OT: David Liddle Order On The Way

sugar?

Is that peduncle on the juanngoiana, Ann? I ordered one too- hard not to after the nice things Christina said about it recently.
That is a great day, Susan. I'm hoping mine gets here on a Monday (CSI:Miami- the trashiest show on television is predictably my favorite) What'd ya get?

Mark, it's the IML 1348 sp. IPPS7203 that has the peduncle on it. But the juanngoiana is the one I am the most excited about!

I am still waiting to receive the second Liddle box from customs/USDA/homeland insecurity/USPS, or who ever has the box in their possession. No one can tell me where it is - I have spent the entire day (yesterday too, for that matter) on the telephone with every 3rd-rate low-level flunky who is employed by a country that only checks 6% of all containers coming into its ports, has one of the most sophisticated tracking systems in the world, but can't seem to figure out what corner of the room they put a box in, so they just tell me they don't have it and send me on to the next stage of the mobius strip where another 3rd-rate low-level poorly-paid schmuck has to deal with an increasingly agitated Ann - oh, and how do they know they don't have it? because it says so on the handy-dandy log-sheet - except the USPS says nope. So, here I sit, unable to express how I feel in language appropriate for the situation, because I think it would be frowned upon by the powers that be (and folks who don't like that kind of language). So, use your imagination, then multiply that by 100 and you'll know exactly what I am muttering under my breath. I am seriously surprised I have not had a stroke!

Wohooo, I got mine and what beauties, now let's see how long I can keep 'em going and growing! Soaked first and now they are all in water, crossing fingers for roots!

Nightbloomer, I would love to take some credit but our little Ann has done it all herself! I didn't get to help at all :~(
I am going down to visit with her tomorrow so if the other box arrives I still may be able to help. I also get to pick up my one lone cutting from DL. Can't wait to get my little 'mindy' home!! God bless, -joanne

After reading the above post I think I will bring some blood thinners and a bottle of wine to put off the stroke Ann may have if the box does not come tomorrow! We appriciate all your efforts Ann. Thank you! -joanne

Ann my babies arrived today all in great shape they are soaking...They will be potted up in the morning, just hope I get them rooted....Thank you so much for doing this for us..You are one special lady!!!


Happy Growing,
Dianne

Awwww, thanks everybody - right back atcha!!!
Ann

nightbloomer,
what is the sugar for?

Dawn, I heard the sugar thing a couple of times from various people....vague enough???
I guess it might just give them a little "sugar rush" after their long trip. Thought I would try it. I only used about a half a teaspoon in the soak water along with a drop or two of SuperThrive.

Becky, I never thought of beer glasses to put cutting in. Great idea. Nice and tall to hold the cuttings up.

Never heard of the sugar before this. I am surprised to see the cuttings so deep in the glasses (leaves and all). I know everybody does things differently. I cut mey leaves off of what I am putting in the water. Does it really matter or is there a correct way to do this? Please help
Confused in Chesapeake, VA
Dawn

Hello DG forum! I want to take the time to tell you all about my day. I spent several hours with Ann (MsKitty) and had a fab time! Not only did she make me lunch, provide my favorite soda and listen when I talked, she sent me home with BAGS full of new cuttings! Now, as she did this, she also called various government agencies and spent time on the internet trying to make someone tell her where the second box is. I was verry impressed with her commitment as she attempted to make someone take resposibility (instead of passsing the buck) and finally to get that package delivered.

My hat is off to you friend. Thanks for doing all this and making those bureaucrats mighty uncomfortable! I appriciate it. God bless, -joanne

Oh, and thank you again for the cuttings. I am beyond blessed :~) -jo

Thanks, Joanne!! After you left I called 'em again, and yelled so much the poor schmuck went and got his supervisor who got on the telephone and asked "why are you getting so upset? You can get a lot further when you're nice." So I said, "I've been nice for three days and it's gotten me nowhere except talking to you, and my box is still missing, so explain to me again why I should be nice?" He had nothing to say. The box remains unaccounted for in any of the three agencies involved: USDA, Customs, USPS. I really am sorry, all!!!

Ohh Ann I really feel for you... how frustrating for you especially since you have to deal with all the #@!## whatever they are. Although I am not part of this order I can feel the frustration you all must feel. With any luck at all perhaps one more day and that package will be found and sent to its home for some tlc. Those cuttings are amazingly tuff they will make it. Have all my fingers and toes crossed for you guys

Bea

Thanks Bea!
Ann

Ann, whatever happens, try not to worry about it overly much. Even if the box were lost completely, it won't be the end of the world. We all know you've gone above and beyond, and no one expects you to be a magician.
Sending you relaxing, stress free vibes,
Mark

p.s. I think that worked, no one should suspect you and Joanne now! Good luck in Mexico!

Dang, you caught us, Mark (LOL)!! Thanks for the good vibes, by the way...

Now for some good news for everyone whose order had not yet arrived: The BOX just ARRIVED about 2 hours ago, and I just now opened it and took a look at everything. Some of the more succulent-like plants (but with thinner leaves), like the imperialis, has wilting of the leaves, but is otherwise in good shape. The thicker-leaved varieties are doing very well - just a little pucker on the leaves closest to the cut-point, but nothing too terrible. There are a couple of cuttings I saw that were thin leaved and thin stemmed that did not look good at all - so just be forwarned that those will clearly need some extra special attention!

I am cutting and pasting this post from a previous thread with Meltn's advice on dealing with stressed cuttings:

"The last couple consignments I have gotten from David have resulted in very few losses. As said previously, I also soak all the cuttings over night in Hormex. I fill a tub at least a day before the order arrives and once I receive the order, allow the package to sit for at least a few hours before opening it. (Only if I have a great deal of control on that day) I always do this in a dark room. The idea is to let the cuttings get to aproximately the same temperature as the water or at least to reduce the shock.

"After soaking them, I remove them from the tub, cut the ends with a razor blade and place only the cut stem in a bucket of water, which has also been sitting out for at least a day. I then leave them alone for a few days (in a dark room) to let them rest from their journey.

"Then, I strike and pot them, put them in a mini greenhouse with heat pads (unless it is really hot). Since the mini-greenhouse is in an area with more light, I cover it with a blanket. Then, each day I roll up a little of the blanket to allow the cuttings to acclimate to light. This method has significantly reduced my losses."

Because of the observed holiday on Monday (the irony is not lost in me - the journey of the hoyas stymied by a holiday to commemorate another journey), cuttings will not be able to go out until Tuesday. Thus, people will want to keep an eye out for their arrival on Thurs. & Friday.

Ann

Oh Happy Day, I am so glad they found the box. I couldn't get all those lost cuttings out of my mind today, and wondering if David had Insurance. What did you guys have like 1500 cuttings? That would have been terrible if they were lost. O.K. everyone be sure to show and tell when you get your orders, just in case there is any thing really cool one of us needs to order !!!

Ann - please don't be sorry - it certainly isn't your fault!! We all knew there were risks in ordering - you're just the messenger! You hard work remains appreciated! Karen

Bless your heart Ann. You have been put through the beuracratic ringer. I am glad to hear you finally received the last box. Were any of the federal employees able to find it or did it mysteriously arrive?

I am glad to see that all are showing Ann the appreciation she deserves. Brokering a consignment can be a stressful and time consuming effort when even the slightest thing goes wrong. I had a similar experience a couple years ago and understand Ann's frustration! That is an incredibly long time for the cuttings to be in a dark box. Please do keep in mind that if you do have any losses, Ann did all she could to protect your new treasures.

Hat's off to you Ann and I am sorry you had such a difficult time with this consignment. On a bright note, keep in mind collectors in the jungle carry cuttings around for long periods of time and most are still viable!
Mel

Ann , You did a great job of pulling this thing off............Now back to your paper ..........Did you hear from the Hooch on her box ???? Talk to ya soon, Sandy

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the feelings of good will around this!!!

Sandy, I talked to her and the box I sent her had not yet arrived. Explain to me how a person living 100 miles from me still has not received her priority mail package, but someone across the country gets it on day 2 (I'm glad they got it on day 2, by the way ...). This is another reason I'm about ready to go "postal" (no irony lost on me there ...).

Sandy, You really did a great job on getting all the hoya orders out. I have a friend that ran into problems with his hoyas going through customs. They just sat there. He figured he would end up losing a bunch of them. Your orders came through really well. I think it probably get the plants released with the phone calls you made. That was a lot of work you did for us, and again, thank you.
Karen

Awesome job, mine are enjoying life under sturdy grow-lights and hopefully it'll work! I am doing the same as I did with the other cuttings I was so generously gifted with and they are rooting like crazy and should be ready soon for planting! yeah! (I also just got invoice from DL and they are paid so they are all MINE!!)
Thanx a bunch!

I re-cut the ends immediately, and then soaked mine for about 24 hours in a tub of water with a little Eleanor's VF-11 mixed in.....the soaking *really* made a world of difference, so that's great advice.

Is Superthrive good to soak the cuttings in when I get them?

pdoyle....ST was my 2nd choice, and I've heard of lots of growers who soak their new cuttings in it, so I'd say 'yes'.

I use it on advice from this forum and have no complaints.

Nan, what was your 1st choice? -joanne

Hi Joanne....I used Eleanor's VF-11.....also on advice from many on this forum!

good! Thanks!

Ok everyone ... The final hoya cuttings from the David Liddle order went out yesterday (Tuesday) Tami, Stephanie, Patricia, Karen, Mark, and Sandy - Keep an eye out for your boxes.

Please follow Meltn's advice when you get these puppies, since they are starting to look stressed.

This was an unusual situation in that the USDA/customs/USPS conspired against us - a problem that does not seem to happen frequently, but lack of frequency does not make any of us feel better!

However, as Carol has pointed out, David, Ted Green, Dale Kloppenburg, and Ed Gilding have walked around with cuttings in their backpacks for two weeks on collecting trips, so the critters are good and strong - they just need a little TLC. In fact David Liddle said that many times his cuttings take two weeks to get somewhere, so I don't think he could figure out why I was getting so bent out of shape (but he was kind enought not to tell me I was an idiot).

There were two cuttings that were absolutely dead (both multifloras) and two more that looked pretty bad off (I did inform DL of this). I am hoping that if Joanne reads this, she will recount how she saved the "stick" that she got from a greenhouse a while back, since that might also help folks whose cuttings look like they are on deaths door. Joanne? Joanne ... please tell us what you did!!!

Hopefully the next order will go smoother (my nails are chewed, I got a pimple, and I think my hair has grayed a little over this one - lol). Sandyc ... tag you're it!!! Oh, David's new catalogue comes out in January.

Let us all know how things turn out, everyone.

Ann of the Grayhairs :-)

Does David have a website? How do yall order?

Tami (In Texas)

I'm wantin to know too, Tami. Would love to be in on the next one...

GH:)

Oh wow, I love getting cuttings when I didn't even order them. Thanks Sandy for the wonderful gift. I will be on the look out...

Tami & GH, David does not have a website, he forwards the list to anybody that is interested. I know there will be several group orders in the spring that you can get in on. The more the merrier. I would send you he's list but I deleted it out of my files by mistake, but someone has it and can forward it to you.

Good Morning! As Ann refered to in her last post, I was given a 'stick' from a local garden center earlier this summer. It was about 18" long, light brown and yellow and very shriveled and leather like. I cut the hoya cutting into 3 pieces and did what one of our Swedish contributors recomended. I used a long container with a lid, put water and Elenors and some Dyna Gro into it and set it at an angle so ALL the stems, incuding all the nodes, were in the water. I closed the lid and set it on a table outside in the shade. (Our summer was quite warm so I will put the new ones in the house.) Every few days I check the cuttings and changed the water only when it started to look cloudy. In 2 weeks there were lots of roots starting and the leaves were turning light green! I recently planted them and they are doing great! I now believe it may be a H. pubicalyx due to the shape and spotting on the leaves. I won't kow until it blooms. I have no idea if this will work for less hardy hoyas but I am going to try. I also used it with H. macgillvrayi and so far so good. If you would have asked me if I thought that first cutting was viable I would have bet my favorite hoya that it was NOT! Boy am I glad I didin't bet! I had pictures but seem to have lost MONTHS worth of photos somewhere in computerville. I will add a photo of the planted cutttings just for fun. Have a great day and God bless. -joanne

I 'm not kidding when I said these were so shriveled and yellow I would would bet my favorite hoya (if I could pick a fave :~) that they wouldn't survive.

That is *great* information!
Thanks much for posting it, Joanne....can't believe I missed the original post with that information included!

TamiF,
Thanks for the info. If anybody has his list I would appricate getting it. And some way to contact him. I have an Import permit and realize the cost. Thanks.

Tami In Texas

TamiX, you have Dmail.

Wow Joanne, it looks great. Good growing.

Ann I received mine. Thank you so much for your time and effort. I know if gets frustrating when things don't go as planned. I sure appreciate you sending these beauties my way...

Sandy Dear, thank you so much for the wonderful surprise and gift. I'm glad I picked these 2 beauties out, I'm loving them, and I'm so glad that you picked a cutting you already had a plant of, I know your not happy about it, but I am beaming ear to ear.

Thanks again Ladies :)