Orange County Branch Newsletter – 9/2/03

The plant exchange of August 30^th at Sanda’s was a lot of fun. If my notes and memory is correct (and according to my wife they often aren’t….) 11 gardening enthusiasts, excluding spouses and kids, participated in the exchange. Orange County was well represented. Participating in the exchange was:

• Anne (OC Bird) – Laguna Nigel
• Beatrice – Laguna Nigel
• Bill (Norco Bill) - Norco
• Bryan (Dirtface)
• Donna (SoCal) – Huntington Beach
• Gail
• Linda - Redlands
• Mike (Mikey) - Cypress
• Nina (Ninated2) – Fontana, & host of the next plant exchange!! Thanks Nina!
• Sanda (Sanda)
• Tracy (Lovetosmellflowers)

If I missed anyone, please let me know. Here’s how the day went. Folks arrived between 11:00 & 11:30, put their plants out on the patio, put there food on a prepared table, schmoozed and then toured around Sanda and Javier’s yard…and what a yard!

When they moved to this house in 1999 the back yard was barren. Since then they have turned the barren land into a tropical paradise. The hardscape consists of a winding concrete path, built in BBQ entertainment area, patio and the beginnings for an arbor covering. The focal point is a beautiful 4,000 gallon koi pond featuring many koi, blooming tropical lilies, two waterfalls and a bridge. Many tons of granite river rock were brought in by Javier and carefully placed about the pond and surrounding paths. Their gardening theme is tropical. Many tropical palms, bananas, plumerias, cannas, gingers, passion vines, papaya, mango, avocado and many other tropical plants. Words don’t do their hard work justice, so here is an address link to some photos: http://www.pbase.com/sanda/our_yard_summer_2003 You can find out more about Sanda’s plant interests on her member page on the GardenWeb at http://members.gardenweb.com/members/Sanda

Javier was the Chef and BBQ’d some hotdogs. There was other good tasting food and desert also. After eating, Tracy’s husband Mike coordinated the drawing of names for the order in which we would get to choose plants. We were supposed to have already checked out the plants in order to help the exchange move quicker but I was too busy checking out Sanda and Javier’s yard…. Mike got the exchange going in a very orderly manner. There were just oodles of plants to choose from and such a wide variety. I was very impressed with the generosity of the members. Thanks guys.

Nina has offered to host the next plant exchange on Sunday, Sept 28, @ 2:00. Write her to get directions. Thank you Sanda and Javier for being such wonderful hosts and allowing us to share in your tropical paradise.

Upcoming Orange County events include the Annual Arborfest & Fall Plant Show at the Fullerton Arboretum, October 18-19, 2003 from 10am to 4pm. Admission $5.00. If you know other local events, please share.

Mike Tilson – aka Mikey