My Haul in Apple Valley, MN

13 years ago

This is the third year I've posted about the great plants I get from this sale. Good to see you, Paul... Post your haul too. You got some good ones. What was that tokudama you got?

Here, I have FRONT ROW: a NOID (Please ID if you can), Chain Lightening, Roller Coaster Ride, Blue Ivory, Journey's End.

BACK ROW: Regal Chameleon (see leaf detail), Percy, Blue Jay, Seducer, Ivory Coast, Cimicifuga Black Beauty

Royal Chameleon Leaf:

ID Please: (a couple of the leaves are showing variegation

The sale is at:

SPECIALTY PERENNIALS

481 Reflection Road

Apple Valley, MN 55124

PLANT SALE ON DRIVEWAY

Hosta, Shade Plants, Lilies, etc.

large bargain plant area

Thur., Fri., Sat.

10 AM to 6 PM

Their prices are always great, or at least competitive. And they're locally grown and overwintered outdoors. I don't think I've lost anything I've ever gotten from them.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (21)

thisismelissa
Original Author
13 years ago
oops
I posted the same NOID pic twice:
0
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
grand tiara all yellow ... check for the sport at hugos database ... aka amber tiara

or THE tiara yellow version ... blanking right now .... golden tiara yellow.. aka golden scepter

either one with leaves reverting ...

ken
0
Related Discussions
How do I tell whan an apple is ripe?
Q
Comments (11)
For me, I like my apples a bit tart. By the time they start dropping, I've missed some of the tarter side of my range. In the beginning, when I didn't have enough apples to experiment on (to cut it open and look for dark seeds), I'd use a pretty comprehensive apple ripening chart, such as the one below. Look for the date on there that Red Delicious is ripe. Then look up a local UPick in your area, and see when their RD is ripe so you can come up with an offset. Next, look up your varieties and see when they ripen compared with RD (often they'll say something like '3 weeks after Red Delicious') Finally, call the UPick and find out if they're running a little early or late this year. With all that info, using the relative offsets, you can come up with a pretty accurate range. Gee, that's a lot of work. Just cut them open and look for when the seeds start to go dark :-) -Glenn Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.pickyourown.org/apples.htm
...See More
Tobacco Valley, Connecticut Photo Heavy
Q
Comments (12)
The tobacco grown in Connecticut is strictly for cigars. Thus, more farmers are turning to it as a mid-season crop than are turning away given the demand for high-end cigars. New England farmers in particular LOVE the trade embargo with Cuba. Just another of those swamp Yankee things..... Yes, I did work under the nets, and we never knew what farm or even town we'd end up in that day. All the farmers kind of hire a herd of people and use them where needed. Much of the work now is done by professional farm laborers, but there are still kids who see a means to a lot of bucks working the fields. You can start when you're fourteen as a "under netter." You sit on burlap between the rows, and scooch back to pick only mature leaves. At this point it's all piece work. You hand the leaves to a sorter as you go, who brings them to the end of the row where they're sown. Sorting is the most physically demanding as you're hauling huge amounts of wet leaves up and down obviously long rows. Sowing is a promotion, and involves using a foot-pedaled machine that puts two twine stiches into each of the bundles. Each bundle is usually only about five leaves thick so that they'll dry evenly. There's a loop of twine on top so the bundle can be hung. Each sower has a hanger (another promotion) who takes the sewn bundles and puts them on a drying rod -- just a dowel-like piece of wood, and when the dowel is full brings it to to the cart. The drivers have the best job of all, as you might guess. With each promotion, it gets less filthy and cooler. Pickers and sorters get no break, sewers get minute breaks, hangers get the most breaks while waiting for wagons to come back. There used to be at least two thousand acres planted each year in my little part of the state. Now, there are about 1,200 and I give the farmers credit for sticking with it when it could be more lucrative and much easier to sell to developers. Come anytime and see for yourself! Martie
...See More
Ca Valley/Live Oak mulch?
Q
Comments (6)
IMO oak leaf litter is a superb mulch. I started off using it with acid-loving plants because I have an alkaline soil. I was under the illusion that it would be beneficial in that situation. Well it is, but it doesn't do anything one way or the other for pH. When broken down it is neutral just like other decomposed mulches and composts. Pine needles, too, darn it. I now use it on a bed that includes blueberries, roses, and assorted perennials. They all look very healthy. In my area we mostly have coast live oaks but valley oaks ought to be good, too. If the leaves are big (I don't think they are), then run over them with a mower to break them up. And if you don't have a good place to use them, put them in your compost bin. What you do not what to do is mix them into the soil. They need to be on top, or in a compost bin breaking down. Just don't waste them. They are gold for the garden. BTW, did you know that oak trees will be healthier if they have oak leaf litter below them? The leaf litter supports the correct soil microbes for California oak health. Grass-type mulches do not work well for oak trees. It might be that your neighbor could get a permit to prune the part of the tree that overhangs your property so that it doesn't represent a hazard to you. I suspect they won't be allowed to remove the entire branch, but they could shorten and lighten it so it is less likely to break off and fall. Who would pay for this work the two of you could work out together. Maybe 50-50 split. Rosefolly
...See More
Moon Valley Nursery...a good warranty
Q
Comments (40)
Hi, all, Yeah, Moon Valley is bizarre. I just went there (Tatum/101) 2 weeks ago in search of an Ocotillo with a decent root system. As with every other time I've been to this location, NO ONE knows anything, they all sit in the front of the entrance like a bunch of used car salespeople, and now they tell me that, like used car salespeople, they get paid COMMISSION. lol It took me THREE different people before I found one who knew what an ocotillo even was (I'm not kidding), and then when I said I wanted to check out one more place, the young man (nice enough, but knew virtually nothing about the plants, by his own admission) started making offers to me. At first, he said it would cost $70 to deliver (I live 2 miles from them). I said no. Then, he said, well, if you buy it from me today, I'll deliver it myself in my own truck. Huh???? He REALLY pushed for the sale to the point that I found it difficult to get out of the lot. Bizarre, more than usual. I've never heard of paying nursery people commission...not a great idea, but then, they can, just like the car dealers do, hire TONS of salespeople who know nothing, and pay them straight commission. So what if they don't last? The company loses nothing...except customers. They must be playing the numbers more than ever these days. A few years ago, a friend of mine ordered and paid upfront for some plants from them, about $700 worth of various shrubs and trees, and then, before anything was even gathered up at the nursery let alone delivered, he was told by his HOA that he couldn't plant any of them. Well, he called MV and of course thought that they could easily pop back the money he paid onto his credit card, since MV had done nothing yet. To his shock, they said NO, and that they could only give him a credit FOR 90 DAYS only. lol Ridiculous. He lost his $700. All this being said, I think with MV, it really depends on which location you are going to. The one near me is not a great idea. If you know EXACTLY what you want, are well-versed in EVERY aspect of that plant, can haul it away yourself, then you might go for it. If you are truly shopping and need expert advice, go to a different location. I ended up, of all places, getting the Ocotillo at Lowe's...had the nursery manager call me the moment the new, fresh ones came in, with nice root systems. After one month, it's already leafing out!! Buyer beware.... AZJ
...See More
thisismelissa
Original Author
13 years ago
Ken.... what has me puzzled is the puckering. It seems as though the tiaras you mentioned are all pretty smooth. My Scepter is rather smooth too.

Hmmm....
0
alyciaadamo
13 years ago
love the hostas but also love the roses in the back!
0
Teresa_MN
13 years ago
I have six year old clump of Grand Tiara. Not a smooth leaf, slightly puckering, up-turned leaves. It's become one of my favorites as it has matured.

Hey-J - what is the Grand Tiara I sent you looking like?
0
paul_in_mn
13 years ago
Good to see you too, Melissa. Toku- was Blue Shadows. Suprised we were able to find Seducer - pleased about that one and Regal Chameleon. Time to make room by removing some more undulata clan.

Here's my hosta from today(x's are duplicate pics) -
{{gwi:1035179}}

Paul
0
idiothe
13 years ago
Nice hauls, both of you... makes me wish I was back in my acquisition years rather than trying desperately to find places for the few new ones I got this year...

Melissa... I'm going to make a guess based on the puckering... Looks like Little Aurora... not unusual for people to grow Little Sunspot and get all yellow sports that most people call reversions to Little Aurora.

If that's what it is, it is a remarkably vigorous plant...
0
hosta_junkie
13 years ago
It's all Melissa's fault! I happened to be home from work today, minding my own business with nary a thought towards buying any hostas. Just relaxing, checking hosta forum for what's new, and I see the post on the big Apple Valley sale. Somehow I ended up in my vehicle and sitting at the driveway of this sale. Had to check it out, right??

Here are my new acquisitions:

From L to R: Sport of Torchlight; Dream Queen; NOID (see below); Ivory Coast; Memories of Dorothy

From L to R: Parky's Prize; Percy. Front: Ocean's Isle

NOID was not tagged. Gentleman thought it might be Grand Cayman (guessing he meant Grand Canyon) - yet the fairly young GC I already have is not nearly this large or dark. Any guesses?

Again, it's all Melissa's fault! I had my habit totally under control today. Until 3:00 p.m. . . . Thanks, Melissa! ; )
0
thisismelissa
Original Author
13 years ago
I'm very good at enabling!
You're welcomed.

A word about the SIZE of these plants. In the backyard, where these are grown, they are literally crammed one pot next to the next. So, in order to get sunlight, they grow a lot taller than you'd expect them to. So, it's entirely possible that this NOID, as well as your others, will come back much much much shorter.

Did you ask Paul, the son (in his 40's, I'd guess) or Harvey, the dad (60's)??? I find the son to be more a bit more accurate in his guesses.

Jim: Thanks for the guess. I have Little Sunspot, so I might take goldy here over to LS and see if the leaf shape is the same.
0
User
13 years ago
That NOID reminds me of 'Niagara Falls.'
0
hosta_junkie
13 years ago
It was Harvey. I also initially hoped it was Niagara Falls, which I lost over the winter, but he showed me their mature plant and it's definitely not NF (at least not his!) - those leaves were more elongated. My one-year-old GC is out front where it manages to get a couple hours of sunlight in the morning - definitely a lighter green than this one, which is a beautiful dark green. Love those ripply edges.
Sadly, he was out of Seducer, so that will stay on the ever-evolving wish list. But I LOVE that Torchlight sport - very upright, dark glossy leaves, red petioles. And I've got a spot right next to Sweet Home Chicago for Parky's Prize - they should look great together.
0
thisismelissa
Original Author
13 years ago
I definitely do not thing NF. Even my immature one has more elongated leaves.

As for that Torchlight sport. I think I bought the same plant last year.... Paul did too, as I recall.... and they called it Red Snapper, which Paul later corrected me to Red Stepper.

Check out this thread: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/hosta/msg0719035431027.html

Here is a link that might be useful: Last year's Henjum sale
0
slp0100
13 years ago
Melissa -

I wen to the sale last year ...Great sale!!

He did explain to me that some of his hostas are from seed...true noid
0
hosta_freak
13 years ago
Melissa,and Paul;good hauls,but I wonder about your Roller Coaster Ride plant. Mine is variegated with a white margin. I know mine is correct,because I got it from Bob Solberg in person,last year. Phil
0
thisismelissa
Original Author
13 years ago
Phil,
We were talking about this at the sale. Though you cannot see it here, there is a very subtle variegation at the margin. Though this is not necessarily the ideal for the plant of this name, we're hoping that once it's under more normal growing conditions (not crammed together with other plants), it will have more normal coloration.

Either way, white margin or not, I think it's a super cool plant and will give it a prominent place in the garden!
0
paul_in_mn
13 years ago
Phil, here's the plant and a leaf close up.
{{gwi:1035186}}

{{gwi:1035187}}

Paul
0
hosta_freak
13 years ago
Hey Paul,you're right! Roller Coaster Ride does start out plain,well almost plain green,then gets its variegation. I forgot you all are in the frozen tundra,where plants are a month,to a month behind us. Mine was only planted last year,and it even has part of a reversion to Ray of Hope,right in the middle of the plant. I am not even going to try to remove it,as the plant grows so dense. This guy is very vigorous in its growth,and mine is already 2 feet across;all this from a one gallon pot last year! Here is a pic of mine from this year. This is before the variegation sets in.I just forgot! Phil

{{gwi:1035188}}
0
thisismelissa
Original Author
13 years ago
Good lookin' pic Phil! You should post that in the R's if you didn't already.

I talked with the seller today (had to exchanged a duplicate Chain Lightening) and he said they were grown under the canopy of some of the larger hosta in the backyard, so I'm sure that margin will lighten up now that it has some light.... perhaps not this year, but next year for sure!
0
thisismelissa
Original Author
13 years ago
Junkie:
When I went back to the sale today, I saw another plant just like what you've shown here....
It was labeled "Lothar the Giant"
here's a pic:
{{gwi:1035189}}

And Fenceberry posted this last year:

Oh, and as for my goldyNOID. Seems like LIttle Aurora is gonna be the winner!
0
hosta_junkie
13 years ago
You went back again today?? I thought I had a problem! Sure, sure it was just to exchange one . . . how many more snuck into your vehicle???

Thanks for the tip on Lohar the Giant - I will check it out. My NOID sure does look like several of the photos on Hosta Library for Niagara Falls, though. It may need to exist as an unlabled NOID but certainly not unappreciated.
0
thisismelissa
Original Author
13 years ago
Junkie.... yeah, I agree on the Niagra Falls, but my NF leaves are so much more elongated.

I went back to exchange 1 and bring one other home that I needed a replacement for. So, there were 2 in my car on the way home. I was good!
0

My Haul in Apple Valley, MN

Comments (21)

thisismelissa
Original Author

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

Related Discussions

thisismelissa
Original Author

alyciaadamo

Teresa_MN

paul_in_mn

idiothe

hosta_junkie

thisismelissa
Original Author

User

hosta_junkie

thisismelissa
Original Author

slp0100

hosta_freak

thisismelissa
Original Author

paul_in_mn

hosta_freak

thisismelissa
Original Author

thisismelissa
Original Author

hosta_junkie

thisismelissa
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

My Haul in Apple Valley, MN

Comments (21)

thisismelissaOriginal Author

Related Discussions

thisismelissaOriginal Author

thisismelissaOriginal Author

thisismelissaOriginal Author

thisismelissaOriginal Author

thisismelissaOriginal Author

thisismelissaOriginal Author

thisismelissaOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

thisismelissa
Original Author

thisismelissa
Original Author

thisismelissa
Original Author

thisismelissa
Original Author

thisismelissa
Original Author

thisismelissa
Original Author

thisismelissa
Original Author

thisismelissa
Original Author