No problem. Anyone can "chime in".

***bump***

That sure answers alot of questions for me! Thanks so much.
I will arm myself with what I can and be ready!

I'll plan on being there. Have to see what I have left after the Inferno. I know I have some catnip, but it'll have to recover after being mauled by an armadillo.

This info was a lot of help to me as I prepared for the swap last March. It was originally posted by Patty (castro gardener):

Hints, Etiquette, and Other Stuff

Hello All ! Just a few reminders that will help us all have a nicer swap experience. After 10 years of hostessing and attending these swaps I've learned a lot from others.
When you arrive, please seek out the hostess if we don't greet you first. Especially if you haven't been before. Any of us will help you with any questions you might have. Get a name tag, sign up for door prizes, and if we have one, sign the list for future notifications of swaps.

Don't forget to bring a sack lunch. We'll need sustenance for continued swapping !

We will have door prizes. If you'd like to donate to our stash, please bring a new or gently used gardening item. We usually include things like fertilizer, gloves, tools, outdoor decorations, books, etc.

Garden Junk and Garden Art is also welcome for trading. Hoses, trellises, rusty buckets, signs, you name it ! We've had people bring homemade soap, mosaic pots, and other great items.

We welcome donations to help pay for the rental of the pavilion. Although it is voluntary, please consider that you're leaving the swap with plants that would have cost so much more at a nursery. A few dollars in the jar will go far to help us rent this nice pavilion in the fall.

You may consider bringing cardboard boxes to haul home your booty. You may end up taking home more than you bring, and it's not always easy to get it all back in your car. Packing in boxes will allow you to stack them and keep your plants safe.

Bring something to use for labeling the plants you receive. Old window blinds are excellent for this purpose ! They last forever and they're kept out of landfills.

On that note, please label your plants for others. It saves a lot of time at the swap. You don't have to tell everyone what each plant is, since they already have names on them.

Another helpful hint, which takes more time, but is great to have: consider putting a notebook together of your plants. Add pictures and descriptions of each plant you bring. Over time, you can add to it as you accumulate different types of plants. This also saves time at the swap. Others can view your notebook to see what a certain plant will look like.

While swapping, please don't take plants off other's tables without asking. They may be across the room promising that same plant to someone else. Please find the owner and ask permission. Everyone's different, of course, and may bid you take whatever you like. But it's good to err on the side of caution, and ask anyway.

Plants under the tables are not for swapping. This is where we place the plants we're taking home.

Some plants are special and rare and the swapper may want something special in return. This is understandable. On the other hand, some of us don't always need something in return. Please consider everyone's feelings while swapping.

Last but not least, have a good time. Make new friends ! I've met really great folks at the swaps and we're still swapping 10 years later !!

If you can't make the San Antonio swap, consider the swap just up the road in Buda in April. I'll be there, too.

patty

Note from Rock_oak_deer: The swap in Buda will be shortly after the one here in SA for those interested. I searched for the date, but couldn't find it. I'm sure someone will help out here.

I think the date for the Fall Buda swap is 10-17-09.

Here is a link that might be useful: About Buda swap on Exchanges page

*bump back to the top*

Thanks!

Did you hear about the proposed 30% county park fee hikes on the news today? Didn't they just raise them last year? I know it wouldn't affect this swap, but ouch!

I think they did raise them. We should ask for ideas for another location for the spring.

Church parking lot?

Kathy, I will not be able to go to the swap, we have a 20 yr anniversery dinner that my husband will bar-b-q for in Rockport. I am suppost to help with the beans and potato salad, I do not think I can get out of it. Barbra

Before Kathy started the swap at MacArthur Park, we had a few swaps in San Antonio at other locations. One, I can't for the life of me remember where it was.... the other was in the parking lot of a commercial building where one of the swappers worked. There was covered parking and it made a good location.

Does anyone work some place that we might be able to do this ? Is there a small park near you where we could have it ? Do you have a community center in your neighborhood ? I know we have a park here in Castroville where we could hold it....would anyone come here ? it's not a bad drive. I go to SA for every swap. I also drive to Buda, since that's where we started the swaps and I still have friends there. But I'm a horrible addict, so I'll go almost anywhere. :-)

Put on your thinking caps and let's find some other places that we might be able to use in a pinch. It's always possible that, even if we want to stay at MacArthur, we may not get a reservation in time.

patty

Castroville would work, I would make that drive. There are some city parks around my area I can check.

Patty, the other one was on the NW side at one of those private community parks. It was allowed because one of the swappers lived there...or maybe there were other community residents that attended also. If enough people wouldn't mind chipping in a little more, we could stay with MacArthur Park next year. Of course, the county leaders haven't voted on the hike yet. But the way it sounded on the news, it seemed like the commissioners were looking at it as a win-win solution to a serious budget crisis, along with a bunch of other fee hikes.

When you enter MacArthur park off loop 410, make an immediate right turn. The road is one-way. Follow it around to the back. Pav. #3 is behind the playground.

You will need a cart or wagon to transport your plants. We can't pull up to unload as we did at #1.

There is a really nice park in Leon Valley, at the cornor of Poss, and Evers. When we were looking for a place to have it and decided on Mac Arthur park, I checked into it, but we got such a sweet deal on MacArthur park, due to the employee discount, I never followed up on it. I think it was free, unless we wanted to reserve the covered pavillion. Kathy, its just down the road from you, go check it out. I use to take my kids there to play, when they were small. Barbra

I just went by the park, they had a pet clinic today, the name of the park is Raymond Rimkus Park, named after the first mayor of Leon Valley. I think it would be perfect for our plant swap. It has alot of large trees, to set tables under, plus nice bathrooms, and even a playground. Kathy you and I can do the merry go round. Barbra

"bumpity bump"

I see the Bloomin Buds are also having a swap the day we are there. Maybe they're the ones who got the large pavilion, huh ? How can we differentiate ours from theirs so that the right people get where they're going ?

Any ideas ?

Kathy,
Looks like I may be able to make it to the swap. So, here's my list. I would very much like to put together pre-arranged trades so I know what to bring. Those who know me, know that I usually bring too much, and I'm trying not to do that. So, please help me out and if I have something you're interested in, let me know.

Email me directly please through My Page since I check email much more than I come to GardenWeb. If you list here, I might not get it in a timely manner.

I have a plant sale for a church bazaar the week before the swap, and I am taking the following plants. I am listing them here because I will bring home whatever is left over. If you're interested in something let me know. If I have enough, and if you offer something wonderful, I'll yank it from the plant sale.

aloe vera (of course)
night-blooming cereus
artillery fern
dwarf artillery fern
donkey ears
callisia fragrans / Old Man's Pipe
large elephant ears
spider plants
jewels of Opar
Jingle Bells Kalanchoe
purple fountain grass
copper canyon daisy
coral bean
bulbine
ruellia squarrosa
asparagus fern
chocolate plant
ruby grass
****************************************
Below are other plants that I have in pots right now, but I am not limited to these. If you are looking for something in particular, let me know -- I may have it, but have not listed it here.

Cannas
sanseveria - Mother-in-law's tongue
Jade
pointsettia
cissus quadrangularis / Veldt grape
crassula
salvia coccinea
pipevine
clitoria vine
dames rocket
bilbergia
red firecracker plant
air potato vine / dioscorea bulbifera
grass lily
white rain lily
large pink rain lily
crinum bulbispermum
salvia nermosa
Pride of Barbados / orange
pigeonberry
bryophyllum crenatodaigremontianum (kalanchoe family)
caesalpinia gilliesii

I also have a great pair of green rubber garden boots. Like new ! My feet are too wide and they hurt after wearing them awhile. About size 7-1/2.

Don't really know what I'm looking for. Always looking for something I don't have. Favorites are daylilies and irises. Also salvias. Let me know what you have. Remember to email me directly for the best results.

Thank you !!

patty

I emailed my wants list!

k

Patty - Sent you an email

-S

Hi everybody! Been swamped at work with lots of OT so have just now had a chance to pop in here. I plan on being there and will try to put up a list of plants in the next day or so. Patty, I'll be sending you an e-mail shortly. Kathy, do you have a list for us this time? I'm picturing your beautiful gardens! Sorry you can't make it Barbra, we'll miss you. Looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones!

Tonya

Tonya - Kathy put her list on the exchange section. Use the link in her first post.

Thanks Rock Oak Deer. I meandered over there after I left here and found it. Left a message for you over there, too.

Tonya

There is a good chance I might get to go to the plant swap on the 10th. Gary said if I chopped up all the vegs., he would make everything for the dinner. I don't feel right about doing that to him. But, I am thinking about it.I sure do want to go and see everyone. Barbra

Great!

k

*bump*

See y'all there!

I went to Rockport this weedend, but left a 8am Saturday because of all the mosquitos, I need to go back next week to see what plants I can take to the swap, I did get some tropicana canna, and some giant red left crinum, but was not able to even look at what other plants I could bring, there was just too many mosquitos. it was horrible. Barbra,

Please go to the top.

bump

Ill most likely be there on the 10th. Here are a few of the things I have to offer.

Gerbera daisies(orange, red, and pink type...others also)
Dragonfruit cuttings
Selenicereus antonyanus cuttings(aka ric rac cactus)
White rain lily bulbs
Dwarf cavendish banana plants(2 of them)
desert willow seeds
trichocereus pups(unknown color)
worm castings
worms
more to come.....

That's great. It will be good to see you.

The more the merrier.

phoenix7801, could you reserve a dragonfruit cutting and some worm castings...please? See link below for thread with my list. And hope you can make it...you won't be sorry you went!

Here is a link that might be useful: sa swap thread

phoenix7801,

I'd love some of your:

Gerbera daisies
Dragonfruit
Selenicereus antonyanus
trichocereus

Is there anything on my trade list that you might be interested in?

dstartz/Donna

I will save some for yall. Donna...I'd love maybe firespike or the pink brug...Ill probably be bringing more stuff than above

Thank you, phoenix7801!

dstartz/Donna

I will not be able to go to the swap, I have plants that I have gotten for the swap, if anyone wants to come by to get them. Just email me. and you can pick the up. I just cannot do that to my husband and have him do all the work for the anniversery dinner for his friends. I wish I could come to the swap. Kathy let me know I need to pick my vacation on Oct 19th at work for next year, and need to make sure I have that weekend off, so I can go to the April swap. Barbra

Barbra, that's a shame...just be sure to come next spring! I was labeling plants and getting them together today. Seems like if you wait until Friday, it's a hassle!

Hello Phoenix. I tried to email you directly, but you didn't have an email address on your Web page. I hope you see this. :-)

I'd like starts of your Selenicereus antonyanus and
trichocereus if there's anything on my list you might be interested in. My list is above.

If you are looking for anything else, please let me know. I might have it, but not enough of it to add to list.

thank you !
patty

I am posting more on the Exchanges thread for the SA swap.

patty

Okie doke...As it turns out those banana plants werent exactly as rooted as I thought they were and when I cut them from mama banana...well they wont be at the swap..sorry bout that guys. But I got some new things to add...this is the revised list:

Gerbera daisies(orange, red, pink, yellow, and unknown) patty and donna
Dragonfruit cuttings-patty and donna
Selenicereus antonyanus(aka ric rac cactus) cuttings-donna,plant-patty
Aporophyllum flagelliformis cuttings-rattail cactus
White rain lily bulbs
desert willow seeds
trichocereus pups-donna
trichocereus-patty
worm castings
worms
zexmenia transplants
Moy Grande hibiscus seeds(Im not sure if grow true to type...anyone wanna experiment?)
Passiflora foetida seeds
striped crinum bulb
unknown crinum bulb
anyone want the common trumpet creeper? I got a whole bunch of it
Also I got some more cactus and succulent soil. I know I swapped it last year with someone but not sure if yall actually liked it?

Patty...Id love some mexican flame vine, bulbispermum crinum or soap aloe.

Hi Phoenix -- I've got the Mex flame vine, bulb. crinum, and soap aloe with your name on it.

You have a couple of things with my name on it, that should be for someone else: the gerberas and dragonfruit. I believe there were others who asked for those.

I had the trichocereus and selenicereus.

I would like to try your cactus/succulent soil though ! I have a lot I can plant in this type of soil.

thanks, Phoenix !

you are right...tricho and ric rac to you!

Hi, Phoenix! I wanted a Dragonfruit cutting and some worm castings, if that's okay? Hope I have something you might want.

Yeah linda I have some for you. Im plum forgetting who's getting what and what have you. Any chance you have any passionvines or turks cap left???

phoenix7801, If Linda doesn't have any more Turk's Caps, I do. Let me know before dark & I'll dig one up for you.

Id love some though dont catch pneumonia on my account if it gets to be late

Not a problem! (I hope you don't mind that it's now bare rooted.)

Y'all remember the TV show 'Laugh In'? Remember the guy who rode the tricycle and would fall over? I was out in the yard digging up the Turk's Cap and was in a bit of a bind, space wise, so I was going at it at an angle. When the roots gave way on the plant I wound up on my side in the grass.

When I went in the kitchen to wash my hands my husband was sweet enough to dig the leaves out my waist band.

Been a while since I was that close to the soil! ;->

I so still have a Turk's Cap...and a Maypop...if that is what you want! Thanks.