Albert - I look forward to meeting you

--Shirley

I wish I were as hopeful as you about having usable cuttings by then, but my gut tells me it just won't be happening here.

But, today my hubby & I built me a hot house to start seeds and root cuttings in.

Thank you for the encouragement, roselee!!

k

Kathy

k

Linda - I'd like a Baby Blue eyes.

If y'all would like a set of something I have listed let me know and I'll set it aside for you IF I have enough to share once everything has germinated.

Kathy

Donna - Your list is amazing and quite inspiring. I planted lettuce this winter, but not much else. Might just get more seeds going this year.

Kathy, I just don't know if I'm going to have anything to bring. It's just been too cold here to get anything other than the Crimson Clover to sprout.

(Click on image for a larger view)

Could we at least consider postponing the swap 1 month?

Donna, I just called and the only dates available in April are on Sundays.
These pavillions go fast and have to be reserved months in advance.
I guess we just take our chances. It is unusual to have this cold and wet of a winter. But in the past we all seem to come up with plants.

k

Container soil sounds like a great idea.

Whether they'll be big enough to share in 5 weeks is anybody's guess.

Check out my 2010 Seed Planting Album

Roselee, I would like a Manfreda. Sounds like a good match for my sun and rocks.

-Shirley

I'd love to have pre-arranged swaps so that I don't have to bring so much. If you want something from the list, please let me know because I might not bring it with me otherwise.

Let everyone know what you're looking for even if you don't see it on a list. I, for one, might have a plant I can give, but might not put it on a list if I only have one to share.

here's my list for now:

helianthus angustifolius seedlings in the garden !
crinum -- if I can dig them up
bilbergia
hyacinth bean vine
mexican flame vine
var. ivy starts
aloe vera
pipevine
jade
katie ruellia
ruellia squarrosa
elephant ear
pink rain lily
white rain lily
caesalpinia pulcherrima
old man's pipe
sanseveria
donkey ears
cissus quadrangularis
clivia for special trades
vick's plant - plectranthus
purple fountain grass
bryophyllum crenatodaigremontianum
airplane plant
dwarf artillery fern
mullien
society garlic
coral bean
jingle bells kalanchoe
a few roses
mexican bird of paradise
fruit cocktail plant
cereus
salvia chirophylla
salvia coccinea red/white/dreamsicle
firecracker plant
butterfly weed

Should have more to add later. This is what I saw when I went through the greenhouse yesterday.

Please email me directly with what you would like and what you have to trade -- please do not post here as I don't come here that often and I forget about it.

thank you very much -- looking forward to seeing everyone again.

patty

In some areas I may place my own notes within ****** marks just to make comments. Please feel free to make your own comments as well, since we all want everyone to feel comfortable with what we are doing.

_________________________________________________________

SYLVIA:

Since we want everyone to have a happy, harmonious experience, we're posting info, hints, suggestions, & rules this year:

Bring your surplus plants, cuttings, seeds, garden supplies & tools, art, garden clogs... anything that another gardener could possibly use, & be realistic & respectful about what you expect to "trade" these items for.

(I sometimes bring a cat litter bucket full of rose cuttings, but I don't expect to get a brand new Ace Hardware wheelbarrow in return!)

Be sure your plants are well-hydrated, as travel & wind are hard on them, & we want to give our adopted plants the best start possible in their new homes.

Sturdy, permanent, not-easily-dislodged labels are most helpful, & info sheets are absolutely priceless.

********* I strongly urge and BEG ON MY KNEES for everyone to label their plants. We don't always label what is given us because we don't find the time in all the excitement! We always think that we'll remember what it was when we get home, but we don't. I've seen this over and over after every plant swap. Someone will post about a plant they got -- what is it ? who gave it to me ? I've done this, I know. I use window blinds for my labels. They last forever ! I usually bring along a notebook with pictures of plants that I have. It helps to show others what the seedling will look like full grown. ************

When arranging pre-trades, be sure that you & your trade partner are on the same page;
if you offer a "plant" for a "plant", describe its size, size of the pot it's in, age of the plant, when you took the cutting from the mother plant, etc.

Nobody likes to be surprised or put on the spot;
if I have a 4" pot of mint, & my trading partner has a 30 gallon palm tree, I'm going to feel uncomfortable-I don't want to take advantage of someone, & I might not have brought enough plants or other items to balance the scale-
& my trading partner very likely expected more than a 4" pot!

Now having said that, if you have a palm tree & you can't handle it any more & you *want* to trade it for a 4" pot of mint, that's fine:

an equitable trade is one in which both parties are satisfied.

CUTTINGS:
be sure that your trade partner knows that he/she is getting cuttings rather than rooted plants, & bear in mind that, while some cuttings will root, not all of them will, so bring a bunch.

When I bring that bucket of rose cuttings, I always have as many as possible of each variety;
they "cost" me literally nothing, & I want to be sure my trade partner ends up with *roses*.

Helpful accessories include hats, sunglasses, drinking water, water for hydrating/watering plants, Sharpies, notebooks, little red wagons or some such, newspaper, extra boxes, cards with your name/email/phone # to hand to kindred spirits.

A good way to keep your "inventory" in order is to box your pre-trades & label each box with the trade partner's name;
I my own self use a whole sheet of letter-sized paper & write the person's name in enormous letters;
on one side of the page, I list what is in the box;
on the other side, I list what that person is bringing me.

Complete one trade before you begin the next one:
It's too easy to hand off your box to a trading partner only to find that they get lost in the shuffle while you try to answer questions from someone else, & someone else gets your plants from the trader, who has gotten carried away with swap fever.

If Possible PLEASE HELP new arrivals to unload & get set up, & DON'T SWARM them with your trade list or boxes!

I'd estimate that the very most confusion at the swaps occurs within 2 minutes of each person's arrival!

When you set up your space at the table, put your "availables" on top, your "already promised" pre-trades on the bench, & the things that you're taking home beneath.

GOOD IDEA:

put your own name on some boxes or at least to bring paper & a Sharpie to label what you're taking home.)

We've always kept rules to a minimum, but here are 2 that should be self-explanatory:

1.
Do not stick a cutting in a pot & call it a plant.
If someone discovers this at the swap, the person who did it will have to leave.

******** This is their rule, and it's a good one, but I think it's a little harsh. We've never asked anyone to leave, but I've felt like it a few times. I have been sorely disappointed and very upset when I received what was called a plant, only to discover at home that my "plant" was a cutting stuck in the dirt that morning. You may bring cuttings, of course, but please let the other person know that you have cuttings, and not rooted plants. Some cuttings will not develop into plants, and it makes the person feel like they've been ripped off. **************

2.
Do *not* remove or "take" a plant from *anywhere*;
the owner/trader must hand you the plant or item.
This is the only way for everyone to be sure that they are satisfied & happy with the trade.

Remember, if there's a conflict over this, the trader/offerer/*owner* of the plant will prevail, so be sure that person wants you to have the plant.

If you remove a plant or other object from someone else’s area, you will have to leave.

******** Again, we've never asked anyone to leave, although this has happened numerous times and almost all of the swaps I've been to.... and that's 2 to 4 swaps a year over a 10 year period. I have left this rule here just to show you how other swaps work. And to point out what is considered bad etiquette at ANY swap. **********

ORPHAN'S TABLE:
Extra plants that we want to share without a trade will go onto an "Orphan's Table", which is to be left untouched until the door prizes are drawn.

****** We don't have an orphan's table, but it's a neat idea. Usually, we just announce out loud what we have left, or go around from person to person and ask if they want our orphans. The other group uses the Orphan's Table as part of their door prize event. when someone picks up their door prize, they choose something from the Orphan's table, too. Do you like this idea ? or stick with the way we do things now ? ************

Again: Don't Take, Wait Until It's Offered:

I cannot stress this strongly enough.

Do not take *anything*, even if you see your name on a box or a plant.

It isn't yours until the person who brought the item hands it to you, at which time you hand your trade to him or her.

This is the only way for traders to be sure that they don't lose control of their items before they know that they're happy with the item they're to receive in trade.

If you don't think the item you're offered is an equitable trade for your item, you can decline the trade.

One more "suggestion", but it's a *strong* suggestion:

Post your HAVES before you ask a trader for something they've posted.

OFFER SOMETHING when you ask for something;

a couple of times traders have agreed to bring someone a plant & then discovered that the person who asked for it hasn't brought anything in exchange.

Please don't put someone in this spot; it's tacky.

If you can't bring plants, bring seeds or food or *something* (one year someone brought me 6 cans of dog food!) as a token of good faith.

******* some swap posts have mentioned that people can bring food as a trade item. While this is okay for some people, many of us want plants for plants. That's why we attend the swaps. So, please don't be upset when someone won't accept your brownies for their prized begonia. *******

Gardeners are generous souls, but no one likes to be used;
Please don’t take advantage of someone's generosity.

If you come to the swap, please participate in it as fully as possible;

Offer *something* to any person who gives you something.

DOOR PRIZES:

If you can, bring a garden gift worth $10.
not much more & not much less. (This way nobody will bring a $40 saw with handpainted bluebonnets & go home with a bottle of seaweed solution.)

******* We've never set a dollar amount for donated door prizes, and we've never made it a rule that everyone should bring one. It is totally voluntary. However, if you do donate something for a door prize, please make it a new or clean, next-to-new item. Save your used stuff and garden-junk for trades or give-aways. ********** I would also like to add that door prizes, in my opinion, should be for the active gardener participants in the swap. Not the grandmother, cousin, and 3 children that you bring with you. I don't think that's fair to everyone. Also, if your name is called toward the end, and there is nothing on the table which interests you, please pass it up and let it go to someone else, instead of complaining about it later. This is where it's nice to have new items and not an old potholder that someone's great-aunt crocheted 40 years ago. ************

********* We used to share a potluck lunch, and some other swaps still do the same. Instead, we bring our own sack lunches and stop for awhile to eat and visit. Kathy thinks I always want to eat too early ! I can't help it....I'm always hungry !! ******************

Please add your comments, complaints, or ideas about anything which might improve our swap. Nothing is written in stone. Everyone wants to have a good time and go home with wonderful plants, and new friends.

patty

I love the idea of an Orphans Table!!

"If Possible PLEASE HELP new arrivals to unload & get set up, & DON'T SWARM them with your trade list or boxes!"
PLEASE!!!

"I'd estimate that the very most confusion at the swaps occurs within 2 minutes of each person's arrival!"

I absolutely understand and have expereinced that concept!!!
________________________________________

This year I plan to bring a small dry erase board, a marker and my camera. That way I can write down the plants' names and the trader, then take a picture of all of them together.
________________________________________

Must it be a 'garden' gift? I ask only because I find myself with 2 inexpensive portable MP3 speaker 'systems' that I bought for grandkids, but they got something like it from someone else. Conceivably you could use it in the garden while you're working....

Crimson Rambler Morning Glory
Grampa Ott Morning Glory
Moonflower
Chamomille

I still waiting on the artichoke and shasta daisies to germinate but hopefully in the next few days. Also I'll be making some container soil similar to Tapla's 5-1-1 mix, gritty mix and also some cactus/succulent soil thats my own recipe.

*I have another variety that is suppose to be Pink Delight but it looks like a Nanho Blue to me....

I need to clarify what I wrote last...

My Butterfly Bushes have growth on them that would be perfect for rooting. If there are people interested in rooted Butterfly Bush (Buddleja) cuttings I will take cutting this week (the moon is in a good sign for it Mon-Wed) and will set them to rooting. Otherwise, I will leave them on the bush.

Sorry for such a confusing post previously.

Kathy

I'll try to remember to take some cutting on Saturday, but I'm not making any promises as I will be in the middle of packing for a week long trip.

K

I think I have a Pink turks cap or two.

I know I have some yellow Mexican bird of paradise and Pigeon berry.

Also have more manfreda roots if anyone else wants some.

Can dig Coral vine roots, Fruit cocktail shrimp plant roots, and Toad lilly roots.

Will add more as they come to mind.

I'd be happy to trade for some.

Also I've got seeds for:

*Celosia Flamingo Feather

*Velvet Pod Mimosa

*Evergreen Acacia Tree

*Hop Tree, Ptelea trifoliata (Wafer ash) ...

...In case anyone wants to start a Hop Tree nursery LOL -- but who wants seeds when they can get a little tree from Linda? Anyway I collected a bunch of seeds from a wild tree on Dreamland Drive by the rail road tracks. They look like potato chips! Not only are Wafer Ashes an attractive little tree, but they are a food source for the Giant Swallowtail Butterfly caterpillar.

I have tons of blinds I can bring. Quite a few already cut and plenty uncut.

-Shirley

I'll definitely bring some bouquets of rosemary and mexican oregano; if nothing else, y'all can use it for cooking. IF anyone feels generous, I am interested in some of the things you've mentioned, but I do understand if you don't want to hand over your hard work for nothing:

plantmaven: aster, purple iris, columbine
dstartz: crimson clover
roselee: manfreda, pink turks cap
rock_oak_deer: silver ponyfoot, Coral vine, Fruit cocktail shrimp plant, Toad lilly
linda_tx8: White Mistflower (Eupatorium havanense),Cedar Sage, Prairie Phlox
castrogardener: crinum, society garlic, salvia coccinea (any)

I'm also looking for lily of the nile, coneflower, daisies, ginger, or anything that does well in shade.

See y'all then!
- Meredith

Kathy

Mexican Oregano would be awesome, I needed some just the other day and didn't have any.

Incidentally Meredith, I found that Mexican Oregano roots very easily. You might want to stick a few branches in some little pots of soil and bring those -- no guarantees that they will root, but they very well might :-)

*Chrysanthemum Pacifica.

It can take over a flower bed in perfect conditions, but is a nice groundcover for a difficult spot.

Sorry my list is so spread out, but I'm putting them on as I come across them.

I also have some yellow with red species canna, but not as much.

Also, some Bouncing Bet which I believe is a soapwort.

patty

How in the world are y'all able to get all of this stuff done
Let's work out a trade, okay?
jolana

I'm hoping the weather will be more co-operative for the Buda swap....

I also have quite a few American Pillar old garden roses if you want one. Original plant came from an old homestead in rural mississippi. the rose bush was the only thing left standing.

I sure hope we have more people coming on Saturday. I have heard from very few about swapping. If I didn't have a greenhouse with last year's seedlings in it, I might have only 1 or 2 things to bring myself. I know the weather hasn't cooperated with us much this year. I hope it gets better, all your plants POP soon, and if they do, please consider bringing them to the Buda swap. I have also been informed that there will be a swap in San Marcos in June for those who may be interested. I believe someone from another garden website will be hosting it. There are a couple of people here who know about it and may be able to give you more information if you are interested.

Hope to see you on Saturday.

patty

I will have around a total of 30 cuttings available if anyone else would like a couple. That's 15 of each.
princealbert

I have a long list above, and maybe a couple of single messages with one or two things that I discovered after making the main list.

Here's another one.... I think I have some pink trumpet vine plants coming up in the yard.

http://www.klru.org/ctg/plant/name/Pink_Trumpet_Vine/

want one ?

write soon ! Please email directly to guarantee I see it.

patty

Heather

Shirley

I have 2 large daimeter cuttings saved for you. one is a yellow and the other is a white.
PA

Again, thanks for taking photos!