Hi S/H... Peduncles usually form between a pair of leaves, but some Hoyas produce long, at first leafless runners that will get peduncles on them. Compacta is one I haven't grown in years - it's a little different because they leaves are so tightly formed to the stem (thus the name!) Once you get a peduncle, it will become obvious because they usually start to form the flower not long after. It will look a little fuzzy at first (just a little "fat" on the end...) and then you'll be able to see the definition of individual flower spurs. It can take quite awhile from the formation of the peduncle until the flowers form. In fact, I have a pubicalyx that put on new growth last fall and has a lot of new peduncles, but they'll wait until spring to start forming flowers. I'll try to get some pics of not-flowering peduncles later today when it's sunny in the GH. Denise in Omaha

I totally hear you, kukka. I'm not a huge fan of sites that require you to navigate through multiple sub-sections either. I know it's so you can show the picture next to each plant and still accommodate people with slow connections, but I had the same experience as you my first visit (where I thought I'd reached the end and I hadn't). On the other extreme, TG does put his catalogue on one page, so you can browse through everything really easily. But if I don't let it finish loading all the pictures before I start looking around, (and it takes a while) my browser totally flips out. So, that's kind of annoying too lol. I've never tried navigating it on my phone, but I bet my 3G connection would just flip me the bird. So, even though most people's internet connections have sped up, web designers still have to consider the needs of mobile users. Maybe there's no pleasing us, but I've always thought it would be fun to design a website for one of these plant vendors since I spend so much time on their sites LOL. I used to fantasize about running some kind of plant for code trade past the people at Violet Barn before they (thankfully!) did a massive rehaul. Maybe I'll work the kinks out of my ideas in the form of a personal site one day. What I'd really like to see is a site that tags all the entries according to many different sets of characteristics (e.g. variegation, cultivars, Eriostemmas) and allows you to jump right to that subset. And maybe that has multiple view preferences, so you could see all the plants with images, or just the straight list. And lets you sort things. I'm big on sorting. Wow, you really got me going, kukka. ^_~ Joni didn't always require you to log in. It's a recent solution to some bandwidth problems she was having. I agree that I wouldn't provide my personal information to just anyone, but I long ago just gave up and developed a disposable email for such situations. At least Joni explained her need, so now I understand a bit more why some sites might innocently require it. You could always just provide fake data if you were uncomfortable - they're just trying to sort the machines from the live bodies. The log out issue is weird! I never encountered anything like that and I use firefox too. But I do notice that I have to log in quite a bit. Like, if I navigate away or leave it idle for too long. Unlike some sites that creepily still have my basket full a month later. I'm not sure which I prefer... but it's definitely too often if you can't even keep your basket full lol. I totally agree that web issues like this should be solved. On one hand we should be sensitive to the fact that no business can address their whole to-do list at once. On the other hand, you can tell by the fact that she's always making changes and explaining them on her homepage, that Joni's one of those folk who are very interested in knowing what's problematic so they can fix it. So I'm glad you spoke to her directly about your problems. I don't know what your experiences are, but I have to say, with all its faults, the SRQ site is still one of the better plant vendor websites I've been to. I mean, we're talking about a hobby where many of the major vendors still require you to send a check and wish list through the mail. Lol well maybe not in Finland. But out here in the wild west we're still clinging to the Pony Express. :P

I really enjoyed reading this post! I'm probably guilty of buying ALL THE PLANTZ!! I started with a couple then a few more... Because I'm lucky to find so many different types in my area at reasonable prices I take risks in buying ones that may or may not do well here. I figure it's worth the risk. I had no idea how lucky I am to find such a variety, but it's rare to find a big established plant. Although I just passed on a 5 foot (on trellis) multi flowering carnosa because I couldn't fit it in the car... I have a couple of Graveyard hoyas, most I've replaced and trying again. (Or will if I find another one for sale) I don't think I'll get another lauterbachii again even though they turn up all the time. Mine grew fast and tall but died. Not sure if it was underwatering or the cold but as I since found out it grows huge with next to no chance of me ever seeing flowers here I really cant be bothered buying it again. Since joining this group and learning "if in doubt, unpot and check roots and/or chop" I haven't lost many plants, except poor polyneura that got cooked in the last heatwave :( (I bought a new one in case my cuttings didn't take but they did!)

Well, I still have a bunch of Aerangis modesta growing on in there. The mounted ones are doing quite well. The potted ones have almost all bit the dust. I would've mounted them all but I ran out of supplies and haven't gotten more. The recently unflasked guys are Aerangis mystacidii and Neofinetia falcata 'Shu Ten Nou'. They are so cute. I really really wanted Aerangis punctata but wasn't able to reserve a flask in time. I am crazy and requested a reservation of a Cattleya luteola flask as well! Hopefully it won't come ready for a while now, I need some breathing room. I'm more worried about insects than disease. My first terrarium, which houses my very lovely Aerangis kirkii, acquired bush snails somewhere along the way and I Can't. Get. Rid. Of. Them. I hate them so much. It also effectively means I cannot add to that terrarium, or move anything in there to another, because I dare not spread the snails around. It frustrates me enough that I want to just start over and scrap that one, but Aerangis kirkii is not the easiest to come by, and mine has done a lot of growing and is turning into quite the specimen, as long as I keep up with it. Plus there are a few other nice specimens in there (like Pleurothallis grobyi and Chaemangis hariotiana), which are more easily replaceable, but I don't want to have to. Hey, so far the hoyas that are in the big terrarium are behaving quite nicely. They have not been attacking the orchids or taking over their space. Everyone is getting along. In fact, the hoyas in there get watered quite regularly because I have to check on the mounted orchids almost daily. Resolution shmesolution... I feel like half the time when one makes a resolution, you are daring yourself to do the opposite. Or maybe that's just me :)