WHAT YOU ORDERED: Gervase WHAT YOU GOT: Something yellow/green WHO DID YOU ORDER IT FROM: Eden's Blooms WHAT YOU ORDERED: Garden Amaryllis Pink WHAT YOU GOT: Red WHO DID YOU ORDER IT FROM: Walmart (Van Zyverden) I mentioned to Eden's Blooms that they sent me the wrong bulb, but they didn't respond. They were very helpful with all of my previous questions and concerns though. The 9 other bulbs I got from them were correct. The Walmart bulb was only 2.98, but I'm still sad that it's not pink. I don't have any pink hipps yet. It looked similar to Apple Blossom on the package.

OK daylily forum friends, my life has had a successsion of setbacks lately and you cannot imagine how valuable your comments are. Waiting... the Japanese Forest Grass is a very well behaved plant. This is only the 2nd year in my garden, and it has increased slightly, but seems very healthy. It would make a wonderful shady edging because of the moderate size and the fact that the grass blades arch over all the way to the ground. In this spot it gets only a few hours of dappled sunshine. I'm guessing it might need a bit more sun in your zone. Christine

Often a grower/retailer won't want to disclose their sources and tell you they only buy from "safe" sources. And often they are telling the truth. Quality growers are in a rough spot trying to compete with "Big Box" garden centers selling tons at $3.95. I have never asked to see any form of certification that their plants are HVX free. If HVX threatens the entire industry/hobby it may come to that. I saw a group of very nice looking hostas at an established garden center that were definitely infected, with the collapsed tissue, ink bleeding, etc. I talked to the owner and told him about them. He assured me they were not infected. I asked if they had been tested and he evaded the answer, but told me he only buys from American growers, no european growers, and therefore felt assured his stock was virus free. This I feel is where we as buyers can pressure our sources for better control. I bought a gorgeous Diana Remembered from him, but I potted it and this is my second year with it growing in isolation with the pot in a sleeve buried in the ground. If it shows no signs this summer it will be planted in its "home". I only do this quarantining if there is a question. I know there are people on this forum who disagree with my approach to addressing the problem, but that is the nature of forums-to air out our opinions as well as sharing our experiences with other hobbyists. I am on good terms with the owner of Vilts Greenhouse in Wilmington where I live (he doesn't to any electronic sales). We have had many discussions regarding HVX and he is becomming more and more aware. I have noticed more and more of his tags carry the names of breeders, growers that are known to test and certify their plants. I am not an alarmist, nor do I let it discourage me from enjoying our hobby. But if my gardens got wiped out by HVX I would FEEL THE HURT deeply. When one is in their 70's we look at plants that take 5 years to mature differently than we did when we were 30. I am buying fewer ripe bananas more often rather than buying larger bunches of green bananas. If you keep the dangers of HVX in mind, you will feel more comfortible asking more good questions when you shop.I have bought quite a few hostas from a large field grower in Crest Hill IL, and the management is very aware of HVX. But I see a lot of mislabeled plants. To stay financially competitive he has to hire low paid labor who can barely speak English to do the bulk of the grunt work. So I truly am sensitive to the needs, and problems, of our suppliers. Thanks all for letting me have the soap-box and rant a bit. Les

Don, and Dan, The pleasure of your visit yesterday was all ours. I hope my switch of hamburgers for hotdogs was O.K., heheheh. Now today I worked again on the grill, and if today's fix sticks, I can return to hamburgers and steaks with the grill... I look forward to seeing you and Dan's Hostas early next year! And you will be pestered (reminded) to bring y'all's cameras next year, eh? hh