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.

They should have arrived long before this, I mailed them priority mail from a UPS store on Tuesday, then went out Tuesday at 2. They should have arrived on Thursday or Friday. They are in a lightbulb box. I did not get a tracking number. That will teach me. Supposedly, leaves can be ok for two weeks and these are from very strong varieties. I have learned the hard way that when mailing plant material, sometimes, anything that can go wrong will go wrong. If they don't arrive by Tuesday, I will go to the UPS store. They have the info in their computer, which is one good advantage about using UPS, even though the cost is a little higher. they mail them US Mail, but add their own tracking in the computer. It is not tracking of the shipment, it is tracking on my account of what i mail through them. I have a mail box with them, so I have an account. my mailing address for plants is my residence, not my UPS box.

I began gardening about 8 years ago, starting with annuals, rose bushes, expanding to Gailardias, Daylilies, Hydrangeas and Coneflowers.. I'm not quite there but my garden is almost established. I thought I had an edge having the net, which I did, but I never expected it would take 8 years to get to the place I wanted to be. My grandfather without any electronic resources and a far larger garden and upkeep fared better than I ever will. He's what sparked my interest and I marvel especially being in his 70's what he mastered. I don't have that green thumb and as much stamina as I have, I can never accomplish what he did. It's challenging, it's a hobby I thought I'd 'never' explore but I found it to be very rewarding. In the winter months we allow for extra spending but I couldn't think of anything but getting more African violets and chocolate :) I began AV's last spring, I think. The winter months were always daunting and I quickly realized that African Violets can give me joy all year round. My husband also tolerates my hobby and surprisingly helped me in the garden last year. Only he needs to understand that the leaves on roses shouldn't be saturated during watering and you don't just dig a hole and plant.. Hopefully he'll forgive my criticism and give me a helping hand next year. I actually think he sort of likes it ;) Thanks for the help, happy holidays!

I am so with Linda. Generally - you get what you pay for. SInce you already have as many plants from Walmart as you ever wanted - and ready to try something really fancy - get ready to shell some $$. If we ship inside US - we can get away with first class shipping. We ship to Canada - Priority becomes very expensive - and First class takes 8-10 days - not everything will survive it. Think what varieties you want, how many plants you want, bite the bullet and order them. Bloomlovers is a high quality source. And if you order 12 starters - the price of shipping will be thinly spread between them. (The more you buy - the more you save ;-)).