I would love to see you start at the beginning with the kind of leaf to choose for cutting, ways to cut, how to plant and in what. Then take us through the entire growing cycle of the strep. What to watch for in the new leaves you planted...warn about how long it takes with older leaves...step by step by strep by strep......that is what I want to see. I found as the little ones progress there are things that happen..address those things like browning of tips of leaves...sometimes when the mother leaf dies there are still babies you can barely see....then as the plant matures, the different things that happen to those leaves...it makes me crazy to watch sometimes they somehow crack and need to be trimmed. The importance of trimming and dead heading...like I said Step by Step by Strep by Strep. Then, take us through how shocking it is to watch the plant begin to fade and die. Is there anything to stop that? What are we doing wrong (you already have an article on that)....

Aren't you glad you asked. Maybe I missed something but I am sure others will address those issues. These are what gave me a jolt during the propagation process. Then of course, if they are raising to sell or raising to keep, the selling methods and shipping could be a part of it also. Depends how far you want to go with it.
End of my suggestions..

I am finding a problem with knats just now. Not only outside but inside. Tiny little black critters that I am not sure are coming in because of the weather or are they in the soil I am using and hatching or where are they coming from...they are in the dog water, the water at the sink where the dishes drain..(no I do not have a diswasher). I do have indoor plumbing, just no dishwasher..

JB, some of the things you ask for are really for beginners, like selecting a leaf, how to cut, how to plant. That would go under propagation. Dead heading and trimming a leaf is important to understand for the beginner as well.

If I write a book I am trying to keep it the basics for a beginner. Someone who has never grown may get overwhelmed by it all. Maybe somehow I can incorporate everything you ask. Right now I am trying to get ideas of what beginners really want to know then maybe branch from there. Many times I find authors give too much technical information instead of KISS, keep it simple stupid. I don't even know where I would find the time! However, I feel I could take some of the articles and put the information into a book type format on a website I used to use. That would give me place for photos as well.

I got an idea what to do, just got to put it together. Just needed to see what is important to beginners before getting going.

Celene, thank you for your input. These were topics I was thinking of so it is good to know I am on the same wave length. I will include them in my writing.

Whatever you decide to do will be wonderful I am sure. I have learned so much from you and your articles. The way you explain things, and I am still a beginner since I have only once had babies that grew. I think that many of the beginners who just think they want to own a Strep for a houseplant, will find when it comes time to trim a leaf will wonder if they can grow them. I know of no one I have talked to has ever thrown a leaf away without first wondering if they could use it.....these people do not all want to propagate...I gave a friend of mine a small plant. She has been back three times for "leaves" of others because she broke off a leaf, I told her how to plant it and she was hooked. Now she is like me..wants to learn as much as she can about keeping them alive and well. You started this and now you are stuck with us. LOL Keep it simple is the best for sure.

Hi everyone, I have decided for the time being to develop a website geared toward beginners who are growing streps. It will have all my articles I have written to date from the strepbystrep cubits site, helpful links on how to grow, pest and diseases and other information I have been able to find on the web. Pictures of the latest hybrids of hybridizers I know and trust as well as other information on Streps. It is a work in progress and my hope is to have it up by the end of the week.

I will also have a email link where you may contact me with questions or comments on what you like or dislike. As well as requests to what you would like to see. I will announce when the site is live, so keep on the lookout!

Dave G.

Wonderful!

Wow! That sounds great!

Will you be closing your Cubits? I hope not. I realize it is a lot of work doing both.

No JB, the cubits site will still be open. I am doing this for those who are starting to grow streps. It will be quicker than writing a book and updating as needed much quicker.

I just completed the website and it is now live. Please check it out and let me know what you think.

http://streps.simpl.com

Dave G.

Very nice and well organized.

Well-written, very nice!

When you repot your streps, do you repot older plants that really don't need potted up, just to refresh the soil?

Celene, yes. I repot every 6 mos., usually earlier as the plants grow so fast. It is also a good time to groom your plant even if it is not ready to move up. I personally do not repot a plant in anything larger than a 4" pot. At that point I will divide the plant.

Dave G.