Michelle2013, You should very good germination from seeds you get from Rinoa. I have. She is trying very hard to build a good reputation for quality plants and seeds. I believe she has done this already. It is a sad thing for people as you speak of buying all those seeds and getting so few to germinate. This is topic of conversation on a few groups that I frequent. The concern is not just germination rate, it is finding reputable sellers of seed that actually send you seeds from the pod parents that you carefully selected. I am sure most people realize that they are not going to get a clone of pod parents with seeds, but hopefully something similar in one characteristic. One person purchased 2000+ seeds of a few different hybrids and they got a few mixed colors and all the rest "Pink". Rick

I must say it's hard to tell with some of those various fish how big they get ultimately on researching them, though some varieties can be surprisingly much larger than others of the same genus, as for the gouramis , which don't get especially big except for the "Giant Gouramis" which I unfortunately bought once not knowing it would quickly outgrow a ten gallon tank. Poor thing couldn't turn around in that little tank so it was "a trip back to the store" where I bought it. I guess they're a big food iten where they come from as well, in south China, Burma , Thailand etc. I'll look up the genus you mentioned and see, if I can find a picture under that genus, and thanks!!

Your new property is gorgeous and you obviously have a great eye as your current house is adorable. I love the entire thing and can see how you wouldn't want to obstruct the view in any way. It's great that you have a vision and can work towards that step-by step. It's also a wonderful idea to do these outdoor things early on so it can start to establish. I love Marlorena's idea for the balustrades, but they can wait. I do grow Parade and so far so good, but it was just establishing thing after wallowing in a pot. I'm a terrible pot parent. Maybe this would be a good area to try Cl. Clotilde Soupert since it could be semi-protected from the rain. Her foliage does well for me as does VMemory's. although she's still small in a pot. One vigorous healthy climber I grow is Gold Blush. Very thorny as is Parade. Probably similar to Quicksilver. Setina is a sweetheart of a rose generally. I missed her fall flush so no pics in the ground. She spent the summer getting used to the ground, but I'll look for pics of her in a pot. Another is Cl.Caroline Testout. Since that was my original plan, I'd try them all in varying shades of pink, punctuated with some darker climbers and prepare to swoon. Although not pink, Ghislaine de Feligonde is rock-solid in a difficult place......RVR? sells PInk GDF. Don't forget Peggy Martin and Cl. Pink Pet. PP is a power house of a bloomer for me with impeccable foliage so I would hope her climbing sport is the same. I'm looking forward to Felix LeClerc, but too soon to comment. Since I know you love fragrance give Cl. LaFrance and Nahema a chance. The only climbers I've had for any length of time are New Dawn and Viking Queen. Everyone knows how I feel about those two, but ND may be too vigorous as a climber with her long, long laterals. I always feel she's best and easiest to manage on a fence. Perhaps on your someday balustrades! : )) P.S. Don't forget Blossomtime. You're in a zone where you can probably plant Archduke Charles at her feet to echo her gorgeous opening buds.

Love to see this! Africa, huh? WHERE in Africa? (More shots first?) IME, 24 is pretty grown up for a gal. Our DS was still coasting until 28. Thank goodness for his choice of marriage to someone willing to do the 'finishing'. (Tomorrow he'll be 50.) An adventure not to be missed.