Sunday, Feb 10th is a meeting of the CSPV at the Nat Arboretum. There will be a talk on hybridization of hardy cams, and a demonstration of grafting. STarts at 1:30 pm. REMINDER! CAMELLIA SOCIETY FEBRUARY 10, 2008 MEETING NOTICE The Sunday, February 10th Meeting, will be held at 1:30 PM at the National Arboretum. Refreshments and visiting will start at 1:30 PM (please call Betsy 703-354-7184 if you can help). At 2:00 PM there will be a Slide Show of the Bill Ackerman paper "Seeking New Horizons in Hybridizing" that Randy will be giving a the ACS Convention at Longwood Gardens Feb. 24th. , At 2:30 PM, we will have hands-on demonstrations by Bill Miller and Bill Ackerman on GRAFTING CAMELLIAS. This should be a fun way to learn a new skill in Camellia propagation. There are so many ways you can propagate these plants (by seed, cuttings, air layering, and grafting). If you have a seedling, or unwanted healthy plant of 2-3-year old size, (having a straight trunk of pencil size or larger), bring ONLY one along, and a scion of your favorite variety (or we will provide a scion if you let us know ahead of time your interest), and they will graft it for you, while you watch. There will be information about our Spring Show at the Arboretum on April 12-13, 2008, including entry cards, so you can fill your cards out ahead of time. Bill Miller, Show Chairman, will also have the Show Schedule available. There will be details of our Brookside event. (NOTE: there will be NO Show this year) but we will have our SALE on March 29-30, 2008, and a MEETING on Sunday March 30th at 1:30 PM. Also particulars of times and dates of pickup of your ordered plants will be announced. Demo in Air Layering. Mini-show of greenhouse blooms and door prizes.

Tell me more about the white spiderworts. Are they less agressive than the species? The species seeds about here and is a thug. One clump will get the size of a washtub in two years. I divided a huge clump and spread it the entire length of one of my island beds for this reason: It stays green all winter. It blooms ahead of almost everything. It's a beautiful blue. When you open this thumbnail, spiderwort is behind the yellow lilies and in the background. The Downside: those clumps will have to be divided every now and then. It opens in shade; blooms close when the sun gets hot. After a couple months, those buds that have been opening one at a time (dayflower is a common name) have all finished. I cut it to the ground. It puts out again and starts over. Nell

Dave, I've stood outside the walls of that garden so many times and because it was by appointment only (now open for self tours during the weekdays). I have never gotten in until yesterday! I'm sure you probably understand the vocabulary of Japanese gardens better than I and you would enjoy it very much. Also, Lake Balboa Park's cherry tree bloom display is past it's peak - I drove through on my way to Tillman to see it again; next year I'll bring a picnic to spread under the trees (including some plum wine, heh heh). I know what you mean about the Huntington's price. Last year it was ~$12 to get in and $60 for a membership, this year $15 and $100 for a membership! We used to go there when we were kids for free.... At this rate I wonder how many patrons they'll have when it's $25 to get in? Unfortunately, the Japanese garden there is really fine - it is my favorite one, maybe because it is older, and situated in a gulch. Also like I said, a great diversity of species and the display house is one you want to move into! When my mother took my brothers and me there, I remember the arching bridge was bright red and there was a huge bronze bell that we would ring with the very large bamboo striker (I think it's still there, just no longer accessable/ringable). If you can spring for the entrance fee I promise you that you will be enchanted. I like many things about Descanso but their Japanese garden is not one of their strong points (unless you are a Camellia maniac - even then, IMO there are a greater number of types of Camellia at the Huntington including my favorite, the fragrant species C.lutchensis). I'm sure the gardens you choose to visit will be delightful. Do report back on your experiences won't you?

TONI rub it in will you? Mine didn't make it and I used the vermiculite and bag trick this time! I did actually manage to get some sedum to finally put on some roots, last year I did my rooting in August with hardwood cuttings I am going to try that again this year and see how it goes. I have a purple butterfly bush, a honeycomb BB and a red bottle brush I wish to try this time. I SOOOOO hope the bottle brush takes it is sooo pretty. I do have a few hardwood cuttings of a smoke tree in water and I thought they were dead so I was going to through them out the other day and noticed some callousing and thought NO WAY is that root starts BUT I honestly THINK it is so I stuck them back in the water! I SOOOO hope those make it and are not just a false start LOL. Toni I think I am gonna send cuttings to you we can share my cuttings LOL. Thanks for the update, you know I really AM glad you are having so much success right? I really am, I think it is wonderful! OHH OHH OHHH, someone TELL ME PLEASE HOW I should do some Weeping Pussy Willow cuttings? Someone sent me a bunch and right now they are just in water is this good? OR what would be the best approch? They are hardwood from the base and from the limbs. ANY advice would be sooo much appreciated PLEASE. :) Fran