While browsing at the local nursery I found something that caught my eye: Manfreda "Chocolate Chips" Nurseries around here don't typically carry what I consider to be "southwest" plants. So I was really surprised to find not just a southwest plant... but a Manfreda... a genus that I am kinda in lust with. (I'm growing oodles of Polianthes, Manfreda, and Bravoa from BX seed in the hopes of crossing them with my Manfreda virginica. And I'm really surprised how well many of them do as indoor houseplants year round, although none are old enough to bloom yet.) There were 3 specimens left (all of them were passed blooming) so I picked the one that had the most seed pods (5 of them!). I had a gift card as well, so this plant only cost me $7.50 (instead of $20 -- which is cheap considering Yucca Do (the originator of this plant) sells it for $18.50). The real trick was driving it home. Luckily I had my jeep, and the top was off, and I managed to prop it up just right to make it home safely. http://www.badbear.com/dkramb/20120624_162611.jpg That bloom stalk is about 6 feet tall. So now I have to research the wiki and the googlenets to find out the best way to grow this at my home. I'm guessing potted, so it can be brought indoors for winter. Very excited on a very "southwest" hot day in southwest Ohio... Dennis in Cincinnati
