I have been holding off since shipping is so high right now but I HAD to do it :)
This is what I ordered
Episcia
silver skies
maylaysian ruby
Alsobia
San Miguel
Chimera standard The Alps (woohooo FINALLY)
Min chimera Rob's Lucky Penny
Rob's scrumptious
Rob's cloudy skies
warm sunshine (YELLOW)
Frosty spring
Sinnigia Bewitch *gonna try my luck*
I broke down and ordered from Rob
Those are some GREAT choices! Let us know how the plants look after you get them. I've been debating since he has some new "scented" streps, but his shipping cost is just soooo high in the winter. Last year, I paid $32 just in shipping!
LOL I know I am going to pay a fortune in shipping! But hubby gave me the go ahead since I have ALWAYS wanted the alps and lucky penny. He said just do it and let me pick up a couple of others while I was on the way :)
I will let you know what they look like when they get here.
They said they gaurantee them if you go with expedited shipping.
Your DH is a keeper!
Oh my goodness Lorry ! Shipping super WOw
"Safe delivery guaranteed at ALL times, even in winter!
Total express shipping = $21 + .80 (# large) + .50 (# small)
Total express shipping begins at $21.00 per box**
For each "large" plant ordered, add $.80. For each "small" plant ordered, add $.50.
"
I can't believe not only the $21.00 but then extra for each plant small or large. lol
Your hubby sure is a keeper :))
Now just a reminder Isolate your new plants please when you get them. :)) And take pictures. .... :))
i stopped at the HD this morning after the gym to see if they had the AV's i had gotten there last Sat or so...to my surprise..they were pretty much gone...solid blue and pinks left...lady there said they come in every 2 weeks or so....there's are not optimara...so many times that's what i see at walmart...
Allison,
That was my exact thought--why the extra per plant charge on top of that pricey winter shipping amount? I probably won't place an order this winter because of the high shipping and the fact that it appears he also raised the plant prices.
Ues I feel the same way. I shipped out boxes today and beacasue a lot of thick insulation is used two large priroty boxes are used , with heat packs in each one then the two boxes taped together. There were 12 -13 plants in each box some 4 " large ones too. and bags of leaves and with delievery confirmation it was like $15.00 and I'm sure he gets discounts. Oh yes the plants were FREE :))
Allison,
You are like a violet fairy, sharing your wonderful plants with everyone! I can't imagine getting a delivery of 26 plants! Usually when I order from Rob's, I order 12-15 plants so I guess that's the most I've ever received at one time. Tonight when I was preening over my plants, I realized that I have up to 6 of the same plant. I need to find good homes for them so that I can get other varieties. I guess I can do that this spring when it is warmer and it's not such a hassle to get my kids out to go to the post office. Dragging a 3 and 4 year old to the post office with boxes makes me cringe and reminds me of recent shipping of Christmas gifts. :)
I guess maybe Rob views shipping costs as a way to make extra money? I think the most I have paid for shipping on ebay recently is $12.50 and that was for 7 or 8 plants and the plants were much larger than Rob's. I will order from Rob's this spring. Did you notice his new scented streps? :)
I'm not really trying to defend those high shipping costs (I waited until spring to order from Rob's last year), but you're also paying for packing materials, and (more so) for the time it takes to pack them, which helps explain why some of the charge is per plant. Even so, his charges seem higher than they should be, at least in comparison to other vendors.
Allison, you should ask people to chip in a little extra over your shipping costs to cover your packing materials and heat packs.... sounds like you've sent out a bunch of astonishing boxes! You sure are "like a violet fairy, sharing your wonderful plants with everyone!" PlantMom put it well!
Lorry, you've got a box of spectacular selections headed your way, there! WOW!! Give your DH an extra smooch from us -- we think he's fabulous!
Lorry, I laughed when I saw the title of this thread. I just told Allison I was trying to be good and wait until spring to order from Rob's. I have only gotten one order from him, and the plants were small, but really healthy and symmetrical ( and so cute). They were also in the best condition as far as shipping damage goes that I have gotten. I don't think there was even a leaf broken on any of my plants. I thought shipping was high, as well. When the package arrived, I noticed it cost him $24.00 to send the plants, and at that time, it was slightly more than he had charged me for shipping. So, I ended up a happy camper. Hope your plants are great. : ) Let us know what the Lucky Penny is like. It is really pretty in pictures.
I have bought a few plants off EBAY...some I have been thrilled with and some were a little disappointing. I do have my eye on a chimera (I think that's what it is) someone is selling there.......and I don't even know how to take care of one. HA. Very addictive, this little hobby. Hope everyone's new year is starting off well. HP
Chimera care is the same as for any other AV.... It's just the propagating that's a little different, as they must be propagated from a sucker rather than a leaf cutting in order to "come true."
Yes, definitely addictive.... y'all were warned, weren't you? ;-)
Oops. I meant Chirita. Chimeras are beautiful, though. I haven't ever seen one, except in pictures. Thanks, Critterologist. : )
Chirita's ( HP which one are you looking at ? ) are beautiful oh how I need more room with them and Strep's and Epsicas are growing large so fast. I have one Chirita to share now my Favorite one ! And when I get my other two I will put leaves down from them also to share too.
I looked but could not find the scented Strep's on Rob's and I could not find the Sinnigia Bewitch either ???
Well I bought heat packs last year by the hundreds as people were going in on them then no one helped and they cost $2.00 each then. And I gave loads of them away free. The first large roll of insulation my husband was like it's large, it cost a lot , you won't be able to use it all. I told him I need it
and I will use it. I am on my 4th. roll sense November ! They have gone up about $4.00 more a roll sense roll one. I'm sure vendors buy so much they get a discount. I do use priority tape ( when I can get it) and their free boxes. I am using two heat packs per person as their each getting two large priority boxes taped together as with insulation and my fussing packaging not as much can fit into one box. Spring you can fit more, but if it's real hot summer I use insulation again.
The leaves to grow the plants some rare most going for extremly high prices and the 6-9 months plus of care to grow the babies , I can't see sending them out if your not going to do your best packaging and protecting them to as arrive safe that you can. This is what I try to do. ! Rob's is one of the only Vendors that ships while cold and Express mail cost a lot ..so it's up to that person if they want to pay $30.00 or more a box just for shipping..But I have to wait for Spring. Even in Spring and Summer his Shipping Starts out at $12.00 for first plant..
I feel it's important to suport our Vendors. Lyndon's Lyon's Sells everything Av's, Strep's, Chimeras and more ! They said they will never sell on Ebay.
Violet Gallery their plants large , healthy excellent selection...Everyone has up their prices a bit but is does cost a lot for leaves, and the 6-9 months or longer for the care and time of growing the plants until ready to sell. I know for me packaging time takes a lot of time too !
It's sad Alice got Lupus , so we lost Fredrick's and then Denis took over and it was D&P so a great Vendor with large selction another out of business.
If they are not suported and bought from these great selctions and great prices will be gone.
Most Vendors do not ship during the winter .The cost of suplies and then will they make it safe .
Most Ebayers I see are an average of $9.00 for one plant plus any where from $1.75 to $3.00 extra is you need a heat pack and $1.50 for each extra plant. And now in another week shipping cost are going up, not only on stamps but on Priority and other mailings. It's hard for the Vendors I'm sure working to give us the beautiful violets and Gessies we want with the high cost of shipping not to mention heat and electrical fuel charge have gone sky high to grow them.
African violets sure are Treasures ! Were so blessed to have them and grow them ! Everyone should have some leafs down always if only a few for sharing /swaps, trades with others !
I feel if there is a plant your looking for see if a friend has one to share, a leaf they may put down or send to you !
Bell's of Ireland ( I seen selling for over $18.00 still going ??), for an example, I have it, one promised out , I have a few or more lol Playful Spectrums , Emilie Savage and others selling for Rare I bought from Bluebirds and have leaves down ! Russians very Rare only for sale one Ebay, I have the same plants lot's of babies, leaves down and I bought mine from Bluebirds. Share and swap, trade smart...first then you will have the $$ to buy that Special Chimera or Scented Streptocarpus your dreaming of ! .
I know this is in the Sticky along with other wonderful links and information so please take advantage of our New Stickys and all the hard work Begonia did for us ! :)) Thank You !
African Violets Search Page
http://home.earthlink.net/~sestes1373/avsearch.html
I was tempted and even had my AVs picked out, then looked at and thought about the prices of shipping and I just couldn't do it. I just got 4 very healthy AVs from Bluebird and some fertilizer and paid less than $25.00- and that included shipping! Rob is too rich for my blood!
Yes Bluebird and Violet Gallery have low shipping and nice size plants too ! Good deal for your money ! I agree.
Allison,
Rob's scented streps are Bristol's Goose Egg and Bristol's Sixth Scents.
Stephanie
Does Violet gallery ship this time of year?
Usually I would not pay the shipping but those are the two I have ALWAYS wanted..so he told me to go for it :) So I jumped on it!
I will have plenty to share I am sure :)
Thanks Stephanie . Has anyone tried these do they really smell ?
You lucky Duck Lorry :))
Violet Gallery's 2006 web sight is up ! They will start shipping in May or April if warm enough ! Orders are First come first ship. I placed mine yesterday :)) They will reserve your plants on a first order basis but will not charge your card until shipped :))
This message was edited Jan 5, 2006 11:21 AM
Oh and what is HD? LOL I have to ask!
Bewitched is on the extras pages..it is not something they usually sell
http://www.violetbarn.com/special_offers1.htm
Oh Lorry it's beautiful ! No wonder you had to have it !
LOL I DID I DID>....once I can do some reasearch :) I will attempt to propogate it :)
With luck...perhaps someday I will have it to share!
It is beautiful!
Well hopefully I will have it to share some day April :)
My daughter has a lovely SINNINGIA- don't know which one, though I am sure she does, growing in her yard. She made one attempt at a cutting but it didn't take, let me know if there is any thing special that is required because I will happily make cuttings for myself and anyone else! It's kind of an apricot/sunset color, will get the name and let you know.
From what I read it is best t get at least partof the tuber when you make the cutting. They take a long time to grow ...it says about 6 months it just grows the tuber...SOOOO...it may just have been building up that sucker.
Look under the propogating other gessies thread I posted....Someone potsed a terrific link to gessie propogation
I got confirmation of my order..They say it is going out the week of the 9th :)
The only thing they didn't have was warm sunshine :( I am a bit bummed about that but there is always the spring!
So this is what I am officially getting.
Espiscia Silver skies
> Episcia Malaysian Ruby
> Alsobia San Miguel
> Mini chimera Rob's lucky penny
> chimera The Alps
> Rob's cloudy skies
> frosty spring
> sinningia bewtiched
> Neem oil
Sounds exciting and Fun !
I am excited :)
and hopefull by spring..I may have SOME to share :)
I also ordered 2 variegated episcia from karutz...:)
Which you may want to get on a waiting list for..if I don't kill them! Sounds like the variegated require more care then the average episcia.
Oh and I will put down leaves on anything and everything big enough when they arrive...Though I hear they are pretty small..so who knows :)
They will donate when they can though
Lorry what is karutz..? The variegated are no harder or different I fount. You live in Florida with heat and humidity ! They will grow like weeds for you ! I never had to cover any of them :))
Not even the variegated? They say that they need to be in terrarium type of atmosphere.
Kartuz is a website.
these are the two variegated I ordered.
http://www.kartuz.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=KG&Product_Code=10434&Category_Code=1GES08
http://www.lapshin.org/episcia/PIC/peppermint-brocade_blossom-is-red.jpg
I also placed an order for some other things
Chirita Collection
Episcia 'Silver Queen'
Episcia 'Wow'
Sinningia 'Cherry Sprite' (Kartuz) *mini*
Variegated episcia!
Peppermint_Brocade
Pink_Brocade
How about sinningia? Have you found it neccessary to cover those?
Kartuz is good to order from- I love them tho usually order things that are for outdoors.
Lorry you are out of control!
LOL I am April..but my husband is an enabler!
Every time I say I LOVE something..he tells me to buy it!
This message was edited Jan 6, 2006 12:36 PM
Hang on to him!
LOL I plan to April :)
He gets money for palms..I get the spare room, the stands and gessies :)
Seems fair to me.
Then again he stole all of my heat mats for his lipstick palm *growl*
So I suppose we enable one another.
Lorry did you get your exoress order from Rob ? And did you get your order from Kartuz. I know Rob's plants are good do you have pictures :))
I was wondering how the Chirtias from Kartuz are as I'd sure love some more. The size and qulity ? Have any pictures please ? In the Spring Rob has some noce Chiritas too. Maybe I'll go for a scented Strep Stephanie told us about ! The prices for them are sure great !
Allison