I swear, I was ONLY going to get potting mix!

But you know how it is. Could I leave an HVH open house without a plant (or 5)??? I ONLY went to get some potting mix and to see if they had a Black Dragon for mom who's really been wanting one. Me, share one of my Black Dragons, even with my very own mother? No way, dude! LOL ;-)

So, well, ahem, I left with some plants - I know you're probably all quite shocked. Cindy was too (NOT!!) and laughingly said she was going to post here to tell on me (tee hee). My purchases were 6"ers of: April Showers, Nikkita, Wild Dream (totally new and awesome!), and a 4" of Creme de la Creme. I'm super excited about this one, as Charles told me it was mismarked as a Cacao, but he was SURE it's a de la Creme. The bloom will open tomorrow, so I'll be rushing out to take and post a picture :-) Also saw some beauties that they'll have in 2008. Make sure to have lots of paper ready for those lists ;-)

Today was definitely one of the busiest open houses I've been too, and it looked like they about sold out - for good reason, all the plants were healthy, large & beautiful (as always). I definitely can't attend in October, as I'll be working a conference in Anaheim (boohoo). My DH will tell ya, that at least I'll be making money instead of spending it for a change! I think it's going to be a long wait until their next open house in May 2008. I think I better save my money ;-)

Good thing I also didn't forget to get the potting soil along with all my new plants, as I've got two coming from Robert next week to plant, three from Curt Sinclair that arrived yesterday, and today's purchases. Looks like tomorrow will be a busy day here at Karen's Casa de Doom :-)

I would NEVER expect that from such a disciplined person as a gardener.... LOL However, seeing as no one could possibly have given those poor defenseless babies a better home you could look at is as being justified....... :^)

Oh yeah, Tetley, let me tell you that I am the QUEEN of rationalizing!!

Must be something about SanBerdu....my DB lives there, and he rationalizes like nobody's business! He he....

Karen,
If we took a count of our data bases now, I think you've got me beat by one or two, lol.
Of course, I just received 6 more from Robert and more arriving next Wed.
Don't ask me what I ordered. At this point, I just let Robert pick for me, now that he knows my "off the wall" tastes, lol.
PS...welcome tetleytuna.

Karen, I think we would have all been disappointed in you if you had gone to the open house and NOT come back with plants--that would be a real sign that something's wrong!

LOL, guys :-) Isn't it funny about "off the wall" taste? That's how I ended up with Creme de la Creme. Charles asked me, you like the browns, don't you? And, I said, yes of course, I LOVE browns! He brought me over the 4" and told me what it was (hurray!). I put it outside so hopefully it will open all the way today...

Ah, Shari, here's the Berdoo comment. LOL - it takes quite a lot to offend me, and everyone that lives here (or near here) knows that most of San Bernardino is a pit, although I'm in a nice area in the north-end. No offense taken...

karen

Trying this again...my last one got lost. LOL! I'm so jealous of you all in the warmer zones. I'll just look at my bare little plants this winter, but look out next spring. I'll get back here when my server is working a little better for me. I have next to no speed today. DSL modem may be on it's way out. Will be anxious to see pictures when I get back.

Me too, Brugie. Hope they ALL make it. I want them all! How can ANY of us live without the Creme de la Creme of Hibiscus? Hope you're back up to "speed" soon up there! That's frustrating. Karen, thanks for sharing your adventure... I think you did well! Nice "plan" ;) - going for potting mix.... lol Now, bout them pics?

It would be real nice not to have to worry about where to store plants from Nov to April. I think my 8X12 GH is losing weight. I don't believe it is going to hold everything I have, I hate to think about leaving some plants out for the winter to fend for themselves. Because they won't make it. I have 4 large banana plants, Paper Rice plant, 2 hibiscus trees, about 40 hibiscus in pots, large amount of EE's. Am I forgetting anything, yes and I have a plant list for next spring about an arm length long for more Hibiscus.

I wish there was a nice Hibiscus nursery close to me, where they would have open house, what am I rambling on about, I can't store the ones I have already.

Plantaholics Anonymous? I'm kind of in that predicament, myself, Linda. The plant area in my basement keeps getting smaller and smaller. I'm not sure it will even fit this year.... Definately making the kids go through some of their childhood stuff and combine and condense.

We are soooooo bad.