o/t update on gessiegail

That was easy. I searched for Nan and she said it was a Nematanthus Champagne Jam........now I am going to do some more googling........

Ladies.........PLEASE don't get upset with me but...... Nematanthus and Aeschantanthus are 2 very different plants.

Nematanthus are referred to as "goldfish" plants and Aeschynatanthus are referred to as "lipstick" plants.

Soooo......When you put markers on your pots (like we know you will.......right Gail *lol*)........please be sure to mark it Nematanthus Champagne Jam which means you will have a beautiful "goldfish" plant *lol*

Nan, mine is doing awesome too but it's not quite "presentable" yet as it is still in it's ugly "rooting solo".......I will be SURE to post a picture of it when I have finally potted it up into soil. Unlike Gail, I can't just root things in soil. I have to root them in perlite first and then move them up to soil once they are fully rooted. But I SOOOO love it and can't wait until I can put it in a pot of soil :)

OK.......I have probably worn out my welcome here *lol*

Hey ladies.....want to hear my good news? I planted my first seeds from one of my strep crosses (Fire & Ice X Bristol's Party Boy) 7 days ago and as of today.......I have 2 little seedlings! WOO HOO. This should be a neat cross as both of the parents have quite unique markings and one is a fantasy the other is speckled.

Here is Fire & Ice again and we all know what Bristol's Party Boy looks like :)

Now if I can just grow them to blooming size........next year some time.......OMG

Oh, meant to say........harvested seeds today from Salmon Sunset X Fire & Ice........hmmmm...........salmon color with Fire & Ice? Oh the possibilities! I have a hard time sleeping at night thinking about "what could be" *lol*

Kim

Kim, that sounds like some good yummy mixes. I would be the last person to lie awake wondering which plants to hybridize (LOL).........and, of course you know, Kim, that I will mark my plant from Jan!

Kim, I do know the difference between the 3 gessies you mentioned above. I just can't recognize all of them without tags.........(are you surprised?)

Well, I did find an interesting site and it looks like we may be spelling champagne wrong.

Here is the excerpt:

Show and Tell and Raffle Table
by Lorah Gross

Jon Dixon brought the following plants for Show and Tell: Aesch. Evardii, Cod. Digna v. Paula, Nem. ‘Champaigne Jam’,

I found it here on this site:

http://www.sfgesneriads.org/baynews/2007/February07.htm

So, I guess we want to be sure to put that "i" in there in order for it to be correctly named :)

Wow, I need to go back to work full time and stop reading everything I can get my hands on regarding gessies *lol*

Kim

I just wrote to Jon and asked him if he would be kind enough to give me some information on this Nematanthus such as the hybridizer etc. I asked him why there is SO little information on it as we all think it is a stunner. I will let you all know what he says when I hear back from him :)

Kim

Oh Kim, you are WONDERFUL! THANK YOU! It has been driving me crazy with all the googling I've been doing. I wasn't sure if the plant in question was Aeschynanthus or Nematanthus. I have read where some are saying Lipstick Plant Champagne Jam and as you said above - the lipstick is common name for aeschynanthus whereas nematanthus has a common name of gold fish or guppy plant! I prefer to know the botanical/scientific name for correctness and labeling first and foremost, and then the common name.

LOL, I dont' have a clue who Jon Dixon is but I will be curious as to what he tells you!

Thanks again,

Lin

great find, Lin..........
What I noticed that caught my attention was that they bring plants, cuttings, etc for a raffle to give the club money and for people to have things to grow for the sale.
That impresses me.........I am the only one who keeps begging for people to bring plants to the meetings. I am the only one who wants to, I think.

Good Morning One and All *waving*

I heard back from Jon and this is what he had to say about this beauty:

Thank you researcher, Kim and Lin!

Good morning Kim! I hope my plant continues to do well (keeping my fingers crossed)
I even read that the leaves can be rooted very easily. Wish I had kept some of the big ones in the beginning because I don't want to tear up the plant now!

Good Morning My Friend.........WOW you are up early.
Yes, the leaves will root quite easily. The difficult part is getting them to put up a shoot prior to rotting. It's not uncommon for a rooted leaf to sit there and sit there for more than 6 months and then just rot without ever putting up a baby. So propagating nematanthus by leaf truly a challenge *lol* But I bet YOU could do it!

Kim

I am propagating two big sinningia leaves right now............but someone told me they would be sterile??????????? Let me take a look at them.........be right back.......

Gail, don't thank me ... I didn't find out any information about the Nematanthus 'Champagne Jam' ... that was all Kim! And, Yes ... Thank You Kim! That was so sweet of you to take the time to contact your friend to find out and pass along this info! I am hoping I have good luck rooting the cuttings!

I LOVE the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: http://www.selby.org/index.php?submenu=Visit&src=gendocs&link=Overview&category=Visit in Sarasota! So many wonderful tropical plants and also views of Sarasota Bay because the gardens extend along the waterway. Every path you meander there are beautiful plants! We used to vacation on the coast over there every summer for years and I always loved visiting the botanical gardens and Mote Marine Laboratory: http://www.mote.org/

Gorgeous gardens and marine life - my kind of vacation!

I bought that Nematanthus on ebay (it wasn't exactly 'cheap', but I REALLY WANTED IT!! and it was virtually impossible to find elsewhere) from Lorry, who was a regular on here at the time. (I've asked this before, but no one seemed to know - whatever happened to Lorry? - I miss her!)

She had tried really hard to 'pin down' it's proper identity when she listed it on ebay. If I recall correctly, she had a lot of help from 'nematanthusnut' at the time...I think she (nematanthusnut) eventually changed her user name to Tropicanna??

I didn't disclose my identity to her because I didn't want her to feel obligated to give me a deal or sell me one 'cheaper' if I lost out.

I kind of lost interest in Nematanthus, but this one was such a BIG grower and the flowers were so large and incredible, that I kept this one.

I decided to cut it back early this summer and sent those cuttings to two person that I owed trades to. Hence Gail and Kim got the cuttings. I suppose I could have done some more great trades with them...but oh well...I don't need anymore plants, and those two richly deserved them.

Hope you both have great success and enjoy! You too, Lin! You're gonna love this one!

Oh, Kim - if you 'chat' with Jon again, tell him Nan says HI! We both frequented GW at the same time....I think he'll remember me.

How's today going, Gail?!

This message was edited Jul 31, 2008 11:12 AM

WOW, what a day!

The "big guy" was up today at the bank and we were all informed that they are closing the branch in Maine. Tomorrow will be my last day. I was looking for a new job anyways so that's OK but at least now I will be able to look full time and will receive 3 weeks severance too :)

Gail my graceful ballerina *lol* You are FOREVER doing something you silly goose. Are you OK? You make it sound funny but I'm sure it wasn't funny AT ALL!

Nan, I LOVE all of my Nematanthus so much. For some reason the Nematanthus and Chirita have held my heart the longest. Of course I love all the gessies and have a few of each different type but whenever I see those little goldfish forming my heart just pitters *lol* I just love the markings on Champagne Jam and I truly am grateful you shared cuttings with me Nan as I fell hard when I saw your picture of it. I will be sure to tell Jon you said Hi :) I have gone to GW and read every single word the man has written. I find his way of explaining things so helpful and easy to understand :)

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE

For those "seed sowers" who received packets of Sinningia Mother's Day x Self from me..........I am reporting in that they are viable! *woo hoo* Sowed some on 7/20 and have little baby sprouts peeking through the soil today. This is VERY good news as I'm always worried that the seed I send around will be duds *lol*

Hope everyone is having a fabulous day!

Kim

That's beautiful plant Gail. Love those leaves... what do the flowers look like???

Kim I really enjoyed the info. thanks for sharing the research.

MsC

http://davesgarden.com/community/blogs/t/Nan/8591/

(My photo of the blooms last year, MsC)

This message was edited Jul 31, 2008 2:49 PM

Thank you for sharing the pics Nan... that is one interesting looking plant!

Is it diffcult to grow?

Oooh, Yes Nan - Thank you for sharing your photo's! I love the looks of that plant! The leaves look huge.

I will make this short and brief........am becoming the proverbial hypochondriac on DG.........waited 3 hours for DR..........he said the reason my eyelids were twitching and my legs were cramping all last night is because I am dehydrated..............long story short.........two different medicines and I will feel like new in a few days............Only a couple of days will tell if the pain in my back is a torn muscle, shingles before the rash comes or pleurisy. I haven't been sick in so long it makes me a little peeved!

Must confess that Brenda and Nancy outdid themselves on sending the strep leaves.........when I get them all planted this weekend, I will post...............thanks everyone.........

Oh Gail, I hope the new medicines take care of whatever it is. Did the Doc tell you to start drinking a lot of liquids since you are dehydrated? I have never had shingles, but my dad, my mom and one of my sisters have had it and I remember how horrible it was for them. My dad had a bad case about ten years ago. A pulled muscle I have experienced and remember all too well how painful that can be. Pleurisy is not good either, very painful. I wondered about that after hearing you were under anesthesia for three hours during your surgery. I hope you will rest and take care of yourself and get better soon. You are not a hypochondriac. I have known a few hypochondriac's in my time, LOL and you don't fit the description at all. It's no fun when you aren't feeling well and we are here to try and help cheer you up!

You are the best Lin! How lucky we all are to have one another! The only time I start to get down is when I don't feel well (I think it is because it is a very vulnerable place to be).........ok...........my psychology lesson for the night (LOL)

Lin is right Gail..no way you are a hypochondriac..farrr from it!...good to hear you went and got it checked out..hoping the dr finds what is causing it for sure and you get back good as gold very soon..I know how active you are so I am sure to you any down time is not fun...Keep drinking that water to get your fluid levels back up..and hopefully get some rest...keep us posted!

edited to add:oops looks like we were both typing at the same time gail :o

This message was edited Jul 31, 2008 8:33 PM

You are so nice to me (smiling)
going to watch a little TV............I got all your leaves planted Nancy.............verrrrry excited....will post a picture in the morning. And..........a big giant thank you for all the strep leaves. I am like a kid in the candy shop.

You are very welcome Gail..Hope they do well for you...now go get some rest..lol..

Hi Gail,

for dehydration, the best drinks are the sports drinks. things like Gatorade Rain, that are rich in electrolytes and low in calories. Water by itself does not help a lot as you need all the salts and minerals that you lose when dehydrated.

The cramps could be lack of potassium ( it gets low when one is dehydrated) so, bananas help a lot. If you are not able to eat them whole, you can always mash them or blend them with some orange juice and fat free plain yoghurt (you can add some frozen fruits to it as well). It is delicious!!!

Your right Spider, those yogurt smoothies would be just the thing with some bananas tossed, they sound easy on the stomach too!

So nice to see every full of such good advice for you Gail!! Listen up and feel better. ^_^

~Brenda

I make a smoothie every single day. It is such a great way to get lots of healthful goodies in one drink! I have a wonderful blender too. It also makes snow, so nice.

Hope it is not shingles. I had them at age 25. I am going to get the Shingles vaccine soon. My dad just had a terrible case on his head.

I hope you feel better soon! Take good care of yourself!!!

This message was edited Jul 31, 2008 10:09 PM

Shingles!! Yeow!!! ... I had a bad case two years ago this summer and I'll tell you I'd rather give birth than deal with those again! I had all four of my kids at home with a mid wife and thus no meds of any kind and I'd do it again before shingles!! I need to check into that vaccine!!

I certainly hope it's something different for you Gail!

~Brenda

Poor Gail! You're really having it rough, aren't you? I'm so sorry. I sure hope it's not shingles you have, too. My great aunt had them in her eyes (didn't even know you could get them there til she did!) and I remember that it was awfully painful for her. And I just learned yesterday that there's a vaccine for them. A friend's mother has shingles and the doc ordered the vaccine for her. She said the doc told her mother that it would clear them up and prevent her from having them again. Didn't know a vaccine could also be a cure...sounds not quite right to me, but I don't know enough to have an opinion, really. Might be a good idea to look into the vaccine either way, though.

Nan, you send me Nematanthus Champagne Jam cuttings in one of the houseplant swaps. Remember me telling you I had looked for it for so long, finally found a lady who sent me a couple cuttings, then they died? Well, yours didn't die! It's not a big plant yet, but so gorgeous. I love the underside of the leaves, so I took a sort of crooked, from the underside picture. LOL Thank you so much for sharing this one with me! ^_^

That's right, I did, and I do remember your excitement - it was so strange that it was one you'd wanted so badly and in turn one I sent you cuttings of!
(Funny how that works out sometimes, isn't it??)

YAY!! (Ü) So glad it's doing well for you.

Gail, hypochondriacs often tend to 'imagine' their illnesses, and it's pretty clear you're not imagining anything...I'm glad to hear, too, that you'll be feeling some relief soon.

My son had shingles too after his illness....thank goodness his was short-lived.

I feel so much better this afternoon................slept 4 hours today to make up for lost sleep. I know now that I just have a torn muscle that a nice heating pad helps so much.

You are all the best friends in the world! I am on my way to great health.........thank goodness it isn't the shingles......my brother had that Brenda, and , he thought it was the worst thing to ever happen to him.

I even got dressed this afternoon and went to the Dollar Store to get Kitty Litter (LOL)....Now that is the second time I have been out of the house in a week.......very exciting and it appears now that it is full speed ahead for me!

(People still look at me a little 'funny' as it is quite obvious that there are no teeth....kinda fun, too)

Forgot to tell you that all of you are very good doctors and nurses. I drink those yogurt drinks every day and only drink gatorade now (in the last couple of days). And, to top if off, I even put bananas in my frozen drinks now..............thanks

I am so happy it is not shingles and you are getting some rest. Great to get out a bit. Feels good after you stay in a long time. Glad you are feeling a little better. I talked to my doctor I use in Kerrville about the Shingles shot today. We had a phone appt. to talk about my migraines and kidney stones. My urologist is good, but she knows more about prevention.

I didn't even know you could take a preventative shot for shingles?

hmm ... I decided to do a bit of research on the shingles vaccine. Found this: http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/10/03/healthscience/snbrody.php and this: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/15/AR2008051502364.html

Yes, there is a lot of info. about it out there. My mother took one. It is for 60 and older. My doc. said I can take it since I had it so early even if I am younger.

But, I will have to ask my ear specialist in Denver for sure. The vaccine has a "mycin" antibiotic in it. A tiny amount I am sure, but I will call for sure.

I just heard something about this vaccine on the radio - just the other day!

Wow Gail
Here I have been talking to to you today and had No Idea that you had surgery on the 26th of July But I am glad that all came out well,
I am just so bussy with work and I just don't have the Time to read all the forms So I try and check the Birthdays if I can.Its good that I am working and I did start early this year April last year I didn;t start until July now I no why I am tired and feel like an old cow HAHA
Well I can read that you are getting better Take care
Dimmer(AKA) Kim

Dimmer, I am finally getting relief for pain since the pain of shingles started last Wednesday................just took a good ole pain pill..............a strong one and going night night!

You are NOT and old cow.........even if we feel like one (LOL)