Has anyone seen or heard from RainGazer?

She sent me some wonderful plants in a trade back in September and I wanted to give her an update and see how the Hoyas I sent her were doing. Has anyone seen or heard from her? Is she still around these parts? I've already sent a PM about a month ago but haven't heard back.

I might just have to share my pictures with you guys and gals if I can't find RainGazer :)

MullettMan: Yes, RainGazer/Amy was MIA for awhile but she did get a chance to stop back in earlier this month. I think she is just probably really, really busy with family and every day life ... but hopefully she will get a chance to stop in occasionally!


Meantime ... Pictures, Pictures .... Yes, please share them with us! We would love to see your pictures!

Well, this is the batch I started with... I think I've done pretty well with everything except for the AV 'Irish Flirt' and the Chirita 'Aiko' which I lost within the first week or so. That was back in Sept/Oct.

These were my first ever Gessies and I've learned a thing or two about them since then. I've started using the correct ferts on a regular basis.
I've learned about Dixie cups, styro cups, and the like... *cheaper versions of azalea pots :)*
I've learned how to grow neat little plants from only leaves.
I've learned that I don't care for how 'unshapely' the Episcias get.
I've learned to appreciate even the tinniest little plants... ie. the S. pussila
I've learned that I love the Streps over everything else I have here. I'll be wanting more of those for sure :)

And here's what I've made of those leaves...

And some more...
These are AV 'Ramblin Ruby' and Episcias 'Blueheaven' & 'Teddy Bear'

I've been trying to make a few starter plants to use as "trade material" because I know I'll be wanting to get some new leaves soon!

And finally some more momma and baby plants...
AV Optimara 'Anna Belle'


I'm hooked to say the least. I've been collecting Hoyas for several Years now but I recently relocated from FL. to the cooler state of NC. I'm having some "issues" housing my Hoyas through the winters up here and I think I'm going to downsize my collection and try my hand at some more streps and such. These are certainly a lot easier to care for inside through the winters because of their smaller size. I like the fact that my Streps always have a bloom as well. I was luck to get each of my Hoyas to bloom once or twice a year :)

*edited some spelling*

This message was edited Feb 20, 2008 10:57 PM

Great job, Great growing! The Gesneriad's sure are addictive, aren't they? Well, I guess I could say that about any plant ... LOL. I have recently gotten addicted to Hoyas! Especially the fragrant ones!

I did have about 50 -75 AV's until about two months ago. I must have brought in some bug/critter or something cause I lost almost all of them as well as a couple of Episcia's and two Chirita's! I am going to be sooo careful from now on when introducing any new plant to the house! I had read in different posts where folks said you should always isolate anything new coming into the house "just in case". I learned my lesson! I still have maybe 4 AV's and probably 5 or 7 Episcia's (which I have really taken a liking to)! I have a few Chirita's too. Now ... Strep's are sooo Gorgeous but I have not been able to keep one alive for long at all! They just do not like me or the conditions in my house. I've heard Strep's prefer cooler conditions so maybe it's just too hot and humid here ... even though they were in the air conditioned house ... they sure didn't last long for me! Some day I may try again with them but for the time being I'm just going to have to drool over everyone else's beautiful photo's of these plants!


Keep up the good work and keep watching this forum ... the trading frenzy will be beginning before long - spring is right around the corner and I know one lady who has the most amazing Strep's! She is a great trader too!

Mulletman,

You have done a WONDERFUL job with your plants from Rain :)
Being from Maine, I too have decided to downsize my hoya collection and have recently (October) started propagating (mostly streps) from leaves. Being so new to them, I have probably hit every barrier there is but I am learning SO much.
I am going to get rid of most of my hoyas and focus on growing gessie's from now on for the same reasons you mention above.
I LOVE THEM!
You have done a GREAT job! Congratulations!!

Great growing MullettMan,Welcome to our crazy addition! Streps are one of my favorites too.

Hi MullettMan! Those plants look wonderful! Streps are my faves, too, because they bloom so often. I'm so happy that all those plants are doing so well for you. :o) They all look so healthy and happy. Looks like you set up some very nice light stands, too.

The Hoyas you sent are growing like mad! I'm using the beer fertilizer on them, and they seem to love it. One of them has a vine that has to be 5 or 6 feet long. I'll take some pictures and post them here today or tomorrow. I do want to thank you again for such a wonderful trade. When you're ready to downsize that Hoya collection, perhaps I'll have more Gessies with which to tempt you. ;o) LOL (You too, Kim, as I've been heavily bitten by the Hoya bug, and the Orchid bug, and... LOL)

On a side note, since my name is in the title of this thread, those wondering about me might look here so I'll give a quick update on what's been going on. I had the best of intentions of being around a lot more when I started posting a few weeks ago. However, my grandfather had a wreck, spent two weeks in ICU, and passed away. We were extremely close and I'm having a very difficult time dealing with him being gone. Three days after the funeral, my son got sick, spiked a high fever on the third day of being sick, and a trip to the doctor Thursday revealed that he has pneumonia. My daughter woke up sick yesterday, has a high fever today, so this afternoon we're going back to the doctor. I'm praying she doesn't have pneumonia as well. Trust me, I'd REALLY rather have been here posting and chatting with all of you...

I hope everyone is well! MullettMan, I will dmail you later today or tomorrow. Thanks for asking about me! :o)

OOOOOH Rain, I'm SO SO sorry for your loss :'(
I pray that time will ease your pain.
Wow, you have been going through alot lately espescially with little sick ones. No wonder you have needed a time out. I can't imagine how hard it has been for you.

Please know that we are all thinking of you and will be here when things get back to normal for you :)

Hope everyone is feeling better soon and that you heart heals but always remembers :)

XO
Kim

Amy, I am so sorry about the passing of your granddad. It sure is hard when we lose those we have been so close to. May wonderful memories comfort you.

I hope both of your kids get well soon. Pneumonia, flu, bronchitis ... I guess this is the time of year, huh? My DH never, ever gets sick and he was in bed all day yesterday ... taught his class this morning at the college and then came right home to go to bed. He's been teaching for over 32 years and only taken off sick one time in all those years ... about two years ago when he got the flu.

So, prayers and well wishes going out to you and your family, Amy! Try to take care of you, so you don't end up catching what the kids have. We'll be here in the Garden whenever you can pop in for chat and I look forward to your photo's!

Oh ... I wish I had lots of Gessie's to trade for hoya's. I'm loving the hoyas too!