Re: Valerian update

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Does this list still exist? If so, I would like to give belated thanks to the woman (from this list, I'm pretty sure) who sent me some white valerian seeds a couple of falls ago. I sowed the seeds the next spring, and only two germinated. Only one of those seedlings survived the move outdoors. Last summer the plant grew about six inches tall and never bloomed. This year--when there has been more rain than I ever dreamed possible--the plant has grown seven feet tall. (This, by the way, was when I realized I was dealing with Valeriana officinalis 'Alba' and not Centranthus ruber 'Albus' ). After about six weeks of fragrance, the blooms started petering out, and I cut the plant down (it was also beginning to block my satellite dish reception). Now, about two weeks later, it has sprouted again from the base and new blooms are appearing.

Anyway, this one plant has been quite an experience, and I would like to express my appreciation to the person who brought it into my life.

My other interesting experience from this rainy spring/summer is that all my caladiums are blooming. This has happened before but never in such magnitude. My caladiums are pink ones (in the 'Florida' series) and the blooms are actually quite lovely.

Nancy Stedman, NYC

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Bye
Bob             Bob Axmear  208 2nd St Ne  Waukon, Ia 52172
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