Good growing! Congratulations. The blooming season of catts varies so much, some of the brassavola hybrids bloom on every new growth. Others have a seasonal bloom: winter, spring, or fall, a few in summer. Some, like aurantiaca and hybrids set a sheath that develops over the winter, blooming in spring. I think most catts bloom in late winter-early spring, between about March and May-June. Some, like BC Maikai, start showing spikes in Oct-Nov, some of the spikes appearing without any previous sheaths Etc etc Look closely at the newest growths, see if you have a little sheath. If so, keep an eye on it, see if it starts to get fat. But actually, when I was growing catts I often just found spikes (in season) where I hadn't noticed anything before. Same is true of other varieties. It seems like suddenly, they're there and yesterday they weren't. So don't give up hope for blooms on your catts. If you have any fall or winter bloomers they are getting ready to surprise you.

Most of you don't know me or remember me because I have been absent from GW for a while because of personal reasons. Hello to all who remember me... To address the main issue of this post I would like to say, although I have only been to 2 swaps one in my area and the one there that John hosted in the fall of 2005. So I guess I am still considered a newbie. I for one LOVE SWAPS...OMG they are GREAT!!! >>>>> FREE PLANTS....wow what could be better? I came mainly for the plants, but the people and the food was great too. I drove all the way from the NC/SC line to get there, was it worth it? Absolutely, I picked-up some plants that I would have never been able to get here in this area. So yes, the main reason was for plants. But how can you put a value on being able to spend hours with people who share your enthusiasm for gardening as much as you do. As the other poster stated, as gardeners most of us want to share plants with the WORLD, but not everyone gets it. Being able to meet with a whole group of people who "get you" is incomparable. Swaps are the only way I know this could come about. I am thankful for GW, and all of the people I have shared plants with through this place and the swaps. My budget doesnt allow me to splurge on plants that I want. Without the generosity of the people I traded with at the swaps I would not have the beautiful plants I got. I had been looking for a Chocolate Vine forever; thanks to the sweet lady at the swap I was able to get one. And it looks great; I hope it blooms this year. I would love to be able to come to another swap, when I am able to yes I will be right there with you all. I had a blast! Although I would have liked to talked to a lot more of you I wish they could last longer. (BEFORE YOU READ THE NEXT CLAUSE: NOT TRYING TO UPSET ANYONE OR HURT ANYONES FEELINGS, JUST STATING WHAT I AM JUST PUTTING IT OUT THERE, NOT TRYING TO START AN ARGRUMENT so PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE Do NOT be offended, I am a parent too, mine are just grown now) ....Just my own observations and opinion.... As for the issue of children: Personally, I think they should be left at home ONLY because I need grown-up time :)Âlol, but I understand that a lot of parents donÂt leave their children with other people, I didnÂt (Where I went my children went, if they couldnÂt go I didnÂt go) or they may be using this as a learning tool, or a vacation. That said, I donÂt have a problem with well behaved ones.What I do have a problem with is those children who are allowed to run around uncontrolled, screaming, and interfering with adult conversations (just for attention, not ones who truly need something from their parent) If children are not made to behave they shouldnÂt be allowed to come to a grown-up function. Everyone knows exactly what I am talking about. I am not trying to be rude or hurt anyoneÂs feeling, just stating a fact...Unruly children are more apt to be hurt, which would be a liability to the sawps in general. On that note, however, the children I remember from the swap I attended where well-behaved. And not getting in the way of the adults. I know Tammy brought her children, who where well-mannered, kudos Tammy for having those kind of kids, even when I followed you home, they did not interrupt our conversation, which is very impressive now-a-days, people just donÂt make their children mind anymore. (AGAIN, NOT TRYING TO UPSET ANYONE OR HURT ANYONES FEELINGS, NOT TRYING TO START AN ARGRUMENT so PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE Do NOT be offended, I am a parent too, mine are just grown now)....Just my own observations and opinion..... I am sorry Dana was made to feel like folks had a problem with her daughter, I think she was with her at the swap I attended I would be willing to contribute to a childÂs table for those who are interested in their own plants. Again as the other poster stated for children say under age 10 or 12. BUT those over the age limit everyone agrees should be the "ChildrenÂs section" there is a simple solution for this problem, since everyone seems to be in agreement with the statement that everyone should we name tags and list their GW name on their plants, let those children sign-up with their own GW id. Then they can participate just like ever other GWer member, that way they would be considered a swapper too! As for spouses and "extra-hands" I think in the later rounds I personally think they should be allowed to grab too, especially if they garden too. Heck, I am sure they helped purchase a lot of the plants that contributed to the memberÂs garden who is the actual trader/swapper. As mentioned above, I saw the extra-hands going on at the swap I attended and thought it was unmentioned acceptable behavior too. I, too, asked my helper to get a couple of plants I wanted because I was going to be on the other side of the swap. However, in my case, these where plants that had lasted through several rounds and was unclaimed AND I brought my mother along, who although doesnÂt have a screen name here I had set a few special trades up for her myself, didnÂt participate in the swap outside of her special trades but did bring along extra plants from her garden to put on the tables. So I didnÂt think anyone would mind if my helper grab a plant or two extra because of the extra plants my mom brought, and the two plants he grabbed my mom had been eyeing too, but she would not pick-up for herself, because she kept saying she didnÂt need anymore plants, BUT guess where those ended up at when we got home? You guessed itÂand they look great in her yard! I personally donÂt care what everyone brings their plants in, heck, it is a plant swap. I know a lot of people do not have nursery pots to put their plants in. I had a few of them to use, but most of mine came to the swap in red and blue solo cups. If this bothered anyone, well, I am sorry. It is the only thing I could afford to use, since I brought a lot to the swap. I thought the 20 oz cups would be better then the 8/12 oz Styrofoam cups. I also donÂt mind picking plants out of a bucket of water, I am a true gardener and as long as I can keep them wet for the trip home I am happy. I do agree with the other posters and suggestions posted here (some are good suggestions) for the most part. Anyway, just my two cents, not intended to upset or hurt anyoneÂs feelings, statements are my own opinion. I enjoyed meeting everyone I met at the swap, and hope they continue to participate. I canÂt wait until I am able to attend another swap, I miss having all that fun. Happy Gardening EVERYONE, may this year be super! ;) NCGardengirl

Someone asked if people still embroider. Yes, we do, but it is one of those fine slow skill things that most people don't teach to kids and kids don't want to learn. I was taught as a child by my mother who was taught by her great grandmother. It is something that takes time, and artistry to do well, and sadly, most do not know what is done well so a machine can do simple stitches and patterns easily enough. Anything more on sheets, is a big luxury. In our disposable society, the time to do even simple hand edging on sheets or pillowcases, or a full design on cases is simply not what anyone wants to invest in. Truly good sheets and cases are very expensive and putting that together with the skill required to do the embroidery and the time to do it, is cost prohibitive and not what most people want. Embroidery is a labor of love these days, and ends up being framed if it is done really well. I have done pillowcases that took dozens of hours to complete, but they were for gifts to those that really knew what they were seeing. It isn't easy to put a price on something that takes so much time to create. Practically speaking, hand embroidery is also not something that stands up well to modern washing machines, dryers and detergents. When sheets were washed by hand or were much more substantial an investment and they were treated delicately, it was more achievable to keep embroidered linens. If you really want this kind of thing, look at estate sales and garage sales, but know that the sizing will probably not fit a modern bed. I buy embroidered linen pieces at garage sales for a quarter because I cannot stand to see such love, effort and skill, sent to a dump, or unappreciated. For me, it is heartbreaking to see pieces that took months of work, sitting in a pile on a card table, heaped in with machine made dollar store items. Hardly anyone knows the difference or cares. Sorry! Rant over. :)

Well, you have to get rid of the weeds for any groundcovers to establish well. Start with a small area, clear it and plant something like Geranium macrorrhizum--Big Root Geranium. Plant several starts about 2 feet apart. They'll fill in. Clear around them, take starts and plant those. You'll be amazed how fast it goes. Big Root geranium tolerates shade, drought, tree roots. It's highly weed suppressing once established, deer resistant, smells good and is very easy to control.