Be part of the story

Sinningia 'Colorado Sunset' for sale

     Yes, tomorrow, Sunday, 30 September is the Mid-Atlantic Gesneriad Show, Sale and Symposium at the University of Delaware.-------- 531 South College Ave, Newark------ 10 to 4

     Why read about it when you can go there and see unusual plants shown by skilled hobbyist.

5 Million.....

Poinsettia with ting

Story # 60,

      5 Million…..  iPhone 5’s sold this weekend.

      Even if you don’t like Apple, this should be celebrated with headlines.  For a product to be produced, that fans will stand in line for, is free enterprise at its best.

      If there are 10,000 Garden Centers in the United States, and on a good December weekend each sell 500 Poinsettias, then we have a 5 Million Poinsettia sale.

     This never makes the headlines but it’s worth celebrating.

'Li'l Georgie is available Sunday

Sinningia 'Li'l Georgie'

Story # 59,


      Sinningia ‘Li’l Georgie’ will be for sale Sunday, 30 September, at the Mid –Atlantic Gesneriad Show, Sale and Symposium at the University of Delaware.


     Come there to get one and see for yourself if this is the miracle plant that I’ve been telling you about.


      Every miniature garden needs ‘Li’l Georgie’!

10% unemployment means....

Table Top Garden

Story # 58,


 10% unemployment means…..


      That 90% are working.


      I worry about the unemployment and under-employed.  Times are tough for many people.


      But some days, I’m worrying about the wrong group.  Try to drive when it’s rush hour, try to find a causal restaurant where you don’t have to wait, try to get into an Apple store without tripping over people, try to find a parking space at our biggest mall, Park City.


      There are parts of our economy that are booming.  So why isn’t the boom absorbing the 10% who don’t have a job or the one that they want.


      Smart people can’t figure out what to do about this.


      Since an individual can’t affect any market, just be very good at what interests you and buy a plant occasionally.  It keeps the economy turning.

Catch up!

Euphorbia heterophylla with color

Story # 57,

     Catch up!

      Somehow you stumbled into this blog today about specialty plants like Sinningias and Streptocarpus.

      It is a loosely connected continuing story.

      You can read it from the beginning in less than 15 minutes.

Sinningia versus Streptocarpus?

Streptocarpus 'Fernwood's Cherries Jubilee'

Story # 56,


 Sinningias versus Streptocarpus?


      So what about categories?


      In the last year, Ferns as a category lead the list.  We always say that colorful beats green and flowering beats foliage.  So why do people buy Ferns?


      The total of Begonias (rhizomatous and Rex) are second best.  Again, non-flowering foliage plants.


      ‘half-pint’ Poinsettias (3 ½”) sell well but Crown of Thorns beat them.


      But this story wants to know about Sinningias versus Streptocarpus?


           It’s Streptocarpus 2 to 1 over Sinningias.

Second place is not bad

Sinningia 'Prudence Risley'

Story # 55,


 Second place is not bad!


      Sometimes it’s not obvious what’s selling until you add up the numbers.


      What is my top selling single plant?


      It’s always surprising to me that Geranium ‘Vancouver Centennial’ leads the list.  People buy this unique leaf pattern all year around.
        So what’s next?

      Sinningia ‘Prudence Risley’ was first available for sale for the Christmas season last year and has continually sold.  We never know why plants are bought.


      This hybrid has never been produced before so it can’t be repeat sales.  Is it because it is NEW or because it has RED flowers?


           Sinningia ‘Prudence Risley’ ---------   Second place finish!