Chat and Swap thread PART 2 for the RU at Jan23's on May 18

Gosh, a lot of chatting going on. Sorry to have missed so much of it. Didn't go back to read part one and probably won't. Can't seem to find the time to keep up these days. Does that happen when a person gets old too? Where does the time go? As for lists, I am with Sallyg and have had to rely on them for many years or nothing would ever get done here. Along that line, I did start a Have to share list the other day and without looking was able to list two plants we will have to share at the swap. Have given word to the other gardener on premises that he needs to take a look around and see what all he has....oh yeah, he did mention having 400 pots of Iris in the front yard......Iris anyone? hahaha

Sallyg, love what you did with the little froggy guy......cute as heck picture. I kept a monkey grass grower for myself but never planted the seed. Might do your idea with the spider plant since I have a window full of rooting spiders. Love it and love you too.

Well folks, until we meet here again.....hope you all have a great week coming up. Have really missed keeping up with everyone but maybe will find more time to keep up soon.

Ruby

coleup- I believe Jill had that plant at one time. I had a cutting of hers which croaked. I found a small starter of it on clearance at Lowes about 4 yrs ago and that croaked. Maybe it is finicky and that's why it shows up irregularly at our stores.

Just finished taking a look at the HAVES and WANTS list. Reading through the offerings brought a whole lot of memories from past swaps and the many wonderful plants I have received from so many of you. Diana (Wind) especially has played a big part in the plants that mainly reside on my front deck. The eye ball plant sounds so gross.....but it and few others have turned to be some very interesting plants and certainly conversation starters. I suppose a plant that all visitors here have also asked about is Bloody Dock from Ric and Holly....which reminds me, I will be asking formally for more of that if you have plenty.

I too am one of the first Mid Atlantic Gardeners first Plant Swap attenders held so many years ago at Harts....who I agree......I miss her too...such a sweet person. The folks north of Mt. Laurel New Jersey will be new to me. Half the fun is having new folks attend the swaps. One big family who seem to really enjoy the couple of times a year we meet for fellowship.

I found a few plants that I will be requesting, even though I have been warned to not bring any home....who does he think he is kidding? Why does he waste his breath?

Anyway.......I am looking forward to seeing everyone on the 18th. Thank you Jan, so very much.

Ruby

''found a few plants that I will be requesting, even though I have been warned to not bring any home...who does he think he is kidding? Why does he waste his breath?''

Read more: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1307638/#ixzz2R84EsUBe

cute!

You are more than welcome, dear. I am still laughing since I read. "who does he think he's kidding. And why does he waste his breath." We all know and understand completely. Heehee!!

Ruby, I am sure there will be some extra Bloody Dock.

I did have a plant with similar variegation in the leaves, but it was a totally different kind... trying to remember... cryptanthus or something like that? "earth star?" Anyway, will keep an eye out for the one in Coleup's photo... pretty!

Gita, how big do the variegated hosta get? Are they massive, 3-4 footers, miniature, or in between?

Alright well I'm on the hunt to replace these god awful plastic plants for my brother and sister-in-law. I can't believe I have let this go on for so long. The big one has survived three moves, all the way from Florida. Ughhh.

Picture 1 and 3: plastic tree. Embarrassing. But the pot is nice at least, right?

Picture 2: plastic plant shrub. Gross.

They do have a noid plant that I got from someone last year, still sitting in the original trade pot marked sweet potatoes vine.

Any help or suggestions on replacements. Ficus?

Here is a wood poppy, I think I got from Happy at the fall swap. Native woodland plant.

ss--
I think they are just your average Hosta--maybe16"- 18" or so.
They all were divisions from my neighbor. She had them all over--and dug them up.
Divided them and had them growing somewhere.

Then she had this garden cart full of these dug up, established Hosta and asked me if i wanted them.
Of course--I thought of DG immediately and said yes.
I jammed them all--each, in 6" a pot--so very tightly! It will be up to you, each, to "liberate them.

So--SS--how many do you want?

coleup-
I have several that are the white edged/green inside of the leaf. I tagged three of them for you. OK?
LMK. Gita

Gita, I'd like the reverse variegated ones form Coleup, so the green edge/white inside ones. I'd like 2 or 3, depending on how many you have to go around. I think Happy said that she also wanted some.

I can take any that the rest of you don't want, and I love variegated hostas -- but I am at the end of the line. I have lots of hostas and so can't claim a need! I am just trying to fill in the back half of our yard, and it is very shady....

Paul---
Now--I am in my element--Houseplants......

I would not recommend a Ficus. The most common one--Ficus Benjamina--"Weaping Fig"--is
a bit temperamental. It does not like to be moved--or is sheds a bunch of leaves.
There are many, many kinds of Ficus--The Rubber Tree is a common one.
There is another form of a "Ficus Tree"--which has thin, long, pointed leaves. I really like that one--
It is called "Ficus Alii". You can see it in many Malls in huge planters. That should bode well.
This one is not that sensitive to environmental changes. It is a stately looking ficus.

One of the most care-free and easiest house plants is the Schefflera Arboricola --aka "Dwarf Umbrella Tree".
No care plant! Grows roundish, with shiny green leaves in a "spray" pattern. I have had one now for about 23 years.
In the summer i stick it outside, and if it grows too big--I hack it down in the spring before I put it out.
Doesn't like to be kept too wet, or it drops leaves. Water when deeded--well. then let dry out.
Likes decent light--but never complains if it is not perfect. Comes green or variegated.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/716/

There are, of course the Corn Plants (a Dracena) as well as the "Spineless Yucca". Both can be bought everywhere.
They grow on the tips of these bare trunks--usually in groups of threes. Also, very care free.
DO NOT re-pot or water too often! Yucca needs full sun. Deacena--medium light.

Lately--there are all kinds of new plants to be had. One is "The Money Tree"...A very elegant, easy care plant.
Another very easy plant to have is a Dracena Warneckii. Solid, wide, green leaves that grow tall with time.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/57988/

Palms are beautiful--but the wrong one will give you a lot of grief. They need bright light and regular watering.
High humidity and bright light.
The most popular is the "Majesty Palm"--but also this is the hardest one to keep INDOORS.
There are many, many Palms. The one called "Parlor palm" is easier to have.

There are Marginatas---Snake Plants---Peace Lilies (Spath--LOW light!)--and many more.

You can visit HD and find all of these. However--I warn you that they all come from Florida and may carry
insect problems with them. I have seen endless Scale and mealy Bugs on these plants.

I would go to a reputable Nursery and buy these plants. Google Houseplants and see what your brother likes.

Hey!!! DG has a Houseplants Forum. Great place to go and see and ask questions.

Gita

This message was edited Apr 21, 2013 7:40 PM

Happy--

I will wait until all the requests have come in--since you do not "have a need".
Then--you can have the remaining ones.

So far--I now have10 already spoken for. Out of the 17 I have.

SS--I will tag 3 of the ones you wanted. IF I get A LOT OF future requests--I will cut yours and
coleup,s back to two each--OK?

Gita

Lol ssgardener when you say massive look at pic below of Hosta 'Empress Wu" I saw one for sale today on my out and about. The bloom stalks were at eye level and that's before blooming! 4' x 4' with leaves up to 18 inches. That would cover a lots of ground.

Gita Three white edged green leaf Hosta would be prefect! Yipee. And, the cutest little Persian Shield hopped in my shopping cart today and said "Take me to Gita, where I will be loved!"
Just can't argue with some plants so it is tagged for you dear Lady.

UMD I spied 'Valentine' Bleeding Heart and compared it side by side with Old Fashioned pink...Yep, red and the 'hearts' sharper. Foliage seems very much the same. Homestead Gardens sign said 1st time offered.

Chantell Boo Hoo...I did find one of the Hoya on your list...'Ruby Sue", but sadly it was covered in mealies. There were four other Hoyas (in another store !) but the tag just said Hoya. I will keep my eyes peeled as I enter the Hoya world and those other plants that look like them!

Jill You are a sweetheart and thanks for anyone's efforts or plain curiosity in locating a pink striped/variagated Setcretsea, I did find one today called 'pink corazon' so I am good to go.
http://www.hortcoutureplants.com/product-detail/setcreasea--pink-corazon

Will be posting some of my other 'finds' over on our Shopping thread over here
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1303167/


This message was edited Apr 21, 2013 6:46 PM

Thank you Gita, that's perfect!

Paul---

You wanted 4 Hostas. before they are all spoken for--do you want any of the variegated ones?
I have a couple that are all green--including the big, 10" HB full.

LMK--please.......Gita

Gita -- perfect for me too!

Those 'Empress Wu" are impressive.

OK! That will work out good......
I am sure the green one in the HB can even be divided some more.

G.

I am looking for Prunella grandiflora in dark pink, does anyone have this plant?

Hoyas....Paul...some nice hanging hoyas....easy easy plants - thrive on neglect - many producing clusters of fragrant flowers...does it get any better than that? Also many of the stores have the most amazing variety of succulents - ALL kinds of jades now!! I do like the easy to find Ficus for a tall corner plant - although Gita's right re the dropping of leaves. Then there's the Ponytail Palms...another easy yet interesting plant that requires little care...

This message was edited Apr 21, 2013 11:34 PM

Oh, I forgot to ask for Joe Pye Weed. I'd love the regular tall cultivar for the back of the border. I love JPW but mine had to be cut down when the fence went in late last summer, and it's not showing any signs of life right now.

I don't really do ornamentals much but I have an extensive potager with French tomato plants. Right now I have 90+ seedlings for 48 garden spaces so there will definitely be some extras. What I can share most easily is the Petit Moineau variety, which is a small, currant-sized tomato on a plant that really wants to take over, so one seedling would be plenty. Kids adore them and they're very sweet and prolific. I can bring a few of those if anyone is interested. Friends here want them, too. One who does garden tours says that when visitors try the first one they tend to stand by the plant and just keep picking.

Greenhousegal I would love to try any tomatoes. One plant of a cultivar is plenty for me. One day I'd love to have a monster edible garden with room for tons of tomatoes and tons of cucumber and squash plants running amuck. Space is a premium though.

ssgardener -- I usually have a bit extra Joe Pye Weed -- I think you may have gotten it from me last year... I haven't noticed it this year (didn't look, though), so it may be one of those plants that is late to make a showing.

Greenhouse_gal -- I'd love love love one of your Petit Moineau variety tomatoes. If anyone else has any small tomato seedlings, I'd love a start as well. (Just one - for a patio pot.)

This message was edited Apr 22, 2013 7:31 AM

Donnerville, I would love some of your purple oxalis and bleeding hearts,

The Quince is looking particularly nice right now. I have at least one of these potted up for the swap. Any takers?

ditto to ssgardener, wait a bit longer. Just today I finally have a sprig on something that I really thought should have shown itself before now. Also Terry- there is a ton of Blue spruce sedum at coleup's now, she'll take good care of it no doubt till swap or whenever you see her.

Those are beautiful, Holly!!!

Holly: I'd love one if there are no other takers. I'll put it in the back area I am trying to fill, next to the property line so the neighbors can enjoy it as well!

I am really pleased with the Quince. It was a huge round ball and I cut it back and let it grow up into more of a tree form. Then added a shade garden under it. Looks really nice but the suckers from the Quince keep trying to grow back into the Shade Bed. This summer when I am cursing those suckers I will remember the beautiful spring display.

I have one of Holly's baby quince from last fall swap- did I say this already? coleup showed us her quince and how well it can bloom in shade. sounds like a winner for happy!

GreenhouseGal Yes, please a Petit M tomato seedling for me too.

Happy I have suckers of my pink/red flowered Quince if you would like some,,,they are fairly large 4' tall baby bushes now. Anyone else?

Holly, yours is the orange flowered form isn't it?

Will head outside to tend the Blue Spruce Sedum from Sallyg for swapping and sharing as soon as it warms up. Brrrrrrr.

Happy and UMD and Coleup, I just started a list and put you down for a Petit Moineau. If anyone speaks French, here's the description I got from the guy in Nancy, France who sent them to me:
Petit Moineau Tomate
67 – 75 jours. Fruits rouges minuscules sur un plant géant, une des tomates les plus sucrées et plus parfumées que j'ai goutée, quasiment invulnérable au mildiou. Les enfants l’adorent. Ça mérite une attention spéciale dans le potager par la croissance du plant, il faut pas hésiter à lui mettre deux tuteurs très solides car le plant se prends pour une pieuvre!!! Par ailleurs, il ne faut pas couper aucune tige que l'on prend pour des gourmands car elle produit des fruits sur tous les tiges. On oubliera facilement ce petit tracas lorsque vous mangerez les premières tomates, de véritables bonbons!


This message was edited Apr 22, 2013 9:44 AM

Do you want me to translate? It is effusive!

Heirloom Tomato Lovers

At least three of the farmers at my local Farmers Market save seed and grow their own heirloom tomato varieties every year...Is there a particular variey you'd like to try that I could bring to you at swap? There is some buzz about a black tomato. Greenhousegal what's on your wish list?