That's a big Birds Nest. Best that I have ever done with that plant.They usually ended up in the gullet of some snail(s). Planted in 2006 from a 6" pot,it now has 4' fronds. A early spring snail attack did quite a bit if visual damage.So,now I have it sitting on an old concrete birdbath that has cracks. It's thriving and difficult for molluscs to get to.I still bait-and heavily. They really can reach huge sizes it turns out.

Nova ~ Oh my you have some gorgeous neat blooms. I've tried buddleia but it croaked on me. That honeysuckle is beautiful. Ginny ~ Taking pictures gives you more practice. You are doing great. Tom ~ Sheesh, intimidated, you shouldn't be. Look at all of your orchids, and those desert roses. One great thing about this thread every time is that you see how we all grow different things. We are all unique and our gardens show it. I'm adding more to my gardens via seeds from several wonderful gardeners here and from cuttings as well. I am thankful to all of you for sharing with me. As they grow and bloom I'll share some pictures. I need to sit down and write out a list of who has sent me seeds, and hopefully I will include everyone. Here is some of what is blooming here. I have chicory that is about to bloom. Confederate Jasmine has been blooming and scenting the secret garden area. Orchids are about to bloom, million bells are blooming too. Duchesse de Brabant Penelope I'm showing this picture because after I made the new work surface and storage unit under the window, I had to create a view out the window. This room is our little 6'x8' library, where my computer is to the left of picture. I have my needlework threads, photo and notecard paper, and other things stored in drawers. this is the view out the window. Duchesse de Brabant roses behind her. About 18' behind this scene is the 5-lane autobahn. :-) Two views of the lady next. This is the street gate, which is kept locked, about 5' behind the lady. Grand Duke Jasmine ~ I sure wish all of you could smell this one. Fantastic. This is Souvenir d'Elise Vardon. Don Juan Last but not least, Shovel Bird, with Confederate Jasmine behind and sea shells at his feet. There is a baby Maman Cochet rose that I hope will root for me. Keep the pictures coming as this is very inspiring to see what is going on in everyone's gardens. FlowerLady at Plum Cottage Gardens.

I bought a bunch of bare root orchids, tillansia, and dwarf bougainvilla. My friend bought 20 bare root orchids and other stuff, so we had loads of fun. I noticed several vendors missing this time. Fender Orchids, Pine Island Nursery, and a couple other big orchid growers were not there. I didn't notice any really unusual or wierd plants this time. Maybe it's not profitable do the expensive stuff these days. Linda Leaf

SE PA and NJ are not exactly pineapple capitals! My Dad started a pineapple from the top of one he bought at supermarket... sliced top off with very little flesh and just planted in a pot. It had to be repotted several times as it grew... over several years. It went outside on his front steps in late-April or so and came back inside around the end of October. After he passed away and sibs and I were clearing out his house, just didn't have the heart to leave it behind. Kinda funny how outside plants are immediately BIGGER when you bring them inside!?! It sat on a stool in corner of my NJ liviingroom. Then one day in the dead of winter I was almost scared by the sight of a TEENY pineapple growing up out of the center on a stalk. It was about the size of an egg. By the time I moved it outside in late-April or early-May... about the size of a lemon. Was about the size of a decent sized orange when it started bending the stem over, so I cut it off. The AROMA filled the house as this ROCK hard mini-pineapple sat on my kitchen counter for a week or so. The minute it had the slightest give, I cut it up. It was absolutely delicious! Even the core, that's generally tough in a regular sized fruit was tender. Needed NO sugar. Have a little Asian market near me... gonna have to see if they have yuzu!?!