Plant Propagation part XXIIX based on my own experience

I am happily in much less pain today. Tony and I took a walk around and discussed some of the tihings that we will do - soon.

With the kitchen cupboards done I now get to go look at picture tiles in town. They have a bunch of pictures that are made up of twelve or more tiles. We have a lot of tiles I've salvaged in Beverly Hills so I may be able to justify spending $100 or so on a picture made of tiles.

Two Mexican men came around and gave the dogs rabies shots, courtesy of the government. They were very happy with me as I corralled the dogs one at a time and held them while they got their shots. It all went smooth as silk. That's not a job I would want. They were clearly concerned about being bitten and appreciated that I held the dogs to prevent any such incident.

Off to town to look at tiles.

hugs,
katie

Dave, if you have time, LOL, and haven't read this, pick up a magazine named Maximum Yield at the hydroponic stores. It is a free mag and a huge amount of advertising in it, but has some really good and interesting articles in it. Mainly about experiments with lighting, soil, watering, nutrients, cloning, etc. Like I said, a freebie.

Evelyn, a while back, I didn't look at the date of your post, but you were telling me about the helvic acid and kelp I think it was that you got at the garden store. Where did you say you got it? And, you were going to get me the brand name. Have you had a chance to look, or did you forget? Don't blame you if you did. Thanks,

Hey Jen, aren't you speaking to me? I ask you how your weather was and you did not answer me. I have an amee that wants to move West really soon, like Monday if your weather is above freezing. I love you even if you do not love me. JB

Lee I will try to send some of our 80 degree weather your way...

here is a pic of one area I have some flats going The creeping phlox is in the middle. I watered with my fertilizer and tarantula/kelp/fulvic acid mixed in.

yes I would love to have a bunch of orders going out. my goal is to have like 2 - 300 flats go out in the spring and the fall. its kind of a lofty goal but who knows what may happen.

Jeanette: I think they were talking aboult humic acid. Dr Eggy's has a product like the tarantula that you mix with water and water the plant with. I would mix the tarantula with 1/8 teaspoon in 1 gallon of water. I try to use cooler water as for some reason I get it in my head the little critters are all screaming turn down the water temp!!!!... I don't know its just a cute imaginative thought.
I will tell you its fun mixing up a batch of base solution to run through the hose watering wand.
well I am wiped out so its time for my nap or at least to lay down and rest. I have got to get my stamena built up.

Dave

LOL, you are right Dave. I had to go back and see what I had called it. Dumb.

I was down stairs looking thru my larder of garden products a bit ago and found a bottle, quart I think, of Alaska Vitamin B-1. That is what I used to use before Superthrive. I think, and am sure, it is pretty much the same stuff other than the cost.

JB, sorry, but you didn't send me an invoice so I don't know how much to send. I will Paypal you when you do. The news just came on so I will tell you the weather in a minute.

Dave, the Tarantula and Piranha were both $184 a qt. Oh, I was looking for something else back up a ways and found where you had suggested the ebay blend from Kelp4you, I think it was, and bought a pound of it. I had forgotten about it or I would have bought that instead of the Tarantula. Oh well, I will just add it to my arsenal.

Ok JB, the weather for next Wed. and Thursday is in the low 50s for highs and 33 lows. It's your call. Let me know.

LOL, you are right Dave. I had to go back and see what I had called it. Dumb.

I was down stairs looking thru my larder of garden products a bit ago and found a bottle, quart I think, of Alaska Vitamin B-1. That is what I used to use before Superthrive. I think, and am sure, it is pretty much the same stuff other than the cost.

JB, sorry, but you didn't send me an invoice so I don't know how much to send. I will Paypal you when you do. The news just came on so I will tell you the weather in a minute.

Dave, the Tarantula and Piranha were both $184 a qt. Oh, I was looking for something else back up a ways and found where you had suggested the ebay blend from Kelp4you, I think it was, and bought a pound of it. I had forgotten about it or I would have bought that instead of the Tarantula. Oh well, I will just add it to my arsenal.
I
Ok JB, the weather for next Wed. and Thursday is in the low 50s for highs and 33 lows. It's your call. Let me know.

Really informative and interesting Dave. All the people in my area should have this info. Our soil here naturally is tan and sometimes almost whitish beige. It often has cracks that run along like fault lines. You can't till it up unless it is Spring or late Winter because it has about 12 inches of concrete like hard pan, underneith it is clay, the two together is called Caleche soil and it has vertually no nutricion. It holds molds because of the heaviness in rainy seasons. You can dig and dig and unless you add a lot of organic material, you will not see a worm as far as you can see. Our soil needs stuff like this.

That is really expensive. I have to buy a smaller amount of that stuff if they sell it and if I recalled, they did. I get $500 of my tax refund to spend as I please so maybe I will buy some of that.

Katie that surprises me that the government had people give rabies shots. I never saw anything like that in Tecate. My X's family used to feed their dog Canelo, tortillas left over if they had some. He had no house, no shelter and had mange so bad, that I used to cry when I went and sit and pet him (not realizing I could get some types of mange myself). He finally died in the dirt. Nobody I saw took the dogs to the vet unless they were moving them into the US. Dogs ran around and looked ratty and thin. That is good that they control the rabies there. It would be scary if not, having all those ferel dogs and dogs with no real care. I used to spend a lot of time in Tecate, a little in Mexicali and Ensenada/Rosarito. I hate TJ. My X was from there.

I have been surprised by the rabies shots. And very grateful. There are lots of stray dogs here and puppies getleft at the dump regularly. Several of my dogs have been rescued from the dump or from being tossed out on the road or whatever. I appreciate that my neighbor Dana is very involved in animal care and helps to keep a local animal clinic open. Pay is by donation and many locals have brought their pets in to be neutered. Dana told me of one woman who couldn't pay but brought the clinic people cookies.

Between having the kitchen cupboards done and having 25 years sober I celebrated by buying lots of tiles for the kitchen. I think I've been in my house for six years. It was nothing but a few concrete block walls when I moved in. It has been a gradual process of getting it finished. First windows and roofs. Then a floor here and there. And still working a lot on the garden and orchard. It's gone much better since Tony returned to work for me acouple of years ago. We both know that this is a long-term job and we take time to admire what we have done, especially when people like neighbor Dana come over and point out the things they think should be done.

I had another neighbor who used to come over and criticize everythingn (I call him Eyore). One ady after he'd criticized three things I'd done I saiid, "You should realize that I saerve the useful purpose of being someone to whom everyone else can feel superior." He hasn't been around much since then.

While I was in town I got some beer so I can make the brug fertilizer that lots of people use. Also talked with Tony about where we might put up some shelves for starting seeds - any day now. Tony can be assured that I will never run out of work for him to do. For me, it's an incredible experience to have someone in my life who really wants to hlep me and work with me. I think for Tony it's amazing to have someone who appreciates both him and his work.

The heel spur has really been bothering me. Enoug pain that I usually an exhausted by early afternoon. The agony of de-foot.

I'm going to read a while and then go to sleep.

hugs, katie

Hello, all! Wow, y'all are back with a vengeance. I tried to read them all.

Sharon ~Please take care of yourself. I hope that you are feeling better. I hope you won't need surgery on any of your shoulders, as you will be set back quite a ways with your garden projects. Falling and pain are 2 things we can all do without. It makes me laugh about Vern trying to operate his TV without a remote. (In the olden days...we had black and white TV and a dial to change the channels...LOL!) Am I showing my age? Oh, yeah, and just one TV per household. And no VCR, DVR, TIVO, cable, satellite dish. Gosh, how on earth did we survive back then?? And of course, if you were a child, you had little say as to the program if an adult wanted to watch something and you wanted to watch another.

Dave said ~ "today we are suposed to hit 80 degrees... wow can we say spring has sprung???"
I am glad that you are enjoying your nice weather. Snow has been predicted for tomorrow night. (GRRR!!) I will be glad when the nice weather is on this side of the planet.

Jeanette ~ No, I have not forgotten about it, I just have not got a chance to do it...ya, no...those "round-tuits". I will look tomorrow, OK? I just got those locally, so those may not be available in your area. It was humic acid and fulvic acid. Ask Dave about those and he will explain them better than I can. I will, however tell you the brand names, if I still have both bottles. I may have thrown out one of them as I might have used it up, not sure.

Katie ~ I am glad that you are feeling better. Just work harder gradually, as it is easy to get a setback. (I am good with those.) When you feel good, you just want to accomplish everything on your list. THEN-------WHAM! Take care!

JB ~ It sounds as though you are feeling better as well. How is Barney doing?

Lee ~ Is it warming up yet? How is Stormy?

Linda ~ What have you wintersown?

Well, as you all can see, I have many questions and no answers about anything. So that is the way is is for tonight. Hope you all sleep well.

Dave , Jen anyone who can answer this because I am not up on all the different mediums and their contents. I use professional prepared potting soil period...no time to play mix and match.
I sold an Aimee to a man in Missouri. He told me he planted it in w part afix, (similiar to turface) 1 part pine bark fine, 1 part granit chips. I told him I could not guarantee it would grow but I would be anxious to see the results. What is all that? Poor Aimee just may either curl up and die or she may grow like Jack's bean stalk. I should pay more attention to things like this but I am too busy and too old. LOL. JB
Be back later. It is warm and I am going for a long walk. Yahoo.

So JB, where is this guy's Aimee going to get any nourishment? He is going to have to do all the feeding. I can't see, and may be missing something, where it is going to have anything natural to feed on. Maybe the pinebark? I don't know anything about that. But, from what I could find about Turface (a soil conditioner) and the granite chips, neither one would have any nutrients, then what?

Poor baby. I can see where the Turface would be a good addition to a soil mix, but he doesn't add a soil mix.

Make him send it back!! Double his money to give it back!!

Mornin:
JB: I am not sure what the afix is. I know here we use a product called back to nature . its composted cotton burrs and seed hulls. It works really well for our clay. I am guessing the granit is for air space forming.
The product alaska is a fish parts fertilizer kind of like super thrive.
not much going on here except for getting ready for the trip. I did set up the irrigation so it would take care of everyone while I am gone. Its a temporary thing though as I have to expand it all to cover another area north of the main nursery parts.
here is a pic of the stuff I have coming on. Some of the phlox we cut, the aster cuttings, penstomin and forsythia cuttings and some seeds.
I will check in some during the weekend
Dave

I am really stressing out about that stupid Aimee being planted in the mix he used. I told him if she dies I will not be responsible. Bull crap on that. I gave him instructions of what to plant it in, etc. He seems to know it all. Another one of those . Must be a guy thing.

I see Logee's is out of stock of the Aimees. They were getting $16.95 for a 4 inch pot.
I have 12 two year old plants I am getting ready to give to my neighbor to sell in her Farmers Market and I have no idea what to tell her I want for them. Around here I do not know what they will sell for. I think they are worth at least $15. for me wholesale. Two years , they are almost two feet tall. They are getting buds already. I kept them alive this winter and I sure do not want to give them away after what I went thru. I would rather keep them. HA! Anyhow, I am keeping one for myself as a backup. They must be hard for some people to raise. Right, Jen? You can not overwater them if they have enough sunshine.

I must get moving. Hugs. JB

OK, Jeanette ~ Here is the info from the labels of the 2 different bottles. I think they were about $15.00 or $20.00 for each one. I copied them as best I could.

OMRI
Listed

Earthcrew© Inc.

Embrace Your Environment

ORGANIC SUPER HUME

Humic Acid ...............................17%
Humic 4%
Fulvic 13%
Derived from quality Leonardite shale

Humic acid is not a fertilizer, but a bio-activator that enhances soil structure and fertility through the addition of vital organic matter. Humic acid increases the nutrient uptake, drought tolerance and seed germination. Microbial activity is increased in the soil, making it an excellent root stimulator. Humic acid increase the availability of nutrients that are already in the soil and will naturally aerate the ground. It will help lower the pH and flush high levels of salts out of the root zone.

HUMIC ACID CAN BE USED ON SOIL, TURF, TREES, SHRUBS,
BUSHES, BEDS, GARDENS AND INDOOR PLANTS.

CONTENTS: 1 quart NET: 2.23 lbs.

___________________________________________________________________________


OMRI
Listed

Earthcrew© Inc.

Embrace Your Environment

ORGANIC MICRO BOOST

Chelated Magnesium (as Mg)........................................1.70%
Chelated Zinc (as Zn)....................................................0.75%
Chelated Iron (as Fe).....................................................3.50%
Chelated Manganese as (Mn)........................................0.75%
Boron as (B)..................................................................0.20%
Molybdenum as (Mo)......................................................0.003%
Combined sulfur as (S)...................................................4.00%

Derived from Magnesium Lignosulphate, Zinc Lignosulphate,
Iron Lignosuphate and Maganese Lignosulphate.

Plants need more than just the macro-nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potash) to
survive in a healthy state. Micro-nutrients add more quality and mineral content to
plants. Research has shown plants can assimilate micro-nutrients better via foliar
application than if the micro-nutrients were applied to the soil. the response is quicker
and more effective. The ingredients in MICRO BOOST are 100% water soluble and
in situations where rapid resonse is desired. Results are often evident one to two
days after application. Designed for foliar and soil application, to prevent and correct
preexisting deficiencies. We use a sugar-basedchelating compoundsto make our micro-
nutrients more effective. MICRO BOOST micro-nutrients contain no EDTA chelates.

CONTENTS: 1 quart NET: 2.56 lbs.

____________________________________________________________________________________


There are other parts to the labels as well but I will give you a quick application rate. If you need more details, D-mail me and I will send the complete label directions for uses.

MICRO BOOST:

POTTED PLANTS/TREES/SHRUBS: Mix 2 oz. with every gallon of water

DO NOT MIX WITH ANY OTHER PRODUCTS

___________________________________________________________________

ORGANIC SUPER HUME:

GARDENS/POTTED PLANTS/TREES/SHRUBS: MIX 2-3 OUNCES TO EACH GALLON OF WATER

HOUSE PLANTS: APPLY 2 TABLESPOOONS PER GALLON OF WATER

GREETINGS FROM LITTLE ROCK:

JB: I would put at least $15.00 on them if not more. people have no idea what it takes to raise a plant like that. being that logee's is getting more should be an indicator as to what they are worth. if you mark them $20.00 whats the worst that will happen? they take a ride in the car.
as for the guy deciding he knows better. you have to let them go. once they have a new home its up to the prospective parent to raise it right teach it right from wrong and how to be polite.... I do agree he is on his own as far as if it dies or not. you might want to put a little snippet in your adds that failure to follow proper planting techniques as described in the enclosed shipment is grounds for not replacing the plant.
now for the other end of the equation a product is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. being your Aimee are a limited commodity you can demand more for the plant. ultimately its up to you to decide what you will settle for to part with one of the older more established plants. you are not only selling a plant you are selling time and as we all know time is priceless.

Please remind me when I get back to Tulsa to do a brief word about macro and micro nutrients. There are a lot of nutrients that plants use. Some when not available will lock up other nutrients in turn you get physical symptoms. I know when you are dealing with Hibiscus, if you don't have the correct ph and enough lime then it ties up the magnesium and you end up with flowering issues and with hibiscus flowers lasting only one day its a big deal to mess with the flowering process.
I love foliar fertilizers as well as the micorhyza, humic and fulvic acids. I have seen where I get better plants with fewer disease pathogen which in turn makes for a healthier plant.

I just wanted to check in and say howdy from LR
Dave

JB, why don't you offer them to Logees for a couple hundred $. They could use them for mother plants. But then they would be in competition to you. They probably don't grow their own plants? I would not let them go for $15. That is ridiculous. How big a pots are they in? When I get my Aimee am I to put it in a 6 inch pot? And do I leave it in there until it is as big as those you are giving your neighbor?

You know, they plant those outside in the tropics. Why don't you put them up on ebay? Might be kind of fun.

Thank you Evelyn. I know it took a lot to type all that. And I appreciate it. I have seen that OMRI. Is that a brand? Dave will answer if you don't know. I will google it too. Thanks again. I will watch for it.

Well, shoulder is actually worse today. And those air activated heat patches are not made for people that move around. I guess most people that have a sore shoulder sit still. NOT.

I slept until 8:30am and then woke up in a fog. I woke up at 5am and decided that was to early and went back to sleep. Dreamed about my mother and arguing about something. Do not remember what we were arguing about. My mother and I never argued. And today was her birthday so maybe that was why she was in my dreams.

I got one basket redone today. It is a very large Kinsman wrought iron basket I have had for about 10 years. The potting soil was totally engulfed with roots from the creeping fig vine. Another one I was starting to take apart had fig vine roots blocking each hole. I guess if I am going to place baskets on the ground, I need to go out and lift and turn once a week to make sure some root has not invaded the basket.

Of course, because I am an OCC, ADD, ADHD, Republican (for Jeanette) whatever nut, I had to make sure there was no root left in the basket. So by the time I had determined that, I had nothing left but the frame. Fig vine will grow from a very small portion of a root.

I spent about 2 hours on that basket but I did have very soothing music on my I pod boom box and was sitting in the garage because of the wind. But I did have the garage door open and it was nice.

My worker is coming tomorrow and we are going to replant a bunch of cannas, day lilies and iris. A little late but better late than never. And then I am getting plants and whatever mailed and get that off the back of my mind and off my list.

My new dishwasher is suppose to be here by the end of the week.

Vern is eating and that is a good thing. He is watching March madness and loves it. He loves college basketball. Our new remote is installed and programmed so he is a happy camper. I had purchased a warranty and because it was on sale, they gave me a store card for $149. I do not think she was suppose to do that but I did not think about it until I got home. The warranty said, replacement. I have replaced this remote three time with the $39 warranty. Great remote but breaks easy. It is a touch remote like an I phone and Vern pounds on it when it does not do what he wants it to do. I was warned by the salesman, buy the warranty. I was not going to buy the warranty but then found that it was not very expensive. Best thing I have ever done. It is a Republican remote. LOL Cost $500. Controls all the units in the entertainment center.

Anyway, friends, tomorrow is another day in Las Vegas. We are going down to 73 degrees but will have 50 mph gusts. We are in the "Canyons" so we will get the "high" winds but me and my worker will be getting it done. I also have a job for him next weekend but not at my home. Down the street. If I will use them then about 5 families in here will use them. I will go with him and show him what to do. Mother Winter has another individual to Mother. I cannot help myself.

Where is Lee. I got an e-mail from Linda so I know she is alive. Dave, have a great visit. JB and Jeanette, I had to look up Aimee, I had no idea what an Aimee was. Katie, I hope you are feeling better. Your dogs are lucky they got dumped by you. If I do come back after death, I want to come back as one of our dogs.

Later friends. Sharon.

Jen, I suggest you put them in 6 in pots and when they are pot bound or near it, then plant in an 8 " pot. The ones I am selling are two years old in 8 inch pots. You will be getting 1 year old plants. They are about five inches tall, they grow like weeds once the roots are mature and can keep feeding the plant. The standards look great. Only have leaves on the top of the plant and it looks just like a little tree. Both my stock Aimes are standards. I think one of the babies you are getting is actually from a "baby" i trimmed. You should keep them trimmed and just start the cuttings as you trim them. Some will grow. some no, but it is worth a try.
.
I think you need a chiropractor for that shoulder.

Dave, the hosta came and look great. They are tiny, but I am going to put them in pots to let them get a good start before I put them outside. I just may keep them in pots for awhile depending on how happy they look and do they get pot bound quickly. That one has roots of an older plant. Wow....that looks great. Healthy little buggers they are. They are having a drink of tepid water just now. Then in the pots they go.
Thank you very much.

I could use a new TV. Oh that sun thing happened again yesterday with the Direct TV. I hate that. I just want to throw something at it. Never do I remember it doing that before in the Spring.

The moon is full and the temps are dropping again. S***!

Hi Everyone, It is absolutely gorgeous here today, especially if you like/ love the optic yellow color of pine pollen! It has covered everything. It doesn't bother me too much but my eyes are scratchy and my voice is scaring the dogs. LOL
I started seeds on monday, and yesterday some had already germinated! I was amazed. I thought they would take longer than 3-4 days. Oh well, it just means I can start earlier getting things planted out.

Sharon, I remember those winds! We lived at Edwards when I was a kid and the winds were something. When we moved back here I couldn't understand why 25 MPH winds were cause for a gale warning. 25 mph was nothing compared to what I was used to.

Evelyn, the only think I wintersowed was a few echinacea and some hosta. The sowing I am doing now is in my greenhouse for the spring season. I tend to hoard seeds until I can't stand it anymore, then I plant everything at once. It does me no good to have seeds I never plant.

Katie, those dogs are lucky to have you. I would still love to see pics of your plantings if you ever get a chance.

Jnette and JB, did you get a chance to check out the camellia info. Let me know when you are ready for cuttings.

Dave, Enjoy Little Rock. I wish I were there visiting my niece and nephew! I may get to go during the summer, my great niece wants to come spend the summer with me and her parents have agreed.

Gotta go, it is too pretty to stay inside today. ( yes, I am making up for all the time I couldn't walk. ) I'm beginning to like tennis ball yellow.

Sea Ya

Good morning everyone - I am OK except for my right heel which is extreemly painful. My doctor looked at it when I was in Ca and said he didn't think it was a heel spur. He didn't say what he thought it was but gave me a shot of cortizone which helped briefly. Stying off my feet and being in pain is not good as I tend to eat to console myself and get more overweight which leads to more pain and so in in a vicious circle. Anyway, I'll see what he says and meantime try to nibble on carrots, not gorge on ice cream.

I'm getting more of my old seeds into the old wheelbarrows and seeing what comes up. And what I can identify. I think mystery plants are better than no plants as the sees get old in their packets.

Tony put two coats of oil-based paint on the inside of my little trailer. I should be able to finish paying for the ATV in two weeks so I'll be able to get out and about more. The seaweed will start coming in soon.

Wish I could get some of JB's gardenia plants but it will be too hot in June when I next go up to Ca. Maybe in the fall.

My little arhat plants are all hangin in. Lots of citrus are blooming.

Too much pain to think so I'll read for awhile. If it stays this bad I'll be back aslleep soon. The good news is that I'm not depressed. A little pissed at not being able to work in our good weather but I'll survive.

I am enjoying the weather and this foot thing is more annoying than anything else as I can't trust myself outside either physically or mentally - the pain is too distracting.

Oh, well, I have a lot of books and four cuddly dogs. And Tony to do any necessary work. I will count my blessings which include all of you.

hugs, katie

Katie, I had that sever heel pain. Mine was Plantar Fasciitis. It just came on one day. My son the doctor diagnosed it for me on the phone. I believe it is the ligament is the foot that has tightened up. I just stretched my foot. There is an example on Google on how to stretch the foot. It gets the ligament back into its normal length and eliminates the pain.

JB a chiropractor would not help because it is just a nasty bruise.

Linda, glad to see you are out and about. I found an oxlis at the nursery yesterday that had yellow blooms and orange leaves. First time I have ever seen them at any nursery.

I am headed to the garage garden to continue working on the baskets. Vern will be watching March madness all day. Love to all of you. Sharon.

Glad to see you all posting. Sharon hope all is well.
Having fun in Littlerock Dave. Look forward to all the soil info and loved Evelyn's info. I have not done much with my soil but tried to break down clay and add some cardboard and paper, some straw, dish soap, some composted material.

It is freezing and windy here suddenly after days of warm almost hot temps. As I said before. Storm is coming. I imagine Ev is getting snow and maybe Jeanette too. We are watching movies all day on our Netflix.

I love doing things with my house but H does not. So for me, buying yard art or tiles, anything of the like to improve how I feel at home is the best.

Linda ~ How nice to have warm temps and the seeds germinate so quickly! What seeds did you plant in your greenhouse? I understand about the pine pollen, as we get that later when the weather warms up. I am getting to the point of wanting to sow a lot more seeds, as, I admit it, I have been hoarding seeds. I have an underbed storage box with smaller boxes inside those for all the different categories. I am culling out many of them now as I am on Deejay9's Round Robin. I have been packing seeds pretty much all day. Some to go into a box of ones I want to sow now as well as packing up the ones to go in the "Robin". This is time-consuming as I would rather be "sowing", but it is necessary to get rid of my excess, as I will never ever sow every single seed and plant them all out.

Would anyone like any surprise seeds? I am not making a list, as it would be too long and take so much time. Just tell me if you want annuals, perennials, (some) shrubs, trees or veggies. Linda, do you like Four O'Clocks? They are fun and fast growing. I am going to try some outside of the deer fence by drenching them in deer repellant and whatever else I can find that won't kill the plants. I 'll have to grow them in gallon cans first inside the fenced garden area.

I am creating a new "Hot Bed", to go across the new patio-to-be....Steve always put the lawn furniture in a certain place and he said, "Can we have some nice cheerful yellows and oranges to go across there, in that bed?" Of course, that is my second bulb bed...I can dig out many things out of there and then leave what are the right colors, such as the daffodils in there, and mark them, though I will have to move the white ones up front. At least the deer don't eat those. And if I spray the tulips in time, they will leave them alone as well....we'll see...HMMM

So, I am starting a lot of new flowers from seed and got in on a co-op from the other website to get Bluestone Perennials 50% off. Since I order from them almost every year anyway, I felt confident that would work. Maybe I should start selling any extras I have from my seed-sowing to pay for all these new expenses. (I just could resist!) Not that I need another bed to work on! It will be a miracle if I get everything planted, weeded and mulched in time before the hot weather kicks in. Last year we had about a month of Spring to get everything done. then, of course, to convince Steve to not just put the furniture ther, but maybe lay some brick, and put up a nice arbor...

Last night I started working on the seeds until the power went out. It seems as though every snowstorm that happens, but at least this one wasn't for 3 days! It came on at 12:30AM, so I had to go down to turn off the TV and lights.

So, I have been pulling and packing seeds since this morning. I did not sleep much. I did not know that there were thundersnows! It was so loud and then we had high wind and then the trees were throwing snowballs at the house. Well at least all the loose branches and weak trees were taken care of in the last snowstorm. Usually we have wind but not so much when it is snowing.

I don't have a greenhouse, so I will do the best I can. I sow some out on the back porch, some indoor with lights and some outside in place. After I finish pulling all the seeds I will make a plan and continue to sow year around as that is the only way they will get done.

Sorry, everyone....I have been carrying on quite a bit today. Our 20 year old cat just died last night in the house. We were expecting it as she was getting lighter every day, she almost floated away. We get attached to our pets after such a long time...we miss her already. I am just keeping myself busy and hopefully enrich someone else's lives with these extra seeds. They sent me a lot, and of course, I will take a few, but not many, as I really want to get these seeds and bring them to life. Linda is right about having seeds that never get planted. They are just specks in envelopes and they could become plants if one were to take the proper course of action...uh, oh...there I go again...carrying on...I had better go for now. I need to get back to work. I will write again in a couple of days.

Have a great weekend everyone. Seeds are my "March Madness"!



This message was edited Mar 19, 2011 2:48 PM

Evelyn, I am so sorry about your cat dying. 20 years is a long time, and of course you miss her. The animals become one of the family. Just like one of the kids.

Planting seeds can be very relaxing and a good time to think but it can also take your mind off of other things too. For me too. You sound like me and the seeds. It doesn't matter that I have tons of seeds, I go and buy more. Got a box of seeds form Summerhill yesterday. I ordered way too many again. I have pkgs of seeds from them from last year I still haven't opened.

What do Four o'clocks look like? I have always heard of them but never seen them.

OK JB, Plastic or clay pots? I give up. If I kill them you will never know it. Never hear it from me.

Evelyn, was it you that said you got in on a coop for Bluestone? They have such good plants. What did you get? Was it on Cubits? I haven't been on there in a long time.

So sorry about your kitty Evelyn. I know your heart is breaking and I do understand. Hugs being sent your way for both of you..

Our cat is 18 close to 19. She is still going strong but is starting to sleep more. She still has an enormous appetite. I purchased her from a loan officer that needed the money. She is a Ragdoll and only likes Vern.

I k ow what you mean about seeds. I have two boxes full. I got two more baskets completed today and I have two more outside to bring in to rehab. The wind blew like a monster today. I actually had to close the garage door today because I could not keep my hands warm. The garage floor is a total disaster. Potting mix and plant parts everywhere. It was spotless last Thursday because the two workers cleaned it.

Anyone on here know how to print mailing labels? I am going to get packages out of here next week.

Where is Lee????

Just got back from our daughter's home. Big prom tonight for Sarah. She was absolutely beautiful. And it was just announced she will be Valedictorian for her school.

I started typing this before I left so that was at 5:10pm. Lets see what the thread did while I weas gone? Later. Sharon.

Answer to Evelyn's question. Yes, the Bluestone's co op is on Cubits. I did not even look. I do not need any more plants at the moment. Sharon.

Hello everyone, what a day this has been so far. I have been running late all day. I forgot to tell my daughter I was going to Mass because Barney would not poop, I was late getting a shower, late doing everything and as I am standing before the Priest ready to take the "host", I felt my leg tremor and it was my cell phone. Oh God, I knew it was my daughter in a panic because she is not home and I am not answering my phones. I finally was able to get back to my seat, off my knees and send her a text that I was in church. Talk about a comedy of errors. LOL

Ev, I am so sorry about your cat. I know how you must feel, I have buried two this past year and lost two others. I keep thinking the twins will show up some day, but I guess they are gone for good.

Jen, I answered your pot question in the Dmail.

I have too much to do to even be here now, so, I will leave you all to your chatter today and hopefully next week will ease up on things to do. Doubt it because most of the things are ones I can not give to someone else to do. Have a great evening. Hugs. JB

Oh, I forgot, whoever ask about doing shipping labels online.

Go to USPS Click-N-Ship and it walks you through it. Really easy, if you have problems, email me privately and I will help you. JB

evekyn: sorry about your cat. I know they become a part of the family and irreplaceable. The last cat we lost to a heart issue, it took me 2 years to be ready to even look at another cat.

Linda: Any echinacea, dianthus,or low growing ground covers. I am doing quite a few of those this year. especially dianthus. I love them. I get quite a show from them and I am hopefull that I can expand on more varieties of ground covers.

Sharon: I do all my labels through paypal adn print them on plain copy paper it gives a reciet for the shipment as well as a lble on 1 page. I cut the lable part off and attach it to the box. one thing though. the usps wants the bar code let uncovered so you have to be carefull taping it on. The one drawback is if you messup and request a refund it takes a couple of weeks and ties that money up untill then. When paypal gets to the print screen they have a coice of print sample label or the label. and then a box opens to tell the site if it printed ok. if you click on the pop up the label disappears and assumes you are done. at that point you can go in and reprint the label. its a few hoops to clear to make it happen but its possible.

Have a great day
Dave

Well I had a great day except for my shoulder. Gardening did not bother it but chopping onions and peppers to go in the stuffed peppers killed it. It is so weird that I can pick up 20 pounds of potting mix but try and chop an onion and it kills my shoulder. Anyway, Mr. Winter is happy., Made sausage and gravy for breakfast and stuffed peppers for dinner. Did the laundry, read the paper, washed the dogs, walked the dogs, changed the sheets on the bed and cleaned out the kitchen dish towel drawer.

I just took two Tylenol and I think I will go to bed early.

Poor Evelyn, saw her on the news tonight. Big time snow. I thought the wind was going to blow our house down. The dogs wanted their second walk and I said "No Way. Rain l,ater tonight and tomorrow.

Take care everyone. Sharon.

Ev I want surprise seeds please.

It has rained part of the night and poured all day, we are flooding all over. I can not imagine how much water is going to be there tomorrow. I will sink getting to work. I did not even park in my gate because it is so hard to go out in the water, move the car, then sludge back and let the dogs out and go back through it again. No thanks. I sure am greatful for the water though. We got more inches in this storm than any other storm in a single day, for this season no doubt.

Sharon I saw the doplar and the big red storm is coming your way. It is treacherous. I put grass seed out in the rain and covered it with shade cloth.

Well the wind was so bad today, I will wait foe the rain. It usually go over the mountains and goes to Arizona.

Sharon Sharon Sharon... what are we going to do with you? choping is helper tasks. Vern did not help cutting stuff up? I know I am always recuited to chop and cut the veggies. I may be too good at it....

well 1500 cuttings arrived this am so I am so excited to get them all stuck and rooted out, I got in 5 different plants with 3 salvia's. delospurnum cooperii, Salvia east friesland, May night, and Blue Hill, also got veronica goodness grows.
the plan is to put them into 50 cell trays and then move them to 3.5" pots for the fall market.

not much else to say. have a great day
Dave

Dave, Vern basically does nothing anymore. He has a very difficult time walking or standing, so when he is in the kitchen, he is in the way. AND, we have a very large kitchen. I would cook and he would clean up but that has gone by the wayside. That, however, is what marriage and relationships are all about. When I was sick he took care of me everyday. And I make sure everyday he knows that it is OK. Not his fault.

My new dishwasher should be here in about 7 days and that will take away some of my hassle in the kitchen.

Dsve, soun ds like you have your work cut out for you.

Evelyn, you had to get a lot of snow yesterday. We got rain last night and high winds. I thought the house was going to blow away.

We bought Vern's son a car so I am going with him to the DMV. He is 46 and was born with ceveral palsy so dealing with the DMV would be a challenge for him to communicate with them. He makes Vern very nervous so Mother Winter gets to take charge. And that is what I do best. So, I need to get dressed and spend a few hours at the DMV. Later, Sharon.

Sharon, what kind of car do you buy for him? Is it specially-epuiped in some way? Must be really expensive for something like that.

What kind of dishwasher did you get? When we moved in here I bought all new appliances. Most are either Jenn Aire, or Maytag built under another name. Magic Chef I think. anyway, most are still doing good others, mainly the stove I am having trouble with. The washer and dryer, Jenn Aire, get the most use and I am telling you, not so much as new belts. Knock on wood.

We are now starting to look for a new refrigerator. That was the one appliance we did not buy when we moved here because it wasn't that old and brought it with us. I just hate replacing it. Those things are so expensive. But 25 years I guess for today's appliances is long enough. Used to be those things lasted 50 years.

Evelyn, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your cat. I still miss cats that have been gone for years. It can be an irreplacable relationship. It can, however, abe added to when you are ready and are grieving less.

My heel is still acting up. I slept in this morning and will probably not do much today. Yesterday I roganized most of my seed starting supplies outside the back door to my house where I have along table set up. When I'm feeling better I will be able to get lots of seeds started. The table is by a grapefruit and a tangerine and both trees are blooming so it's very nice there.

Most of my arhat plants are still looking good. Two don't look good so I've isolated them with a stern warning. My adenium from Walmart has about two dozen blooms. Bright red when they first open and fading to pink. I have some small plants I've grown from seed and more seeds that I just got that are waiting to be planted. I've seen pictures of plants that are many years old growing in the wild - absolutely amazing as they can get HUGE>

One brug has a big bud on it. The others are growing well. We have a one-year-old flame tree that is three feet tall and starting its new growth. I also have some great agaves which I rescued from the dump and lanted where I want to discourage foot traffic - I also cut and clear to open a better path so's not to seem unneighborly.

While I was in Ca. I got several books from Amazon. My favorite is called "Ideas for Creative Reuse." It is amazing to see some of the ideas that people have come up with. Wonderful to brouse when I'm not able to be up and around. Neighbor Tom was over the other day as I wanted to show him my little trailer. He looked around and ak,ed, "What are you going to do with all this sh.t?" I explained that Tony and I have an ongoing challenge to see what uses each of us can come up with for things the other was going to discard. Tom just shook his head. His wife Dana thinnks I would like to have Tom for a husband. I told Tony that if I had Tom for a husband I would be widow.

I do appreciate that we are having our beautiful weather now and I can enjoy it from my bed even if I can't get out and work.

As always, I am grateful for all of you and your posts.

hugs, katie

Good afternoon:
well I am having some difficulty with some portion of my meds as they have started keeping me sedated and thats not the perpose of the meds. even though some might not object to...lol I think i know the culprit but I will check and see if someone accidently got a freind to join in the 7 day keeper.

Katie there is nothing wrong with recycleing as long as it make life a bit easier does not add more to the daily routien.

Sharon it is great that you take the time to honor your comitment to vern and the family. someone asked kim if she felt she got the short end of the stick with my health going south so soon after we were married. she said no because she knew it was a possability. she just did not think it would happen so fast.
I always try to do everything i can to make life a bit easier on kim and I am sure Vern did the same while he was able to and probably still does what he can even if its to stay out of the way.
it was very humbeling to find out I was in the way when unloading the groceries for the week. kim took me aside and asked if I would put everything away.

how fast are the winds you get there in vegas Sharon? we get a lot of winds. we even got a straight wind of 80mph which took out a lot of windows down town. but that was a freak storm.most of the time we get 10 to 20 mph winds down to nothing at times. it just depends on the way mother nature does things here.

not much else to add. have a great day
Dave

Orders are coming in almost daily. I am amazed. Got three more today from the same person, and they did send me a name after I requested it, so hopefully they will pay. I still have not put anything up on eBay. Just had not had time.

Katie, I am sorry you are still a bit under the weather. You have not recovered from your CA trip yet, have you?
I have a friend who tried to keep everything like you and wanted to recycle as much as possible, but the place began looking like a junk pile and the Township wrote to her and told her to clean it up or else. I hope that does not happen to you. She was a horder, big time. She had three old cars sitting there too. She said they were classics but they all had flat tires and looked like H.

It is a nasty feeling to be aware of the fact your health is failing and there is nothing you can do about it. But, the family and friends who love you will be your strength and with some time and effort all will be o.k. I am living proof of that.

Sharon, have you had an xray on your shoulder? Mine was called a bruise also, but the meds only made me sleepy, and the pain was still awful. I could not raise my arm to pick up my fork and after weeks of Physical Therapy, they merely said time will tell. Then, after I was still unable to move it the way I thought it should be, exercise helped to a point but it was nearly a year and I could not raise it or pick up things with that arm, I decided to mention it to my chiropractor, thinking he would say he could not help me. He did in fact begin to work on the arm and now I am able to do so many things with it that I was unable to do before, plus I can sleep on it without any pain. I had no bones broken and it was just a sprain.And muscle damage. I must say my Chiro. is really thorough and does so many things, maybe you do not have one like that. I just hate to see you waste time and being in pain when there is help out there if done properly. Have you gone to PT yet?