Brian buddy , haha. Please do. I would love to see Sugar with his booties and coat on. Lol. Poor thing. He hates the cold like us. Tell him to stay warm too despite he may have more hair than us on. Lol. I can picture it. Last night the winds blew well over 50 miles an hour and I lost a couple of trees. The noise kept me up all night buddy ! No sleep. I only had two heaters going and it was 13 this morning but inside there it was 60. Thank god. Right now at 11 am it’s 76 degrees in there. Brian buddy , you have to thank God everyday for that sun for sure and it just keeps getting stronger and stronger. If it was February it would be over 80 with temps this cold. Can’t wait. I love your watering idea ! I have the same hoses and a faucet in the basement. Never thought of watering that way. Who’s better than you buddy ? Lol I still use rain water on my orchids though. I ll use tap then rinse with rain water. Gets rid of all the salts. Thanks buddy. About 6 inches of snow tomorrow but guess what ? I’m seeing 40’s again in a few days. I’m so excited. Funny how we keep looking at the ten day right ? Lol it actually affects my mood . Crazy.
Please stay warm. I’ll chat soon. Gotta to mom to doctors. Hugs

Kelly, what a great idea to share the warmth. Beautiful. I’ll bet you have made many good memories by that fire. So inviting. And that’s cold for you guys and a heatwave for us. Lol. Thank you. Stay warm

Bob. Thanks for the update. I didn’t know it got that cold there. No wonder you bring all your trees inside. Nice job buddy

Hi Mikey 50 miles an hour winds your so lucky you didn't loose power ! Do you have backups if you loose power ? Mikey buddy last week we bought a generator for the house a just in case we loose power . Peace of mind was worth every penny it cost for that generator . We supposedly were to get a ice storm last weekend it didn't happen thank goodness all we got was about 2 inches of ice pellets. Nothing worse than getting a major power outage when its subzero. Mikey I to am looking so forward to that February sunshine on my GH it only went up to 50 F with all the sunshine this morning not bad I guess with it being -2 F outside. 40's lol all I see in my long range is subzero low teens and twenties lucky me lol. Mikey there are so many good weather forecasters on you tube have you seen them ? I can watch that stuff all day so addictive and they are always updating very nice . Sure hope that you get some sleep tonight my friend and hope you have lots of fun in the snow tomorrow. Got to go and turn back on the heaters in the GH now thermostat is now showing it's in the upper 30s in there . Hugs buddy .

Brian

Bob those roses are beautiful! I thought it was Mary posting at first and was going to say hi! Jan, that greenhouse in the snow is gorgeous. I see it and can imagine how nice it would be to go in there during cold, dreary winter days. Enjoy!! Hang the there all of you suffering in the terrible cold. Brian, show us more of your trees please! I love to see them.

bob what beautiful roses! you seem to grow everything bob! I’ve been inspired by You to try many other trees :) bob if I come across any beautiful yellow roses this summer I’ll let you know!

Hi Brian!! Oh dear just when the weather is warming up over here I get sick lol isn’t that always the way Just when I was about to relax in the greenhouse a small sneeze escapes and it’s all been downhill from there lol brian I saw the weather forecast for your area yikes!please stay warm and do not slip what4ver you do because weve had some terrible black ice here and our car did a 180 just the other day thank goodness no cars around! Did you get through the -24 C night Brian? I can’t imagine how much y9u must’ve worried about the citrus four heaters though I bet it kept it above freezing and hopefully it will be warm gain soon I just got my electric bill not too bad but not cheap either! Brian lol you crack me up that’s extreme if its too cold for the penguins I think it’s too cold for humans Too and little doggies so funny To think penguins get cold! Ooh Brian I just saw Costco sells that raised bed where there’s a composter in the middle of it to feed the surrounding veggie garden it got mixed reviews and I’m wondering how it will attract flies and such maybe not a great idea! I hope you’re keeping yourself bundled up my friend More snow in the forecast it looks like!

mike! Oh my I would love to see all your orchids! I bet it smells like heaven in there every time they bloom do you have to keep that greenhouse extra warm? Must be difficult with all the cold weather that you’re getting coming y9ur way! Mike my one orchid has yet to do anything lol I’ll keep you update oh how I wish I could smell an orchid I never have in my whole life smell a fragrant orchid! I’m not sure Vancouver sells them either. mike of course you are all welcome here if any of you pass Vancouver :) won’t get the usual eye roll from the family when I go on and on about citrus trees! Mike what do you grow in 8’‘ of dirt Do you grow root vegetables? the only reason I was going to get deeper raised beds is because I want to grow root vegetables I’m thinking beets, potatoes, carrots lol I’m a sucker for those and also hopefully keep a couple worms in there with that deep a bed :) I’ll let y9u know which one I decide on this summer and take pictures hopefully I’ll get it soon my tomato seedlings have taken off much sooner than later lol might have jumped the gun on that this year! Stay safe and warm my friend hugs!

kelley thank you! That fire looksjust as welcoming wish i had that in here!

thanks Laura I think we’re all praying that summer will come sooner rahter than later! And yes I too would love to see more of Brian’s trees :)

Jan, I am looking for a Charles Darwin yellow rose, use to grow nothing but David Austin roses, going back to the nineties.

Hello Jan poor you I hope that your feeling much better today . Lol it always starts off as a small sneeze and within a half hour you can't stop sneezing and get that bad taste in your mouth . Get lots of rest Jan that's what I've been doing the last few nights . Friday night I fell asleep at 7.00 pm and woke up the next morning without getting up through the night . The sleep I think has been helping my cold or at least the crankiness of having a cold . Jan I see its back to tropical Vancouver Yippee it must feel wonderful . I'm sure that all your ice and snow has now disappeared and back to the lush green lawn and palm trees blowing in the wind so lucky . Jan so glad that you made a safe 180 lol done that myself a few times very scary it happens so fast . Lol now I thought you said that you were not going out in that weather? Jan a dump of snow last night the same storm that gave you all that snow a few days ago thanks a lot lol. Jan it did go down to -24 ish and the 4 heaters kept the greenhouse at 41F . Jan you should have seen the ice on the inside door scary . Jan I forgot to check out Costco I will check on the raised beds tomorrow. Jan my friend take good care of yourself , lots of rest will send that cold packing . Have a great evening!

Brian

I guess Amy don’t like us anymore. How about Sunshine. I think they are planning something, you think Brian.

Bob I'm thinking they've become snowbirds like most Canadians and are laying on a tropical beach with swaying palm trees somewhere ?

Brian

Geeeeez, Suzanne gone, not many left. I think this forum is good enough, you think?

you are probably right about Amy but she went farther south, like the tropical Far East.

Eating durians, mango’s, and a dozen other things. She might not come back. Maybe the others are over there too.

Bob I really think you hit the nail on the head . All you snowbirds have a margarita or margaritas for me please !

Brian

Jan, I grow mostly perennials and annuals in that much. Nodeep vegi's although I have though about it. You would love a garden bed like that. You will never go back to just cement walk ways. ha. You feeling better? I ahve yet to post you some sweet smelling orchis soon to come my friend! Many hugs to you!! I thank you for the invite. Now I owe a fw people a visit. Think I'll just rent a trailer or something and travel acros country and Canada!

brian I am feeling much better today thank god! Now it’s just down to the last of the sniffles lol Brian I saw more flurries for you guys tonight I really hope you’re doing alright and hanging in There! :) lol Brian I wish it was Palm trees and green lawns it’s been raining non stop yuck I almost preferred the snow if I didn’t have to go back to work and actually drive out somewhere lol I was forced to buy groceries unfortunately by my family the other day and was forced to go out in the snow Forgot how unpleasant it was Brian! You know having the cold wasn’t so bad this time around because I could stay home and recover and not be forced into work! Boy I took all those days and just nursed some hot toddy in my hands and watched some old reruns from back in the day some good old ‘I dream of genie’ lol boy was that ever a long time ago! Hope you’re feeling better too brian in all this cold stay warm my friend! ;) can’t wait to see pictures of your gargantuan trees too when they bust out of their winter state in fresh green growth!

lol bob you crack me up As always! Don’t know anyone who’s a fan of durian but me over here in Vancouver! Bob if you like durians the best of them is the musangking oh boy they’re so pricey but every year me and my family buy 1 from the grocery store the cheapest smallest one is $40. I’m planning to be a snowbird once I retire myself hopefully send you all a few pictures from the beach! I think Amy’s probably too busy preparing for the spring and first winter in the greenhouse I’ll bet she’s there all the time admiring her growing plants and just about to post some pictures for us :) Bob I never heard of that rose before! If I see it anywhere while doing my rose shopping come spring I will let you know maybe they will ship over there.

Mike! Oooooh that will just make my day! I love your beautiful orchids they’re just breath taking and so out of reach since I know I’ll never be that successful with orchids lol the patience it takes for me to get another bloom I could never endure it! Oh it will be a party in my greenhouse mike if you come to visit oh you know I was perusing those tiny house on wheels recently and thinking about doing just what you said! they make them so beautiful these days! Only thing holding me back?who will water my citrus lol it’s like having pets isn’t it! Many hugs to you my friend stay warm and safe lots of people were slipping and falling and breaking arms on the ice last week! Hugs!!

Oh my god Jan! Are you a fan of durian too? Lolll!! Me too! Oh Aren’t they delicious? I am the only one in my family that like the smell loll. I saw some musangking at the grocery but they were pricey. Oh maybe I should buy a fresh one and try to grow the seeds loll.

Bob, Jan, I really love your roses! Do they need protection during winter?

Mike, I will be in heaven if you post some pictures of your orchids! It will give me some inspiration for the Montreal orchid show this year!

Jan soooooo nice to hear that your just down to a few sniffles. I still have a cough and I'm always so tired but that might be just age lol. Jan I love all the old shows old cartoons old talk shows you know they were actually very fun to watch. Jan lol not really but all that rain you guy's are getting is so crazy how do you deal with that? I can't imagine not seeing any sun for 3 weeks in a row. But on the other hand you guy's get the sun at the right time summer. Back when I worked every summer vacation I booked was a wet one, no one at my work would book the same week as me off lol just no luck I had. Glad to hear your getting well Jan. Is this your last week of vacation? If so enjoy every moment. Have a terrific afternoon my friend!

Brian

omg Amy!! I’m always so surprised at how many things we have in common lol not everyone has a taste for durian I must say!!! My family said it’s like bananas and onions in the same fruit lol! But I loooooove it!! Oh the musangking is the best lol we splurge once or twice a year on those during the season but boy a $40 fruit is insane Sounding but the trick is to get a small but long one so that there are more segments in the fruit Lol! Amy I was thinking the same thing about the seeds as a matter of fact I have one in soil right now lol I heard it gets over 10ft tall though lol! Oh and I thought I’d tell you I bought the aerogarden too!! I’m so excited I was looking at the ads on qvc and I was like you know what in this house of all north facing windows if I could grow even One tomato over the winter I would be over the moon!!

brian my dear friend! Oh I know what you mean about the constant tiredness lol you’re right I think it is age even 20 years ago I was not like this at all had so much energy it was just go go go! You know brian I think it’s apparent at every decade the change in energy but I’m glad that at every age we get more friends and hopefully wisdom But definitely not self control for me lol! Brian lol we are used to it here in raincouver I feel like even if the day started out sunny it might just rain later on! we were so shocked that we got more than two sunny days in a row in November lol! Brian I go back to work after this weekend if you can believe it it’s like that feeling when we were young and summer was over and we had the first day of school sort of that gloomy depressing feeling! atleast I have some plants I’m looking forward to coming this spring it’s keeping me going brian! Oh no brian I wanna is the still coughing I heard that this years virus is really tough to bear it lingers on for a long while!! Just do lots of resting Brian! Sending well wishes your way My dear friend!!

Jan, I hear EXACTLY what you are saying to Brian! I feel like that when I finish vacation or every Sunday night. I almost want to cry when I have to go back.I wish I was wealthy enough to retire now before I hit 50! I have a friend that lives on a yacht in the Caribbean that I have been jealous of for years, I know that's wrong lol, but he can't grow too many citrus trees on that.lol You are all talking like you are all old. I bet that all of you are under 50 and just thinking you are getting old. You know what I do for energy, I drink dried powdered greens and do jumpimg jacks! I don't drink coffee so I can't blame that. I get lot's of rest at night, at least 8 hours and I start off the day with a good breakfast, no carbs! I have no life but lots of energy lol The Carbs are good energy killers, weigh producing toxins and inflamation makers. Bad carbs that is. I am so happy you are getting better. I was hoping no one here had that Chinese flu or what ever it is that they had to quaritine over 1 million people. Crazy. So I know you love the snow. Anymore? Jan, I love love love those pics you posted the other day. So village like where elves would live. Like a story book. Jan my friend, that is why you need at least 300 orchids....lol. This way there will always be one in bloom or several. That is why I have lots of citrus trees lol. It is a funny thing, when I use to own just one tree, I couldn't stand waiting a year for blooms, so I got several.lol Hugs hugs to you and I will see if I can post a couple of orchids for you all.

Amy, so happy to see you back . Yahoo! lol Oh yes, you need to go to that show. They are just awesome and something to do in this depressing winter. Get a ceratin few that are easy to care for, you will not go wrong. I think you have a couple of Neofalcats, right? I think you posted one in bloom. Correct me if I am wrong. I have several. One of my easiest to grow on any window sill and so fragrant! I also love Oncidiums and Cattaleya! Thank you for your kind words and for joining in again. So happy you are better and I hope things at home and the pain has eased up my friend.

Brian buddy!! really? Rain? Lol. It seems like everything I get you get. I am supose to get rain Saturday. Too warm to snow and I don't see any Arctic blasts coming for quite some time. Just thnk, if we can survive this month, it only gets easier from here January beig our coldest month. My God, you are right, the sun is getting our houses warmer and even our cars even when it's cold outside getting in them at noon. lol the sun felt so warm the other day, I could of sworn I could of got sunburn on the sun I was driving on facing the sun. Today it reached almost 80 inside my greenhouse ad it was 28 outside. Tomorrow 45 and it wil be over 80 in there for the first time since December.I swear the sun is at its weakest two weeks before the 21'st of December abd 2 weeks after. Once the middle of January comes, the sun gets warmer and warmer from here. It's getting to the point that I have to take sensitive plants that don't like full sun out of my windows now. It's getting hot in the south facing windows again. Brian, don't you just love how intune we are with the weather, sun, air, humidity an dplants we are? lol Bigs hugs to you buddy. I hope you take more pics soon buddy.

Hello everyone. Finally figured how to post pics from my phone again. Here are a few orchids for my friends that asked to make you smile

And a couple of plants that I love

A couple more orchids blooming that smell just awesome

No wonder you are exhausted feeding those beautiful flowers, mine look a little different.

Sometimes 6, sometimes as many as a dozen or more. Some can be hand fed ,most stay at 8 feet or so.

Hello Jan ! Oh Jan there is nothing worse than a holiday ending freedom gone poor you and the more you think about Sunday night Monday the faster the remaining time on your holiday goes so don't think about Monday Lol . Jan the longer the holiday the harder it is to go back right ? Jan I would only ever take a week off at a time . I did try two weeks one time and I almost cried at the thought of going back never again . Jan you worked so hard all of December I probably would have taken the max time off to . Jan you will have to list all your new trees coming this spring I know about the Valentine but can't remember the others . Jan beautiful week here and above freezing hard to believe it's January but 8 inches of wet snow on the weekend. This weather is making winter go by fastper and now February temps looks way above Yippee. Hope that cold of yours has disappeared my friend and enjoy your time in that beautiful greenhouse.

Mikey buddy so many so beautiful fantastic job my friend . Mikey I thought I had lots to water holy guacamole lol do you ever forget to water one here and there ? Beautiful orchids my friend you got that magic touch ! I've never had any luck with orchids they never flower for me nice green leaves no flowers what's the secret ? Mikey 80 degrees wow your citrus must be growing crazy . I wish 80 then I would be able to ditch the winter jacket for shorts . Mikey I know you love the heat but when it reaches 80 in the greenhouse I have to get out I actually find it uncomfortable I hate sweating lol. Mikey buddy I see no more storm for you on the weekend thanks for sending that mess this way lol. Its already a shorter winter buddy just hope it stays this way . Love those pics my friend that's how you do it so love pics .

Bob mighty good looking friends you have there ! Beautiful pic . You definitely live in paradise my friend!

Brian

Wow mike!!! AMAZING!!!!! Oh how I wish I was there to smell those blooms mike! Lol don’t tempt me if there was a place that sells fragrant orchids here in Vancouver I would be an Addict too lol mike I’m amazed at how many you take care of yiu must be so proud of them like your babies :) lol mike this is the last weekend and you know what tomorrow is Sunday it’s going to be brutal sleeping early to get up at 4:00 am again! What crazy hours sometimes I pull a double shift and don’t get home until midnight crazy! I’ll try those powdered greens mike I figure it can’t hurt but Can’t wait for retirement I must say lol mike I hear you!!! I have a friend who bought a bunch of real estate downtown while things were still affordable back in the early 2000s and you know she’s living the dream one rental is about $3000 a month and she has more than 2 i believe crazy she’s set for life she goes on vacations whenever wherever! mike I heard about the quarantine it’s so crazy theres a report that there’s a case here in Vancouver too I hope its been contained I’d hate going to work and catching something Like that virus even though I’m still sniffling and sneezing! I’m telling you this flu I have it’s been Stubborn as a mule! your orchids sure did perk me up though thank you so much for that mike just when I needed it!! You know mike it’s been pretty warm here in Vancouver just a lot of rain yuck lol lots of hugs my friend hope it’s warming up Where you are :)

Brian my friend!! How are you? How’s your cold doing? Good and gone I hope! Mine is still around and tomorrow is Sunday my last day of freedom lol boy do I feel sad! Brian I got the valentine, the Shasta gold, I’m also getting litchi, jaboticaba, and this pink fuzzy banana from dany in Quebec! And I’m waiting for the amoa 8 to come back in stock from one green world and see if I can drive it across the border since I’m only half an hour from seattle! If possible i will get 3 one for you and one for amy too! :) I will see about getting the certification and things for it so I can pass the border lol the things well do for citrus! And let’s not forget I’m trying to graft 3 new trees this spring for the first time a gold nugget a kishu and a kaffir Lime lol and I’m going to get some persimmons as well!! And now thanks to Amy I just ordered myself an aerogarden! So I think the better question is what didn’t I get lol!! I went nuts this year but I told myself no more after this the amoa 8 and perhaps a boukhobza in the future is all I’ll be getting!! Lol I’m really impressed of your self control Brian! Hope the weathers warming up over there brian And you’re staying warm my dear friend! :)

bob how wonderful I’ve always loved living amongst nature it’s like a storybook!

Good Day Jan . I can't imagine how your feeling today work sure is a four letter word poor you . Jan I'm just writing to wish you a beautiful day at work tomorrow just keep your mind on all those beautiful plants coming this spring . Jan Vancouver will need to be renamed the Amazon of the north with all those trees your bringing in . No wonder its raining in Vancouver all the time you have single handed created a rain forest . I won't tell anyone I promise that you've permantly changed the weather for the worst in tropical Vancouver . Jan it's been snowing here all weekend , yesterday the snowflakes were the size of snow balls seriously gigantic never seen anything like it . Jan very nice selection of trees and you will love the Shasta I had the last one from my tree yesterday so good . This spring I'm going to repot the Shasta in a nice large pot then give it the special treatment all summer long as it well deserves. Jan the fussy pink banana sounds so interesting tried looking it up on Danny's site but didn't see it . Jan do try and get a Boukhobza they are really good. Jan I have no problem sending you budwood but if your grafting skills are so so lol I would try to buy one while they are carrying it. Jan lol I don't know how much longer I can keep up with this self control thing my birthday is coming up and I sooooo want a bream tarocco blood orange lol . Jan I so love this time of year everything is waking up in the greenhouse. This is the first year I kept it really cool in there and the trees have never looked better so happy. Jan the litchi is a beautiful tree nice and lush and extremely easy to take care of but they grow very large very fast and you will really need to keep it trimmed or it will take over plus some of your greenhouse. Thank you Jan your very kind I would love to have an Amoa8 I have a thing for red citrus we will fix you up for costs . Jan once again wishing you a beautiful day tomorrow it will go fast and you will get to see all friends ! Time for me to get out there and do some snow blowing . Take care my friend and hope that your feeling better .

Brian

Mike! Wow! Your collection is so beautiful! Thank you so much for taking the time to share the pictures with us! It’s harder to resist not gowing to the orchid show after seeing all your gorgeous flowers. Mike, they must smell delightful ! I can’t stop to imagine how wonderful they most smell. My cattleya has a very subtle parfum. It’s lovely but my favorite of all time it’s the oncidium sharry baby. Chocolate and vanilla!

Brian how are you my dear friend?! Well I hope! have you heard the news on the corona virus Brian? I heard there’s already a couple of cases in Toronto which isn’t far from ottowa please be careful out there brian! We just got our first coronavirus case Yesterday here in Vancouver the streets are completely empty it’s been dead at work too so much so I went home early and here I am now can’t say I’m complaining just about to repot a yuzu that I got last fall and haven’t up potted since I got it. I don’t know why I just love messing around in roots and soil lol call me crazy! Brian lol I really did go crazy this year I told you the list of plants bought is very long this year lol you’re right it’s going to be a tropical rainforest here atleast in the backyard lol it’ll be our little secret!!! and amy just listed her tips for me and in it she mentioned the avocado tree that I’ve been wanting to get for a long time lol I’m now contemplating an Avocado and a paw paw tree too lol oh dear but I’m thinking maybe next year When I figure out where to put it all lol!! Brian I love snow!!! I so envy you it’s been raining non stop here brian and I really would rather it be dry and snowy I love large snow balls falling its only happened once five years ago here in Vancouver it was like snowing cotton balls so fun! Lol Brian I’m just about to try my grafting for the first time! Im just awaiting the tape for the grafting and away I will go :) I’m trying the cleft graft and if all goes well in a month or so I will have a new gold nugget and shiranui! oh brian I plan on getting the boukhobza from one green world if i can cross the border with the amoa 8 then I can cross it with the boukhobza too lol I can’t wait!! Lol oh brian the bream Tarocco is a great tree I don’t have it myself but my cousin does and she loves that tree lol not to further enable you but it looks like she loves the fruit too much sweeter than Moro she said! I wanted one too but I’m adamant to try the Moro first if they’re similar I think id rather get the boukhobza and the amoa! Brian the fuzzy pink banana is from perry from floraexotica lol I’m getting all of them mixed up! And get this it opens on its own lol it peels it’s own peel when it’s ripe so fun! Here I took a screen shot of it from floraexotica website:

I’ll post a whole bunch of pictures when new trees arrive brian!! I’m off to up pot my yuzu now can’t wait for your root pruning and repotting post in the summer :) take care my friend!!

Amy and others, when you want to grow avocado, paw paw, and some other that are normally Grown in the ground, they really don’t fit in a greenhouse, unless you know something about the rootstock. There only a handful of rootstocks here that are able to contain into a small tree. Paw paw ‘s are normally large tree’s, to keep them small take’s a little know how. I can do it, I don’t won’t you to make a mistake.

Bob thanks so much for the advice I had no idea about the pawpaw! Or the avocado I saw an avocado tree at logees nursery with fruits in a pot so I just figured it would be fine. How would one contain these trees bob? Still much to learn from you I see :) boy am I glad you’re here!

Hello Jan nice to hear that your first couple of days back to work went nice and slow , it's great being able to ease back into it . Jan rain rain go away lol I heard that it's been raining non stop yuck. It's not been nice here either tons of very wet snow , rain and freezing rain , today we get to see the sun after 5 days of yuck . My goodness Jan lol that's a bunch of plants sounds fun though, you know that old saying you only live once . You must be counting down the days, minutes and seconds to the new arrivals. Jan the Bream is still up in the air I haven't totally committed to it yet still wondering do I really need it . It's been back and forth between the Valentine and Bream and I already have an unknown variety of pummelo and it's growing quit large . The pink banana looks great what a beautiful and interesting plant , I think you would love that one . Jan why weren't these plants around when we were young lol. Jan I'm going to try grafting in a couple of months still have to get the tap etc . Please take pictures of your attempt I've never done it . Jan I heard the coronavirus might be out there in Vancouver and now maybe Ottawa a big worry for everyone I'm sure . It seems to be really spreading fast I'm so glad I don't have to use public transit any longer . Be careful my friend wash your hands often ! Have fun repotting ! Spending the morning in the greenhouse , Sugar and I are going to enjoy that sunshine today . Take care my friend and have a fantastic day at work !

Brian

Lol Brian it seems like your weather is mirroring ours a little bit we have some sunshine finally!!! After two weeks of yucky weather! brian it’s quite scary going out because it’s sooooo quiet in the streets there’s barely any cars and definitely no traffic it’s like Armageddon happened where did all the people go lol probably the virus scare everyone’s staying in! Brian I bought oodles of tape if you need some I’ll happily send it over when it arrives lol Brian good luck on your grafting I’m sure you’ll succeed like everything else you’ve tried to grow! I’m not sure too which method I’ll use brian there are just so many from t bud method to cleft graft method and everything else my head is spinning! The videos make it look so easy too lol but on the forums here it seems most ppl have success with the cleft graft So it’ll be the first one I try there’s a Vaniglia Sanguino tree that ive Been wanting to graft onto since I don’t like the fruit at all! I’ll take multiple pictures of it!! I’m quite scared and anxious lol especially since I’m all thumbs! Oh brian I’m bouncing off the walls waiting for all the new trees lol it’s all I can do is think of them!! I’ve got plans and charts for where all the new trees will go etc lol I haven’t been focused at work at all I too wish I knew of them sooner lol! I’ll make sure to take pictures when they all come along with my clumsy attempt at grafting! enjoy your time in the greenhouse with sugar brian please be careful when going out my dear friend take care of yourself! sending warm and sunny wishes from me and cookie! :)

Lol Brian i forgot to mention I’m not sure if phoenix will get the valentine pomelo next year I think he got it in because amy begged and begged lol not to enable you more but I too would be split right down the middle between the bream and the valentine if I were you! Lol! Good luck in choosing whatever you grow I’m sure it’ll be huuuge in no time! :)

Brian, I don’t know if you remember one of my pictures about my (super large )collection of pomelo,s. Summer 2019. Some are Valentine, some are Thong Dee. Don’t need much rooooooooooom!

Okay my enabling friends e.g. Jan , Amy , Bob I went ahead and did it I'm now the proud owner of a Valentine pomelo Yippee! I had such a hard time deciding between the Bream and the Valentine didn't like it at all . For the past three years I had my eye on the Bream wishing someone up here would bring it in soooooooooooo I purchased it to lol. I just couldn't pass it down like Jan mentioned maybe never again. Love your pomelo grove there Bob not to much room right lol .

Jan my friend two mornings of sunshine in a row can you believe it lol. Jan were you able to get off early from work again ? Armageddon lol isn't it amazing how fast mass panic sets in although you can't blame everyone did you see the doctors in there protective gear I don't think they get dressed up like that for the common flu . Ok Jan lol you win or should I say I win lol I bought the Valentine and Bream Yippee . Now I have something to look forward to with you all this spring new trees and a huge sale of trees that I'm not head over heals on , got to make room you know lol. Jan I hear the Bream is supposed to be good and the color so bloody. If you check the UCR varieties website the Bream fruit look like apples hanging from the tree ! Jan now that I bought the two I won't have room for the Amoa , thank you for your very very kind offer ! If you have already put money down reserving then I will take it but if not I will have to pass on it , again thanks my dear friend! Jan I heard Z grafting is pretty easy you might want to try that one . I heard that there's a very good success rate with cleft grafting also. Good on you having spots already for your new trees the only way I'm going to get my new ones in there is getting rid of some of my old ones lol. Sugar and I had a great time in the greenhouse yesterday the sun felt so good . I'm going back in there in a few minutes. Sending you also very warm wishes Jan for your Thursday from me and Sugar . P. S don't forget to wash your hands today lol.

Brian

Jan, I am guessing, I think you have the perfect place for Paw Paw’s, they like half shade, sort like a understory tree. For what I know, not positive sure yet, very healthy. They grow them in Italy too and have studies for cancer treatments.

Also, like citrus, there are some really good ones to grow, MANGO for one, here again we grow them wild here in Arkansas. I have a bunch of them. No care tree,s.

Brian, my living room has no tree’s yet, but I choose not to press my luck! A large palm tree like yours in the middle of the room sounded good, you think! A hammock right next to it.

Not a bad idea Bob lol . Even better just put a dome over the house and property it would be tropical all the time Bob and you would have tons of room for that hammock .

Brian

Besides citrus, my other tree’s needs upkeep, especially this time of the year. I be willing to let you, Brian to use these ladders the rest of the year. Might not get them back.

Jan, here is a little one year old persimmon tree ready for grafting, the smaller the better.

Jan, like to add a little more, your beautiful greenhouse need something else you might want to add, how about a piece of art glass, something like this Down the road, make it more homey.

Oh goodness Brian lol! congrats congrats yipee! You must be so excited now you can wait with the rest of us for the new trees this spring I’m so excited for you I can’t wait to see your bream blood orange turn huge in a year or two and all the beautiful blushed oranges hanging from them Im sure your pictures will then enable me and Amy to get a bream blood orange too lol the cycle never stops! Lol Brian I think we all win we get to see the most beautiful trees grown by you I can’t wait to see future pictures of them and how fast they’ll grow under your care! Lol wait until amy hears you got both shell be so excited for you! Oh dear you know what Brian I’m not sure I have room for the Amoa 8 either lol no worries it wasn’t in stock yet so I didn’t put down any deposits or anything but I wouldn’t have accepted a penny anyways it would’ve been a gift :) let me know if you somehow find more room to squeeze it in and change your mind about the Amoa 8 before my trip across the border Brian! Oh brian it was awful! The streets were sooooo quiet and you’re right everyone is in what looks to be beekeeper suits they had the gloves and the eye masks and the cough masks here everyone was so covered it made me feel terrible for not doing it lol I was thinking will I regret not gloving and masking up but i hear they’re sold out of masks anyways and eye goggles isn’t that crazy it’s sold out everywhere in Vancouver! What an epidemic it’s funny how a tiny virus that’s barely few cells can cause such a commotion! Brian I’ve been washing my hands every other minute it seems like boy are they cracked and dry lol Brian I hope you’re staying safe over there Brian I saw your weather forecast it looks like more snow for you starting next week brian better soak up the couple days of sunshine that you have :) I can just imagine y9u and sugar in there admiring all the new growth on your trees! Brian just curious which trees will you get rid of this year? Are you waiting any longer for y9ur owari satsuma because I’m thinkiing of tossing mine it’s been dry three seasons in a row! And it doesn’t really grow many leaves either it’s still a tiny little thing! although you know I might just graft onto it Unless it’s the rootstock that’s making the satsuma dry! Anyways I’m off for a night stroll in my greenhouse Brian lol stay safe and stay home if y9u don’t have to go out My dear friend!

Bob that makes me so happy! I’ve finally found a tree that can tolerate shade and produces fruit! Oh you’ve made my day I can’t wait to plant my pawpaw in ground and be done with pots for it then. Bob I will try to find a mango paw paw and see if any of the Canadian nurseries sell them I can’t wait bob ive never tasted a paw paw before but people always tell me it’s like a tropical banana and now you’re telling me it’s healthy what a great fruit I wonder why not more people grow them I hadn’t heard of them until I came to this forum. Bob that is one beautiful paw paw tree and look at all those fruit you sure do have a green thumb bob! Bob that stained glass is so so gorgeous is that on your house? Yes definitely wouldn’t that be fun to switch out one fo the glass panels from my greenhouse into that so artistic! Imagine the light coming through there just beautiful :)

These are stained glass remnants of my business I retired from. I do have pieces in several places in my place. My wife want that one in the kitchen. Just custom work/ installation For about 30 years. Fruitgrowing for about 40 years, since the seventies. Yes, I have done crazy things.

Paw paw here in the U.S, getting bigger fast, festivals everywhere. One problem is they are not keepers. What people do, freeze the pulp or the fruit for later use popsicles, I still have a few in the freezer. You can reed all on U or google. Tons of info there. One green world, Raintree has an assortment.

Oh my god guys!!! Now, I think that I need a mango pawpaw!!! Jan, Phoenix Perrenials had some last year but they were quickly out of stock!

Bob, can you tell me more about the pawpaw? What does it taste like? A mix between mango and custard apple? Do they need anything special for pollination?

Brian, congratulations!!! I don’t know why but I feel happier now that everyone will have a new tree this spring! And you will get two!!!!! Loll Brian, can you send me a pm with your address? I will send you some grafting tape! It’s no trouble at all since I have tons of it (enough to mummify my trees loll).

Jan, did you start to play with your aerogarden?

Amy, some need pollination, most don’t, but it is always better for a lot of fruits. It makes an ornamental tree also, very tropical looking. They like to grow wide.

They do have kind of big seeds but than there is a lot of meat, just don’t eat them. They taste kind of rich, one big one a day is plenty.

Hello Jan !!!! Lol your painting a pretty funny picture on what's going on there in tropical Vancouver . I can't imagine what it looks like with everyone dressed up in protective gear must be something to see . Jan lol looks like February is going to be a very snowy one here better than ice though . Jan it's so icy the snow is hard as rock and slippery I'm hoping we get some snow to cover up all the ice . I see the old Pineapple Express is about to crank up over Vancouver you must be soooo tired of the rain by now . Jan thanks for your amazing beautiful comments on my trees yours look as nice and will be large like mine soon to I guarantee it . Also a huge thank you and a hug for your extreme generosity it really floors me !!! I will really think about the Amoa8 but I really have run out of room 5 trees ago lol. Jan yes lol Satsuma and two Moro blood oranges that have done absolutely nothing except 1 yr 2 oranges . I have lots of duplicates I want to get rid of also . Jan one year my Satsuma did produce delicious fruit and every year since they've been dry like yours . Jan nice to here your going to try your hand at grafting in awhile you will be a pro and ready for Boukhobza budwood . Lol glad to hear your washing your hands lol don't wear them out . Jan my friend hope that you have a great day at work and a fantastic weekend !!!!!!!

Bob beautiful tropical stained glass . A lemon tree scene in stained glass would also look so beautiful . Bob you be careful on those two ladders and don't you be placing no wood plank between the two ladders and walking on it lol.

Amy thanks a lot for your very kind offer I wont be grafting for awhile my sour orange seedlings are still way to small darn . Enough tape to wrap a mummy lol . I want to thank you Jan and Bob for talking me into getting the Valentine I probably would kicked myself for not getting it all I needed was a little push lol . Amy I'm sooooo patiently waiting for spring I really want to get out in the garden will winter ever end lol . Have a great Weekend my friend !!!

Brian

Brian, did another comparison, Page versus Lee/Nova, have to go with Lee/Nova, other than being bigger, juicier, just an edge on taste.

I think you should have ordered the Bream, well you can always ordered in the “ near “ future.

you thank Amy for that, not Jan and me.

Hello everyone, have been really busy lately, just now found some time to chime in. Job change and now I have been pursuing art and design full time. I really like the pictures you all have posted and those glass art works are beautiful, Bob!

Here is something citrus related from me:

I will have to do some major reading on these forums :) , I enjoy reading here!

Thanks Bob . Hopefully as your LeeXNova tree ages the fruit will become even better , it happened with my Shasta . Thanks again Bob for your comparison !!

Sunshine sooo nice to see you back my friend you made my Friday! Love the art sunshine fantastic!!!! The subjects aren't to bad either right . Sunshine I have been wanting to get into art I think you just gave me the incentive to start, beautiful my friend !!

Brian

Hi Brian, nice to see you, dear friend! Don’t wait, just do it, you will love creating art pieces, I am sure of that! Life has so much to offer and if we look really close, we can find so many things that we are capable of doing, but putting off for later. For this year I made some changes in my life and will make many more in the near future, planning to gain some skills, that I never thought I could have.

Sunshine, you like still live? Looks that way, good for you! Here in Eureka Springs, Ar, it’s a artsy town, lots of art people, has a art school. Has taught art there for a few years.

You are very good on this forum and helpful and continue to be helpful for all of us.”Leave a mark in life”

Hello sunshine very well said life is very special we just have to get out of that rat race mode and make the time to do the things that mean something whether cooking , gardening , fishing , sports , art etc etc . There would be a lot less stress running around . Please keep in touch sunshine as Bob nicely said your insight and knowledge are always appreciated . Looking forward someday to hear about the other fun skills your about to pick up . Have a nice weekend my friend .

Brian

Hey my friends, looks like I have really missed out on quite a bit. Thought my Mom still had cancer, more tests, lost a really close friend with Dow syndrome last night who thought every day for 20 years I was her boyfriend. Practially worshipped me and another one of my Aunts. Bene quite busy and the wakes are not over yet. But I did want to stop by because I missed you all. Good to see some of my friends have over come that dreadful cold and please let's hope that virus does not spread here.

I have been hearing of earth quakes, the possibility of Trump being inpeached which probably won't happen, the weather messed up and it has been feeling like spring here. Crazy right? Anyone else getting this constant spring weather? No snow, no rain, and the month of January was the third warmest month on record. into February, and yet 50's tomorrow and the next ten days shows warm. NOt that I mind, but the trade off is dead perennials and early blossoming trees which is a concern. They even said the ticks woke up earlt and the geese and certain spring birds have not even migrated. They are also saying a low count of scallops and clams off my coast.

Lol. on the bright side what's up? My trees are doing ok. Almost lost a couple because of being to preoccupied but the orchids and other plants in terrariums and glass bowls, air plants and open concept terrariums are great. The trees on the porch are still growing ever so slowly and the ones in the three season porch have finsihed blooming. No bugs thank God. I took those outside 2 weeks ago when it was in the 70's and sprayed them all down to be safe.

Sunshine, Sunshine, I am so happy to see you. I wish to God we could all get together and meet face to face. I feel like I have more friends here than where I live in area. You are right, I agree, good points made and it's so nice to see you again.

Bob,

is that you up on that ladder? Wow that fruit looks almost like teh shape of a Mango. You grow such amazing stuff and lots of land to do it. Some day I will upgrade! Nice glass too. I love stained glass.

Brian,

I don't know about you but it seems it's only sunny here when it gets cold. lol If it warms up laike it's been lately lots of clouds. But let me tell you, have you even had a harsh winter yet except for a few cold days? Crazy, right? It's crazy. Waiting for those windy snowy days and nothing. NOt even one snow storm the whole month of January to cover or refresh the ground buddy. I am glad the sun came out for you and congrats on your new tree. Lol. As they say, " there's always room for one more". Hugs buddy. Thanks for the commts too. I try hard not to miss one, it's when something every happens to me that I would be concerned about. I netter stay healthy because no one could ever do my routine. They would all croak along with my birds and cat( Brian buddy, lots of light fertilizer when you have orchids does the trick.

Jan,

thank you thank you. You really need to pick up a couple, especially the Sweet Shary as Amy said. Oh my God, let me tell you. Lol. You would get orchid addicted too. So easy to acre for) Hope you are doing well these days and enjoying that awesome greenhouse and staying warm. More photo's please. How about one with you sitting in there reading a book? lol

Amy,

you are so right! Lol You have to go and pics up a few more. Pic yourself up an Enclia, oh my God. They smell like baking vanilla cookies and very potent like coming from an oven. My favorites. You have to get more..lol I can get the exact name if you would like. They are so easy to grow. Don't forget the coconut smelling one too. Hugs.

Sunshine,

there you are. What's some of your new plans? I have always wanted to do a pottery class and jump from a plane. I just might. Also would love to get a bigger greenhouse and make splans to move. I also want to take a vacation and put some more muscle mass on. So that means stick to the gym at least three times a week. We shall see. Did you paint those? Those are very nice. Great job and glad to have you back.

Hi Mike and Bob, good to see both of you! Sorry to hear about your friend, Mike, I hope your mom is doing well! The list of goals you have for yourself is amazing, wishing you success with all of them! Yes, I painted those paintings and planning to do more oil art works. I have a children’s book illustration project and will try my hand on wood carving, I give myself one year to really do good on those. The 10 000 hour rule is a good one for learning and mastering any skill and it is enormous amount of time. Hopefully, I will do it in less than that, any amount of experience is good, the learning process is fascinating by itself, not to mention the satisfaction and rewards of doing and finishing something. My masters degree has served me well but I feel like I should be more and do more of the things that are within a reach and give me joy.

Mike, here's my phal.orchid which is in bloom right now, it was a gift and an introduction to orchid care for me:

Hey buddy!!! Where are you, Been worried about you))(