I'll chime in about the most expensive plant I saw. It's a good story, well, for me it is. Anyways, I have been into plants now for about 14 years, and have always loved tree-like succulents, such as jades and portulacarias. I don't have a big collection at all, but I cherish the ones I have. Ever since seeing a picture of a variegated jade, I knew I HAD to have one. Problem is, I saw this picture in 1999, and have never seen one of these jades in person, let alone for sale. Well, last summer, while browsing around in a large greenhouse that I've been to dozens of times, I decided to go past the tropicals and succulents, and browse around in the annual flower section, which I have no interest in. Upon walking WAY to the back of this large annual section, there in the bowels of the greenhouse sits a variegated jade. I was super exited, however, this jade was 7 feet tall, with a 12" diameter trunk, and had a price tag of $799.99. Obviously, this is too expensive, and also too big for my tastes. But, I asked if I could take a leaf to root my own plant, and the guy said "sure, but you would be better off with a stem cutting", and broke a small chunk off for me. Well, I rooted the cutting successfully, not that jades are a challenge, and this spring repotted it now that it has a vigorous root system. So, after all that babbling, I can sum it up like this: Not only did I find the most expensive plant I've ever seen, I got my variegated jade, and it only took 12 years! Joe

"a bunch of people claiming to be "green" chatting away on their computers made of plastics. no, it was the person who complained about the SUV's in the bank drive through while he/she was waiting in the drive through line. Or is it the people who don't realize that trees can be grown as a crop, much like corn, only it takes longer." Funny. Apparently to some people, environmentalism is an all-or-nothing situation. Apparently you either live naked in the woods and eat twigs and berries, or you support wasting as much of everything as possible. FYI, it's not the plastic that goes into computers that's the problem -- it's the power that they consume. And tree farms are major hogs of land and are nearly as poor at supporting diverse ecosystems as conventional farms are. Anyway, as for my worst recent example? I recently received two ram chips and 6 SATA cables (each flexible and perhaps double the size of a piece of linguini along each axis) in a 1'x1.5'x2' box.

Here is a picture of it spontaneously sending out cuttings: This picture should have been rotated 90 degrees to the right by me. Anyhoo, you can see... it throws little bits of itself onto the ground. So hopeful? Btw this is also called turtle vine and chain plant. I imagine it would do okay wrapped in a wet paper towel and sent through the mail? If anyone wants some, message me and I guess, send postage? Actually I could just divide it too... come to think of it, in all this time I have never looked at its roots.

11/1/17 update: it’s gotten much worse. The pale splotching has suddenly increased in frequency and spread. I’m noticing splotches on more leaves, and overnight they will turn completely. Some of the branches look gray too: Did I give it too much light too quickly after the transplant? Some of the fine roots came off during cleaning so maybe it has too many leaves in comparison to the roots? Also, the breeze has started to turn cold. It’s still 72 degrees F but the breeze in the house is definitely cool instead of warm now. Is it too cold in front of an open window? I have a spot near my other plants where the light is bright, but it’s essentially where it used to be (on the catwalk) just with more air circulation. The FLF I transplanted in gritty at the same time is looking very strong but hasn’t had new growth after its repot in May. It’s on the same wall just on the other side of the room. The brown spots were from previous root rot. They’re all about 10 feet from a wall of East-facing windows: Here’s the soil now: About 4 months after receiving, when I started noticing the hypo-pigmentation: Right after transplant: Currently: Pale splotching/bleaching used to just be a few leaves at a time but now they’re in handfuls. So far, loss has been all lower leaves but the top is drooping significantly. Too much light too soon? Too cold with an open window even if it’s around 70 degrees F outside? Just normal stress response to changes? It’s been about a week. All thoughts appreciated!