Taken scions from a stockplant which is growing at a nursery is a complete differend thing, because they are growing in a healthy and fertilized controled situation. Most scions of original witches' brooms are poor growing and are thin like a match wood. For this reason I would take the tip shoot as well, because like I mentioned before, it contains 70% of all the energy and for this reason it produces a thicker scion. The 4th pic is showing us the best tip shoot scion of the whole branch which will develop in the most perfect nursery stockplant for furthur propagation matters. My way of thinking could be strange for you but the difference is that I think like a professional nurserymen and you think like a hobbiest... ;0)

Interesting, Blueangel. I am wondering if the painting may be one by W. Collins, R.A. 1788-1847, who painted sentimental rural landscapes featuring animals and children. One of his paintings is "Selling the Pet Lamb" which is what caused me to wonder if it was the same artist? "And Poverty, with iron heart, has entered The peasant widow's cottage-- her bright group Of sunny-hearted children may not starve-- And yet, to buy them nurture, she must sell Their petty playfellow, the home-reared lambkin, That they have loved to feed, and fed to love." -- not sure of the origin of the poem. Nell

Sierra, I can't believe the use of Roundup. I have seen pictures of your blooming bags, they are absolutely stunning when in full bloom. How jealous is he of your ability to garden? Wow. Can you take him to small claims court? Get a restraining order against him? Is there such a thing for neighbors? I am posting the V's in a few minutes...in the gallery. Be sure to check them out!! I have posted a picture of one of my favorite semps in there, Velanovsky. It is such a nice purple color with lots of white hairs on each leaf. We have very little snow, if any on the top of the flowerbeds here in SW Manitoba. I will be outside as much as possible this week on the 3 days it is suppose to get into the low teens. I have shrubs to trim, grass to rake, flowerbeds to clean off, etc. etc. Lots of spring stuff to do. Brenda

the link posted above doesn't work. after an hour of googling, i found the link below that takes you to a site called gardensharing.com Here is a link that might be useful: gardensharing.com