Gita, there seemed to be plenty of opportunity to switch seats and to mingle after the meal, during the seed swap. With more of an idea of how things worked out from last year, I think we'll be able to arrange the tables more functionally once I know how many people there will be. Unless we get a lot more people, no, I do not think they will be inclined to let us take over the back part of the restaurant as well as the back party room.
I know it's easier to wander around during an indoor/outdoor gathering at somebody's home, but the restaurant format got pretty good reviews last winter.
I hope everybody is finding the new thread where we've been talking about different dates, different locations, and different types of DG gatherings!
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/948957/
Think Spring! Lunch & Seed Swap, Sat. February 21
Just my 2 cents -- i liked being crammed in the back room. The problem with being spread out is that you don't know who is part of your group, and who isn't. So it is more likely that people will get left out. Maybe we just need to be more energetic about playing musical chairs.
This year, depending on how many people we end up with, I'll try to arrange things so that we can walk around both ends of the tables. That should facilitate switching seats, as well as make it easier to come and go to the buffet.
We've also noticed that this restaurant has been near seating capacity most of the times we've been there lately, so it's really not like they could just give us the whole back section of the place.
LOL I could blow a whistle every half hour and make people change tables. (Maybe not.)
How about this for an idea? Are you going to do bingo again? How about each player, when finished, has to take the seat of the next player? That would mix things up, and as I recall we were (mostly) done eating at that point.
I like that... and as I recall, some folks did sit in one spot during the seed trading part of things, while others moved about.
We'll use a game again (probably Bingo, with random pre-printed cards this time, but maybe something else... I've got a couple weeks to work on it, LOL) as a break between eating and swapping. As we did last year, we'll use the order in which people call BINGO! to determine the order for claiming door prizes from the gift table. You'll go forward, claim your prize, then take the seat of the next person on the list and send them to the gift table for their turn. I think that'll work!
:-)
UPDATE
I went to Dutch Plant Farm this afternoon, and we're still working on the details, but it looks like they'll be willing to give us some sort of small discount on Party Day. Even better news, with a little luck (depending on weather conditions), The Florida Truck might be back a day or two before, so they could have an entire jungle of new goodies unloaded and priced for us.
If you have a special request, some plant that you'd really really love to have, Dmail me right away. I will email Jodi tomorrow, and she will see what she can do... since she is not with The Truck this year, it's more of a roll of the dice. It would probably help to give both the name (scientific too if possible) and an upper limit (if any) of what you're willing to pay for one. Bear in mind that they are more likely to try to hunt around for a larger and more costly specimen than for a $5 plant in a 3 inch pot.
I also noted some of the fun things they have currently... like coffee plants (in 3, 4, and 6 inch pots). If you're in the market for a half-price ficus, palm, or one of those things that looks like corn leaves on a thick bamboo stalk, LMK... I may be able to ask them to hold a sale plant for you, or I can lug it home and you can get it after the party.
Edited to add.. citrus plants may be a problem... no exports allowed from FL at present (pest/disease issues). Jodi has an order in with a CA source but isn't sure what she'll get. I'm planning to ask her to look for allspice, nutmeg, and bay rum trees.
This message was edited Feb 12, 2009 5:39 PM
Quoted:
If you're in the market for a half-price ficus, palm, or one of those things that looks like corn leaves on a thick bamboo stalk, LMK... I may be able to ask them to hold a sale plant for you, or I can lug it home and you can get it after the party.
That "Corn Thing" is commonly called a "Corn Plant". It is, actually, another Dracena. There are, probably, 100 forms of Dracenas! We just don't know they all are!
--It should NOT be transplanted it in a bigger pot, as it has a VERY small root system. If you do you may have serious problems having the "stalks" staying erect. Don't mess with it! Let it grow on in the pot you bought it in. If you cannot stand the ugly, black, Nursery pot--put that pot inside another pot--just for looks.
--It should NOT be over watered--because of that. Allow soil to dry out in-between.
--As all Dracenas hate Chlorine and salts--you should let your tap-water air out for at least
two days. Salts will make the leaf-tips turn brown--so common in all Dracenas. Like on Spider plants, Ribbon Plants, Jeanette Craig Dracenas, etc....
If you are on well water--this does not apply.
--Expect your Corn Plant to grow new leaves only from the existing leaf-crown.
Lower leaves may yellow out. This is normal. Just remove them.
This plant, along with all of it's "cousins" (other Dracenas), as well as Ficus and many of the Palms, are available at all the Big Box Stores. No need to pay premium prices for any of these.
Gita
Thanks for the tips, Gita! Jodi said they tolerate low light conditions, also, so I may get one for a room that's "too dark" for plants, like the book room (has a big window, but it faces north).
I think the "Fish Tail Palm" (name on tag when i bought it) in the guest bath is actually a Dracena, then -- very similar stalk/trunk anyway. I will start watering it with filtered water, and maybe the new leaves won't do that brown tip thing then.
!!! allspice, nutmeg, and bay rum trees !!! Wouldn't THAT be SWEET?!?!? Do you still need my list - I can move it up in our ongoing dmail.
Sure -- bump me, please! (feeling lazy tonight, LOL)
Jill--I do not think the Fish-tailed palm is a Dracena.
I do not know just what it is--but we have had them come it HD several times.
It is a Palm of some sort.....
Re the Corn Plant---I have never really figured it out----Good light??? Low light???
Since you see it in many offices..I have to assume that "bright indirect" light will be the way to go...
I always thought the Snake Plant (Sansiveria) was low light---but many places it says to give it bright light....Go figure! I would choose the middle ground.....
It will NEVER hurt any plant to be watered with filtered, or well water.
Here in Baltimore--you can, actually, small the Chlorine when you run the tap. I know it is a high concentration--but then again, that is what makes the water safe.
If I know a plant really does nor like tap-water--I will fill gallon bottles of it and let them sit around for a couple of days before I use it to water plants.
Gita
I've had two very different "Fish Tailed Palm" plants -- one looked like a palm; this other one has a jointed looking stalk like the corn plant.
I do use filtered water for some of my plants, but given its location that one has been more likely to get a drink from the bathroom tap. From now on, the african violets upstairs will have to share their premium water with it!
OK, we're at 130 posts, so we need to start limiting the plant chat on this thread please... I've been updating the info at the top as needed, but I don't want this thread to ramble too much for anybody who is just now finding it.
Thanks!
Hello to All - I just found the thread this morning and was trying to read thru, but then gave up and came to the end. First off, thank you for the dmail regarding the get together Critter. We will give it some serious thought.
I don't read Mid Atlantic Gardening much at all, so am relying on folks such as yourself and others please, remind me if there is anything going on that John and I may be interested in doing. Thanks all. This sounds like loads of fun. I had to miss the seed swap last year and am going to make every effort to attend this one.
It is Sunday and I hope that everyone will have a very good one.
Ruby
Isn't the swap on a Saturday, not a Sunday? Duh, sorry, still asleep. Have a good Sunday, too. Hope to see you there Ruby.
This message was edited Feb 15, 2009 8:12 AM
Hooray! I think I sent out about 100 Dmails last night, in 3 "blasts" to MD, VA, and PA Dgers. I know I still missed people... I was clicking through the subscriber list for familiar names or for towns I thought might be "close enough," but my geography isn't the best. So I'm sure I sent the note to some folks who are 6 hours away LOL and probably missed some who could easily get here.
If you know a subscriber who might not know about this or who might need a little friendly nudge to join us (maybe they're new, or just shy), please get in touch with them!
:-)
I just sent the link to Shirley in Md. (She can't make it)
This message was edited Feb 17, 2009 3:43 PM
Thanks! She's on my "maybe" list, waiting to see how her family schedule works out that day. :-)
Hey Jill, thanks for the Dmail! It's been way too long since I've spent any time on DG but appreciate the heads up to let me know about the swap. Really enjoyed it last year but unfortunately won't be able to make it this year :( Things are a little too hectic around here right now. We were supposed to be in Florida last week but we were forced to cancel the trip and wait for the crew to repair the damage to our flooded basement when a pipe burst in the deep freeze toward the end of January. Still waiting on the carpet and hopefully it will be in by the end of the week and we'll be spending the weekend getting everything organized again - what a mess :(
I'll be waiting for the photos and hope everyone has a great time!
Debbie
RCN, sorry to hear you won't be there I was looking forward to seeing you again. How horrible about that broken pipe, flooding is one of the worst things. So much damage to clean up.
Yuk on the flooding... we'll miss you!
I just got a Dmail from Anita (avmoran), and she'll try to make it. Hooray!
Oh Debbie....only thing worse then not getting to visit with you is hearing why!! Agree w/Holly and Jill...flooding is so not a good thing...ugh!!
We're planning to go to Chef Lin tomorrow evening, and I'd like to give them an updated head count. So, if you've been waffling, this would be a great time to let me know you'll be there!
Also, if you're bringing a guest, please let me know their first name so I can have a goodie bag for them that doesn't just say "Becky's friend." Thanks!
Jill - I'm so bad with names...just met Becky's friend (speaking of which) here recently. Becky's got the creepin' crud right now - so I'm not sure she'll see this...kinda just having a close relationship with her blanket and probably Nyquil right now. She's trying hard to get better by Sat. I'll txt her though.
Oh! (((Becky))) Get well soon! We need you!
Hi, Jill: My friend's name is Bertie. We are so looking forward to this. See you on Saturday. Betty
Thanks, Betty! I'm looking forward to seeing you both. :-)
Volunteers needed
I'd like somebody to be in charge of collecting everybody's $11, please. With a lot of things going on, it'll be easier if somebody else can take charge of that for me, as Nutmeg did last year.
I think I have figured out a way to do Bingo so everybody can just play, but if anybody would like to be the caller/verifier, just say the word.
Chantell & Becky (and maybe Devon with them?) have offered to come early and help me set up... thank you!
:-)
I have an idea, whoever gets a bingo, has to call the next game. That sounds fair enough. That way, you will have many callers. (I hope)
Greetings from the oh still dying one...no, no close relationship with Nyquil (stuff makes me sick) - but the binky & I on the other hand...anyway, I am feeling better so we should make it on Saturday and my friends name is Marianne ^_^ (I have serious case of cabin fever now)
Jill: I can take care of collecting the money if okay with you. Betty
Hey, I would love to come, but that's too far of a drive right now! I think I will keep a watch on your goings-on though, and maybe someday in the future I will be able to make a trip out that way. (Actually, I'm afraid to go back to the east coast for fear I won't want to return to Wisconsin!!)
HollyAnn, I've been meaning to ask you if you ever worked in Harrisburg? I worked with a gal named Holly, who lived in Dover, back in 1993, but she had a daughter named Rachel. I'm sure it's not you :)
Yay, Becky is getting better!
Betty, THANK YOU!
Everybody look for Betty on Saturday and pay her pronto when you arrive! :-)
Does Chef Lin have Senior prices for the buffet? I was going to pay with a credit card.
No, they don't. And they would much prefer that we pay our tab collectively rather than giving everybody a separate bill. If that's a problem, LMK... we'll work it out. :-)
It's no problem at all. I'll bring the $ 11.00. Thanks .
Glad you brought that up - as I rarely carry cash...but will make sure!!
Happy swapping everyone :) One of these swaps I hope to be able to drive down. I won't be able to make it yet again....sigh....
I'm wishing for black pussy willow cuttings. I've tried growing pussy willows to no avail. I saw the black used in a dried arrangement along with regular and it was really nice. Ours always get the tops nipped off, even when I think they are tall enough to avoid a critter doing that. Anyway, I just wanted to chime in and say hello.
Have a nice time,
~Diana
Jeannie, No my daughters are Julie and Jen. I have a friend with a daughter Rachel. I have always worked for the Fed-Gov but I did pick up a few part-time jobs here and there. Where did you work?
Wind there is a really good chance that I will have more for the Spring Swap. BTW I will get a swap thread and info thread put together next week. Hey Jeannie, maybe you could come in for that?
All of you guys and gals enjoy tomorrow! I sure wish I could be there!
Jill asked if I wanted or needed anything, and what came to mind first was just to be with you all instead of at work!
Other than that, if anyone has a brug cutting or start left over, or maybe some unusual morning glory seeds,
then think of me and send by way of Chantell!
I'll miss you guys and be thinkin' of ya!
Karen
I don't think I can look at another seeds... at least not until tomorrow, LOL!
THANK YOU ! to everybody for a memorable afternoon!
I especially appreciate all who helped with setting up and clearing away. Betty, thank you so much for taking care of the accounting for me! And Terry, thanks for helping out with the "Daves Bingo" call list. I had a wonderful time, and I hope all of you did, too! Oh yes, and my thanks also to whoever treated me to lunch! :-)
I started a thread for swap photos and more here: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/955248/
Hey, now you all know I've got this maternal streak... please check in and post when you're safely home!
:-)