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Florida Gardening

what treasures did you find at Tropiflora?

13 years ago

I had to stop digging and planting my new plants, so thought I'd see how everyone did who attended the festival.

I'm sure lots of you all were there, but since I'm fairly new to this site (and haven't attended any swaps), I don't know any of you - kind of wish we wore tags that said something about being on Garden Web!

At any rate, I found a couple of things I was looking for - Crowley's brought me 2 tea olives and I can't wait for the blooms. I got a jasmine, the name of which I've forgotten already, but it has lacy leaves and will get woody, but the fragrence is incredible. My car still has a wonderful perfume!

The same vendor convinced me that I can grow a Rangoon Creeper in a pot - they had one on display, so I got one and it is now hanging by my front door in all it's glory.

An unusual plant to me was a thornless red Crown of Thorns. I told the vendor that this seemed like an oxymoron but I'm not sure she got the humor of it! It's long and leggy and wasn't cheap, but I got four to keep in pots on my front deck.

Other than those, I got the usual bargain bromeliads - there seemed to be a good selection this year. Plus I found a healthy caliandra which was one of the few plants that survived the freeze - however, I have sinced moved from that home and couldn't take it, so I'm happy to have a new one.

Please post with any of your special finds and if you saw that jasmine (way in the back - Armstong I think was the vendor) I would love to know the name.

Also, did any of you spend the whole three days there looking for something you might have missed or am I just nuts.

It was fun -

Hester in Sarasota

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Comments (5)

mrs_tlc
13 years ago
Ooohhhh, I so wish we had been able to go. It was on my calendar for a couple of months. We were supposed to but ended up puppy sitting for a 10wk old guide dog puppy. Couldn't leave him home that long in the crate (we're an hour or so south). I'd love to here more feedback and see some photos!!
ladywingr
13 years ago
Glad you were able to make it there and be so successful in your endeavor!

We went over on Thursday hoping to look at their setup before the sale began - alas, they were closed to set up.

I have never been there and haven't done the sale in the past since I have more than a bit of dislike for large gatherings of people in a small space.

Enjoy your new plants!

Terri
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Thanks everyone for being at my side. YES! I'm very lucky, it was the happiest day. If you was there, hoya people, (I was thinking of you in that moment), my mouth was open wide, I said, my gosh, my gosh, it is a hoya!!. Jan, I double checked Obovata, the leave was bendind downward because the branch was growing down, now I put them standing up. It that make sense? Jaci polyslachya leaf only is worth it to grow, it is as big as my hand, really beautiful. I will let you you know when it root. sue
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Lynn. ... Glad you decided to get out and shop 'on your own'..All those wonderful buys would have passed you by if your decided not to.. Your gourd is really a beautiful piece and works perfectly in your home and where you've placed it. Those napkin rings are really lovely and I'm looking forward to seeing those in one of your tablesettings. I agree, that Floral Pitcher was meant for you..it's lovely. Also... I LOVE your Red Transferware Cups...and their pattern. Look out for Karen I'm sure she's 'lusting' after them! lol Looking forward to your 'Napkin Ring Creations'.. hurry up and get them done Girl...we want to see. Hoping all is okay with Ronin. jane
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I do this on a small scale. I love working on all sorts of projects, from furniture to funky clothing/purses, etc. But my apartment is too stuffed as it is. Every year there is a neighborhood wide yard sale on a Saturday in May, and I haul a ton of stuff out to get rid of it. My prices are stupid low -- because I really want to get rid of stuff. I get the fun of finding things, doing something with them -- then I don't have to live with them! I just wish, wish, wish I had some storage/work space. It keeps me from working on larger pieces of furniture. And this neighborhood is sooooo obliging about throwing out near perfect pieces.... One question I have, for those who've done this often; how do you handle taxes? An attorney friend told me that you don't have to declare income from yard/garage sales because the assumption is that you are selling at a fairly significant loss, but when you pay little or nothing for the raw elements, and sell at a reasonable profit -- do you declare the income? Best of luck with your sale, Margo -- and I hope you have many more in the future!
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Behind the bathroom chase we found 2 different wall papers - we believe one is the original from 1825. We found a lot of old wallpaper behind stairs, trim, etc. - most from late 1800's. I made my contractor save it all and it will be framed and hung. Our walls were never painted - always wall papered and only 1 layer except for the kitchen. Above our 1st floor kitchen ceiling (and a foot below the 2nd floor floor was an old painted wide pine floor. It's been covered since 1914 and we believe it was from the 1840-1860's (when that addition was added). We will use this wood in the built in bench for the kitchen. We still have coal in the attic coal fireplaces used by the servants. I'm guessing it's over 100 years old. I tell my kids they will get that for XMAS if they don't behave. I kept telling my contractor any jewels or gold is mine. No luck. When we removed the stairs and added a main staircase we added a time capsule which included essays from my 2 kids (their daily routine - weekend and school day starting with waking up to the alarm clock, pushing the snooze button, turning on the light (150 years ago there wasn't any electricity), etc. plus their favorite books, movies, music, etc. I added our conversion/house remodel plans, pictures of the street and downtown area plus the local Sunday Boston Globe. I don't expect the stairs to be opened or moved for 100+ years.
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katkin_gw
13 years ago
Hester, so glad you got so many great plants. You aren't nuts, I do the same thing at a plant sale, I circle 2 or 3 times in case I've missed something. Or maybe we a both nuts. lol Good luck with your new additions.
annafl
13 years ago
Hi Hester! Hadn't seen you posting in a while. I haven't been around a lot either, so maybe it was me. I missed the sale this year. Sounds like you got some cool stuff. Congrats. Sorry we never made it to each others' yards before winter took care of our plants! Maybe we can visit this year. Sounds like you've got some new digs you're working on! Hey, I've got a couple of extra very small borneo giant alocasias if you can use one or two. Let me know.

Anna
crueltyfre
13 years ago
Wrenched my back and didn't go! So I guess I have to buy twice as much as USF"s this week, lol.
Lori

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