Jill what is the cost difference in shipping ? Priority mail sure has got poor
Secret Easter Bunny Trade Reports (continuation thread)
The Easter Bunny told me my buddy got her box today Yippe can't wait to here what she got !
Priority Mail tracking isn't too great, but the postage rate is usually better I think for smaller/lighter boxes especially. I just sent your big box via UPS... I thought it would get there by Monday, but they said Tuesday when DH dropped it off. Apparantly 2 day delivery only counts business days. But the plants are well packed & insulated, so I think they'll be fine... By Priority Mail, your box might arrive in 2 days (or even 1 if mailed from the substation), but it could also take 5 or 6.... at least UPS is more definite about their delivery schedule.
I decided to use Priority Mail for this trade because that seems to be the DG standard for delivery, and everyone has ready access to it. For anyone who sent a couple of plantlets & leaves, Priority Mail would probably also be less expensive... but I need to check rates for small packages at UPS, as that could be changing.
Yes I am not near a UPS store /drop off. I know anytime I mailed a Priority box on Saturday it got there on Monday.
I shiped a lot of boxes and Priority shipping does say 2-3 days. Do they count the first day the day shipped ? I think about 90-95 percent of my boxes make it in 2-3 days. Sometimes Florida one day. Though one time Florida took 6-7 days .
Maybe it depends on the workers of the post office where it is shipped from in-between or where it's going. Maybe the mail person did not want to del. boxes that day ???
I do like Priority boxes and tape !
So I for those reason I would not change. Oh yes LL ships that way and it's like $ 22.00 for first plant up to so many.
And then priority mail is like half the cost even threw LL.
no easy drop off for Robert to bring them easy. Now he goes right across the street from work as soon as the Post Office opens
Cost might be an isure
we ship lots of boxes ... for a few reason I put up with the percentage of Priority boxes that do not get there in 2-3 days.
When I got home from work today I was elated to find that my easter bunny box had arrived. My easter bunny"Allison"... sent 13 of the most well packaged and healthly plants I have seen. This is a wonderful treat, and what makes it even better is I didn't have any of the ones she sent.
Below are the ones that came out for roll call when I opened the box.
Rob's Zipppity Doo
Russian Snow Leopard
Bells of Ireland
Ellie Gardner
Rob's Cotton Ball
Silver Wings
Pink Peral
Silverglade Tales
Rob's Zinfandel
Yan Selena
Angels Tears Trail
Luvy
Black Ace (This one was in a HUGE pot and in bloom)
I have looked them up and WOW are they beauties. I think I found pics of each one except Yan Selena.
Thank you so very much Allison...you are greatly appreciated.
Deb glad you like everything.
The Snow Leopard, Pink Peral and Yan Selena " sometimes spelled Ian-selena" are Russian plants but I remeber english names easier :))
I have been posting Russian snow leapord like crazy. lol
It's even registered in FC but I feel mine blooms much prettier along with prettier foliage !
EK-Snezhnyi Bars (9581) 01/17/2006 (E. Korshunova) Single-semidouble white large frilled star/lilac eye, violet edge. Medium green, pointed. Standard
>
When I bought Yan-Selena last year Bluebirds spelled it with a Y in the Russian sight it's spelled with a Y. Now FC and Bluebirds spell it with an I and say both ways are correct ?
Ian-Selena (9556) 01/17/2006 (N. Puminova) Single-semidouble white ruffled star. Light green, ovate, quilted. Standard
The english name is Moon Goddess
I will have to find the pink pearl one for you.
Any FC info you need please let me know !
Deb this is the FC info on Russian Pink Pearl !
Rozovyi Zhemchug (9562) 01/17/2006 (K. Morev) Double white/light pink-salmon patches. Medium green. Standard
>>
I have posted pictures of all and have them if you can't find them !
Russian Pink pearl but much more pretty in person and the older the flower more beautiful it opens !
Russian Snow Leopard mt Love :))
I'm just going to say this for now- I have unexpected company coming tomorrow and I must clean before I post pictures and get stuck in DG very long, but:
Thank you Jill!!!
More later,
Kenton
Anybody else get their boxes ? Please share what you got !
Ooooh! I did! I did! :) It was so much more than I expected! :) I'm so excited.
It arrived last night, and I couldn't believe how big it was! :) My bunny was Lali (Begonia), which immediately made me feel like I was getting a present from royalty lol :) One of those AV queens I adore ;)
I got 3 very healthy, happy AV plants, 2 great plants in the category of "other", and MANY AV leaves... YEAH! :) As if that weren't enough, she sent a set of Lali Beads for Stella! That was so completely unnecessary and sweet! Here's the list:
1. A NoID that she marked as 'Stella's Girlfriend' ;) Glad to see some people think like me: get 'em started young ;) hehe
2. AV: 'Golden Eyes'... pink and green veriegation, which I've never had. :)
3. AV: 'Royal Viking'... Does this normally grow so upright, or is it just standing like that because of its shipping position?
4. Creeping Charlie, did a little birdie tell you I have a weakness for plectanthus? ;)
5. Begonia, 'Essie Hunt' ... I've never had one of these, time to go dig it up in PF :)
6. Sooo many leaves! 'Sweet Talker'... I love the white edges on this one!
7. 'Kofeiniy Aromat' (Coffee Aroma)
8. 'Double Black Cherry' mmm... yummy lol :)
9. 'Windy Day'... ooh, frilly, I like ;)
10. 'Witch Doctor'
11. 'Thunder Surprise' ... Oooh, I've never had a semi-mini either, this leaf looks so petite and adorable to me :) hehe
12. 'Trailing Roses'... I love these tiny petite little leaves Lali sent me... I especially love the darker color and shape of this one :)
13. 'Emily Savage'... more frills, I'm going to feel so girlie!
14. Optimara 'Little Creek Girl'... A mini! :) I love it!
15. 'Jolly Dear' .. another semi-mini... I'm so smitten :)
I can't wait for all these guys to put up ears... this is AWESOME! I had so much fun last night going through and getting everyone settled :)
Stella was so happy with her gift... You are so sweet to have sent that :) It was wonderful to have her consumed with that so I could take my time planting up all my wonderful leaves :) I'll make sure to post a few pics of her.
You have definitely fueled my desire to put together a great box! :) I can't wait till Friday when I get to go to the Violet Showcase in Denver, hopefully I'll get to pick up some really great stuff for my "trader" :)
Thank you so much, again, it was a wonderful box! I hope you are feeling better!
Sarah
Sarah Wow I'm so excited for you ! Lali sure did send a wonderful Royal box ! You deserve it :))
Wonderful plants and leaves ! Even Russian leaves Yipee !
I can Dmail you the FC info for you of them all if you like ! You sure got a super duper selction ! Enjoy !
Hope you have lots of babies ! We will be having a Fall Secret Swap too !
Allison
Windy Day is very beautiful. Hope you have luck with all your leaves and enjoy the wonderful selection of plants.
Super! I'm glad you & Stella were both delighted by Lali's box!!
Nanna, there's a box on it's way to you from PJ's violets, and it will be followed by another box from your Bunny! Thanks for your patience!
Everyone send some prayers & good thoughts in Kenton's direction.... he came down with 'flu right in the midst of final exams!
Oh, thank you so much, Allison! :) That would be wonderful!
Yes, my thoughts are with Kenton, you remember I had the flu right before finals... I was sick for a good 2-3 weeks, getting better just in time to study up... whew! I ended up at 3.0: A, B, B, C... you can do it, Kenton! :)
Sarah
My thoughts and prayers are with you Kenton. Get well soon ! Miss you too .
Hope you feel better soon Kenton.
My heart really goes out to Sarah and Kenton. It is really tough to be in school. Very demanding of your time. All I can say is that it is worth it. And sure the grades are important but it's the learning process that really counts. Once you learn how to learn in the variety of ways each professor dictates you can do anything. Brava!!!! to each of you.
Golden Eye (S. Sorano) Double white star/yellow markings. Variegated dark green, pink and white. Semiminiature
Sweet Talker (S. Sorano) Single salmon-pink sticktite large fluted star/pale pink-tinged white edge. Variegated dark green and white, quilted/red back. Standard
Windy Day (7719) 06/15/1992 (Stork/Boone) Semidouble medium blue star/white-green ruffled edge. Dark green, pointed, ruffled/red back. Large
Witch Doctor (J. Gehr) Double burgundy/near-black tips. Mosaic variegated dark green and silver. Standard
Thunder Surprise (9024) 03/23/2001 (S. Sanders) Double white star/blue eye, green edge. Medium green, plain. Semiminiature
Nice Vintage I grow this one !
Emilie Savage (5445) 08/11/1983 (Eyerdom) Double lavender-blue/thin green-white frilled edge. Dark green, ruffled/red back. Large
Jolly Dear (H. Pittman) Double pink/white edge. Dark green, plain. Semiminiature
Optimara Little Creek (8957) 01/31/2001 (Holtkamp) Single pink two-tone sticktite/darker top petals. Medium green, plain, pointed, glossy, hairy. Semiminiature
Another great Vintage !
Double Black Cherry (1178) 08/11/1960 (Omaha AVC/Mrs. C. Anderson) Double wine-red. Quilted. Standard
I sent them to your Dmail box also. I'll look up the Russian.. The others are not in First Class maybe someone of Lali has info !
Wonderful selection !
Here is the Russian plant info Sarah !
Kofeiniy Aromat (Boris Makuni)
"Coffee Aroma" Semidouble-double rose-red ruffled star. Light green foliage. Standard
Aw, you are awesome, Allison :) Thank you so much! Thanks for the kudos, Nanna... I find it frustrating sometimes. I completely hear what you're saying about the learning. I see youngsters in my classes drift through all the time, passing classes when I know they didn't really learn much. It's very frustrating. Then on the other hand, I got a C in one of my classes, and I know I learned a ton! Sometimes I wonder if our grading system is efficient as it should be... at any rate, I keep plugging along :)
Sarah
I totally agree. That is why you shouldn't put the emphasis on the grade, but the learning process. Some can come out with straight A's because they can give back what has entered in. But that is not learning. Learning is acting on the knowledge you are receiving not just repeating it back. It's creating a foundation to build from AND putting it into practice; thus causing our lives to change for the better. You stick with it.
And once you're past your first set of job interviews or grad school applications, nobody is going to ask or care what your GPA was... It's just like once you've been at college for a few months, nobody cares to know your SAT score, LOL.
Which is not to say that you should'nt strive for good grades, but mostly you should strive to learn as much from your courses as you can! And, take advantage of your professor's office hours even if you are not having trouble with the class.... it's amazing how few students use this opportunity to ask questions & get into interesting discussions beyond the lecture material, but it's a great way to maximize what you get out of a class. It's your tuition money -- make the most of your time!
Sorry, I'll get down from my lecture podium now! LOL
Aha! Back!
It is great to see all of the folks I know in the forum out again! Looks like a bunch of folks got spoiled! (Hiya Sarah! I owe you a D-mailing or two) Here's to Jill for a swap well organized. Wasn't she so darned efficient?
A quick note: no wonder I got well so fast with all of you fine gals around! It was a nasty one-day thing that interrupted things, but I'm done and free for the summer now. (With a good grade, I think!) Time to catch up.
Jill sent the funniest box. Have a look at the price tag... What a kick, eh?
She credits Allison with the styrofoam cup packing method, I thinnk. However it is, it worked terrifically.
Also to see was her clever use of a very fine cottony stuff. What was that? It clung to little plants and kept their soil in.
Also she was most ingenious with using that new type of cling-wrap stuff to make the most effective soil-containment I have ever seen- and not difficult to remove. Just brilliant. What is that stuff called?
Look at those healthy plants! She was paying close attention to things that I was eyeballing, I can tell.
Finally, look at what knocked me flat. This blooming 'Rebel's Splatterkake' is just marvellous.
I look forward to (reading) all of you, my friends, this summer! How is Lali of late, has anyone heard?
Kenton
WOW.Great box Kenton.Very nice plants.
Glad your feeling better.
Well done, Jill. Congrats! Ken
Kenton nice to see you feeling a little better ! Super Super trade box ! Jill Dmailed me and asked not to send RB Splatter Kack ...as the ones she was sending you ! Her's is bigger and blooming more of a treat ! Jill excellent packing you did good ! What a nice secret Easter Bunny box !
Hi Gang! Sarah I'm so glad you enjoyed your box and that Stella enjoyed her gift too. I think Royal Viking is just behaving that way from shipping and it's a leaf pot so it should settle down.
Coffee Aroma (Eng. Translation) has HUGE flowers. The photo doesn't show the size relative to the plant, but when it bloomed, it was 'WOW'!
(see photo attached)
Trailing roses is a cutie pie too. Double mini blossoms of a fuchsia red flower. I'll try to find a photo of it.
Emily Savage is sometimes spelled incorrectly. I believe Allison's spelling is the correct way, but I don't have FC.
Kofeiniy Aromat (Boris Makuni)
"Coffee Aroma" Semidouble-double rose-red ruffled star. Light green foliage. Standard.
Essie Hunt, begonia is a sweetie pie. Has a red 'eye' and a bit of a sinus curl, leaves can get to 5 or 6 inches and it is a creeping rhizomatous type. It stays at the top of my 'favorites' list for its tidy habit.
***
Kenton, hope all is well with you too! I can certainly commiserate with you and Sarah. I was going to UC Davis when my babies were little, ages 2 and 5. I took a full load and sometimes 18 units! (what in the world was I thinking!?) Since I didn't want to move, I made the 3 hour commute each day and worked part time too. It was a bugger of a time, but after a long while, I got that diploma! It was well worth it. My only regrets now are that I didn't take more advanced Botany classes. I really loved that class.
Hi Laurie ! Yes I've grown her about a year ! Emilie Savage ! Bluebirds where I bought her spells her wrong.
She is a beauty and a vintage !
Emilie Savage (5445) 08/11/1983 (Eyerdom) Double lavender-blue/thin green-white frilled edge. Dark green, ruffled/red back. Large
Is the flower above Laurie from the russian plant ?? Beautiful !
Kofeiniy Aromat (Boris Makuni)
"Coffee Aroma" Semidouble-double rose-red ruffled star. Light green foliage. Standard
Yes, here's another. Did I send you leaves? I think I meant to but didn't when I shipped the Playful Wolves.
Kenton, I had so much fun growing those plantlets & packing that box for you! I'm delighted everything got there in good order.
The cottony stuff is sold in craft stores, used for pillow stuffing... It can be a little tricky to get all the little bits off the leaves, but for some of the plants (especially girl leaf ones with foliage curving down toward the pot) it seemed to be the best thing to use.
The cling wrap is Glad Press-n-Seal... I started using it on bare root plants last year and I love it! I take a piece 4 or 5 inches wide and wrap it around the pot, tucking the top edge over the lip of the pot and under the leaves to cover as much soil as possible as I go around the pot. At the end, there's generally plenty of flap at the bottom to seal across the bottom of the pot. It clings to the pot, it clings to itself, and it is so much easier (to me) to use than saran wrap (not always watertight and bunches up on me) or plastic baggies & rubber bands.
Now I am very excited! I have two plantlets of Rebels Splatter-K___, thanks to Allison! But I need some help from FC or someone, because I have it down as SplatterKate - is it Kake or Kate?
I am so looking foward to my winter leave propogations blooming for the first time. A couple of them are heading towards blooms!
Will appreciate the verification of Kake or Kate.
Sanna
Laurie you probaly did send me leaves ! And Anna sent me leaves from her's I did not have and I sent her some plants of mine... I bought two new Russians from the time you were here also. before that I gave you one of each Russian I had ! I have leaves down of all, have given babies of all .. and growing more to share !
Has your Snow Leopard bloomed again ? Mine is going into a 5 inch azela pot and always blooming ! I love it.
Hi SANNA !
Here it is;
Rebel's Splatter Kake (8695) 01/31/1998 (R. Bann) Single-semidouble pink large fluted star/darker eye, purple fantasy, white-green edge. Medium green, spooned, quilted, glossy, serrated/red back. Large
Great Allison, and thank you. I will change my records accordingly!! I love the leaves on it ~ and look forward to the bloom!
Sanna
P.S. I have been thinking about getting FC, but I'm worried I will soon find I want every AV there is!
FC is well worth having. Don't worry impossible to have every AV.