Hi! Welcome to Garden Web and the Seed Exchange! You are going to love it here,such wonderful people! Here is something to help you get started!:) : Since you are just starting out, I suggest you maybe reply to some of the many more recent sase/sasbe offer threads to build a seed trade list, as it is against the Instructions here to ask for things for postage (sorry). Look for threads that say SABE, SASBE, or FREE You might want to respond to those that are offering more than one variety, to get the most bang for your postage cost. Read the Offer and post to the thread per the offerer's instructions. You will then likely be asked to mail a BE (Bubble Envelope). These can be found at WM, the Dollar Store, CVS Drug Store, Office Supply places, etc. Depending upon the size of the envelope, you may be able to cut a large one in half and make two envelopes. Be careful though that you do not make them square, as opposed to rectangular, as that will cost extra postage when mailing it both ways. Include in the envelope whatever you are instructed to send by the offering member. It usually includes A list of the agreed upon seeds (if they were agreed upon) or whatever the offering member requests of you. A note with your member name, and your real name A label of some sort with your name and address to be used when the envelope is mailed back to you. Postage STAMPS...NO POSTAL TAPES as they are only good for mailing from the PO where they were purchased The amount of the postage should be the actual cost the offering member thinks will be required, considering what they will be sending you and in what quantities. Often members have in mind other goodies that will be included along with what has been agreed upon, and that will affect the cost as well. Communication is very important. If you do not feel the postage cost is a good value in exchange for the seeds you are to receive, feel free to just decline the transaction by emailing the offering member. No explanation is necessary as to why you have changed your mind. There may be other instructions as well that have not been addressed above. The actual cost to mail your empty bubble envelope to them (with whatever has been asked for in their instructions) should' be 80 cents. If you are charged more than that to mail it, then chances are 'your' Post Office is overcharging in error. The very minimum amount for the member to return that envelope with smaller seeds in small to average quantities will be 80 cents, or 2 stamps to keep it simple. Please send the envelope out in a timely fashion, or let the member know if it is going to be delayed. Please let the member know if you have changed your mind about the SASE/SASBE offer. Often seeds are put aside for these sasbe offers, and if members don't follow through with mailing out their bubble envelopes, those are seeds being just tied up, when they could have been shared and enjoyed by another member. Once you receive your goodie package please let the member know that they arrived at their destination. Last, but not least, try and take a moment to post a review for the offering member at the Rate and Review Forum. I have included a link to the forum below. Instructions for using the Forum are at the top of the main page there. Please be sure and do a search to see if there is an existing review for the member. If there is, please post to it. If there are numerous review threads, please post to the one that has the most replies. Happy Gardening! If you have any questions, feel free to post them on the Conversation side of the Seed Exchange. Just click the link [Switch to: Conversations] found above the list of threads. ~Angie

You are growing white cauliflower and tying up the heads to blanch them, right. If you are in an area with strong sun, it will cause the heads to color. From The U of Wisconsin: "Some cauliflower varieties have a genetic propensity to having a higher concentration of red, purple, or blue pigments. This is the same harmless, water soluble pigment found in eggplant, red cabbage, berries, plums and grapes. In other types of cauliflower the colorless or white pigments will predominate. Purpling can develop in white varieties of cauliflower if the heads are exposed to light while developing. Usually, the leaves are tied over the heads. If the cauliflower has a lot of purpling it is probably best to use it raw for relishes or salads. Heat may induce a color change from purple to gray or slate blue--especially if the water is hard or had an alkaline pH. If you prefer to have cooked cauliflower add a little vinegar or cream of tartar (tartaric acid) to the water."

picea pungens are seed grown ... of every 100 seeds.. you might get 60 green ones ... 39 blue ones ... and one super blue ... in theory.. they are all different based on genetics ... its all in the seeds most super blues have been named ... and if you want that super blue one.. you buy that named variety .... and they are all exactly the same.. because they have been grafted ... vs seed grown ... so that is why they are different. ... now.. if we presume.. that a tree is twice as big underground as above ... then you can understand that 90% of the roots were cut off your 6 footer ... it should be rather understandable.. that it may not flush out new growth as heartily as it might otherwise ... and i smaller transplant ... will be proportionally less effected .. i would give them about 2 to 3 years to re-establish their root mass.. before i would start worrying about them.. your only goal.. is to get them to live... so.. its possible they may never look exactly the same ... if you care to post a pic of the other... then maybe they can compare .. below is a specimen of picea pungen Hoopsi .... planted from one foot tall .. allowed to grow naturally.. rather than shearing it into a xmas tree form ... i would suggest you forget about them being twins of each other as to form.. and just let them do their own things .... ken

I could do several posts of just my purples! Yes, I am in the North (New Hampshire) and I have acidic soil. I do think that plays a role. Even my roses that other people call red or maroon are deep purple here, especially my gallicas. Charles de Mills rose is dark purple here but I see photos of it looking crimson. Even in the heat my purples are purple, but cool temps certainly intensify the deep tones. Also, my pinks are truly pink and not salmon. Here's a sampling of the dozens of purples I grow. BTW, none of my pictures are ever photoshopped and actually these are more purple in person...my camera has a hard time picking up what I see. I love purples and have far too many to show here but here's a sample. Celeste Thieving Magpie Lyrical Ballad Dream Sequence Jackie Canner Ring the Bells of HeavenLiberty Banner Heavenly Doppler Effect Indian Giver Freedom's Triumph Stargate Portal