Hooray! My First Class 2 program finally arrived! *Happy Dance!*
I've only just installed it, and I'm looking forward to playing with the search features -- so far, I just love it!
In case you haven't checked it out yet, here's the link to the AVSA store: http://www.avsa.org/Store/Books.html#First%20Class%20MVL%20Program
Click on the link to get to the First Class site (having trouble getting it to copy directly, sorry). I paid $25 for the program when I bought it together with my $25 AVSA membership.
ROTFL! I've recently been enchanted by the 'Buckeye' series of AVs, so I checked to see how many varieties there were. I figured there were at least a dozen, maybe 20, from what I'd come across..... OMG! There are 167 'Buckeye' AVs! OK, there goes my notion that I could "collect the whole set!" If they were miniatures, I'd still be tempted.... but some of the Buckeyes are seriously large standards!
Hmmm, then I thought, well maybe just the ones with variegated leaves... that's 166 varieties! OK, just the ones whose leaves also have the red backs that just make the plants seem to glow... Now we're down to 50 varieties....
I'm having fun playing with this! (You can probably tell, can't you?)
My only disappoinment so far is discovering that the "personal note" space where you can add a comment, purchase record, etc for each variety is limited to 62 characters. There goes my idea that I could keep track of leaf pots, ears, and available plantlets with this program.... I'll still keep limited records here, but I think I'd better set up an Excel database or a Word file for the propagation stuff.
My First Class program arrived!
Super ! Congratulations ! Other than when mine was messed up and I was waiting on Joe to send a new CD I use it everyday :)) I love it. It's well worth the $25.00 . Now it up-dates about every two months sometimes more often ...I think the first year up dates are included and each year after is $10.00. I paid for extra years up-dates when I got it so not sure .
Have Fun !! I have a couple Buckeyes still you may have. Buckeye Elusive Stars, Buckeye Cherry Topping .
I ordered BUCKEYE IRISH LACE and will put leaves down for you !
I could kick myself for selling Buckeye Ruby Tuesday ( I have never seen it any where again I got a leaf in trade ) I sold it cheap the variegated beauty no words could explain and then my baby died :((. Never know I may have more but I know I have those three for you :))
PS Most Buckyes are registered ..some not I could not find Buckeye Irish Lace. I been wanting it and Violet Gallery has it :))
Allison, I would love a 'Buckeye Cherry Topping' from you! It''s already on my wish list in our entry in my trade tracker... That red-backed variegated foliage is just irresistable!
I just looked up the photo, and wow do I wish you still had 'Buckeye Ruby Tuesday'!
It'll be fun to see how 'Buckeye Irish Lace' does for you!
Allison, do you print out labels from your First Class program? What kind of printer do you use? It looks like I may have to play around a little with the resolution on mine....
I have a think tank Cannon. I have another one but never use it anymore. And this one have not used for ages. I need to buy ink. And dumb dumb me try to adjust that did not be adjusted and the perfect pictures are no longer perfect :((. But the words print out. You can print out on sheet no sqaures, or with pictures or with out pictures. Stickey lables or not. I use to print out pictures for everyone when I shipped them plants, then I messed it up just printed out the info... now I need ink so I have been Dmailing and typing FC info out for them. I am going to have hubby pick up ink :))
That's great news Citter....Have fun researching all the different violets :)
Thanks, Allison! I'm going to mess with mine a little.... I like the idea of sending labels with plants, and I think it'd be a big plus to include a photo of what the little plantlet is striving to be when it grows up!
Oh, and thank you everyone for your patience with my impatience! I must've whined on 5 different threads that my FC program hadn't arrived yet.... I hope Lorry got hers, too!
Glad it finally arrived. Keep us up to date on all the things you do with it.
WOW Lorry got her's too ! Congratulations ! :)) I like being able to send the picture alnong with plant so people can know what the blossoms will look like !
I can't beleive I messed my alignment up when nothing was wrong with it. I always enjoyed doing the picture lables. I am going to get ink and see what I can do , or at least be able to print out the info again !
I'm so excited you two got yours ! Enjoy have fun
it never ends :))
I didn't get mine yet :(
I did get m y first AV magazine but still no FC program which I ordered back in December.
i think..SOMEPLACE>.i have some very old copies of AV Magazine....do i dare go digging....?...
Oh for Heaven's sake, me too Bob.........Buckeye? Now you've done it Critter, I have a whole new plant to check out! It's seriously dangerous to hang out (or even peek into!) this forum!!!! I like the idea of "big", cuts down on how many one can collect, as you say, but sure sounds interesting....
I'm off to look up Buckeyes. (Darn you Critter!)
K :~)
K, did you see this picture of my 'Buckeye Boysenberry' plant last week? It's getting a bunch of buds now, and I can't wait for it to bloom again! The larger leaves are actually the size of my palm, no kidding!
BTW, since you're hooked on Buckeyes now, think "trade" before you start bidding on eBay or something... I think my few larger plantlets are spoken for, but I've got newly potted suckers and leaves down for this one as well as for 'Buckeye Bellringer' and the similarly large/variegated 'Grape Slush' and 'Apache Victory'. Also, I happen to know that Deb (debcooper53) put a bunch of 'Buckeye' leaves down!
Lookie! I found a site where I can get as many as I want! This is DANGEROUS! Although trading is always the most fun, then they have a Dave's Garden buddy attached! :~D No doubt about it, I'm gonna need a bigger house.
http://www.orderafricanviolets.com/Standards%20A-C.htm
(scroll down to the Buckeyes)
Karen
Sorry for hijacking your thread Critter, I had to go look up First Class too.........I'm getting a REAL education here!
This message was edited Jan 10, 2006 8:46 PM
I don't think cedar creek ships in winter though Kachinagirl :)
Lorry, their web site says now,
Beginning immediately we will be shipping year around. Shipping costs will increase slightly in November to cover the costs of insulated containers and heat packs. Normal shipping costs will resume around April 1st of each year. Orders are accepted all year and are processed in the order that we receive them.
so we're in trouble if this is true!!! Nice Chirita & Episcia selections!
LOL..well cool :)
I have been meaning to order some mini leaves from them.
Yes they sell on Ebay too !
Gee, I was willing to wait until April! I think I just may send off for one or two. What fun! Thanks for opening up a whole new can of worms, Critter!
Karen
Karen I have couple Buckey babies and other babies if you'd like for shipping.Allison
Allison.........you ARE a treasure! Dave's buddies are the best! I will davemail you. Thank you so very much!
Karen :~D (happy face!)
I got first class in the mail today! Woohoo :) So now I have bragging right also!
Yippeeeee!
It's just so cool to have all that great info at your fingertips! It was well put together to be quick and easy to use. The only search I couldn't figure out how to do was by date so that I could include whether or not an AV is vintage in my search parameters....
Darn! I'm on a Mac and the rep says it is not Mac compatible without the program Virtual PC. =(
My recollection from my Mac days is that Virtual PC sometimes does the trick.... and sometimes, not. Once I figure out how to copy photos and info to another file (need to RTFM a little more), I'll be happy to Dmail or post any look-ups you need!
well now that there are a few of you with FC, I'll just take turns pestering for info! I can generally google a photo, or use the AVS site, it's the culture info I have trouble finding. (ie who what when descriptions blah blah blah)
FC would help with that. I have a journal (made with MSword) with columns for the name, hybridizer, date, who I got it from and when, type (standard or trailer etc), flower desc., leaf description and then photo. (happy to email a template to anyone who wants it)
Here's a screen shot so you can see what i mean.
p.s. for clarity, I don't 'own' all the photos you see, can't claim copyright, just making sure I clarify this in the event that there is an infringment issue by showing the photo of a photo
I really like that chart you made it's super ! I feel something like this would be nice for personal collection even with FC. Nice job !
i agree
Allison, I'm going to have to do something like this even with FC in order to track leaves, plantlets, etc. You can add "personal note" to the FC entries, so I was hoping that would do the trick, but it turns out to be limited to 62 characters... probably insufficient, even using lots of abbreviations.
I like Laurie's very nice !
Let me know if you want the file, I sent it out to one member already. I can Customize the Graphic to say 'Jill's Violets' or whatever.
You'll have to use your own font, I can send it along, but not sure if it works for PC.