quinnfyre, yes the alata is still blooming. The plant has about 20 spikes on it that each rebloom several times so don't cut the 'dead' spikes off. It also has a bunch of cute seed caps as well. The way I grow my little Pleuros is I use those clear plastic $1 shoeboxes (toss the lid). They have enough height to hold in humidity, and the plants are only 1" to 4" tall anyhow. I put the plants in groups into plastic vanda baskets, 6" mostly, which keeps the plants from continually falling over and also holds them up above the bottom of the box where water tends to accumulate. This way, I can keep about 1/4" of water in the bottom to raise the humidity up a bit more than the 50% the greenhouse runs without keeping the plants soggy. To water, pick up the two baskets, hose the plants off, and return to the shoebox. The boxes (I have about four of them) are put to the side of the shoplights on a dim shelf at the back of the GH. They don't need very bright light. I am only using the vanda baskets because I have a stack of them; I didn't buy them for this purpose. Anything else can be used that fits the same type of description; the housewares department in stores have all kinds of possibilities. This is what my baskets look like. I use them for Vandas, too :-) Here is a link that might be useful: Vanda baskets

actually Pinecrest has a lot of profs from UofM - it's almost a college town now :) and real estate around Pinecrest gardens is going thru the roof - there is a very handsome library next to it and quite an active greenmarket on w-ends. The community is shaping nicely and botanical gardens are maintained still and are doing quite well. It is like a real jungle, almost - not as manicured as Fairchild, but a lot of very good specimens. In some ares it's so-o overgrown as to be almost magical...but the ponds that were laid in long time ago just overgrew completely and are full of koi. And it is not very touristy, as it is a bit farther then Fairchild - well worth a visit for plant lovers! am a bit off topic, so just want to add that my one seed is finally showing a stem sprout about 1/2 inch...i sprouted some cycads, and they were almost as slow as these ags! but since it's similar for you - now i am not worried. i do this for fun, you know :). I have a very limited space in the apt and close to 100 plants !?!... Though as far as apts go it's quite large, especially for NYC (i am across the river in Jersey City actually, but just one stop across). thanks for the offer, i saw your list in another thread, i'll go look at it carefully. I only have one big ag - pink thai Anyamanee that i picked up at the Fairchild greenmarket a few years back. It's done phenomenally well for me. I just love it, it is growing quite large too :). I usually bring some plants from Miami ev year - too tempting ..can't resist it.... you posted that PHOE relocated to Redlands - we go to spice park ev 2nd year , perhaps, so i'll make sure to visit their new location next door. But it's a pity that South Miami nursery closed - it was a magical place. I learned about it in Begonia forum from hcmc - and was visiting there for 3 years in a row....it was obvious that they were going to close - the place was overgrown and kind of falling apart - but plants there were just STUPENDOUS!...i just adored the place! at least i have lotsa pics ;)...

I absolutely despise these people. They would rather throw a living being in the garbage and basically allow it to die like a human in the boats or Scaphism... Than to allow a needing person to get plants for free. These terrorists are not selling plants, the are holding them for ransom. You pay us or we torture these plants to death. The government is deliberately lying to us that plants cannot feel. They can feel. Our terrorist government is doing what they do best. Commit conspiracy. The know damn well that these plants suffer just like an aborted fetus... And they could care less. I even think they enjoy inflicting pain on plants and animals. It makes them feel powerful. Any human that stands up to them will also be killed or destroyed. The do not take care of us with this economy. The create poverty and destroy billions of animals, millions of Humans and hundreds of trillions of plants. They are no different than the Nazis if you value non human entities. And I do. I'm not a violent person but there are those who control the policies and companies shot be shot in the head. Not that I would ever do that but they do deserve it!!! They are lying terrorists to all life. A blight and parasites!!!

Hi Snasx, I think more realistic approach would be to mutate them rather than genetic engineering which may be really expensive (look up Suntory expensive and unsuccessful attempt to genetically engineer a blue rose). I think in Thailand, they will irradiate plants (bulbs, tubers, or seeds) to produce mutants, usually resulting in variegated plants. And in America, plants such as Daylilies and Mangolias are inentionally made into tetraploid to breed with. Tetraploid specimens can be created if exposed to colchicine as seedlings. And tetraploid plants tend to be larger or larger flowers. The problem is, I've never seen any variety of Jasminum sambac set seed before. Are they all sterile or just require diligence in hand pollinating to breed them?