That was a really special show! As Marigene shows with her pictures, the plants were gorgeous! There was a lot of variety in both the African violets and other gessies. Very high quality stuff! I noticed that there were a lot of varieties that we don't see on the east coast. Or at least I haven't seen them or heard of them. I got to meet Miss Marigene that day, which was a real treat. She also introduced me to a friend of hers that is 90 years old, and she had some pretty nice entries, plus some of the best plants on the sale table. I got there an hour after it opened, so that may have made a difference. There were lots of other people I met at the show; some were friends of friends, some were just downright huggy bears, like Denny. All in all, a very friendly club. I was invited to Marigene's home, (beautiful yard too!) to see how my offspring were doing (great) and she shared some of the things I didn't have. What a good grower she is. Boy, is my violet life blessed.....the Bay State show in Massachusetts on April 19, the Seattle show on April 27, Marigene's house on April 29. Next week I'm going to look for Herkimer diamonds in New York, and plan to visit the Holy Trinity, the Trifecta, the triple scoop - Fay Wagman, Violet Varn, and Lyons greenhouse. Yep, there is a God. Barbara

So, how's your collection doing so far? Just to remind you, I have AV plantlets for the asking. I need to cut down, badly. Here's what I have ready at the moment: Little Chatterbox (semimini) Rob's Pewter Bells (semimini) Bloomlover's Shadow (semimini) Princess Jade (semimini girl leaf, pink flowers - small plantlets) Witch Doctor (standard) Snowy Skies (large standard) Blue and white double (almost rose shaped) semimini/small standard trailer, NOID What I have starts of, ready in a couple months maybe: Allegro Coronation Frozen in Time Genetic Blush Silverglade Baubles Buckeye Crinkle Peach Ness's Orange Pekoe Whirligig Star Bob Serbin sport Green Ice (all standards) That's just off the top of my head. You can check out my list on my profile, I have starts of almost everything I have, as backups. I only need one backup though : ) If anyone else is interested, feel free to contact me, but I am NOT trading for AVs. Like I said, I need to cut down, not increase my collection. Avsforme gets first pick, but after that, I'm sure I'll still have plantlets available. Especially Witch Doctor. I'll probably post over in the Exchanges section in a few days, after I evaluate what I still have and what's ready.

Our topic really belongs to the Gesneriads. But I truly believe that AV people need to try differnt Gesneriads - because the growing conditions are similar and they create more interest and variety in your collection. AVs only - is like a monoculture. Like people who grow an outside garden - do not cover all their vegetable garden with spinach only. They grow different veggies. And if they grow Roses - they do not usually grow 600 roses, they plant other blooming plants - for spring and for fall and for dog days of summer.

I wish it were a traveling sale :) I hope you buy lots Rosie. We haven't seen your plants lately, probably not since last sale. Wow, hard to believe it's been a year since then.