Okay finally yes I am baaaack!!! I'll try to behave Kevin and not rush around your yard oogling everything in a loud maniacal voice!! When I first read your post I thought, oh I have just the thing for doing the leaf counting - a very thin knitting needle! haha Guess I don't need to bring it though??
I cannot wait to see your seedlings Kevin (and wait I must, since its 6 months away!!) and counting!
I do love being away and then catching up on all the posts!
@cdssister I am so glad you are going to join us this year Marilyn!! I get to meet you in person!

Sure hope I get there. Looking for air deals but will have to wait and see. Would love to meet all the ATP buddies.
Although looking at the itinerary for all the shopping, my heart goes pitty pat and my feet cringe. (Is it possible for feet to cringe?)

That would be so exciting to meet you. Put on some good sturdy walking shoes and all will be good.

Greg,

I've got a nun on standby just in case you misbehave. But please don't curb your enthusiasm. It's one of your best qualities!

Marilyn,

This is SUCH A NICE GROUP OF PEOPLE/ You will love the get-together. Bring an extra suitcase or make a stop at the UPS or FedEx stores to have it shipped.

Kevin

I can only imagine what the TSA would say to a suitcase filled with Semps.
Has anyone ever had problems getting their treasures through the airport?

Someone, maybe 2 from last years group had no problem, maybe they will tell the story or would like to remain anonymous.

Marilyn, your pitty pat heart should command what your feet should do while at the various nurseries...

I have taken semps on the airplane by removing most of the soil and leaving the pots behind. I then place all the semps with little soil clinging on and place in plastic bag.
Did this when a succulent nursery was going out of business and the wife of the deceased nursery owner opened her husband's private succulent collection to be sold off piece by piece to the public...

I'm looking forward to meeting the (in)famous CDs Sister too...

If anyone needs to knock out pots of soil, you are welcome to use the compost heap here before getting on the plane.

I have taken LOTS of plants in both my carry-on and in the suitcase. One year I came back from Florida with 50 daylilies! It wasn't pretty!

Kevin

That is funny! Marilyn looks like this is no longer an "obstacle"! For me its the $! I have to be good about not over spending, and with Lynn and Spring - man that isn't easy!
Kevin - I'll maintain my enthusiasm if you keep your nuns in check!

Yes Greg, but if we don't buy the same plants in a year we can swap and think how much money that will save you!!

Great idea Julia.

I have brought many plants back on the airplane, with no problems. Save on the cost of shipping.

Most of these nurseries have wonderful places to sit and enjoy the view, or just take a rest, have a snack. You will do great Marilyn.
It is not as much walking like when we went to Denver Botanical Gardens. And the weather is mild.

I have a hard time thinking of Greg having a problem with enthusiasm.
Come to think of it, I don't think anyone in this group lacks in enthusiasm.

I agree 100% Lynn! On everything you said! We seem enthusiastic! and Marilyn, these nurseries are places where you can enjoy yourself in whatever way you need! Look for Lynn running up and down the aisles, and Denise running after her trying to let her know its almost time to leave! (You'll have a view and a chuckle at the same time!)

I may have to bring sedatives to the clinic to lower the excitement level! (Or a truck load of nuns to keep order!)

Actually I'm already excited about having everyone see the new ones. Many of you who came last year got to see some of the selected seedlings before I named them and I'll be interested in your comments on each now that they have "made the grade" .

All my pots of germinating seedlings are nestled in the warmth of the garage and I'm keeping the lights on them 24/ 7. I also have some crosses between some of the Sedum spathulifolium selections and a bunch germination in the pot of Sedum 'Sandy's Silver Crest' germinating too. Am most interested to see whether either that unusual variegation or cresting is passed onto the progeny. I may need more than 3 acres....

The Pacific Coast Native irises should be peaking that week. I have a couple hundred new seedlings from those lines plus all the new cultivars. Should be some very nice things blooming. The flowers on them are like little jewels. Anyway there should be MUCH to see. Let's hope everything survives this cold blast.

Kevin

Such a fun day at the nursery! The sun was warm, great selection of plants and delightful company and a semp clinic the next day. Just doesn't get better then that. Throw in a great breakfast and views of Lynn's garden, Ya! What a weekend. Marilyn you will have a blast.

Kevin I vote for the truck of nuns, we might make semp converts of them.

I have an odd sport? from my Sedum 'Silver Stone' that seems to have cream colored tips.

valleylynn said:
Kevin I vote for the truck of nuns, we might make semp converts of them.

Lynn, you are so funny!! ...and great idea!! We won't need them because we are angels, but maybe they can help Greg count leaves after they get him under control.

Ya'll crack me up!

OK, I'll order the truck of nuns and make sure they have a picture of Greg so they know who the BAD BOY is!! Of course they are nuns, so they have bad boy radar installed right into their habits.

COLD here and getting nasty on the weekend. Am sure glad the semps are ALPINE plants. They'll feel right at home here on Friday and Saturday. My garage looks like a greenhouse I have so many pots that I'm protecting! Have the lights on 24/7 so the seedlings won't become etiolated.

STAY WARM!

Kevin