Hi guys and gals! I have had a wonderfully trip to Florida. I can't wait to get home to see how my tricals are fairing. I had 4 or 5 with large inflows and my DSP was getting ready to open its first buds. Also my Thai Super round and Sariah Curlu Pink. Today, I trimmed the 4 plumeria I bought. To answer how I will get them home, I will bare root them on Friday night, and I will bag them up and carefully pack them into my carry on. I won't check the bag, in fear that they will get broken. Last trip here I brought home a nice sized Carrie mango and I boxed it up and carried it onto the plane. Well time to go shopping again. Take care everyone, and if your ever in the Homestead FL area, I highly recommend Florida Colors. Carol and her husband Luc, they are very passionate about there plumeria, and take great care of there visitors to there nursery. Giving us bottles of cold water and even letting us use the bathrooms in there own home. Andrew

It was very nice meeting all of you in person - it's a shame I didn't have more time to head out on any of your other pomological excursions, but my job schedule is brutal. Plummy, I realized on my way home that the Fruit and Spice Park greenhouse plant I had mistakenly identified as a durian (and which you cleverly pointed out was an Annona) was, in fact, a posh-te. Kudos on recognizing the genus immediately. NTM, I noticed the same thing about the leaf burn on the rambutans at Fairchild - of course, mine seem to have the same problem. I was there earlier today and found ripe cherapus and ripening mangosteens on the trees - very cool.

What fun times. I've never met any of the KTrs, but have met several of the MN Garden forum group (when I lived in MN) as we had twice yearly plant swaps and a yearly 'Winter Blues' seed swap. It was always great to get together. You guys look like you were having a wonderful time :-)

Really les? Nothing? A lot of it is too foofy for my taste and the LAST thing I need/want is another tchotchke to dust! And I have no room or need for more furniture unless it's on a something comes in so something goes out basis. But I can usually find a way to use gorgeous linens or a piece of old silver in a more modern/funky way. bac717 I generally check only my local Pioneer Press paper because I don't travel great distances for these sales - just not worth it in time/gas/$ for me. If I did this for a business it'd be a different story but this is more entertainment. If there's a particular piece I'm after I'll look online at ads out of my immediate area with Pioneer Press or CL - bought a desk in Hinsdale last month - but generally I stay in the North Shore suburbs. As for meeting somewhere, I think this was attempted not too long ago - maybe it actually came about and I just wasn't aware of the details. GreaterChicagoland being as spread out as it is, it's tough to come up with a place convenient for all. Transportation is an issue for some people if they don't drive so even central locations can be problematic. But I'd sure be willing to try. I'm suburban north so naturally the first thing that comes to my mind is The Botanic Garden - with beautiful fall color, a bit of shopping and a cafe for an afternoon snack. Free admission, but the parking is expensive if you're not a member - $15/car. The Garfield Conseratory is beautiful - not sure what the autumn exhibits are. What are your ideas?