I have purchased several stephanotis floribunda over the years. They are usually sold in pots which have become too small for them so I put each in a larger pot not long after purchasing. Almost immediately, the leaves begin to become dull and flat (not shiny) and become kind of spotted (yellow and greenish-yellow). Then they become all yellow and fall off. With each attempt to make one of these plants survive, I have tried different strategies. Less water, to the point of dryness--same problem. More moist soil--same problem. Different soils--more peat, more perlite, less peat, whatever. Always the exact same situation. Each one was in a south facing window in Maryland, with normal indoor temperature. Humidity never below about 45%. I am not a clutz with plants. I have never had a plant which I have tried harder to please,and yet with more consistently baffling failure. Any thoughts, speculation, suggestions, or just plain pity would be welcome.

The cultivar known as "Heavenly Blue" is Ipomoea tricolor. Clarke's Heavenly Blue was selected out by Mr.Clarke because it was an early blooming strain , blooming 30 days earlier than whatever other Heavenly Blue / Ipomoea tricolor was available at that time. Clarkes Heavenly Blue in addition to being an earlier blooming cultivar , was also a lighter blue color than many Heavenly Blue available today. The Heavenly Blue commonly available today is a darker color that was being pushed by the jobbers around the early 1980's because they thought it would be more visible from a distance and marketed this darker version as the 'improved' Heavenly Blue. The fact of the confusion regarding the species is based on the fact that many merchandisers really do not know how to tell the different species apart and simply mimic whatever they find on google. The Clarkes description is often used because it is related to an old heirloom cultivar and therefore likely to sell more but most sellers don't have real Clarkes (= false advertising) or for that matter even know what Clarkes really is... Sellers , merchandisers, et al - Rule #1 in business = Know Your Product - and if you don't really know your product than refrain from false descriptions and inform your potential customers in advance that you aren't really certain about your product and that you have not VERIFIED your product. Simply accepting the description you were handed by anyone else who doesn't know how to accurately identify their product is NO EXCUSE !!! I would add that if sellers really do not KNOW WHAT they are selling , they shouldn't be selling it and the excuse 'that is the label they received it with' is NOT an excuse , because it confirms that they didn't take the time to verify their product ( by growing it out first) and therefore do not know their product. The various names attached to describe the products are false advertising whether intentional or unintentional and technically a bona fide legal crime. Would any seller think it fair if you didn't pay most of the product price (?) , or if you gave them phony money = No, they wouldn't and buyers shouldn't accept any lower standards of treatment from any sellers. So, before you believe any labeling , ask the seller (who is accepting your $$ and making $$ on whatever they are selling) , why the product is accurately described in every aspect and if their answer is less than convincing , then reserve your $$ for something you can be more sure of.... I hope my answers are helpful and that my position statements make people think... regards, Ron

OK, this afternoon I went & picked up the pottery dishes...they are almond kind of color with an almost olive green trim ...they are wonderful! Not a complete set...and someone has made them...but I bought them anyway for $35. Enough of a set for me ... 7 dinner plates, 6 cups, 1 huge round serving platter & 1 large platter & 1 oblong platter ...plus just 1 coffee cup plate (which I don't usually use anyway). But, I don't know if they are dishwasher safe...they are pottery ...but the bottoms don't have a "glaze" on them like the dinnerware I have bought, i.e., Sonoma. so I'm going to experiment with the coffee cup plate in the dishwasher & see how it goes. Anyone know anything about this? They would have been "fired," of course, in a kiln. So now I get to do some more "hunting" & find some salad/or soup bowls that will match! Maybe a runner for the table??? LOL! Will share pics when I do a t'scape! What fun you "enablers" have gifted to me! Jeanne S.

Teresa, I received an identical package late this afternoon! It was too late to get a good picture today but will post one in the morning. I've already opened the black garlic butter (I'm assuming it's like peanut butter & contains no actual butter...just blended black garlic.) It's wonderful! After tasting I've got a recipe idea but it will have to wait a week, or so. It's a special meal & we've got an anniversary this week but DH is traveling. When he returns we'll make black garlic the star of our celebration dinner. /tricia