>As an ex-nursery-owner, I have to remark that this is poor advice >(below). Nursery owners are entitled to have their own view of how >they want to conduct business. If this nursery has decided not to >ship, it probably isn't just that they haven't thought of it! >Respect their boundaries - don't beg. The one "in" I might suggest >is that if you have something they really want you can offer that. >I never thought of myself as a mean person, but I was a little >surprised by the people who wrote after I closed the business >(people who had either never been customers or, if they had, had >been very - um - thrifty ones) and begged me to find them just one >more of this and that. Favors are something you ask of >friends...don't expect businesses to do them for you if you're a >stranger. > >Just my two cents' worth - Dear Ellen, You have obliquely and politely hit on a sore point of mine. Warren, I do not mean to pick on you, but you started a series of messages that began even more messages to PBS that ask to trade, offer to sell, whatever without contributing information about your self (where do you garden, what state or zone), information about the plants you offer and obviously haven't noticed recent posts about this very exact species. This is topped by a series of well meaning replies that really should have been private replies and not of much use or informative to the group as a whole. Mary Sue has politely asked that members restrict commercial notes to a minimum. PBS is an educational group meant to inform its members not just sell or trade. Even our well organized Seed Ex/Bulb Ex has strict limits on announcements and Dell politely replies to request that should have been private as he emphasizes in every message. I suppose it is the old adage that honey attracts more than vinegar. If you want to ask for something specific put the question in a sweeter context; request general information or share your own understanding of the topic or just be more forth coming. My PBS etiquette suggestions I think that every message to PBS should identify themselves as to gardening location because it adds so much to the question. Where is 'here' ? All my messages include a very detailed 'Signature Block" that makes it infinitely easy to goggle right to my back yard. Messages should have some sharing of personal experience and exchange of information. Sort of status report that leads to your question, request or plea. And as Ellen put it "Favors are something you ask of friends". Personally I rarely reply to a stranger who asks for something without providing much incentive. (although I did reply to Gail on her very first posting to PBS). First-time 'posters' or new members ought to identify them selves in their first post. Tell a little something about your favorite bulbous plants, where you garden, how you got started, Do you sell or trade or have an open garden... all those things you'd tell a new friend. These are not meant to be "RULES" or even vague suggestions, more like common courtesy and friendly associations. Give a little, get a little. And again my apology to Warreen, who I really know so little about, but this has been stewing for a while and Ellen really is responsible for starting this posting. So, good luck, trying to locate Impatiens flanaganae. Best Jim W. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +