Karen W., yes, we still have Opuntia Dark Knight for you, but it is a new one. One important lesson was learned about them in 2020. While they root easily and start growing, the original pad that touches the ground is not yet ready to be exposed unprotected to the outdoors moisture (rain) - and it is likely to rot if it is. It needs to age (cork) its surface first to become as resistant as the mother plant. So while it is advantageous for the cutting to be exposed to full sun outdoors, it should not be allowed to get wet for a prolonged time until its base is woodified and brown.

Hi Camille/Arborwolf, I was planning to get here to post sooner, but other stuff has been happening and I just didn’t get it done! I’m sure there are people around here who’d like to have a swap again, but I’m not sure, based on the fact that this post hasn’t received more of a response by now, if they’ll see the post about a swap or not. Since houzz took over GW/RMG there have been fewer and fewer people posting around here, and as “old” members “go away,” only rarely does a “new” member show up since GW/RMG almost never shows up in search results anymore since houzz—so “new people” don’t seem to find us anymore! You may have noticed that there are VERY few posts anymore! So! Having said all that! If you’d like to go ahead to see how many people show up and express an interest in a Spring Swap this year, here’s what I recommend! If you already have a date you’d like to have it, start a new thread with a subject something like: SPRING SWAP 2023 – SA? May ??, 2023 at 00:00 a.m. It doesn’t need to be May, but that’s when the spring swaps have generally been in the past. Other than that all you’d need to start the thread is that you’re planning to host it in Berthoud, and maybe give an “approximate location” with “main streets/roads” near you—don’t post your exact address here online. OR – If you don’t have a particular date in mind I’d suggest starting a new thread with a subject something like this: SPRING SWAP 2023 – When should we have it? And then post the day/dates that will work for you if it makes any difference to you, and ask people what days/dates will work the best for them. I’d add to that post, like I said above, that you’re planning to host it in Berthoud, with similar “location info!” You really wouldn’t need much more in that post, just enough to see if enough people see it and respond with dates or ideas to find out if there’s enough interest and response for it to actually be feasible this year. If you have any other questions before you start a new thread, post them here and I’ll try to get back within a day to answer them for you. And if/when you start an “actual swap thread,” as in my first suggested “new” thread above, I’ll jump in as soon as I see it and copy/past all the Swap FAQs for you—to answer questions for anybody, especially anybody who’s “new” and has never been to a swap before! Since there have only been a few people who have responded to this first thread that you started a few months ago, I’d say that the most important thing right now it to try to get a feel for how many people will see the tread and respond that they’re interested in coming! There will definitely not be as many people as were at the swap up there in spring of 2015—there just isn’t enough action around here anymore to get that many people. And if it turns out that there is a swap this spring, and as long as it’s on or before the weekend of SA/SU May 20/21, I’ll be there! After that I’ll be “back on the other side of the hills” for a while!!! I’ll watch for specific questions if you come up with any, Skybird P.S. I'd like to add my condolences to both you and Lucy in the loss of your sister, Gloria. I'm so sorry you lost someone so close to you--I hope you're able to remember and share "the good times" you had with her, to honor her and keep her alive in your hearts. F 03.24.23 @ 18.18 MDT

The 2023 Raleigh Spring Swap will be held Saturday, April 22 at White Deer Park - Pine Shelter in Garner. The shelter is reserved from 1pm til 4pm. Swapping will begin around 2. Everything will be the same as in past swaps. We are limited to 50 participants. As in the past we have no rules, you are free to haul anything gardening related to the swap and give it away - this includes live plants, seeds and bulbs, cuttings, pottery, tools and equipment. One thing that sets our swap apart from others is that we do not require you to even bring plants in order to participate. We always have way more plants than people. If you feel guilty taking something for nothing you can always bring food for the potluck picnic. Here is a map showing the town of Garner’s White Deer Park shelters: https://www.garnernc.gov/departments/parks-recreation-and-cultural-resources/parks-facilities/parks/white-deer-park/shelters

Now I'm a bit "iffy" about showing up and so sorry about that. I've been trying to get my house painted and necessary exterior repairs done and it turned out a crew was available this week. Uncertain whether they will work on Saturday or not, but if they plan to work that day, I think I should stay in town in case they need access to something inside the house. So now I'm a "maybe".