think DG has so grown so much in the past year that posts for postage like this will be seen far less. I know David was swamped with request as well as any anyone else that made a post for postage. The requests get over whelming in just a few hours. I know it was much more than I bargained for when I posted my cuttings. Maybe next year we can do things differently.
Perhaps a thread for newbies only looking for cuttings would work. Anyone wanting cuttings could post their wish list on the thread and those of us cutting back could contact people as we are able. It might make things easier on the giver as well as the receiver.
cuttings for postage or trade
david i received my cuttings today thank you there was so many I forgot that you were offering so many good ones I am so happy thanks again
spring
My brugs came this morning, WOW, they are huge and I owe you some postage. I love them. Can't wait to see them bloom next year. Thank you so very much! God Bless You! Cathy
Packing and sending cuttings is a not an easy thing to do. I appreciate each and every one that has been sent to me. I have a good collection started and hope that next year I can share with others.
I see how things could get out of hand. I can't imagine trying to deal with a massive give away. It takes lots of time and energy and is truly a labor of love.
Thank you David, Bonnie, Kell, BrugNanny for taking the time to send your cuttings to me.
If Im lucky I will be getting my first cutting from another DG'er, I hope I do but understand if I dont. Thanks to everyone and I mean everyone. I didnt want to get into this thread at first but I am so glad it seems to have worked itself out. Now I feel like im just blabbing but I hate arguments in the first place. Too many friends here that are still to be made to let a misunderstanding stand in the way.
I think that Poppysue's suggestion for a "Newbie Wants" thread might be a good idea. I think that many of us have prepared and sent a "brug starter" package to new members that join Daves and develop brug fever from watching this forum.
However brugs are not called temperamental angels for nothing. They can be time consuming to care for properly and can fall victim to a variety of pests and problems.
While I am not an advocate for limiting the sharing of plants/brugs, I wonder if we shouldn't encourage new brug owners to start with a few good plants and make it through one summer before acquiring a bunch. Brugs are meant to be enjoyed and I worry that many new brug owners will crash and burn from having so many to care for their first season.
I may be politically incorrect - - but I have taken to emailing newbies directly when I am able to provide them with a starter brug package and avoid posting what I can provide. Unfortunately, I have been somewhat taken back by several newbies that have emailed me wanting brugs from me when it is clear that they have already received numerous brugs from other folks.
The generousity of Davers never fails to amaze me, and I hate to see a thread like this one where we get overwhelmed through sharing. David, you are a gem for sharing on the scale you just did. It may be more trouble that it's worth, but I for one, would like to see a better way to set up new brug owners their first year and help them to be successful so that they will be brug growers for a long time. Nat
Nat.....Your post said just about everything in a very thoughtful way. I agree with what you are proposing as I would feel terrible if we lost the 'budding' enthusiasm of any new person because of their inexperience to handle a multitude of brugs for their first time.
edited to add. Those Angels can be demanding at times.
This message was edited Nov 19, 2003 3:37 PM
This message was edited Nov 19, 2003 3:44 PM
I have been a subscriber to DG since May and I lurk in the Brugmansia forum all the time. I am just fascinated by the beauty of these creatures but thought I could remain immune to their allure. HA!
Late in October on one of my walks I actually encountered a live brug on a porch some blocks away. It has never been there before and I haven't seen it since. It was astoundingly beautiful and the scent was out of this world.
It made me realize I am going to have to get one but I don't want to even think about it until I have been able to read up on them and their cultivation.
I look at all the pictures you post and I drool but I know that I have limited space and I am old enough and experienced enough to know that if my eyes are bigger than my yard all my plants will suffer.
This winter when my gardening chores are done I was planning to post and ask to be guided to some good info on the care of these beauties. I don't know if such a thing already exists but I think it would be a great idea to have a Brug Info section to introduce newcomers to the care and feeding of these beautiful plants. It would also be great to list varieties that are likely to be successful to the novice.
Is there something like this already set up? If not, do you think it would be possible? I would like to dip my toes in the water this spring but I don't want to bite off my than I can chew and I definitely don't want to upset anybody.
I was surprised and amazed when I read on this thread how much time, effort and material goes into packaging cuttings to give away. I had no idea so much work was involved and I think it is wonderful that you are willing to do that for each other. I think that if a Brug FAQ is set up it would be good to include the information on how much goes into sending cuttings and the proper etiquette in requesting them (newbies start with 1 or 2) and in sending generous postage to cover all the expenses.
I hope this unfortunate situation has a positive result in creating a FAQ system that will teach newbies how to get involved in brugs without stepping on anybody's toes or alienating anyone.
I would also like to say that whatever went on before, I admire Annabellegabby's courage in apologizing and asking for forgiveness. That is not an easy thing to do and I hope people will reach out to her in friendship and put this all behind them because you know what? DG is all about the people, and 99% of them are wonderful.
David,
Just got my package!! Whohoo!! You even figured out my DG name although I failed to mention it when I sent my check. In fact, I couldn't even remember what I had asked for!! Thanks bunches!! Brenda
NoH20,
I think that there are many different levels of brug growers here on this Forum. And I think your suggestion for a beginner forum would benefit everyone. Most of the Master Level Growers are very generous and helpful to the the beginning brugie - - but I have seen some short replies when a very elementary question is posted right in the middle of a detailed discussion. And while the majority of the information is right here on Daves - - it can be difficult to find the thread from six months ago that addresses your question.
When spring rolls around, please email me and I'll ship you a couple of small brugs for you to experiment with next summer. Plus I will be happy for you to email me any questions that you may have. I will answer what I know and refer you on to the more experienced growers if you have questions beyond my knowledge.
Some of the best folks I know are right here at Daves! Let's not forget that. Nat
This message was edited Nov 19, 2003 3:40 PM
You got that right, Nat. I've just had my first "brug summer" and have been thrilled with a few blooms. They are high maintenance plants. Most of mine are from seed and have not yet bloomed. I do have cuttings inside, under lights (some of them from you, Nat at GARU) and hopefully by spring they'll have some size to them and I will get earlier blooms.
There's lots of knowledge here, and everyone has been so helpful to me in my first year. I always say DG is the best.
Hi David,
I got my box today! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! For all your hard work and giving spirit. I really appreciated all they wonderful cuttings I got. May God reward you double fold. I will forever remember you when I look at thier blooms next year.
I have been thinking about posting Bengal Tiger Canna for postage, but when I think about tracking people's money, figuring postage (You were soooo smart to ask for a flat fee, take it or leave it), the back breaking digging, cutting of stems, cleaning of rhizomes, tagging, boxing, shipping, etc. etc, I cowardly change my mine. Its so very hard to do all that work when you have a full time job and no one to help you do it. The spirit is willing but boy is the flesh weak. You have a bigger heart than I. I may still get around to doing this once my GH is built and I have all tropicals in for the winter. But I will have to recruit some local DG helpers. LOL
God Bless You,
Daisy
Dave, I received my cutting today. Thank you so much for doing this for all of us.
Patricia
Hi David, I received my cuttings today. They all looked so wonderful. Thank you so much for doing this for all of us here at DG.
Clayton
Hello David,
I received my cuttings today. Boy,am I looking forward to watching them grow! I look at the pictures of the blooms and just about drool... Thanks for all your hard work and also thank you for entrusting me with the fruits of your labor.
Eileen
Poor David must be exhausted. I sent out 26 boxes a few weeks ago and I will never do it again. I actually took an entire day off work because I was not making enough headway doing them before and after work. It took me hours. When you work it makes it even harder to fit the time in. Good job David!!
Thank you so much for the fine cuttings. I can't even imagine the trouble you went to . What a guy!!
Flicker
Dave, I got my cuttings and I'm doing the HAPPY DANCE.
YIPEE-DOODLE
thank you again....b
Hi David, sent you an e-mail that I received my cuttings.. just wanted to say Thank you very much and now I have my whole kitchen counter occupied by the brug brigade.. Thank you for all the hard work you put into it. Gourd
I am glad to see you have made SO SO many people happy here David! Im proud of you! I surely wouldnt want to take on what you and others have done (as far as sending out cuttings for postage) BUT on the other hand, I wouldnt have got my starts from the wonderful people here, and I wouldnt have the chance to grow these beauties! I know the time will come, when I send out cuttings... you truely are an angel for offering these cuttings, and I thank you for that.
I have enjoyed DG so much in the short time I have been a member. Its been nice for me to relax and enjoy everything about this site especially a plant I never had heard of, a "Brugmania". There are so many grateful people obviously because of Daves generosity over these cuttings.
I think in fairness to Dave and because he is sharing these cuttings, doing the work to prepare them for shipping and "running to the post office" to send them, in my oponion (I ship Indian Jewelery) it would be easier to send everything C.O.D and include a small handeling fee in that amount. That way Dave gets his money up front and there is no questions about anything and we can all get on with more of this wonderful information about "Brugs"!!!! I think I will wait until next time to make my request but thank you anyway Dave.
That idea of sending plants or cuttings collect makes sense. Anyone know if it has been done before? In my brief time on Dave's, shipping has been paid by check or pay pal, before or after the shipping.
I have never shipped anything C.O.D, actually didn't think that option exicted anymore. If somebody shipped like that to me I would have a problem since I'm never home during the day.
I'm wondering what would happen if somebody didn't pay for a package, would I get my stuff back and owe for postage.
I think collecting before shipping is probably the best way.
after doing it for 3 years now, I agree with you Kris. up front.
When I did my mass mailing, Brugie had a fantastic idea for me that really helped. She said for everyone to send me the priority stamps and a self addressed sticker. I had them write what brugs they had asked for in the envelope so I would not have to go back and look at each email or thread.
Then as I opened their envelopes I wrote in pencil in the corner of the priority box what brugs they wanted and how many stamps they sent. The more stamps, the bigger the cuttings and the more of 1 kind they received. Alot of stamps got special brugs that I only had a few of.
I slapped on their self addressed sticker, and then I laid out the boxes all around the room. I would walk around the room with a handful of a certain type of brugs and deposit on top of the box that had that brug noted on it. When all done, I then wrapped the brugs on top of each box together. Made it much easier for me.
Thanks Brugie! I don't think I ever told you how much you helped!
You are welcome. Glad it helped.
I really think that should become a standard, I remember doing that--y'all have too much to do without addressing lables and looking back and forth. I think this idea needs a new thread so it will catch on!
Shall we call it the "Brugie Method" ?
That certainly sounds like a good system to me (Brugie's). Being a newbie myself I was not at real enthused with the "newbie" forum idea. And I may not be perfect, but I certainly have had no problem sending postage for cuttings and do my best to make sure people know how appreciative I am. I've been shopping around for an unusual brug so that I may be able to send a much desired cutting of something that everyone who's sent me cuttings would like. You know? I like Brugie's method. No one would be discriminated against for one person's faux pas. I have common sense and have done many a co-op for other gardening clubs. Shipping and packaging, sweating the emails that "I didn't get mine", when you've got the confimation of receipt #. You know? I may be new to the brug section, but I am not new to being courteous and appreciative of someone's time and trouble that saves me a whole bunch of money were I to have to go buy cuttings or plants on the web or to have to drive to Florida.
I would think that asking for 'handling fees' would be the same as charging for plants which is selling and the site is for trading. I have seen this subject come up time and time again and it saddens me to see it once more.
Not so long ago, this forum was split into two forums and people were forced to pick sides. The fight was not the same, but still it was a fight.
Many people will worry this week about whether or not they can provide a Thanksgiving dinner to their families. They are already worrying in advance about how and if they can pay for Christmas.
Can we please be nice and handle private things personally?
I think the advise that Brugie gave to Kell was great. I'll just leave things like this to the experts.
I'd just be happy to start my brug collection without it being a hassel for anyone.
I'm too new to give advise about plants, Indian Jewelery yes, so I will just stay with what I do know.