I’d like to dedicate this journal to those who have sent me things (including those who have sent me seeds I have not sown yet – I have not forgotten you!)

But I’d like some people to know how well their swaps are doing at the moment.

orientallily
You sent me Ampelopsis brevipedunculata (aka porcelain vine) seeds all the way from Canada, and I now have 5-10 healthy seedlings (one of which is getting on for a metre long). Such fun, thank you. :)

Armorel
You sent me a lovely Hippeastrum which flowered beautifully a few weeks after I recieved the bulb in the post (from the Scilly Isles) and another younger Hippeastrum bulb which is enjoying dormancy with the rest of my amarylises (I think I have 5). You also sent “one” Stapelia vareigata which on arrival “split itself” into three very healthy plants which I have called “Hugh”, “Pugh” and “Barney McGrew”. I expect they might flower next year. They have all doubled in size during spring and summer.
Oh! And Juttadinteria winteri of course! Is blooming right now. Big yellow daisy-like flower, gorgeous.
And Pelargonium ‘Attar of Roses’ cutting is blooming for the second time now. Lovely scented leaves and delicate pink flowers. :)

Amaryllis
Not so far away, in the UK mainland, you sent me a generous amount of well-prepared Tradescantia cuttings, half of which were Tradescantia zebrina and half Tradescantia fluminensis. Now I have lots and lots of Tradescantia, tumbling from pots ranging from those devoted to Tradescantia to those where I put cuttings I had no space for (they’re doing great with Hoya bella and Asparagus setaceus f. pyramidalis). My T. fluminensis es are budding now, yay!

I’m sure I’ve forgotten things… as I do.

Photos:
1: Juttadinteria winteri bloom.
2: Hippeastrum ‘Pinky’ fom Jan/Feb 2012.
3: Tradescantia fluminensis buds.
4: Ampelopsis brevipedunculata clambering up to the top shelf.
5: Pelargonium ’Attar of Roses second bloom.