Hey Joe...quite a selection..Very nice plants before the holidays...:) Is your Holly true Holly or common name? Leaves resemble Holly, but thought Holly had white blooms??? Very nice haul. I passed a Good Will twice in two weeks..must have recently opened. Considered going inside, but was in a hurry so didn't get to check their products. Do they sell large pots? 10" plus... Ohio..hmm, there are a few Ebay sellers in Ohio, but can't think of any nurseries.. There is one nursery, World Plants, but can't recall if they're located in OH....www.worldplants.com I'm certain some of my plants came from Ohio, but can't think of any particular place at the moment. Can't even recall which city. Are you saying, you will not order plants via mail before the holidays, but will buy locally? Turkey Days? What about Christmas and New Year's Day? lol Very few nurseries ship after October, and those who do want to get rid of 2012's etc, stock. Remainders are usually discounted. Joe, did you know, once you joined GW, you become one of us? Pods who grow pods..lol, j/k...Happy Halloween. Actually, most plants prefer cool temps to hot, but that depends on how cold. If you start seeing ice on the walls, it's too cold..Then YOU better find a warmer place..lol. Joe, you were very heroic rescuing the little bird..Thank goodness. The neighbors across the street, husband and wife, rang my bell, asking ME to shoo a bird off their front porch..A Blue Jay. I was totally embarrassed for them. Two adult people asking a neighbor to shoo away a little bird! Good, ol' college days...lol.. About plastic..although our windows are semi-new, they leak air. During winter, when temps are -2, a slight draft seeps in..plants on the sills are cold..The cold is a horror to succulents. So, this year, I placed clear plastic on the sills. It might not be 100% effective, but I had to try something. Place a hand near the sill, it's very breezy. They say it's because the house is settling, which may or may not be the exact truth. IMO, the safest windows are the old-fashioned types..With a screen/storm window. Is that the name? lol..Haven't thought about the name in a long time. Two windows opposed to thin, 'gas' panes. New windows are a lot less work, I'll give them that..no painting, and easy to open and close, but new windows are nowhere as protective as the old types. Just my opinion. That's the reason plastic now goes on each window. Nope, can't afford a larger gh..lol.. Believe me, my dream is to design my own house w/attached solarium. Unless I win the lottery................. Next year, if all goes well, I 'might' sell some plants on Ebay..Agaves, 'pups will stay,' 2 Pachypodiums and a huge Pandanus. The Pandanus/Screw Pine has outgrown space. I detest this house w/small rooms...even if I didn't have plants, the rooms are tiny. Thank goodess there's a third bedroom, which is now a plant room..lol. I love Geraniums...what type did you get? Toni

I just looked up the bio of our local forecaster. He's not a meteorologist! He's hosted game shows, disco dancing shows, even hosted the David Letterman show as a substitute host. He's been a disc jockey too, but he doesn't have a degree in the science of meteorology. Apparently he does write his own forecasts. Arktrees, you wrote: TV personalities who's primary job most of the time is to get viewers........ You are so right! I've never paid serious attention to forecasts before this year, but now that I have I can see, at least from my forecaster, it's all about hype. It could be a simple cold front moving through, but the way he describes it you'd think aliens were invading.

Hi Gail, Welcome to our friendly forum, I hope you enjoy it and become a regular contributer. To answer your question; the best way to identify your plants is probably to post pictures on this forum. I personally have found in the short time I have been a member, that the amount of knowledge on this forum (from both professional and amateur growers from all over the world) is mind boggling, and what's more, everyone goes out of their way to help each other. It's a great resource, and besides, we all love looking at pic's of other people's broms. Also, a local bromeliad society or study group in your area, is also an excellent area to learn, especially about plants in your own environment. If you have one in your area, it would be well worth visiting as brom. growers are very friendly people who are always willing to help newbies, and visitors are always welcome. Most meetings have a speaker or discussion on a particular type of brom; a sales table where plants can be purchased at reasonable prices; plant raffles; monthly plant exhibits in the form a members' point score/popular vote, where members exhibit their plants; and the meeting usually finishes with afternoon tea/supper where members can socialise and chat over a cuppa. Enjoy being a member of this forum, all the best, Nev.

Cincinnati! Beautiful little German old world city in the midwest, with a mix of north and south to offset the Ohio fog. Hoping to head further north in a year -- little bit more sun, little bit more snow & I'll be a happy camper. :) Sadly, I haven't been back to NC east of Asheville since graduation. I keep thinking about it, but residency is a time killer, and I tend to go new places for vacations.