Martindales Nursery

Hey folks

I wanted to start a new thread on Martindales Nursery. I've known and done business with Mathew for 4 years now. Had the pleasure of going to his place two years ago while attending the hibiscus convention in Fl. Mathew, in my opinion, is the finest most consistent grower of exotic hibiscus in the country. This is also the opinion of many hybridizers throughout the country as well as they send Mathew their new progeny for him to grow out or graft. If you are looking for excellent quality 4" plants for a fair price Mathew at hibiscusplace.com is the guy to go to.

Now, if you are looking for excellent quality one gallons I think I can safely say that you won't do better than Robert Petisca (pizonne) at hypnoticblooms.com. Robert is relatively new but he is doing excellent work down there in Texas. I have high hopes and expectations for him and it seems that the people who have ordered from him are very happy. Robert and I have talked for literally hours and hours on hibiscus and business and we see eye to eye completely. He is interested in producing an excellent product for a fair price and customer service is everything to him. More importantly for me I'm proud to call him my friend.

I can't tell you how happy I am to be able to recommend two excellent gentlemen who grow the finest plants. Matt for 4" and Robert for the gallons. I, for one, am tired of hearing from customers their disappointing stories of vendors who hold their money for sometimes up to several months before they receive their product or pay high prices for plants that are barely rooted, misnamed or carry an entire menagery of insects. These two guys prove that growers don't have to take advantage of a customers love of hibiscus and be delivered something less than they expected.

I hope you folks will try and support the both of them. I would like to see integrity and talent win out.

David

Nicely said, David. I've bought from Matt and was totally happy. I plan to spread my wish list around next spring and will certainly give Robert's plants a try too. Both have beautiful hibiscus.

This message was edited Sep 11, 2007 7:56 PM

You 're a class act David.
What a nice recommendation for Matt and Robert.

I've bought things from Matt too and was absolutely thrilled with the plants I got. Haven't bought from Robert yet, but I'm sure when my hibiscus binge for next year starts I'll be collecting some of his pretties too!

I second Ardesia's comment, David. You are a true gentleman, and I've been fortunate to do business with you :-)

I've got nothing but praise for Robert's plants and customer service, and I'm awaiting my first Martindale order at the end of this week - I can hardly wait, as I've got 8 new little ones on the way!

karen

And, as you will see in a few minutes, my day at Matt's was a blast!

And we all know, Robert has a dedication section of my yard, just for him :)

They are in Alphabetical order.
First up:


Anasthasa

I just bought one


This message was edited Sep 12, 2007 1:39 PM

Anna Nicole

I bought one

Antique Treasure


This message was edited Sep 12, 2007 1:39 PM

Atlantis

Cajun Princess

I just bought one

This message was edited Sep 12, 2007 1:39 PM

CONGA new for Spring of 2008. Will not be sold prior to that, and no, I couldn't get one either, lol!

OK, Spoke with Matt just now, and guess what? It's for sale!
Just bought one

This message was edited Sep 12, 2007 1:40 PM

Delta Dawn

I purchase this one from Robert :)

This message was edited Sep 11, 2007 10:22 PM

Island Passion

I bought 2

Jason

Jason Blue



This message was edited Sep 12, 2007 1:38 PM

Lost Treasure

I bought one

Magic Moments

Don't remember if I bought it or not. It must be oldtimers setting in!

Me Oh My

METALLICA another new one for Spring of 2008, that I was not allowed to purchase :(
Also, a third new one, which was not in bloom is "Irish Spring" which will be a deep green

Miss Fantasy

I bought one

The now famous Nightfire.
It will be ready for more purchases in the spring.

Orville Davis

Paper Moon

Rim of Fire

I bought one

Royal Treasure

I bought one

Ruth Watson

This one is super huge! Had to be at least 10"
I bought 2

Silver Memories

Tigers Eye

I think I bought one, but not sure

Tomahawk

I definately bought this one. That I remember!

I bought 19 for myself, 1 for my mother and 1 for my sister-n-law. I had a blast.

Matt is so nice, and pretty darn handsome too! Unfortunately he is very married! I also met his wife for a brief second.

I strongly recommend purchasing from both Robert and Matt. Both are wonderful.

It was a great trip. Matt lives in the boonidocks. He actually lives on a dirt road! I learned alot from him, today.

His website is www.hibiscusplace.com

Roberts is www.hypnoticblooms.com


Here is a pic of Matt....I told you he is goodlooking!!!!

This message was edited Sep 12, 2007 1:19 AM

PS....Matt mentioned Liz. Apparently she is an excellent customer!

He also spoke alot about David. He has great admiration for him and is sorry to see him retiring. He thinks David is one of the nicest, fairest and honest men around.

And, according to Matt, David spoke very highly of Robert. Encouraging the two to meet. I hope that happens, as Matt is really a grafter and Robert is the seller :)

He also really likes Charles Black from HVH.

We spoke of other growers, but I will not mention their names. We'll leave it at "there are great salesmen, and then there are true hardworking, respectful and respectable sellers out there"

Robert, David and Charles fell in the "respectable and respectful" category :)

OMG Cat, what a wonderful time you must have had today! And so many breathtaking blooms, I have a feeling you are to be commended for only purchasing 19 for yourself :-) I don't know which ones I like the best there are so many beauties, and it looks like we have a lot to look forward to in the spring of 2008. Your already marvelous looking yard is going to be even more beautiful!!

When I ordered off their site, I had a really really tough time deciding which 8 to buy, as that was my budget limit. I can't even imagine going in person. You're fortunate to live in such a plant-filled state!

karen

Is that bad when they know you? I guess maybe that means I have a hibiscus addiction! I have ordered some plants from him recently, just a few though! (maybe 9 or 10? Nothing like your 19!) You sure got some great stuff today, I'm very jealous! Great pics too...I'm going to have to keep my eye out for a couple of those ones that he won't let anyone have until then! Metallica especially, and I'm really interested to see what the green Irish Spring will look like!

Liz, I think we need to hop on the hibiscus bus and head from California to Florida and pay Cat a little night visit ;-)

but remember, each plant was only $12.95, and I didn't have to pay for shipping! My budget was 10, so I went over a little!
Plus, I don't plan on making this trip more than once a year. It is 2-1/2 hours away, and I put Tuni in Doggy Play Care for the day, so she wouldn't be bored in the car!
Plus, plus-my credit card for hibiscus is almost at its limit, except for the ones I am buying from Robert :)

Come on over girls! I have a small house, with an obviously big yard! But I can easily sleep both of you, if you don't mind my 3 cats and dog, which I know you don't:)

It's 11pm here and I still haven't eaten breakfast, lunch or dinner. So, before I pass out, I better get something in my stomach!

pss. this is the letter I sent to David and Robert, after my visit.



Hi David and Robert,
I had a TOTAL BLAST today! Unfortunately, so did my wallet, lol!

Matt talked a lot about David and how David and Charles Black are both very fine people. I informed him that he will probably be hearing from Robert, as well. Who is also a very fine person.

I loved being in the greenhouses. Never been in one before. He showed me his "propagation" area, growing area, and "ready" area.

He showed me two new cultivars that he won't sell till Spring:
Congo
Metallica
But, he let me take pics to put on "Dave's Garden", which I will do in a few minutes.

I ended up coming home with 19 plants for me, 1 for my mother and 1 for my sister-n-law.
This is what I bought for myself:

Ruth Watson
Tomahawk
Jason Blue
Island Passion
Antique Treasure
Cajun Princess
Anna Nicole
Lost Treasure
Etoufee
Merci Beaucoup
Midnight Moon
Twilight Magic
Eva Paoloni
Amber Suzanne
Lost Treasure
Rim of Fire
Cherry Cola
Whirligig
Georgia's Pearl

See you both on the forum

Have a Magical Day,
Cat

Hey Cat

You're going to make me cry. Many of those varieties that you showed that will be ready in 2008 were hybridized by Barry Schlueter and I flew down to Houston to meet with Barry for three days last summer while we ironed out an agreement for me to sell his varieties exclusively. Now...I can't...*sniff* I had the wood sent to Matt to have him graft them and I was supposed to start taking delivery of the liners now for spring sales. WAAAAAH!

Ok, suck it up! Here's a pick of Irish Spring

David

Here's another one that Matt is growing on. I'm hoping that Robert will get some of these and grow them into gallons.

This is Yoda

David