I tried growing both varieties. The first time I received 2 to 3 year old trees on the rootstock with the interstem for earlier fruiting. They did fruit, but canker got both before ripening. They made about 90 days before dying. The second try I received younger trees without the interstem. They made about 6 months before dying of canker. I am stubborn, so tried one last time and had this set growing on the southwest part of town. They were younger trees and made about 18 months before dying of canker. They will fruit here if you are in a part of town without disease pressure. When I lived in the Bear Creek (northwest) area, I did not have to spray for bugs or disease....no fungus, bacteria, or PC. The area I now live in Kingwood (northeast) is high in disease and bugs. I doubt that you could keep them alive in the Houston area. If anyplace here has a chance, It would be Bear Creek or west side. Believe it or not, I still have 2 cherry trees. A royal ranier and a lapins. My lapins is @6 to 7 years old and flowered and fruited for the first time this year. It only produced a few blooms and fruit, so I did not net it for birds. The birds ate the few that it made. The lapins is on GM61 and doesn't seem to be as susceptable to canker. Waiting to see what happens next year.

Please accept my apology for the late notice. Between the recent weather issues and my parent company (I work for AIG Retirement.) things have been hectic. In addition, I did not schedule (I did try.) a spring swap. Between being unable to find a suitable date before it became too hot and being extremely busy at work I could not make the swap happen. The Fort Bend County Plant Swap - Fall Edition is scheduled for October 18th from 9 AM to 1 PM (usually ends earlier). Due to the recent hurricane I want to encourage gardeners to come regardless of their ability to bring plants. Even if you do not have plants come anyway bring your favorite dish and enjoy a pot luck luncheon with gardening friends. For those of you with new sun gardens I want to encourage you to bring those shade plants to trade and share. For those along the coast please consider coming. Many of us further inland want to see you. I will have a few plants to share and I have several sets of gardening hand tools and BBQ sets and hand made bird houses and feeders to give away as door prizes. As a reminder the Fort Bend Plant Swap is a free event open to all gardeners. All plants are swapped or traded. NO money changes hands. The pot luck luncheon is a great way to join in especially if you have not plants. Bring your favorite dish. My wife and I will be bringing vegetarian chili. If you have never been to a plant swap before I encourage you to come. They are a great way to learn about plants that do well in this area. The plant swap is located in Community Park in Missouri City. The location is convenient for all of Houston and is especially convenient for Brazoria County and points south and west of Houston. Details including directions can be found on our website. Please contact me if you have any questions. Here is a link that might be useful: Fort Bend County Plant Swap

For those who might have missed it, here is the Oakland Garden Party on Oct 22 (link below). This will only be my second garden party, but they are so ever much fun and you learn so much. I hope you all in other areas can get something going. My place is really not all that interesting, so I'll not plan anything fancy on Oct 29. If you happen to be planning to visit the Seminole County MG expo, you can drop by if you want. Heck, folks can drop by just about anytime - ping me first. ~dianne Here is a link that might be useful: Silvia's Oakland Garden Party

Ron and I had a wonderful time. He commented that I might actually have come home with less than I took, which is exceptional!! Thank you Charlotte for a great get together. It was wonderful seeing everyone and I am very pleased with all the plants I have acquired. Bob, thank you for answering my plant identification questions. I can't wait til spring! I also think there was a nice diversity in the plants. Ally & Lindsey - I will be digging purple iris' this weekend and promise to get them in the mail by monday. Lindsay you should be getting mail today, it's the seeds you wanted. It was wonderful meeting new swappers as well as seeing people from the last swap. Thank you to everyone who came and hopefully we will see you all in the spring! Jani & Ron San Marcos & Round Rock