shihtzu-4su, I understand your hubby’s concern. But Pip Squeek is so tiny (but demanding), he would not notice it (I am not suggesting a secrete trade though). Once it grows to be with half a dozen of leaves (1/4’ to 1/2” long) from a cutting, it behaves as a mature plant (1” high) starting to bloom. Talk to him, he would love it as well. If you are still interested, I will send a pair of cuttings to you for postage. By the coming fall, my Chantaspring will be ready for cutting. Let me know if you are interested. I do grow some plants of Lil Ballerina (mini). As having strict limitation to my growing space (my plants are now growing in 4” x 4” x 4” compartments), I can only grow microminis. Lil Ballerina is perhaps the largest plant in my collection. I am now looking for something such as: Tsunami, Midget series, Senk’s Fruit Fly, Vallarta Campanas Moradas, Flashy Trail, Lilla Blaklockan. I understand some of them are on eBay, but I have not had a luck, instead with growing interests in trade so that I could talk with other growers on those little guys. Anyway, those tiny guys generally require more of our attention. But once you grow them, you will see how attached you grow to them. Let me know.

Violet Barn is well known for their minis. I've been quite pleased with the little ones I received. Sometimes the quality from various vendors is affected by season. My first two orders were earlier. I have a few plants coming this week. I got two from Lyndon Lyons and one had been stripped and had a trunk, the other was overpotted for the size of the plant. This was about a week ago. YMMV. I think I've listed some long time favorites elsewhere. I've ordered leaves from Fancy Bloomers, but she also sells plants. Many carry the Pittman Jollys and I've grown Jolly Jubilee for awhile. I have grown Mac's Just Jeff. Although it is a red with mosaic leaves, it didn't shape nicely and I discarded. It didn't grow nicely for some other people either. Fair warning there. I'm trying a few more Mac's now though. I usually grow from leaves for the cost and selection. I should have another order coming and can let you know how that one works out too. There's not really a good one-stop shopping now. There's eBay too, although I really think Violet Barn has done a very good job and costs no more than eBay generally on Rob's plants and other nice small ones. Good luck. It sounds like a nice setup and idea. It's a shame I can't stick to it! Diana

I have several of the so called "Tea Cup" Hippeastrum from Japan and have been very pleased with these varieties. I was lucky to obtain them from a traveling grower who went to Japan in trading rare plants from hawaii. I was able to get several unnamed hybrids from miyake nurseries with interesting compact foliages and well developed small flowered hybrids. Unfortunately i didn't take any shots of these from last year but hopefully be able to do so this year. The flowers are well developed, look like true miniature types with stunning stripes, star patterns and flowers that look out like an orchid. The bulbs are small, very small and I am amazed how they can produce three spikes form a bulb the size of a golf ball. Leaves are very compact, some just a few inches in length. My goal was to breed these with the various species that is out there. But for me this means saving-freezing pollen at one portion of the year to be used in the other. I think the best way to get great small flowering hybrids is to start with small flowering species and begin your own breeding program.

You have posted on the exchange forum..you might get some answers if you go over to the roses forum and post there. Good Luck...Donna