I completely agree, Lyons is fabulous. I've ordered Episcias, Streps, and African violets from them and they were all the biggest I've ever gotten in mail order. Of course, they still aren't as big as the ones they sell in person at shows, but still, very nice size considering they shipped them. I highly recommend them.

I have had the pleasure of going there, it is such a wonderful place. We live just over an hour away. Hummm, havn't been in a year or two. think I might need to go on another day trip.

This is just a theory of mine, mind you, but I think the reason why the plants Lyons sells are so nice is that they really know how to grow plants. The greenhouses are the same ones that Lyndon Lyon built, and the current owner, Paul Sorano, is not only Lyon's grandson, but he grew up following his grandpa around, learning everything about the plants and their culture. When Lyon retired, Paul took over, and kept up the great practices that his grandfather learned. I've been lucky enough to be at conventions where Lyons plants are sold, on quite a few occasions. They always stand out on the sales benches, and they hold up well when I get them home and grow them on. At the sales he often has plants that aren't in the catalogs yet.

Jon

It's good to hear when people are happy with sellers. I've looked at LL's site a few times, but the shipping (rather, handling) charges have made me balk. Most of the plants I was interested in cost $5.50, but the shipping for three plants (a $16.50 order) is $12.15 by ground service ...and they highly recommend 2 day air for $20.85. Ouch! Even at the cheaper rate it bumps the total to darned near 10 bucks a plant...one-at-a-time ebay rates!
Now if I could just squeeze out an order for 25 plants, shipping would only be about 45 cents per plant. Oh, this is going in a baaad direction ...;)

Oh, but I do like the way you think, Jen! The last plant order I had made up kinda made me gulp when I saw the total BEFORE the s/h charges, but then it was about 35 bucks for that! It's still there, and I may go ahead and do those final clicks yet. The only plant orders I regret are the ones I don't make--well, that's what I tell myself anyway. And it's usually true!

At least you don't have to factor in phytosanitary charges and additional handling costs for shipping across the border.

LL has wonderful plants and great service. And I'm glad that they do often sell at Canadian AV conventions. They also replaced a plant that died. I will definitely buy from them again.