Karma is absolutely right. Too many people assign a name to their brugs just because they think it looks like variety X. Unless you know positively what variety you have it should just be called a NOID white, yellow, etc. There's nothing wrong with NOIDs and I'm not sure why so many people that aren't hybridizers are so hung up on names. Karyn

Mika: A lot of people have positive outcome with Millet's formula. I've altered Millet' formula like the above.I believe that the above formula will be better and I'm transplanting my citrus and my bananas with the above mixture. But I added steer manure and perlite and redwood also. Be sure that you follow Millet's preparation on his CHC. Like soak it 3 times, on the final rinse add 1 cup of epsom salt and 1/4 cup calcium nitrate to get rid of the salts on CHC for 24 hours. Then on the soil mix add 1 cup + 3 tbspn of long lasting 19-6-12 osmocote, 1/4 cup soluble fert and 1/4 cup STEM and 7/8 cups of dolomite for every cubic feet of mix. It is my understanding that any peat moss that you bought from the store is OK.

Just a few things off the top of my head: Pre-arranged trades should be arranged BEFORE THE DAY OF THE SWAP, and marked as such before they ever leave home. I also think these swaps should be taken care of BEFORE the general swapping begins, so there's less of a chance of someone's pre-arranged trade getting lost in the shuffle, grabbed by some uninformed newbie, etc. I agree that the deal with the notepads needs to be worked out in better detail. Maybe we'd be better of with two pads each---one to remain ATTACHED to the table where folks can write down what they'd like, their name and table number, etc. and a second one to carry around and note that same info on, so no one forgets who's pad they've written something on. (Hey, I'm getting old and forgetful, okay?) I love the idea of pre-registration, and BIG numbers for the tables. Tables should also be in strict numerical order, IF it's possible for someone to mark off the spaces before people start arriving. And it might be a good idea to put your table number on your plant tags, too, along with your name and the name of the plant. I'd also like to suggest that if you have a plant to share that needs to be DIVIDED, please divide it BEFORE bringing it to the swap. A couple of things I really wanted I was told "This needs to be divided since there are so many people here" and when I went back for it, it was all gone. Granted, in previous years this *probably* wouldn't have happened, but... Doorprizes---maybe we could just do away with this? In past years, where the swap was smaller, it worked okay, but as things have gotten larger---a lot of people either don't donate a doorprize at all, or donate one and fail to register for one, etc. I think some were left over this time, too. And this would be just one less thing to have to organize... Speakers---I really hate that I missed Mary's talk this last time, but I had to leave early because we had out-of-town relatives on their way. (Who didn't arrive until WAAAAY late, but...they're family.) Maybe Norm could tell us all about 'maters? (*grin*) And I do like the Q&A idea, too.

Kay, how are you? I haven't been around for a while, I had to take a break and get myself together. To everyone I want to tell you that I am so sorry for your loss and sadness, it is the worst pain anyone can have BUT it does get better, I promise. My heart and soul mate died 14 months ago and I wanted to die with him, I was in so much pain and so scared of what was going to happen to me without him; life must go on. I was told that it doesn't get better but it gets different and they were right. I still weep and some days are bad but I have more good days as time goes on. Life won't seem so alien after a while, I just felt like I didn't belong here any more, not in my home, my job or this world but I did finally settle with my feet back on the ground. It's not easy but you have to push youself to live and it eventually gets easier. Please take care of yourselves, get help if you need it and work hard at being strong, we will never forget and we will always love them and happier days are ahead. God Bless all, Mav.