Hems Annoyed

Ahh, young, child-free, good health, maybe even DINKs, double income no kids!! Those were the days. x, Carrie

Well, let's see, I am reasonably young (compared to a 90 year old!) I have reasonably good health (minus the high blood pressure and the thyroid thing), I am child-free (well the youngest is 20), and I would love to be DINKS - as soon as we get permanent residency! See, still stuff to look forward to :-)

If you just find the right population as the comparison, life seems better :-)

Always thinking like a sociologist, Michaela! x, Carrie

What can I do . . . it's second nature now . . . . I am even thinking of doing sociological research on gardening . . .

LOL - can I hire you to work on an article with me? Pay proportional to what I make, of course. LOL. x, Carrie

lol...I have to say, I love how all of the threads in this forum start at point A, then derail...I love it. I think that's why I come back so often...ADD and all...there really is no, "look at the shiny object moments" for me...it's all in one thread.

Thank you all again for helping me with my almost problem...your support and advice was heeded, and I thank you, thank you, and thank you.

The humor thrown in helped a bunch. And Carrie and Seandor, yes, the DINK helps A LOT. What surprises me all the time, are the people I know and work with, doing relatively the same thing, with children. I can't figure it out.

But, for Paul and I, the dogs and kitty are our kids, and the plants are mine. Paul's music is his. I have never seen so many CD's before in my life. That's what you get when the other half is classically trained...didn't realize until after Paul moved in, that Bach, Beathoven, and all of the other "greats" have been covered as much as they have been.

Thom - shhhh. My wife still does not know how I've done it!

Victor...somethings are kept to oneself...I still don't think Paul knows that I spent $75 on a clump of Hem. 'Primal Scream' last year...lol. I just nicely tell him that everything I buy for the garden is "on sale." Which, isn't a lie, because it is on sale.

And today just keeps getting better for me. I stumbled onto FOoSF...it's a hosta hybridizers seed exchange...many of the current "hot" hybridizers are there. I emailed Stuart Asch about one of his hostas 'Double D Cup' and he emailed me back, and put me on the list, for...get this...a hosta that isn't in production, isn't TC, and is OS....OMG...Can't wait for it...just like the name sounds, it's a huge hosta, great margin, completely cupped, and giant round leaves...I'm sold already.

I'm going to try and link a photo of it...all of this techy stuff makes my head hurt...

TC=tissue culture? OS= ??open source? Open sesame? The Double D Cup got me shaking...

Ok...you won't believe what I did to get this here, but that's how excited I am...

Here is, Hosta 'Double D Cup'

I'd like to see a hand for scale!

Ok...sorry, I'll 'splain. I just assume, when I get excited, that everyone knows what I'm writing/talking about...welcome to Paul's world too! lol

Yes Victor, most of the newer hard to get hostas, once someone takes them to grow them, are put into "production" by making more, with less, and quicker, by using TC, or tissue cultures. TC might also be seen as plugs...for most people TC is the way to go, simply because, once a "rare" hosta goes into production using TC, it's a heck of a lot cheaper than...
OS, which is orignators stock, or original stock. Essentially, if one would boil it down to the nuts and bolts, if I was to go into my back yard, and dig up a clump of, let's say Hosta "Francee", divide, and give it to one of my DG plant pals, that would almost be OS.
There is a debate going on, mildly, as to the quality of TC vs OS. Some hosta people are for, some are against. And some, like myself, haven't really run into a reason to dislike one over the other.
The issue with OS, is that if a hybridizer doesn't go into production with TC, and wants to only sell using OS, it can take years, as we all know, some Hosta cultivars are very slow growing, 'Tattoo' and 'Spilt Milk' to name just 2 off the top of my head.
TC makes the production process way faster, and lessens the expense.
I even get excited about this end of the hosta business...lol.

Everyway whichway but loose ?

Interesting, Thom. Guess tc allows 'mass production'.

Victor-Totally and completely allows for mass production. What I've seen people writing and arguing about is the HostaVirusX that can be passed on through the use of OS stock that wasn't/isn't tested for the virus. TC essentially is safe, and the risk of the HostaVirusX infecting TC stock is slim to none, atleast that's what I've read...not trying to sway nor mislead here. The issues that people are discussing is the genetic integrity of OS vs TC...I can't quite grasp the concept of TC yet, but, essentially, as soon as the hosta plant starts to pop up out of the ground, the growers peel back layers, and scrape out something from the new growth, which inturn they use to make a genetically identical copy of the original plant, and that's how they do it. So, it's sort of almost like cloning...sort of. Some people feel that TC hosta take longer to establish, are weaker, and have multitudes of problems. I haven't seen any, but, I'm still relatively new to the "new" hostas...about 5-6 years new. I haven't, knock on wood, run into the HostaVirus, so, I can't compare either way.
I just find it all interesting.
The hosta that I've been dying for, actually there are 2, one is Hosta 'Oil on Canvas' the other is 'Sally and Bob'...haven't been put into TC yet. 'Oil on Canvas' isn't growing in the states yet, or if it is, no one is speaking about it. 'Sally and Bob' is still being sold as OS, and not TC, and goes for about $125 and up...I'll wait on that one.
I would love to take a master class on this stuff...due to my interest in wanting to create my own hosta hybrids...that way I know the ins and outs before hand.

Well I can see why you like it. Very unusual round leaf shape, also love the coloring. Good luck getting yours soon and don't worry your secret is safe here cause crazy plant people stick together, so we won't rat you out. Just like you said, if you paid for it ...it was on sale. :)

Many people are crazed over the sale of any TC plant, Thom, so be ready for a big argument if you get involved with hosta people (or daylily people). Some absolutely insist that you mention yours is a TC if you're trading any eyes of it either now or in the future. I believe it's a case of not trusting everyone who does the procedure. It's one of those hot button issues with some people who really do take it very, very seriously.

I'm not one to lose my mind over TC vs. OS.

Pirl, is it "asexual reproduction prohibited"? Is it about money? Or do they think there's something riskier about one way or the other? x, Carrie

So you're not OC about TC vs. OS, Pirl? And we know Thom is ADD. Feels like Sesame Street again! Thom, there will be a breeders forum soon.

Somehow I think those protesting against TC are OC themselves. Somehow they feel they're not the exact same plant and inferior, to say the least.

Yes, Victor, I'm not OC about TC vs. OS and I'm not ADD or ADHD but just run-of-the-mill JI OC.

Pirl-I couldn't agree more. It was just my opinion, which is I don't have one either way. I have both TC, and OS cultivars, and to me, they both do the same thing. I have chatted with and discussed this, I actually spoke with Mr Schmid over the phone...he is very much a proponent of OS, and totally against TC. I know it's really not comparing 2 of the same, but the same argument is said of GE'd seed, versus organic, or nonGE'd seeds. To me, since my political views are mainly playing it safe in the middle, that's how I view most of these articles addressing all things in the plant world...in the middle. I see both views, and understand points of interest, I find it very interesting that people will get so worked up over these issues.
The sad truth is, for the average Joe, or Jane, who buys hosta from their local nursery, they aren't really going to know if the hosta is TC, or OS...they simply won't know, unless they ask. And, chances are, unless that particular nurseries is "in the know" they might not know as well. I actually had this discussion last year working at the garden center that I worked for...a customer was asking me if I knew whether or not that our Hosta 'Sattelite' was TC or OS...I honestly had no idea. This is what actually sparked my interest into getting "into the know" or atleast a little in the know. I find it all fascinating though.

You said the words about "...people will get so worked up...". That's putting it mildly. Some people would have a fit if they found they had traded for a non OS plant. If I can find the thread where people were having their fits over it I'll Dmail it to you.

Sounds like the native plant people.

Yes, Victor. I seldom visit either Daylilies or the Hosta forum due to the people who get so upset over what others grow in their own gardens. For me gardening is fun and I'm determined to keep it that way.

amen & amen & thank you, Pirl.

If I might add my 2 cents worth on this-It is also like those who think you shouldn't grow something for a particular reason!!!

misty...lol...the same garden center that I worked at, the owner is from England. He doesn't understand "Americans" fascination with annuals, or tender perennials. He feels that because he's from England and it's a been there done that sort of thing, he doesn't get it. He's also, and Pirl touched base on this briefly, very much a native plant guy. He pushes them, or if a costumer is asking for a suggestion, native plants are the first thing that pops out of his mouth. So, I heard, for almost a complete summer season, about planting annuals, how much of a waste of time, how much this, how much that. My argument/discussion always ended up with, "You know Gertrude Jeckyll herself planted annuals." That usual got me the raised eyebrow...lol.

Thanks, Katye. I have one neighbor who comes over almost every year at the same time only to stand in front of a group of screaming orange Asiatic lilies, from short to tall, only to say the same old thing - how she hates orange in a garden. I could live happily without her comment since, at the same time, there's so many other plants in bloom that she could be enjoying. People are certainly strange about plants - especially what others have!

misty - the only caveat I'd have with that is to warn people before they plant something hopelessly invasive for us. At least if we tell them (or better yet, show them) how impossible it is to remove, say Houttuynia Cordata Chameleon, we'll save them heartache. Then, if they plant them anyhow we'll feel we've got a clean conscience.

Thom - many nurseries have their favorites they like to push on buyers, probably because it's almost a guarantee that they'll grow and the people won't come back complaining that the plant died. Maybe the English are looked upon by some people as better gardeners because of all the beautiful glossy photos we've seen in books and magazines but I'll continue to buy and grow the annuals, tender perennials (to crowd the porch each winter) and enjoy everything that blooms, more like England's cottage gardening theory. Americans seem to have more fun with their gardens.

Exactly! The way I figure it, if you have a tiny little space to garden in, and you plant cosmos, great for you. If you live on acres and acres of great soil, and have massive beds professionally designed, great for you. If someone is gardening, GREAT. As soon as someone starts to talk to me about it, I get excited...I just love when people garden...young, old, in between, male, female, and in between...lol. I just love the fact that people garden. Even when my nephews grow little coleus in paper cups for a Sunday School project, I get excited...they are gardening....creating, making, etc...

As long as people are having fun gardening, great...

And, leading into my next thought...guess who is signing up for my areas Master Gardening program? Yep, me, me and me. My classes will start the second week in March, and go up until the first week in May...I'm even more excited about that. Now I can, after the classes are done, talk the talk with people about, GARDENING...woohoo. I'm even excited typing about it, and the classes didn't even start yet.

Make it a point to see the gardens of the teachers. You'll feel wonderful afterwards.

Good morning all! I was actually meaning those people that don't think we in the cold climates should plant tropicals because we just are NOT suppose to have them. I really do hope I haven't planted anything considered invasive because I live next to people that never mow their lawn! HA HA HA Seriously, I have only a small place to garden, being in the City, so I have to make sure I have room for all the pretties I want! smile

Oh yes, good job on the Master Gardening! I am a LONG way from ever doing that!!!

Phooey on those people, misty! We're free to try whatever we please and it's only our opinion that matters. I had one hibiscus for years that bloomed beautifully when I gave it all the food and water it wanted and didn't bloom when I wasn't a servant any more. It was still my choice to keep it or ditch it. Just don't listen anymore than I listen to Ms. Anti Orange.

AMEN pirl!!!! This is why we are all wanting to get a forum for 'hardy tropicals', or some name pointing in that direction! ☻

Congrats on the MG program, Thom. Have fun!

Hi. I've had lots of success with whiteflowerfarms.com
I'd rather order from the web, since you can check on the nurseries right here on DG. Saves a ton on gas. But sooner or later during lunch break I will get out to visit a local close by, because you have to support them, too. That is if they're honest. Usually they know you from past dealings and give bargains, too.
By the way, Pirl I also have a hibiscus on the corner of my house in my backyard that I'm a slave to. But it still gives me some pretty good blooms even though it gets totally de-leafed by the beetles.

I like ordering on the web even though it's too easy to get carried away.

Alice, mine was (past tense) a tropical hibiscus - the kind that come in for the winter and go out for the summer. Some things I've learned to appreciate more in another person's garden.

a theatre chick's favourite typo of the week:

So we can refer to you as a theater chick, Amy?

lol...

I fully believe everything that everyone has been, and is writing here. Gardening, regardless of ones "caliber" is an art form. And really, who's criticizing it, by ourselves. I have people, almost constantly, spanning the great divide...half say I have "over kill" and the other half feel that my garden is a delight to behold, and will park their cars, and walk around my front yard.
I don't do it for them, I do it for me. I love watching hostas pop up out of the ground, they remind me or worms, or aliens, something otherwordly. I like watching my DL's pop up, form these huge mounds of grass, and then, almost within a day, BAM, the show starts.
I don't consider it overkill, they are my kids...that's it...lol. Weather they behave or not, it ultimately up to me. My routine after I get home from work, and the season is upon me, is, out of the car, see if bugs are bothering anything, check on what is coming up, or not...ponder if my martagons got eaten, or are coming up a little later...I love the whole process.
So, when people tell me I have to much, or my garden is a "jungle"...this by the way, is my parents favorite comment...is to shrug it off.
I especially love going to other peoples gardens. I like when the first thing out of another gardeners mouth, is something along the lines of, "It's a mess today" or, "I've really wanted to do something different" or even better "It's not done yet."
I get so excited when people are talking garden talk, I thrive on it...lol.
So, if anyone ever says, "That's not a nice color," or "I don't like that," or, my least favorite, "It looks like a bunch of weeds." Smile at them, nod your head even...it's your creation, revel in it.
Pirl, I can't agree with you more...it seems like every time I go to someone elses garden, I get the sense of, "I wonder if I should have done that," or "Hmmm, why didn't I think of it?"
I'm about to write a book, I'll stop...I just love all things gardening. And poo poo on those who try to discourage or belittle, or make fun of :-)