Felix,

Be yourself buddy, that's all that's required. You of all folks need not be concerned.

I will suggest though, LOCK your car doors when at any swap. If you DONT, you may have trouble getting back into your car when you are ready to leave due to all the plants folks may have stuffed in there.

Tony

I failed to include that perhaps your better more rare plant(s) could be reserved for the swap host/hostess. Maybe allow first pick for the host if all are equally good.

I am sure others will include more ......

I agree with Tony, Felix...you, of all people, need not worry. You are unfailingly kind, sweet-natured and pleasant to be around, full of excitement and enthusiasm, and interested in meeting new people. That will endear you to everyone at any plant swap, I'm absolutely certain.

I agree also that it would be nice to bring something special for the hostess, though I will admit, shamefully, that I wasn't thoughtful enough to do that at the swaps I've been to. I brought lots and lots of plants, but nothing specific with the hostess's name, and I regret that! My grandmama would say she taught me better than that! And she'd be right.

Labeling your plants is very helpful, as there will be plenty of people who won't recognize what they are, and it's helpful to bring along blank labels for any unlabeled plants you might want to take home. Some plastic baggies and soaking wet paper towels (tucked inside the baggies) are handy to take home cuttings in.

I know there are lots of other things that you could bring along, but I think those are the essentials. Don't get too bogged down in trying to remember TOO many things. It should be a fun experience, not a chore. You will have such a good time!! And so will everyone who meets you!

Marcia

Felix, my mother and i can vouch for Tony's 1st post LOL

Yes, bringing a gift for the host/hostess is something I try to do. And I try to keep my plants labeled as well. It might be a good idea to write your name on the pot as well, as then the new owner can contact you if they have a growing question. Usually these swaps have included food, so I try to bring some kind of covered dish or something to add to the mix. Maybe a hat, and maybe a chair.
But they are for fun and everybody seems to have a good time, and from what I've heard and read you won't have any problems. I can't wait to meet you myself.

Felix-I can only repeat what everyone else has already said. Just be yourself! I truly enjoyed my visit with you and can't wait to return the favor.

Labeling the plants you bring is good and bringing a "sharpie" to jot notes on them is another good idea. The baggies and paper towels idea for cuttings is also a good idea.

I can't wait to see you again and I have a bucket of waterlilies and a weeping maple with your name on them.

Looking forward to seeing you at the swap!
Susan

I also was wondering about Felix's question as I've never been to a swap either. I had thought about labeling plants, and all the other ideas are great ideas to remember too. I hope I can make this swap.

FlowerLady

Felix - Swaps are informal affairs where a bunch of us, plant nuts, get together to spread the wealth. The rules are usually non-existent; however, certain customs are appropriate:

1. Linen napkins are a no-no. Despite any degree of royalty in your upbringing, if you make a mess at a swap, youÂll just have to use paper towel.
2. No one in jodhpurs or flippers will be allowed for obvious reasons.
3. Although we support flossing behind every meal, the use of toothpicks made of anything besides maple or oak is strictly forbidden.
4. During the séance, we request that you refrain from counting sheep, even if you are really having trouble following the score.
5. If the need arises and you have to crack your knuckles, please trot to the opposite side of the court and do so out of sight of the chimps, as it excites them.
6. Normally, there will be only one sacrifice - shortly after noon. However, if a second one is required, we ask that you keep your shirt buttoned until the last of the embers has died out.
7. Clamoring, though elegant, must be done in stages rather than one single bellow.
8. Never stand too closely to the exhaust, especially after the beans have been ladled out to all participants.
9. In the event of an avalanche, Huskies and Poodles will be distributed to the youngest players first and must be recharged after the last quarter.

10. Gravity will be supplied. Please do not bring your own.

I think Ricky has already gotten into some good plant material!

ROFL, thanks Ricky, really good advice.

Friends coming together for a good time :-)

Evelyn

Felix,

Here is a lesson I learned at my first swap....while it is nice to bring something yummy to eat.....do not bring too much....many people will be bringing goodies so even if you don't think you are bringing enough...trust me it's plenty. :-)My first swap I knew there would be many people there so I brought three lemon meringue pies....poor Ricky was giving them away.

All good advice.
* A special plant or little gift for the host/hostess is nice and leaves a good memory of the swap. (I still have my mossy bricks!)
* Food is certainly welcome, but don't bring too much! LOL!
* All of Ricky's Rules are good ones, especially the one about gravity.

Here's a couple more things:
- While it's fun to make some trades ahead of time, plan on doing lots of swaps/giveaways/gimmes 'in the moment'. (i.e., don't do too much planning).
- Label your plants with name and shade/sun preference, if possible. It's also nice to include your name; I wish I could remember who I received some of my plants from!
- Bring a lawn chair for sitting around in the garden. No host has enough chairs for all of us!
- Same for tables. If you have a small portable table it's nice to bring that too for displaying plants.
- If the plant is a hard one to start from a cutting, try to get it started before the swap. But if you don't have time, don't worry about it. Most of us love a challenge and are willing to try to get something started.
- If you don't have plants to swap, don't worry about it. Come anyway to enjoy the group. You'll go home with plants and everyone will be happy to share.
- Don't take cuttings from the host's garden, please. Let the host know what you want and let them do the clipping or digging.
- It's perfectly OK to bring your sister / mom / neighbor / bestfriend / spouse / significantother / etc.
- We love your dogs, but you should probably leave them at home.
- We love your kids too, but...

Kate

I think that one suggestion that I have is not assume that plants are there for the taking. I know it was an issue at one of the swaps. I bring a roll of blue painter's tape (low tack masking tape) and a sharpie to mark unmarked plants and because I usually carpool with Butterflygardener I put my name on things as well.
Don't forget your sunscreen!

Okay, some real rules, since no one's touched on these:
* Leave your clippers in your car. I'm more than happy to cut most plants for you.
* Don't sneak anything into the ground. I know every square inch of my garden.
* Our swap is also a barbecue. It's okay to graze with a fork and knife, but barbecue is eaten with your fingers and your mouth cleaned with the back of your sleeve.
* Ditto about the kids and dogs. I tend to channel W.C. Fields.

Your kind words toward me is so appreciated,thank you.
Ricky you mean that we can wipe our mouth with the back of our sleeve,how uncouth! he he he. Are we allowed to weed?
Some decorum that I would assume will be follow;
-No smoking,unless you are away from non smokers.
-No foul language nor dirty jokes.
-If alcohol is served,use moderation due to you might become obnoxious.
-No weed smoking unless you share.
-No hitting on spouses or significant other.
-No politics nor religious discussions.
-Do not forget to take your spouse back home with you.
-Leave the swap when it is finish.
-Do not go in the Host's home unless you ask permission.
(Men must pee in the toilet)-(No peeing outside)
-Pick up any litter such as cups,cans,etc.
-Leave the place as you found it,unless is a dump when you
first got there.
Felix

Are we allowed to weed? By all means. Feel free to take as much Pilea, Whisk Fern, and Pink Ruellia as you can carry.

No smoking,unless you are away from non smokers. That is absolutely correct.
No foul language nor dirty jokes. Unless you are telling ones that I've not yet heard.
If alcohol is served, use moderation due to you might become obnoxious. What do you mean if?
No weed smoking unless you share. Unless you smoke the Pilea, in which case you don't have to share.
No hitting on spouses or significant other. Karen will be disappointed.
No politics nor religious discussions. At least not any that lead to fisticuffs.
Do not forget to take your spouse back home with you. We have a slave auction on Monday morning for all the remnants.
Leave the swap when it is finish. See previous answer.
Do not go in the Host's home unless you ask permission. (Men must pee in the toilet)-(No peeing outside) - As long as you don't miss the toilet, you don't have to ask.
Pick up any litter such as cups ,cans ,etc. And dispose of them properly. I'd hate to see someone marching around all day with their hands full of etc.
Leave the place as you found it, unless is a dump when you first got there. Hmmmm...

Very funny. I have to take my spouse home, since he's my driver. lol That's what he puts on his name tag,-- Katkin's Driver. :o)

Ricky, I'm assuming you are still a single malt fan. Any particular label?

Kate

Kate - The stuff I drink, you can't buy unless you're a member of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. However, I do like the 21 year-old Balvenie Portwood, but don't expect anyone to plunk down $130 for a bottle of it unless they plan to drink it with me.

Hey, that's something we can do Saturday afternoon - sit around and consume adult beverages until the sun sets.

Oh, so if I have nothing to bring to a swap, I can come anyway? I wanted to go to Nova's, since it's much closer to me, but figured since I don't really have a whole lot...

vaodiva-By all means, come, even if you have nothing to trade! Gardeners love to share and you will go home with something. I would love to meet you and share not only my garden but my "orphans" too! Ever winter I go into a frenzy of starting cuttings, just in case something doesn't make it, and end up with lots of extras in the spring. I currently have 5 pots of cuphea and the "mother" plant came back! Now what am I going to do with all that cuphea except give it away?????? I would love to have you!

nova

OK, so I'm afraid if I bring a bottle of the Balvenie Portwood 21y, I'll be sold at the slave auction. Hmmm.
Things could be worse.

Females only in the auction. You could sit and drink it with me while Omar the Tent Maker runs the auction, though.

tf - don't sweat the whisky. We just received 2 bottles of a 32 year-old Glen Keith that's just about the best whisky I've ever tasted.

I'm going for a second dram right now!

Wow - you guys are hilarious. I'm fairly new to these boards and it's been fun reading about all of you and getting to know your personalities.

Heather

Felix, does this mean you will be attending Ricky's swap and using the indoor plumbing?? LOL Would be great to meet you! (outside the bathroom, of course!!)

I hope Cliff shows up. He is my front man, steering me through the trees and foliage and fetching me a beer and always making sure I can get to the restroom without falling down!

One of the things I really appreciate is people wearing name tags. We talk so freely here but in person, it's sometimes hard to remember who is who, from swap to swap.

Also, labeling plants and who they come from is imprtant after you get home and are confounded with all your new aquisitions.

ALWAYS remember to thank your hostesses and hosts with a gift, special plant...that way they will know you appreciate their efforts and invite you back again.

Ricky, I love you for having these events. Your swaps are the best! I always have fun and bring home way too many plants and lots of fun memories!!

Wow, these were the days.

(I never got to go - too far - but it was always fun reading about them.)

I came across this thread while researching a Walmart plant (pilea), and the rules are hilarious.

Carol in Jacksonville

I am crying @ fawnridge!

I looked and looked for this thread when Ricky posted his goodbye message but couldn't find it. And then today, I ran across it again. It's just as hilarious as ever!

How's everything in Colorado, Ricky?

Carol in Jacksonville

Hey Carol and everyone else in Floriduh! I just happened to be floating around GW and thought I'd see what was happening here.

Yeah, the plant swaps were special times. I met a lot of really cool people and have even stayed in contact with a few of them over the years. I just re-read those rules and nearly peed in my pants.

Colorado is the best place I've ever lived. The climate is wonderful - freezing cold and snowy one day, hotter than hell the next. No humidity is a plus for us, not so much for the plants. I brought a pile of rooted cuttings and orchids with us when we moved a year ago. The Aralias are growing just like good houseplants should. I have two with trunks over an inch thick. From the local supermarket I bought a beautiful hanging variegated Spider plant and from the Home Depot a pair of Calathea lancifolia (remember the huge ones I had on the patio?)

Of course, since it's legal here, I have two massive Cannabis plants growing in a homemade "grow" in our basement. Talk about easy to grow plants!

I'm on Facebook and the Houzz cooking forum for anyone who'd like to stay in touch. Other than that, while I'll never go back to Floriduh, I might stop in here again. See ya.

HI Ricky! I never made it to one of your swaps, but I hear they were special affairs. My friend who moved to CO said gardening consisted of jackhammering a hole into pure stone, filling it with soil, planting something, and watching it die or having deer eat it. Of course, she lived so far out that it was a two-day trip to go into town, so you have that. I hope your gardening is much easier than hers was.

When I take off on my van adventure, maybe I'll get in touch and come meet you at last.

Ricky, ironically, I just ran across this slideshow of your garden while looking for info on parlor palms. I don't know how you left it all behind! But we each like what we like and that's what makes the world go 'round. I'm glad that you took a few Florida plants with you. I had to look up the calathea... those are beauties! I see them in Photo 43. :) WOW!

Glad that Colorado is treating you well!

Carol