Hi, Lori -- depending on the weekend, I might be able to make that swap! April is the one month I've got a batch of friends and relatives coming to visit from further north, but if I'm free, I'd love to do it. I used to order from Tropiflora many, many years ago, back when I lived on the North Gulf Coast. I had no idea Tropiflora had a SHOW; that would be awesome to see! (Matter of fact, I'll have to check out their current Cargo Report!) Thanks for writing, and I guess we can stay in touch here. Thanks for mentioning the show; I'd really like to see it! -Jack

Spring update from Gardino's website: 31st Annual Redland Festival Where: Fruit & Spice Park - Homestead, FL When: Saturday January 12th, 2008 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Sunday January 13th, 2008 10:00 am - Phone: (305) 247-5727 E-mail: fsp@miamidade.gov 2008 FFGC 52nd Annual Tropical Short Course Where: Embassy Suites Hotel - Boca Raton, FL When: Monday January 21st, 2008 8:00 am - 3:00 pm Tuesday January 22nd, 2008 8:00 am - 3:00 pm Phone: (772) 286- 0507 for info and registration Some of the speakers are: Gene Joyner (Tropical Flowering Trees), Rufino Osorio (Native Plants), Gail Miller (Orchid tips of the trade), Dr. Kimberly Moore Phd (Designing your garden), Claudia Bates (Wild about Flowers) Gardenfest by Garden Club of Indian River County Where: Under the oaks in Riverside Park - Verobeach, FL When: Saturday February 2nd, 2008 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Sunday February 2rd, 2008 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Phone: (772) 567-4602 Website: www.gardenclubofirc.org Admission: Free 45th Annual Coconut Grove Art Festival Where: Coconut Grove, FL - Miami area When: Saturday February 16th, 2008 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Sunday February 17th, 2008 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Monday February 18th, 2008 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Website: www.coconutgroveartsfest.com Admission: $5 adults, children 12 and under free Pine Island Garden Club Plant Sale Where: Pine Island, FL When: Saturday February 23, 2008 9:00 am - 4:00 pm one day only Phone: (239) 283-4607 Website: www.pineislandgardenclub.org E-mail: csharples@att.net And from a Flamingo Gardens email: Vendor Opportunities for Spring Garden Shows Flamingo Gardens & Wildlife Sanctuary seeks vendors for the Spring Garden Event, March 8&9, and Orchid/Bromeliad Show, March 22&23. Garden Event features everything for the yard and garden, for the Orchid/Bromelid Show only those plants and related supplies and items including arts and crafts. 3750 S Flamingo Road, Davie. Information and applications available at http://www.flamingogardens.org/events.htm, flamingoelk@hotmail.com, or 954-473-2955x34.

Your photos are stunning, Ron. Its really nice to see you posting back here again.

I did a quick check on Agave and Aloe. Basically whilst they look very similar, there are some differences. Agaves are from the American continent whilst Aloes are African. Agaves flower once and die, whereas Aloes flower regularly. The stems producing leaves on Agaves are short, on Aloes they can be quite long. From what I know of Spathiphyllums they are all white, Anthuriums have various colours, although I don't recall seeing a white one. Anthuriums are mostly epiphytes and Spathiphyllums are are bog or (shallow) water plants. I know the Thunbergia grandiflora but not Saritaea magnifica so can't comment on any differences. Generally the internet is good for getting information, but from things like forums it won't necessarily be accurate. People can give you information to the best of their knowledge. But in actual fact may themselves have been given some misinformation previously which they've inadvertently passed on.