oh, and i'm a he. :)
Scented Geranium Swap, PT 2 (Pelargonium)
Dad burn it, sorry about that, some times it's hard to tell I guess. still glad to have ya,
So I have 8 of the Dr. Livingston skeleton geraniums rooting in thback yard. I'm interested in chocolate peppermint, strawberry, fringed apple, french vanilla, cinnamon, almond, nutmeg, and lime. I'm not sure how the trade rules work and i read he rules and am still a little hazy. Do I send all my cuttings to one person and recieve some in return? Or do we claim plan ts with individuals and send them individually? Sorry for being pestery ;)
your not being pestery, LOL, we're the only ones up this late LOL. I'll let bassetmom explain to you, it took about l0 emails for the rules to get clear to me too LOL I'll take one of your dr. livingstone ones, is that the variegated? I can't remember if it's variegated or not.
it's not but it's very strongly scented rose/lemon and has cute little pink flowers and skeleton foliage.
Hi, naien! Welcome to the madness!
I should be getting a couple of SG orders today or tomorrow, and hope that I will have some good possibilities for cuttings so I can add to my "swap-crop!" I'm getting a French Vanilla that naiden is looking for...I will let you know what shape they are in when I get them. My orders are from Papa Geno's and Hobb's...
Tracy
I was looking at the French Vanilla one at I think it was Hobbs Farms. It sure is pretty. I haven't started to root my nutmeg yet. I'm waiting for it to get a bit bigger before I wack at it. Princessysf, I only have the one sg so your chocolate and lemon would be nice for me so please hang here and participate. What is one man's/woman's garbage is another's treasure.
-Juli
Good morning, gentleman and ladies! That was my error, Naien, and I do apologize.
Rules: All rooted cuttings are due to me by 7/30. When you ship, post a list here of what you are sending and how many of each. When I receive all of the plants and inspected, I will post a final list of how many of each variety are available. Then, you DGMAIL me your wish list in order of preference. Given how much is being rooted, we are hoping you get back more than you send. Critterologist will be assisting with the actual plant distribution...
All plants should be marked with name of SG and DG name.
Oh, and, include a list of "definitely don't wants" as well, in case you simply cannot abide a certain scent, etc.
Also, I'm wondering if you should just ship in the set rate $7.70 boxes and then send that postage along to make this easier on all of you in figuring postage?
Does this help? If not, please let me know what I have made even more murky than before...
Barb
Thanks Juli, I will. I should be getting my papageno's order tomorrow, I'm so anxious to see how they look. I ordered an assortment so it's really going to be a surprise since I don't know which plants I will be getting. I have a request though for you all.....I'm new to the whole rooting process. I was wondering if someone could post a picture of a cutting that is well rooted so I could get a good visual on what it should look like. I guess one that is like what we should send. I have a couple of things I'm working on now, some mint and torenia and I just wasn't sure what the finished product should look like. I want to make sure I do it right. I hope someone can help. Thanks. Fran
Hi, Barb! Thank you so much for all the work you are putting in here...did I hear you say "never again...!?"
As a newbie to the whole swap thing, would you, or someone else, please explain how these rootings are best shipped: Priority Mail? How should they be packaged? Should we also include self addressed mailing lables for you at distribution time? Any tips for plant survival or things to avoid for plant demise? Approx. how many plants would fit into the "$7.70" box if they are in 4" pots...?
Thanks agian...
Tracy
Please ship priority, max two days en route to me... and use delivery confirmation, please.
You can wrap the roots in a damp (wrung out) paper towel and then in a plastic bag or saran. Secure and mark with the name of the plant and your DG name. I roll each one in newspaper and pad the box with more newspaper. When I receive them, I will check each one and make sure its got plenty of moisture to make the next leg of its trip.
I have no idea how many will fit, though you might want to use the largest $7.70 box (anyone?). Then, you can just slip in a $7.70 stamp (and yes, your return label) with your plants when you send them along.
No, I don't think I said "never again"... not yet anyway.
And, don't you know, I planned on taking pics of my unknown lemon to post and forget to put my camera back in my magic pocket of my wheelchair...
Barb (now to open my box from Fragrant Fields and hope over to the mint thread...)
Hi Tracy, yep, take those cuttings out of the pot and shake some of that dirt off, not all, just most, When I pull mine out of the pot say a square 4 in pot I pull a 4 in square clump of dirt out that is massive with roots most of the time, I just give it a little nudge and knock it down some so it's not so big, and Don't wrap the whole scented geranium in plastic just in case you weren't clear on that, just wrap the rooted part that you had already wrapped with moist paper towel, and make it plenty moist, so it will not be dry when it gets to barb. Put plenty of packing material in the box all around the plants to keep them still in delivery so they won't break during shipment, Label each cutting, even if your sending 7 of one kind, this way Barb doesnt have to go back and do any labeling, I would also suggest each cutting is individually wraped, as well, (don't wrap 7 of one kind in the same paper towel and saran wrap, this will make it harder on Barb to divide them.
If I send l0 chocolate mint scented geraniums I'll have l0 little packages neatly wrapped up and each one labeled chocolate mint. (example)
And If you have anything that goes to a certain individual be sure to mark that on the plant as well, I have several things going to certain individuals that I will label like that as well.
Depending on how tall your cuttings are, if their small you can fit at least 20 in a flat rate 7.70 box. Except for me , I won't be able to send mine like that, (in the flat rate box) I have some extra things that are going along for the ride too, and will ship in a large box priority mail. I wouuld also sugggest we all do delivery confirmation, just to be on the safe side, seems every time I don't, the p.o. man looses my box.
You can get exact shipping charges from your zip to barb's if you know her zip and go to www.usps.com and calculate postage to her to see if you need to go the 7.70 box, If your box costs less to send than 7.70 don't put it in the flat rate box, just use a priority box. We don't want any extra money going to the p.o. it should go to barb for all her trouble LOL
If you print your labels on line you can get free delivery confirmation as well, which will save you some money.
Hope this helps too.
I got to go, got a bad headache. too much work outside I think.
Thank you to Kathy for all that. YES, ship with confirmation. It will be the only way to be sure. YES, please package and mark them each separately with plant name and your DG name. Any extra postage will be returned to you....
Barb
Thanks, you two. Very clear! I just checked on the kids - I mean the cuttings I took - and they are all doing great! In fact, some have already rooted, and are looking quite happy!
Barb, I also got my order from Fragrant Fields today. They really look nice...I got some mints and a couple of thymes. Just what everyone needs, isn't it? more thyme...?
Tracy
Thyme is my next big thing. I am hoping to expand that particular area of the garden soon...
Barb
I just got my order from Papa Geno's........and it was horrible! Now, I have never ordered plants by mail so I will be looking for opinions as to how these plants look to see if I am being unreasonable, but I never expected plants in this poor condition. I don't have a digital camera so I ran to the store to get a disposable to take some to send to Papa Geno's with my letter. I'll be posting them in a little while. Please weigh in and give me your thoughts. I ordered the 10 plant fragrance assortment and 1 plant by name Camphor Rose. I received the following: Snowflake, Cody's nutmeg, Pink Champagne, Luciflora, Coca Mint Rose, Golden Nutmeg, Blandiflorianum Scented Geranium, Balm scented, Grace Thomas, and 2 with the tags cut off so I don't know their names. Another 2 had the tags loose in the box so I had to guess which ones they were. Tons of yellow leaves and the poor Golden Nutmeg was about an inch high! I don't know if I can nurse it back to health or not. Tracy did you get yours yet? I know you were expecting your this week too. I be back in a couple hours with the pics. Thanks. Fran
Wow, that's awful! And so very disappointing..
But, don't give up, maybe you have something ELSE we all might want in exchange for some roots SG's... yet another way to be here and play along...
Now, back to making seed kits for Ellie's next sale...
Barb
you wait until I start collecting seed...... You will be innundated! I have to get out there and start on the snow in summer as it is for you!
Heather
Figured I'd report in. So far, both rose scented geraniums are doing well, looks like half a dozen cuttings each of 'Attar of Roses' and 'Cocoa Mint Rose'. The 'Southernwood' cuttings have rooted (4), and so have 2 'Lime' cuttings. 'Cody's Nutmeg' is being slow to root, but I have a couple of cuttings that still look good. The 'Strawberry' (semi-trailing) cuttings did not take, so hopefully I'll be able to get a couple more cuttings and try that one again. Still no cuttings available from the 'Coconut' SG, but it had a couple of flowers this week, so perhaps we'll get a few seeds. I'll stick some more cuttings this week!
It's been fun following along as everyone finds new varieties or gets tempted by "just one more" plant! I'm delighted that our swap has attracted so many enthusiasts! I'm sorry the Papa Geno's plants were disappointing. Hopefully they'll at least survive, and then the plants can participate in next year's swap! :-)
I lost a few this week so I am starting more tomorrow. I hate that... one day everything looks fine, next day some have died off for no apparent reason while the others just keep on perking...
On the upside, my stevia cuttings are growing like weeds! Going to sell some stevia next week, as it is very good for people with MS who can't have artificial sweetner... oops, wrong thread...
Any way, back to cutting and sticking tomorrow. Have lots of new coleus and sweet cicely to root, too. This is the life...
Barb
Ok, here are some pictures. Sorry about the quality, I'm not very good with a camera. This is golden nutmeg
This is Snowflake? the tag wasn't in it so it's a guess
Well, not to add more fire to the pit, but I got my order today from Papa Geno's, too. It was very, very poor quality. I am also writing a letter, and enclosing pics. It just so happens that I also got an order today of SGs and other geraniums from Hobbs Farm and Greenery. The difference in the two orders is astounding! Where the Papa Geno's plants are small and yellowed, the Hobbs order looks like it just came fresh from a neighbor's greenhouse, and was carried across the street to me! Night and day...
don't even ask me about the difference in the shipping charges!!! (9.99 for Hobbs, and $20.85 for PGs!!!)
I don't think I will have any new SGs to add to the swap :-( but the ones listed above in my original note are doing good!
Take care, all!
Tracy
Well, I need to apologize! I don't think I should bash Papa Geno's here, before talking to them...I was disappointed in my order...but...well...I shoulda given them the opportunity to explain.
anyway...I have emailed them about my concerns, and sent pics as well. I'm sure that I will hear back from them. I looked up their rating in the watchdog, and they have had a good reputation. I'm holding off on my opinion until I hear back from them. Will keep you informed.
Barb...sorry you lost a couple of plants! I was so busy bragging on myself about how well mine were doing! I better watch out!
Tracy
No problem, Tracy, nothing like waiting on plants only to be disappointed!
I started about forty more cuttings today, along with coleus, mint, perilla, stevia, roses... first real day out in the garden in over a week. Ellie and I got so much done!
Now, I have to make 100 Seeds of Hope Buttons and thirty more seed kits...
Barb
Since I'm not going to have too many sg cuttings for the swap I was wondering if anyone is interested in any basil. I picked up a few from the nursery today and was going to try to root some cuttings. I got Aussie Sweetie, Cinnamon, and African Blue. Is anyone interested in basils for sg's? Fran
edited to add: I also have lemon balm if anyone is interested in that. lmk
This message was edited Jun 17, 2005 3:51 PM
I'd take some Aussie Sweetie and African Blue, as I don't have those yet. See, you can still get some SG's!!! When you post your list of things you are sending, be sure to include those for me so I add SG's in return for them.
Barb
Oh, sure, I'd love some african blue basil.... I bet it would make a pretty house plant! The Aussie Sweetie sounds nice too.... I just planted out a number of Cinnamon basil, so I'm good there!
In my experience, basils root very readily in water. Just change the water every day so the stems don't go soft.
Hi All, just got back from out of town,
Didn't catch all the catch up here, but FRAN, call papa genos, my order was the same way they refunded 3 of my plants for me. they said this time of year they have to send doubles to replace ones that their out of. and mine had yellow leavs too, and all are doing fine now. they were delighted to give me a refund, you need to go to the web site and get their phonenumber though, don't worry of sending in any pictures, just call they'll refund your plants for you. and tell them about the tags being off too, you have no idea which is wich and you wanted names on them,
I don't think I lost any geranims while I was gone, the lady taking care of things, did an excellent job on everything around here. she even watered the veggie garden.
got to mow my forest now, will check back later.
Kathy, I sent Papa Geno's an email on Thursday night and they replied Friday morning. They refunded half of my money, but didn't give me any explanation for the condition of the plants or names for the unlabeled ones. I don't know if it would do any good to call them about it, I don't know how they could tell what they are. I'm just hoping they all live now. Hope you had a good trip! Fran
I finally got a pic of the varigated nutmeg to show you all!!! Still smaells lemon-y to me not nutmegish... but pretty.
Heather
I do see some variegation there, as it grows older it will be more visible too.
I've checked all my scenteds, I think I lost the celery one barb, I don't know if I'll have time to root another one before the big send off date. I'll try though, I found a couple rotten ones, but they were ones that I had plenty of.
How's everybody elses cuttings doing? is jutz back yet from her trip? forgot when she said she was coming back.
Im back from our trip...we got in on Tuesday night..Ive been trying to get ahold of everybody I told to hold off on trades..geez its like Ive been gone for years...also got an email from Fragrance farm this morning saying my mints were being shipped and I got them right after that..the box is huge and havent even opened it yet...oh woooooo is me...I hate to tell everyone how many plants I shipped home from Arizona...got myself a yellow crown of thorns and a purple prickly pear..well thats my hubbys..go figure on his first plant that he wanted...all the rest are cactus. aloes of all different kinds....succulents up the wazoooooo....walmart in Falgstaff had a huge sectin and I went crazy...sent them home to my friend to babysit until I got home..got to pick those up tomorrow...then sent another box to myself and got that yesterday...still trying to find a place for those..I have a sickness and its getting worse..plant fever...lolol.....Judy
LOL Judy, your too funny, glad you had a good time though. before i left, the lady came out too look over the plants, and see what I wantd her to do, and when she walked out the back end of the greenhouse she said I needed help. asked if there ws somekind of therapy for the illness I had, I think she was serious too LOL. I told her I was going to drastically downsize before winter. and she said that wouldn't help much. It's a good thing i'm good friends with this lady LOL.
We sound alike...I had my daughter watering the stuff in the house and breezeway and when I called to ask her how things were she said.....MOM I went outside for a minute and OMG what a jungle out there...I started laughing and told her 2 boxes were on their way to fill in all the extra space I have...NOT!!!!!!...
Its not even the middle of the growing season and Im still plant shopping....Judy
Dear Bassetmom, I'm a new subscriber to DG, and I'm very impressed with the kindness and friendliness of the members. I'm especially impressed by you (and your daughter) and all the wonderful things you manage to do despite your illness. All power to your elbow, or wheelchair batteries, or whatever! I would love to join in the SG swap as I've been wanting to build up a collection of these plants for ages. However, as I live in spain I guess it's not possible. Is it possible to collect seed from these plants? If so, I've got lots of seeds I could offer in exchange (flowers, herbs and veg). Please let me know if a) seed is collectable and viable and b) if you or any of the others in this swap would be willing to trade seeds with me. Thankyou so much . Maggi xxxx (the x's are kisses-don't know if you use them like that in the states!)
Well, I certainly have no problem with you joining us. I do believe some of them come true from seed but I am far from an authority on this as I always get mine as plants and propagate from cuttings.
I would be happy to have you join us to trade cuttings for any plants you might have. You and I can work out how much postage would have to be. Why don't you list what plants or seeds you have to ffer and see if anyone here is interested in trading scenteds for them. If not, I will work something out with you privately.
To everyone else, I have been offline as I have had a fever, sore throat and headache (which is the only part of me that doesn't usually hurt). Add a seizure and you can only imagine... My plants and cuttings have suffered from my neglect and the heat and I pray I don't lose them all. Kathy, Lavender Lad is suffering and may go the way of your celery...
Thankfully, there may be time to take more...
On the upside, Ellie had her dance recital yesterday and was just wonderful...Welcome back, jjutz!
Barb
This message was edited Jun 26, 2005 12:55 PM
Barb, hope you are feeling better....this weather has been killing me including my plants..the scenteds dont look very good and alot of the cuttings have died up since my tender loving care wasnt there to take care of them...Ive popped some more in the ground but Im not sure if they will be ready for the exchange..mayb we should change the date...I feeling the pressure...
Your daughters picture is adorable..she looks so proud....Judy
I was thinking that maybe we could include non-rooted cuttings if we lose too many. Or, move this back as you suggest. We would need a consensus. I am concerned people like Kathy might find the delay to be a problem, given her ebay business.
Anyone else want to weigh in on this?
Barb
Dear Barb,
It's great to hear from you; I'm so sorry you have had a bad time lately. I get the impression (from DG FAQ about trading) that sending plants and cuttings internationally is very difficult, so i'm going to post a list of seeds I have available as soon as I get it sorted out. Please bear with me if I don't get it posted till tomorrow-FMS means my mind and body refuse to co-operate fully-Today seems to be one of those days-lots of computer gardening,no getting out to the real thing which really needs doing! I know you ,if anyone, will understand. Anyway, I wanted to let you know I'd seen your posting and am working on it.
Thanks, Maggi xxxx