Hi Dora, I will be happy to answer any questions I can for you. I have been president of a local AV society for 2 two year terms as well as recording secretary and show chairman. I have also been president of our state council for 8 years and treasurer of our judges council for 15. I just left the office of recording secretary of my present local club. you can contact me via email at FredCHill@comcast.net Fred in NJ

I'm thinking spring too, Irina.... Fred already gave me great advice about timing too. My background is in marketing and I'm always trying to approach any event or task from various viewpoints. Mother's Day weekend is already taken - was thinking that this would be a great time to promote these plants as gifts and to encourage other's to explore our meetings and this hobby. Easter - same marketing advantage. I personally think a violet as an Easter gift would be very nice. There is a huge plant sale here locally that one of the garden clubs does and they have traffice of 700 people + in a one day. I need to find out when that is and do it about 2 weeks after that (I'm thinking on the spot here, out loud) so that we could promote our event at their event. I think I just found my date :) Dora

I grow Big Smile, Peacock Maiden and Web of Intrigue. Big Smile has been one of my most favorite dips that I have. It will set seed if pollen just goes floating by. So if you don't like big old fat seed pods, don't let it get near any pollen!! Oh Yes, that includes it's on pollen!!! I have to divide mine this year because it has slowed down on blooming after nearly 10 years of not being divided. You may find some places list Big Smile as being a tet, but mine is most definitely a dip. I purchased it from Wayside Gardens years ago. It is a beautiful baby yellow with a peach edge. When I got it, I didn't even know a tet from a dip and the description didn't state what it was. When I did start hybridizing, I had to play the elimination game to determine what I had. It was long before the AHS was online. I got only one tiny, tiny fan and within two years I probably had over 50 fans. This is one that I actually grow in my terrible Mississippi clay soil. How it has survived is amazing to me. In fact, thank you, if it's not raining tomorrow, I'm going to get it dug up, if possible!!! I had forgotten just how much I do like this one. Peacock Maiden is a pretty one too. I've had it about 8 years. I just got Web of Intrigue 3 years ago. It has done good growing in my 3 gallon pots. I got 2 fans and put one in each pot. I now have about 6 fans in each pots. So, it too is a good grower. I bet you have a ball next year when all your new babies start blooming. Have fun!! I love Iris too, did you list them somewhere?? Thanks and many blessings, Mona

Dottie! Great idea! I was also thinking we could have our own little personal trade. We should let each other know what we have available, then trade among ourselves and bring each other what we asked for! Get it???? WOW!!! What a day that will be. OH and remember,,,we need to make a list of what we already have so we don't buy duplicates!!!!! There IS something to be said for named varieties!!! lol Oh yeah, and Anne,,,,you may want to get hubby to start building like,,,right now!!! Rosie