Checking in on Fred, Donna, and others in the NE
kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
7 years ago
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Comments (17)
Fred Biasella
7 years ago
sayqi (6b, Watertown, MA)
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Are there any monthly check lists for orchids?
Comments (34)I guess I agree with Arthur. You start out trying everything and find what works. I have major limitations regarding environment and have tried so many different plants over the years and know what I can grow easily. I do grow some which take more effort, but I limit those. I don't have time or energy to struggle with plants which are not happy with me and my conditions. The kind of list Orchid 126 uses would not work for me. I use notes on each individual plant. I have nobile dens where some grow dryer than others. Hybrid plants all require different treatment. I could never generalize. I have a Blc which likes dry, another likes water. Some continue growing all winter, some flower, other do not. I use the individual notes to remember which responded to what treatment the year before and which ones did not. I've killed plants, in the past trying to generalize conditions. I grow indoors at windows and under lights. I'm not great keeping up notes, but I do note flowering times, potting mixes which seem to improve growth. I note what seemed to produce the best growth on individual plants - heat, light, dry/wet, outdoors/indoors. I have 8 Phals. Four fit the general picture of growth. Two like higher light and warmth. One spikes in winter with warmth. Growing species Catts and hybrids require notes on each one. They may be Blc's but behave very differently. I have one which loves dry. Is potted almost mounted and is happy. The others are happy in bark, sphag, etc. Some bloom twice a year, others once. I keep a index card file. Every plant has a number and a card. Some cards have a photo, but lots of notes when the plant first came to me. I play with conditions and make note about the results. There is always a plant which is difficult and needs to be grown differently. I like my cards because it is quick and easy to look up a plant. I keep them in a metal box which travels around the yard and house with me. I could never follow a month-to-month list. Every year is different, every plant is different. Jane...See MoreAHSC Conference Report
Comments (17)One last point re: the Shaker seed industry. I would kill for one of their POP seed boxes. And just what would you kill? LOL All I have, which I treasure, is the label from a can of tomatoes, what else, that was framed when I bought it, and remains framed. Price for one label about 20 years ago? $125.00 I've seen several of the POP boxes, some better than others in terms of legibility of the lists inside the lids and would love to have one as well, but seriously, how much money am I willing to pay? My former CPA is on the board of the Chatham, NY Shaker Museum, or was last I knew, which is the largest and most complete anywhere. Well I remember when it first was being put together b/c they visited all those places known to be owned by the Shakers at one time, which included our farmhouse and barns, etc. Once my father discovered someone else had interest in some of the Shaker objects/furniture he found interest in them as well, and guarded them strongly. LOL And yes, I have some of them with me here in my new place. Not major stuff furniture wise but several small cabinets we took off the kitchen wall, that kitchen being the first dwelling form the late 1700's, and oval boxes and a candlestand I found in the attic, and similar. Knowing they would be destroying the old farmhouse after we sold I wished I could have even had part of the Shaker bannisters. LOL AS to seed distributors, it really depends on what time period one is talking about as to what the commercial seed sources were to the Shakers and others. But no, the Shakers did no breeding, just distributing. And their money came not just from vegetable seed but also from herbs, which was a very important part of their life style as well. No one has taken over doing a reproduction veggie garden at the main Shaker complex but they do have a superb herb garden and always have. I hear they do a large reproduction garden at Lebanon but someone told me it isn't completely authentic. I recently read a superb biography of Mother Ann Lee, written in England, which details her background in England before she and just a few others left and landed in NYC. Her early marriage, loss of children, getting rid of her husband in NYC, initial trek to where she first settled, her initial forays into NE and then ends with her death. And let me tell you, what was Shakerism to her and the early folks is NOT the Shakerism we know of today that has been popularized. She thought she was the female resurrection of Christ, taught same, and others who followed her thought the same. No lovely furniture, simple living, more existance living, no broom corn brooms, no anytrhihng like that. Just pure religion, their style, which actually almost didn't survive after her death. 'Tis a gift to be simple, 'tis a gift to be free was not the guiding principle early on, it was more like we're starving, the marshlands have flooded again ( that's where the Albany Airport now is, LOL) and we lost all our crops, the snow cover is too deep and no one has been able to trap beaver, otter, fox, rabbit and whatever for fresh meat for the pigs died as well. Carolyn...See MoreHappy Birthdays to Dotman, Haffie, and Toni_NE
Comments (18)Happy Birthday Haffie and dotmom. It's earthday, so it's a double good day! Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes! I already had a birthday celebration a few days ago so todays just another day getting ready for ds's graduation. It's been in the 80's with only a breeze,,,my tile guy put in my new kitchen backsplash and will be finishing up tomorrow, my cold seems to be getting a little better, so today has been a fine day despite all the cleaning and running. I got the funniest call from one of my dentists (the one who I paid alot of money too). It was a pre recorded birthday annoucement they put my name into, they sang happy birthday, hurrayed, clapped and whoo-hod. I laughed so hard! Even my landline phone showed the words Happy Birthday on it. I have an ol guy friend that calls me every year on my bday. He's been doing that for ever and it warms my heart that he never forgets. yea, it's been a nice day....See MoreReality Check: Seller want $for$ return on improvements?
Comments (70)It is interesting following this thread on NoVa because Chantilly was one relocation site that we specifically turned down due to QOL issues. (We turned down Denver because it was too cold and too far from our sailboat!) I think my DH is related to akkw's DH - very uhhh...frugal. We have never bought the most expensive house or car that we could afford. We get what we need and like, value, quality allowed. We pay off the one credit card every month and max out retirement investments. But we aren't waiting until retirement to use the money we have set aside. We cashed in the boat fund and bought our dream sailboat a couple of years ago when the timing was right, and now find that our used boat is worth more than what we paid for it (unbelievable???). We were able to buy a great house in FL to relocate to, without selling another house. And pretty much whenever we're mentally ready, we'll be able to shut the house up and take off cruising with the kids (boat-schooling). I'm not trying to brag or anything, but I just shake my head when I see my neighbors working overtime hours to pay for their 3 fancy cars (two drivers w/small kids) - they admitted to this folly. And so many friends who are house-poor (friends here in CA) and/or commuting hours a day and later realizing how much of their kids' lives they have missed (mostly friends back there in NoVa). Not even factoring in anybody losing jobs or in poor health. This is just folks who have gotten themselves in a bind due to their choices....See More
dondeldux z6b South Shore Massachusetts
7 years ago
jstropic (10a)
7 years ago
mariava7
7 years agosayqi (6b, Watertown, MA)
7 years agodondeldux z6b South Shore Massachusetts
7 years ago
Debra (6a) West Ma.
7 years ago
bragu_DSM 5
7 years agoDebra (6a) West Ma.
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agokaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
7 years agodondeldux z6b South Shore Massachusetts
7 years agoFred Biasella
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoDebra (6a) West Ma.
7 years agolast modified: 7 years ago
we received an additional 7 inches or so. My Mr. cannot get the snowblower to start...we have a long downhill driveway which was never cleared...so my car is going No where for awhile...
kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
7 years agoDebra (6a) West Ma.
7 years ago
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dondeldux z6b South Shore Massachusetts