Towards the end of October, the church will be having their annual fall fest/bazaar. One of the attractions is a silent auction that includes plants (from one of the elders of the community, Mrs. E). Like most of the "older generation" around here, they are in their mid 70s to 90s (years old). Last year, it was kinda sad. Mrs. E's plants didn't look good... and she couldn't remember what some of them were. Others asked if anyone could ID them. I said I'd give it a try. Some I knew... some I didn't. They even had me break off a leave or stem and take over to Mrs. E and ask her again if she knew what they were. Some she knew... some she didn't. That's when I made up mind. Instead of working in the kitchen, I wanted to help with the plants and the auction. I approached Mrs. E a a couple months ago and asked if it would be okay if I helped her with her plants and if I could donate some to the sale too. She said "Of course! I really could use a little help." I have all sorts of ideas and will make sure I show my respects by presenting them to her first. Main thing on my agenda... make the plants "presentable" and have them labeled with botanical and common name(s) and growing conditions. I have a few plants that I've potted up/divided up just for this. But the more I think about them... the more I worry if they are right or not. Again... the event is the end of October in SE Texas. Temps can range from the 50s to the 80s. So, it's kinda hard to predict what plants will be showing off their stuff at that time (or at all). So I've been thinking and rethinking of what plants to donate. This is where you all come in (I hope) with advice. Number one plant that I want to donate is an Angel Wing Begonia (I thought that with being a church event an "angel" might do well). And hopefully it will still have pretty flowers to attract attention. My plant is in need of up-potting and in the process, I'd like to take a cutting so I can keep a piece for myself. Angel Wing Begonia ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Here it is from the back. Angel Wing Begonia - backside ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) It sits in that corner, and it shows, so I guess I need to move it out some so it will fill out? Any suggestions on which stalk to use to get a new start? And how far down do I cut it?
Can't help with cutting advice but you might want to print out photos of the plants when they are in bloom now just in case they aren't blooming in Oct. You can use the back of the photo for the name and growing info.
If you pot your plants up at least two weeks in advance, they'll show better because they'll get over the transplant shock before the sale.
What a lovely thing for you to do! I have donated plants for charity sales, and found the following: As Toni suggested, a picture of the plant in full bloom with the soil requirements/sun exposure/time of bloom on a 3"x5" card enclosed in a ziplock bag (this keeps them clean and readable) and stapled to the pot is a real boon. I say stapled so that a tag can't be inadvertently moved to another pot. Your church's fall festival will be a big hit with your and Mrs. E.'s plants. Wish I could be there!
Great minds think alike. Since some of the plants I have in mind will be nothing but a "green thing in a pot" (like Irises)... a photo will definitely be required. So yes... I've got photos at the ready. The Angel Wing may be the only thing I'll have blooming at that time, so I'm anxious to learn more about propagating it. Who knows... maybe I'll have TWO to share.
Cheryl, I think it is a wonderful idea! I invested a small amount into a laminating machine from walmart...I think it was less than 25.00. The sleeves for more photos/info card are relatively inexpensive for 50 or so. I use them for my greenhouse and they are easy to wipe off if they get dirty and water doesn't hurt them either. Maybe someone would even have one you could borrow and...the person buying the plant would have a long lasting information card to keep.
in the past I have sold plants at our church fall bazaar . And pictures sold them. I put pictures on side with clear packing tape. Also sold well-seeds that could be planted in fall. Good luck.
thanks everyone for the input. Yep...photos are a must... just like with labeling. And not just any labeling.. CORRECT labeling. Case in point... I bought a plant from Mrs. E a couple of years ago. She said it was a Gardenia. I just had it ID'd here as a Crape Jasmine (tabernaemomtana divaricate). I probably would not have bought it if I knew that it is rated for zone 9 and above). My next biggest concern is what type of plants to bring. Since it may be too late to plant some things, they would have to be protected over the winter. Shall I expect people to be okay with putting in that kind of effort?
According to a map I found, your average first freeze date is mid-to-late November. That just means it got down to 32 deg for a recordable few minutes and since the ground in Texas never freezes in winter perennial roots don't even notice when the temp gets that low for that short a period of time. If your plants are hardy up to zone 7 their roots won't be affected either unless the temperature stays below freezing for several hours. A good layer of mulch will keep the roots safe. Also, make a cloche out of a milk jug to show them how they can protect new plants if needed. I have some to protect newly emerging plants from hail in the Spring. Iris bulbs are planted deep enough that they won't even notice the above ground temperature hitting the freeze mark. The Begonia will make pretty house plants till next Spring. Don't forget to dig up any baby Texas Rock Rose you find around your plant, those things are hardy forever!! But I wouldn't include any of the typical annuals or your tropical plants. Nothing more disappointing than getting a new plant and have cold weather take it out in a couple of weeks.
Here's my list of things that I'm thinking of donating. Definitely will do the Angel Wing Begonia, like Toni said, can be a houseplant over the winter and the same for an African Milk Tree. I have a basket with a variety of succulents that can also be a “houseplant”. Plants from bulbs: Purple Iris, Crocosmia and Crinum. These won't just be the bulbs, but plants. Should they be okay to plant at the end of October/beginning of November? These are the one's I'm not sure about doing because it will be so late in the year: Passion Flower Vine (approx 3 foot tall now), Rooster Comb (decent size), Hidden Ginger (approx 2 foot tall now) and 4 O'clock (pretty small – like in a quart pot). These all die back over the winter here but should be able to survive the winter if protected from freezes. (Also possibly a White Texas Star Hibiscus.... haven't made up my mind about keeping it for myself since the one I have in the ground isn't growing very much this year.) Any thoughts on the questionable ones?
