Yes, all of the above. I mean it's a leap, but you could also ask if anyone can spot you a leaf (and mail to you) as well.

Thanks, any preferences on sellers?

I think the first thing is find the strep you want....

Exactly... few on-land sellers and even old internet sellers seem to shrink. Seems that the choices are few.

So Travis, did you id a strep you wanted? Then do your research about vendors/ebayers?

I haven't spent too much time now. I'm on vacation for a few weeks and going to wait until I get back to look harder. There were a few sellers I was looking at on eBay though.

Search for MrsStrepStreps on eBay. She has a large variety of healthy plants and often has new varieties that have won at shows. She has really been helpful in helping me learn how to grow Streps and other gesneriads. I’m just getting into Streps after a friend gave me one. ~have fun!

Hi you can also check out violetbarn

Unfortunately I wasn't able to find MrsStrepStreps on eBay. I'll keep searching for that seller though!

I've been looking at Violetbarn. They have some nice looking varieties for a lot of different types of plants. I'm tempted to try their 10 for $50 deal, but really don't need that many more plants haha.

Are there any good scented varieties? Any more compact ones that anyone would recommend? After watching Annie's podcast in the post below I definitely want to give Heartland's White Gold a try. I found one from Taylor's greenhouse, which I've ordered a begonia from before. Has anyone in the USA ordered any from any Polish sellers on eBay, would they make it alive or through customs?

Thanks for all the advice!

Travis

I don't think I'd hedge my bets on international transit.

Violet barn is certainly a good provider, I've bought from them for 15 or 20 years when they used to have a website.

I've also used Bluemountainviolet with good success, though he may be primarily african violet...don't remember.

I have one of the scented ones, believe me it's just a novelty, they are not gardenias.

Does anyone here grow Heartland's Baby Kisses? The star shaped growth pattern is interesting to me.

I remember talking to Dale Martens in Seattle when she showed it. I told her that the rosette was amazing - and she said that to her regret it is sterile. She was doing crossing with different Strep species - she got the small size, different rosette shape - the blossoms still had a touch of wild in them - and that'was it - F3s- sterile. No further development. Dead end,

Well that answers that question! Just received a couple plants from World of Streps along with a few off of eBay. So far so good. I have a feeling this becoming quite the addiction...

Normally after some initial accumulation of many - you will become more selective - and keep less. They can be space eaters. Not every plant with gorgeous blossoms is worth keeping. It can be a dropper, it can be a poor bloomer or the rosette can be pretty lousy.

Well Travis, depending on the size of plants shipped, have you any blooms yet ?

dbarron - I've had blooms on my more established plants, but not many on a few of the new one's I just added.

PS - I ordered some from Poland off of eBay taking a chance and they made it alive! So far anyway...

I'm a little surprised that A) they made it alive because of B) customs/quarantine.

Honestly, me too!