we all really know nothing in comparison to it all. There's just too much out there to learn. To Wendync, you might want to start with a little stronger inside light for this plant, then supervise for any mellowing of color or drooping of leaves that would indicate burnout or too much light because inside "shade" is different than outside "shade". It looks like it might be an outside tropical plant that you can possibly grow inside, if you watch it carefully. Think of this as an opportunity to practice your plant whispering skills, and move it if it starts complaining about too much sun. If you type "Whitfieldia elongata" into google or some other search engine you can go to the encyclopedia type page other garden sites have on it. One lady who reviewed the plant grew it as a house plant in a west facing window and loves it. She also mentioned cutting it back, probably when it was out of bloom, to encourage more fullness. As far as feeding goes, I'd go easy, but still do it every few weeks or so, especially when growth is steady. It seems to be able to get pretty big (4-8 feet?) , and feeding plants tends to make them take off, so you'll have to get a feel for it. As previously mentioned, pruning will be a great idea, and it should promote a more compact, full plant. Keep them house temperature warm... As for watering, I'd say, keep it in a well drained mix (maybe a little extra perlite in some normal potting soil), water, then watch the plant for the first subtle signs it needs more-a slight color change or a slight reduction in the turgidness of the leaves and don't rot or fry the roots while you're getting to know it. The key here is careful watching until you get a feel for this plant. It's definitely gorgeous. I think that's all I can tell you based on the info I've found. Basically just watch and experiment, like mrlike2u said. If people can grow mini roses inside, you can definitely grow this little guy inside too, and it should be easier because roses are sun/food/water hogs as well as pest magnets (that I happen to love growing inside because they're so cute). Oh, and if, by chance, you have any trouble getting it to rebloom, recheck the lighting. Sorry I can't give you more than this. I wish I had personal experience like you're asking for, but all I can really do is tell you to trust your instincts and wish you the best... ...just like everyone else here who knows "nothing" but has a love for plants and a will to keep them alive. -R

Hi, I am thinking about ordering from Aleyagardens, for those of you who got your reds there what method of shipping did you use? I'm confused by their shipping methods and don't know which one to choose, definetly don't want the most expensive. Can you enlighting me? I want the most reasonable shipping, but don't want the plants in the mail too long. What shape were yours in when they arrived and how long did it take? Thanks Ellen

For anyone out there still tempted to bid on these supposed "seeds" of "rare" Anthurium, I'd like to share with you my exchange of email with the seller. But first, a bit of background. There is at least one plant on the list of plants being offered that is so rare many have been searching for it for almost 20 years! The photo used was stolen (along with many others) from the International Aroid Society website. This seller is offering 5 "seeds" for about $2 as an opening bid! I'm not going to tell you which plant, but if you've followed my by website you can figure it out. The plant was once on the cover of the International Aroid Society journal and many of us have been trying to find it for years! A botanist is in South America right now looking for the specimen since new information recently became available. And this seller supposedly has seeds of this very rare Anthurium for $2.00??? The seller has now admitted they don't even have any of the seeds offered! Here is the email exchange: I asked via eBay email: "I noticed you illegally stole the photo of this plant and many others from the International Aroid Society website. Your infraction has been reported to the officers of the society. I'm curious, do you even know this species is extremely rare? Do you know that there is not a botanical garden in the Unites States that even has one? Do you have this plant? Where did you possibly get seeds of a plant this rare? Makes me wonder? Are you even legitimate? I think I'll report this to eBay as well. Right now!" And the seller responded: "Hi, Actually the seeds are at US. I am just a trader not a botanic expert. I buy several seeds through internet and again sell them. The photos and descriptions were sent by the seller. I'm aware of the photos but the seller says that we are not selling mother plants just seeds so the photos are for just to give an idea of the plant, what the buyer should expect from the seeds. Thank you for your interest. Kind Regards, ladybotany" Some of this sellers offerings are now up into the hundreds of dollars for 5 "seeds"! Seeds that are likely nothing more than "make believe". Seeds the seller admits they don't even have! So, is anyone foolish enough to bid on seeds the seller admits they don't have? Seeds, some of which are so rare botanical gardens can't get them? From a seller who admits they know nothing about Anthurium species but still calls themselves "ladybotany"? From a seller who will steal photographs in order to make the sale of "seeds" from plants they don't even possess? From a seller that uses a Hotmail address to cover their tracks? From a seller who is not even charging enough in postage to safely pack and ship any seeds at all? From a seller whose only feedback is from things they've purchased, never sold?? If you are still willing to bid on any of these "seeds", I've got a bridge in New York City I'll sell you cheap! You could make a fortune charging tolls to cross that bridge! This smells exactly like a cleverly disguised scam! And the seller didn't even do enough homework to be clever! This offering is obviously aimed at the people of Indonesia who are willing to pay very high prices for Anthurium plants and seeds. What was it P.T. Barnham supposedly said about a "sucker born every minute"? This one is looking for a bunch of suckers. And they will probably find them unless eBay stops this entire mess! Buyer beware!! __________________

and this is another grafted plumie that is variegated and bought from same seller on eBay in same order this plant also confirms to eBay listing waiting eagerly for both of them to bloom.Hope they bloom early being grafted ones any suggestions please