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Lilith · 06-24-2009, 06:51 AM

Yes, its not good to dis someone publicly. Even if what you say is true. After all, it is subjective. The very small hardly grown out tissue culture plug that one person receives for $10+ may be extremely welcome if they cannot get the plant any other way, but for another person, it is tantamount to almost a waste of money and generally a big disappointment.

I actually figured out an empirical truth a long time ago, but the problem is, when something "new" comes along, and its something I want, I find it hard to wait, and sometimes will break this rule to get it sooner, but my new rule which I plan to adhere to in the future is this:

I will wait until the plant I want appears at my local Home Depot or Lowes, or at the local Botanical Gardens sales that I attend regularly, in the stuffed full 3 gallon container, for $9.99 or less. (or until I make a trade for it). Because, here in Florida, INVARIABLY, most of the plants I want DO arrive on the market this way.

I got my Colocasia 'Maui Magic' and 'Elena' this way. I got my aureo- variegated Alocasia frydek this way, a huge stuffed 3 gallon for $10. As opposed to $25-50 on the web for a 4" pot. I got two huge beautiful Siam Ruby bananas over 4 ft tall for $12.50 each locally. I got my first 4 ft tall Philodendron warzsescii (sp) for $12 that way when tiny plants were selling for $25-30 on the web. I got my lovely crinum Meneheune this way. And a ton of my hoyas....why pay big bucks for a single strand of a hoya that will take forever to make a nice full plant when I can pick up a lot of nice species at regional sales in stuffed full hanging baskets for about $12? The Buddah's Hand Citron I wanted had only ONE online source on the web, they wanted $40 for a tiny tree. I got a huge one at Lowes for $7.99.

Going Bananas is almost always at the sales I go to in Central and South FL, and there are other banana vendors around as well. I realize I am LUCKY. This is not possible for people in other parts of the country. But for me, its the rule I plan to strictly live by in the future: buy locally or regionally, or trade. No more mail order for me.

06-24-2009, 06:51 AM	#12 (permalink)
Lilith Senior Member Lilith's Photo Gallery Location: sunny Florida Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Gina Anne Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 341 BananaBucks : 82,341 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 20 Times Was Thanked 136 Times in 52 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Re: Vendors Yes, its not good to dis someone publicly. Even if what you say is true. After all, it is subjective. The very small hardly grown out tissue culture plug that one person receives for $10+ may be extremely welcome if they cannot get the plant any other way, but for another person, it is tantamount to almost a waste of money and generally a big disappointment. I actually figured out an empirical truth a long time ago, but the problem is, when something "new" comes along, and its something I want, I find it hard to wait, and sometimes will break this rule to get it sooner, but my new rule which I plan to adhere to in the future is this: I will wait until the plant I want appears at my local Home Depot or Lowes, or at the local Botanical Gardens sales that I attend regularly, in the stuffed full 3 gallon container, for $9.99 or less. (or until I make a trade for it). Because, here in Florida, INVARIABLY, most of the plants I want DO arrive on the market this way. I got my Colocasia 'Maui Magic' and 'Elena' this way. I got my aureo- variegated Alocasia frydek this way, a huge stuffed 3 gallon for $10. As opposed to $25-50 on the web for a 4" pot. I got two huge beautiful Siam Ruby bananas over 4 ft tall for $12.50 each locally. I got my first 4 ft tall Philodendron warzsescii (sp) for $12 that way when tiny plants were selling for $25-30 on the web. I got my lovely crinum Meneheune this way. And a ton of my hoyas....why pay big bucks for a single strand of a hoya that will take forever to make a nice full plant when I can pick up a lot of nice species at regional sales in stuffed full hanging baskets for about $12? The Buddah's Hand Citron I wanted had only ONE online source on the web, they wanted $40 for a tiny tree. I got a huge one at Lowes for $7.99. Going Bananas is almost always at the sales I go to in Central and South FL, and there are other banana vendors around as well. I realize I am LUCKY. This is not possible for people in other parts of the country. But for me, its the rule I plan to strictly live by in the future: buy locally or regionally, or trade. No more mail order for me. __________________ 11/2008 Outer Banks Marathon 26.2, Kitty Hawk NC--3:50 2/2009 5 Points of Life Marathon, 26.2, Gainesville FL--4:00 4/2009 Boston Marathon, 26.2-- 4:38 10/2009 Marine Corps Marathon, DC, 26.2--457 1/2010 Houston Marathon, 26.2--3:55:09 2/2010 5 Points of Life Marathon, Gainesville--415 Halloween Day 2010 Marine Corps Marathon, DC-- 2/2011--Austin TX Marathon--