Agri-starts..

[1aday]

You can ship mine any time!

And if one of your pineapples should happen to fall in the box....

[harveyc]

Richard, I assume you're talking just about the 4/6 scheduled shipments right? I'm still on for 4/20, I hope, as I'll be doing some traveling before then.

[Richard]

Richard, I assume you're talking just about the 4/6 scheduled shipments right? I'm still on for 4/20, I hope, as I'll be doing some traveling before then.

Just those scheduled for the week of 4/6. Looks like Monday 4/13 works for everyone.

[Ueberwinden]

Richard,

I am good with a Monday departure date.

Michael

[1aday]

fine with me

[Kylie2x]

No worries here!!!
:waving:

[paula]

Can anyone order from Agri-Starts:woohoonaner:

[Richard]

Can anyone order from Agri-Starts:woohoonaner:

Yes, but a minimum order is 1 flat, 72 plants. Also, the flat may not contain more than 4 different varieties, with a minimum of 18 of any one variety. Shipping will be via express mail, so that is another incentive to make a large order.

[Richard]

For those of you who ordered RAJA PURI (including me!):
The Raja Puri will not be ready to ship from AgriStarts with our "week 16" order.
I have opted to split the "week 16" order into two shipments, one as scheduled and the other in "week 18". This will not drive up your shipping costs, because I am ordering more trays of plants with this new order for myself.
It does mean that you can opt to receive your "week 16" plants as scheduled and then the Raja Puri's later -- or as I suspect most people will want: just hold off another two weeks until the Raja Puri's arrive.

[Chironex]

Cool.

[paula]

Richard, can you tell me what plants from agri- starts would be perennials
in zone 7. If I have to order so many I want them to come up every year
also I will share with my friends . Thanks I only know common names for
must plants . Paula

[Richard]

Richard, can you tell me what plants from agri- starts would be perennials
in zone 7. If I have to order so many I want them to come up every year
also I will share with my friends . Thanks I only know common names for
must plants . Paula

Their selection changes monthly so you should contact them directly. Very helpful and knowledgeable folks.

[Ueberwinden]

Paula,

FYI If you can afford the second tray they basically ship for free because the box dimentionalizes, and the weight of the two trays is not greater than the dimentional weight of the box.

Michael

[Patty in Wisc]

Hi Richard, did you ship plants out Monday? I only have 6 EE's coming & have to leave tomorrow afternoon for couple days. Hoping they'll be here tomorrow.

[getstu]

Hello Richard- i know i'm late but is it possible to buy a few siam ruby plants? I'm in Los Angeles. Best. Stu:0519:

[Patty in Wisc]

Well, now what? Mail came but no plants. Did anyone get plants that were to be shipped Monday 13th?
Richard, you out there?

[Taylor]

He hasn't been online since 4/12. I hope he's ok. Can anyone call him?

I'm fine waiting for the plants but we need to make sure he's ok...since he would've told us that he is going somewhere.

[1aday]

No plants here either. Yesterday I looked at Richards spreadsheet and the 4/6 shipments for me weren't crossed off (which he does once he ships the plants). I hope all is well with him.

[Taylor]

(858)-837-0898 is his cell phone on his website.

[Patty in Wisc]

I'm worried now. Is there anyone who lives near San Diego that could call or check on Richard??

[xavierdlc61887]

maybe he kept the money and ran

[1aday]

That's not very nice, or funny. Are you part of this co-op? If not I would keep your comments to yourself.

[xavierdlc61887]

ok sorry for saying that

[harveyc]

I've been away for two days and got back late today and did have a package from Richard with a sample of this mystery plant discussed at Banana Gallery - Nikki's mystery fruiting plant (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16546) and it was shipped on 4/14. I didn't have any plants scheduled to be shipped to me until 4/20 so I don't have anything to report about this week's shipment. I did get an e-mail notice about the shipment departing San Diego from USPS so I would think the Agri-Start shipments this time around would also happen this way.

Did anybody try calling Richard today? Pitangadiego may live closer to Richard than anybody else here, though I'm not positive about that.

Hope everything is okay!

[Chironex]

Tony (Sunfish) also lives pretty close to Richard.

[saltydad]

I must admit I'm also getting concerned for him. Someone please post as soon as you hear anything.

[sunfish]

I do live close to Richard. Since he hasn'treplyed to any of these post,I think it must be a personal matter. We will just have to wait to hear from him. There is no wAY he is doing anything shady. Hope everYthing is ok. Scot it's sunfish

[Chironex]

Hey Tony, good hearing from you again. Sorry, I got my fish goofed up. :ha:
I agree 100% with Tony. There must be a good reason, and once he is able to respond, I am certain that everyone will understand. I will personally vouch for him.

[Kylie2x]

No plants here either.. Hopefully he's alright!!!! Him not posting is concerning...
You know your plants are in good hands and I am sure he will let us know whats going on soon...

Kylie:waving:

[Patty in Wisc]

Someone tried to call him & only got voicemail. Hope they left a message to check in here.

[saltydad]

I am not at all concerned about my plants; I am concerned for Richard. No one should ever think anything negative about him...that's ludicrous.

[Taylor]

Howard said what I wanted to...but didn't know how to word it.

Thanks, Howard.

[Ueberwinden]

Everyone should really relax, what is most important is the welfare of a friend. Plants can all be replaced, but people and friendships are fragile. We should all be respectful of Richard and the possibility that there is a problem which has side tracked his focus.

Michael

[Chironex]

I just left a message for Richard (on his cell phone) a few moments ago. I get the feeling that something has happened beyond his control.
I have been to Richard's house last summer. He loaded me up with all kinds of tomatoes, cuttings, and I didn't pay a dime. That's the kind of man he is.
As Salty said, the guy is beyond reproach. No worries.

[1aday]

Thanks Scot, for calling.

Michael, I believe we are all trying to be respectful of Richard but we are very concerned about him, forget about the plants...

Scot, does Richard live alone?

The possibilities are horrible to think of.
I worked with a man whose elderly mother fell in her garage in winter, they found her deceased several days later, she had dragged herself under the car, they think to try and stay warm. I don't think my friend ever forgave himself, blamed himself for not calling to check in on her.

Hopefully everything will be fine and he was suddenly called away or something.

[Taylor]

Home phone:
(858) 513-2730

Richard, I will delete your phone numbers from here when you return! (This is not blackmail....it's just watching out for you.) I found it on this site (http://www.blogtopsites.com/localdir/california/san+diego/category/business+consultants+and+advisors/) from the address that was on my Google Checkout order.

[Chironex]

Richard just called me back. He is well and asks that you check the .pdf for shipping dates. He mentioned that the notes state the week that they would be shipped, not the specific date.
All the plants are fine and all of you will receive them as promised.
He had run into some personal issues that demanded more of his time and has not been able to get on the site since last Sunday.
The good news is that he is alive and well!

[harveyc]

Richard just called me back. He is well and asks that you check the .pdf for shipping dates. He mentioned that the notes state the week that they would be shipped, not the specific date.
All the plants are fine and all of you will receive them as promised.
He had run into some personal issues that demanded more of his time and has not been able to get on the site since last Sunday.
The good news is that he is alive and well!

:woohoonaner:

[Taylor]

That is (for the most part) great news!

[Michael_Andrew]

So glad Rich is fine. Thanks Harv!

[Chironex]

That is (for the most part) great news!

What do you mean "for the most part"?

[sunfish]

That's good news ,glad he is well.

[1aday]

Great news, thanks!:woohoonaner:

[Chironex]

Hello Richard- i know i'm late but is it possible to buy a few siam ruby plants? I'm in Los Angeles. Best. Stu:0519:

Stu, sorry the order has already been placed, paid and received. I am responding for Richard as he had some personal issues to attend to. He will be back soon. Perhaps someone has an extra SR that they will sell to you. If I had more than one, I would... but I lost my main plant over the winter so I just have a new pup growing back right now. Only 3-4 inches tall.
If you don't find another, check back with me in 2 months. These pup like crazy.

[Taylor]

What do you mean "for the most part"?

I don't consider personal issues great news.

[Chironex]

I don't consider personal issues great news.
Good answer!

[conejov]

Glad to hear everythings ok.

[Patty in Wisc]

Good answer Taylor.
Something had to be seriously wrong for Richard not to be here for so long. Just glad he's OK.

[saltydad]

Good answer Taylor.
Something had to be seriously wrong for Richard not to be here for so long. Just glad he's OK.

Amen

[Kylie2x]

All of Ya'll with Ants In Your Pants about these Plants.. Look at it this way they will be well nourished and thriving when they make that road trip...
Very Happy to hear you have spoke with him..Scot
I got an email this morning.. Richard take your time for mine .. We all have life that shows up without invitation...LOL
No Worries here my Friend!!!
Many Blessing!!!
Kylie

[Patty in Wisc]

I went to the pdf thing & the shipping date is crossed thru & on right he wrote 'thanks' as in receiving pyment. If there is a line thru, didn't someone say it means he shipped? Did anyone get plants yet? I don't know how to find out when they are shipped. I need to know so I can be here when it comes. Thanks

[hatfam]

With the first wave of plants, I got a confirmation on shipping from the google check out. I assume no confirmation, no shipping. But we all know what happens when we assume. :ha:

I am in no hurry, I'm just glad everything is OK with Richard.

[1aday]

I think he shipped on Monday, it wasn't crossed out last weekend. I'm planning on getting some boxes tomorrow..... I hope!

[Patty in Wisc]

Me too:02: I'm sure those babies are ready to get potted up.
No confirmation here, I sent a check.

[Patty in Wisc]

Mailman came & NO PLANTS.
We know Richard is in good health and, he was online here at the org late last Sat night & saw our concerns so, what the hell is going on here?
Ya know, I only ordered 6 plants but sent a check for more than total as a small tip. Many of you invested more $$$. I'm unemployed & can't afford to throw $ away & am sure you don't like to throw $ away.
Richard, did you bite off more than you can chew? We trusted & counted on you.
I have compassion & empathy but you are very capable of letting us know what is going on now & patience ran out. It's the 'not knowing'.
3-4 weeks ago you mentioned that some EE's are not doing so well. If they were here I could pot them up which they all badly need. You have 4 of my plants for over 6 weeks.
Sorry gang, I had to vent.

[MediaHound]

I prefer to not get involved, please don't ask me to... but I do hope this turns out OK for everyone and I hope Richard is alright.

[enigma99a]

Maybe he was busy and they all died to a lack of water haha. No really hope he is OK!

[Patty in Wisc]

I wouldn't have said that if I thought he wasn't OK. I thought (at first) maybe he was in the hospital or something but on phone he told Scot he is fine.
Now, we can only imagine...maybe a death of a loved one, bombarded w/ other work, even a drunk driving. We would all understand & have empathy & sympathize. Like I said, it's the 'not knowing' & being ignored that bothers me esp when he knows we are concerned - after he was on here reading this post Sat night.
If he's home, I don't think he would let the plants dry up & die.
And, he crossed lines thru most orders which he said he would do when he ships.

[Caloosamusa]

I Really hope Richard is OK, But having the experience of dealing with the California Agro-nazi, and knowing that he received and intended to ship plants from an "infected" state like Florida, he may be going through alot. I hope I'm wrong, and ya'll can make fun of me if I am, but he may need support off the internet. No emotioncon.

Best wishes Richard.

[Taylor]

Right when Patty loses it...

I get an email saying my package has been sent. Should be here Friday.
Thanks, Richard!

[harveyc]

Taylor, Patty did not "lose it".

I just received my USPS notice also, indicating package was processed tonight. Thanks, Richard.

[Taylor]

I meant that in the lightest way possible. Patty, I was feeling the same way you were in your post, so you weren't the only one, as well as many others I am sure. As a student, I don't even have any current or steady income at all.

[Patty in Wisc]

Taylor & Harvey, I'm not offended & YES, I did lose it ! LOL
I tell you, I just took a big breath of relief here & I'm smiling now. It means Richard is OK & I am real happy for it. I don't care if my plants are OK or if they survive, just happy to have HEARD SOMETHING from Richard.
I'm sorry if I came on like a bitch, and I guess I was. Richard took on a big responsibility that I never woulda done - unless I was highly paid LOL. I remember telling him this is a big job & he said he didn't care! And, he didn't want a profit!
Keep on going big guy, whatever your personal stuff was cannot be any worse than what I went thru with my son.
Whatever it is, you should know you have friends here you can talk about it with!
It's soooo nice to know someone heard from you:):):)
Now, get back on here!!

[Kylie2x]

Glad you took the "Breath" Patty..GEEEEZ!!!! LOL

I received this from Richard....Kylie

Kylie !
On the Agristarts thread (your thread!) please let folks know that a large number of boxes were shipped today and folks should start receiving automated tracking messages from USPS sometime in the next 24 hours. I expect all of the packages to be delivered by Friday or Saturday.

[Magilla Gorilla]

WOW! I have stayed on the sidelines for a reason. I am happy I purchase directly from Agristarts! You only need a business tax ID. Being self employed covers that. Nothing against pooling with my friends, but. Richard, I hope you are o.k. My family sends you our best wishes.

[Ueberwinden]

Andrew,

It's not as bad as it seems once you remove all of the drama.

Michael

[1aday]

I'm supposed to be getting three boxes but I only got notices for two- it'll be interesting to see what shows up and what doesn't.

Andrew, I was told you don't need a tax ID number to order if you are outside Florida. The people that went in on this co-op don't have any reason to buy a minimum of 18 of any variety, though.

[Kylie2x]

Andrew,

It's not as bad as it seems once you remove all of the drama.

Michael

Very Well put Michael!!!!
Everyone is just excited to get something new and exciting.. Richards well being is much more important than any plant.. Beside this was a lot of work and he has Business and a Life.. He is doing this a Favor and an Great Benefit to anyone would chose to participate..I think the guy ROCKS!!! That is a lot of work to get nothing out of it..

Kylie:waving:

[harveyc]

Has anybody here ever sent something to AgriStarts to tissue culture for them? I've read that they might require rights to the plant be turned over to them after a certain period of time. I'm not sure I like that idea, though it's probably okay since I don't have any commercial plans for these sorts of things anyway.

Until Scot moves to China, he can be our TC guy for interesting things we might have but I've been wondering about this for a while. I probably just need to find the time to read up on this to do this myself. I was hoping for the Las Vegas workshop to jump start me in this direction but, unfortunately, that didn't get enough interest despite Scot's hard work to pull it off. I'm still hoping a workshop nearby can take place eventually.

Just pondering....

Harvey

[Magilla Gorilla]

Andrew,

It's not as bad as it seems once you remove all of the drama.

Michael

I know. It is a huge undertaking that Richard should and has been recognized for.

I'm supposed to be getting three boxes but I only got notices for two- it'll be interesting to see what shows up and what doesn't.

Andrew, I was told you don't need a tax ID number to order if you are outside Florida. The people that went in on this co-op don't have any reason to buy a minimum of 18 of any variety, though.

Last year they didn't care. Recently they hired a new person (Heather McDermott) who asked for my tax ID number. She replaced Jennifer who was there for 5 years. I was going to buy a couple of alocasia and colocasia flats. I had to prove I had the number. Maybe it was just my luck.

[Ueberwinden]

My understanding is that they only would sell to growers, I joined under Jennifers reign and she did not ask for my nursery license number or Tax ID. Heather has never questioned it but I have had my nursery License for a couple of years now, and have had a business license for over five years.

I have been interested in the Tissue culture myself and the way I understand that is you can do it one of two ways: either exclusively which you retain the rights to the plants, but you must purchase 1080 plants per month and there is a service fee if you have inactive months where they are not producing plants for you. There is a 12-18 mo start up period, so this isn't a quick up and running process. Then you can have Agri-Starts clone the plants and make them available and you collect a royalty on each sale. You really need to plan this out and do some market research before you would jump into this. There is no reason to spend money to reproduce "common" plants which are readily available by this means unless you have something unique.

I am still wanting to attend one of Carols classes if she has enough interested people. I was looking at the class in Charleston and there was one in D.C. The weather here for the next two weeks looks really good, so I should be able to start getting the Brugs and bananas that are roosting in the grow room outside and use to the outside environment. Once I can get some space inside cleared out I am going to start the remodeling of the grow room to inculde a TC Lab in the back corner. I am still planning on doing my own TC and I want to start hybridizing my Plumeria and Brugs. There is a guy in Louisville that does hybrid work on roids, this also interests me. I have spoke to him a couple of times on the phone and plan on visiting in the next few weeks (Louisville is about 80 Miles to the south on I-71). He has some palm trees that I plan on purchasing that have survived temps between 5 and -4 for the last eight years. So if anyone is trying to get a TC group together for the class please include me and maybe we can get this done. Travel isn't a problems for me, I fly on my benefits. My only sticking point is the class must be on a Friday or Saturday, I have obligations on Sundays and work at the airport Mon-Thurs.

Michael

[Ueberwinden]

Guess I won't go to the Washington D.C. class it was April 4th

Michael

[Kylie2x]

Hey Michael!!!
Sounds like you are going to be busy.. Very COOL!!!
Let me know when you are going to work with your Brugs.. I have a lot of Pollen in the freezer.. Maybe something you can use??? You know you are welcome to it!! and I have gotten a lot in the ground so I will be collecting Pollen all yr...:nanadrink:


Kylie:waving:

[harveyc]

For those of you who ordered RAJA PURI (including me!):
The Raja Puri will not be ready to ship from AgriStarts with our "week 16" order.
I have opted to split the "week 16" order into two shipments, one as scheduled and the other in "week 18". This will not drive up your shipping costs, because I am ordering more trays of plants with this new order for myself.
It does mean that you can opt to receive your "week 16" plants as scheduled and then the Raja Puri's later -- or as I suspect most people will want: just hold off another two weeks until the Raja Puri's arrive.

Somehow I missed this post until now. I see my 4 Raja Puri are to be shipped on 5/11 according to the 4/16 version of the shipping list at http://www.plantsthatproduce.com/AgriStartsMarch2009_COSTS.pdf. I didn't pay for a third shipment and don't think Richard should absorb the shipping cost but also don't know that I want these 4 plants that badly. Did anyone else with Raja Puri on their order list indicate to Richard how they wanted their shipment handled? Maybe I can just donate them to Richard or give them to Scot since he is picking up his plants in person.

Harvey

[Kylie2x]

Hey Harvey!!!
If no one wants them ....
I will take them and the cost that goes with them..LMK!!!
Kylie:nanadrink:


I received mine today and they look GREAT!!!!! Richard you did an AWESOME Job of packing them!!! Thank You Again for taking this on!!!!
WOOHOO!!!!
Kylie :birthdaynana:

[Ueberwinden]

Richard,

I received box 2 of 2 today, I guess box one will make it tomorrow. Please give your wife my compliments on the packing job, I am impressed. Very nice packing, I might even borrow some things from your method. Thank you for a very nice job, you have been very professional. I will be seeing you about some fruit trees real soon.

Michael

[harveyc]

Hold on their Kylie, I'm still thinking about it! LOL I should ask Richard if he's got something else he can sell me that I might want to throw in that box to make it more worthwhile.

[Kylie2x]

Ya know what I don't think he does.. BUT I got ya covered Dude!!!!:ha::ha::ha::ha::ha: SWEAR!!!!

Kylie

[enigma99a]

For me, if I have to pay a couple extra bucks for shipping that's fine. Raja Puris do very well in California thanks to their cold hardiness at marginal temperatures. Plus they look great for landscaping and taste great. Woohoo!

[harveyc]

For me, if I have to pay a couple extra bucks for shipping that's fine. Raja Puris do very well in California thanks to their cold hardiness at marginal temperatures. Plus they look great for landscaping and taste great. Woohoo!

You can't ship a Priority Mail package for a couple of bucks. But it looks like from SD to here is only $5.75 for a non-flat rate box if it doesn't weigh more than 2 pounds. It could be $10.35 for a regular flat rate box and that's why I wasn't sure if I would want them for 4 TC plants.

[enigma99a]

Well, yeah that's what I meant. 5.75 is a couple bucks;) or if it's a flat rate, that's fine too

[saltydad]

I received my plants today! A wonderful packing and shipping job done by Richard et al, and a huge thank you again to Richard. The plants look great; now I need to start repotting so they'll be big enough to put outside soon.

:woohoonaner:

[Patty in Wisc]

A lot of times you're better off NOT doing flat rate. The last 3-4 times I shipped, it cost around $4.00 to just over $5.00. That just went up last month.
I got my plants too...pretty fast! Only 1 1/2 days!
Except 4 of 6 fell out of pots but I found them mixed w/ the peat & shredding & potted them. I think they'll be OK. Thanks Richard.

[Taylor]

Except 4 of 6 fell out of pots but I found them mixed w/ the peat & shredding & potted them. I think they'll be OK.

Mine too, 6 out of 10. My Colocasia 'Elena' is broken in 2 spots and will probably not make it.

Thanks, Richard.

[enigma99a]

So hard to pack it when they throw packages around

[Patty in Wisc]

Box was fine, the plants fell out when turned upside down. I always tape a piece of paper over soil & around stem to keep soil in.

[harveyc]

Mine arrived in good shape. The first time there were some with damage (even though box was in good shape) but Richard made a refund for those plants even though I told him not to. This time tape was placed to hold soil into pots and sticks taped to pots to hold them from moving around so much. I sent an e-mail to Richard to let him know it arrived okay.

I'm happy the weather has cooled down as I'm placing these in my greenhouse and earlier in the week we got to 94F or so and my greenhouse got hot (something wrong with the transformer for my misting system, I think).

Cheers,

Harvey

[Bob]

MAN!!!!! You know I'm going to be waiting by the mailbox today!!!!!!

[hatfam]

ME too :woohoonaner:

[Kylie2x]

Richard or someone else...
Does Agristarts send these plants out in the little pots????

Kylie:waving:

[enigma99a]

Those square ones? Those are all Richard's expense. Plus the peat moss.... and here some of you are bitching to him because it's a few days late on shipment geez.

[Kylie2x]

I figured that they didn't come in those pots after I saw them..Thanks for the info..:nanadrink:
You said what i was thinking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kylie

[hatfam]

Got mine today :woohoonaner: They all look good, took forever to get them unpacked :) EXCELLENT JOB Richard, not one bad plant. In fact one of the bananas looks like it has 2 p-stems. (man, a pup already)

Again thanks,
Tom

[Patty in Wisc]

Enigma, no one "bitched" about a few days late. It was actually shipped 16 days late. Last time Richard posted was 4-12 & we were all concerned about him... NOT the plants. Plants were s'posed to go out on 6th. Weather was bad so Richard said they'd go out 13th. Nothing. What happened to Richard? I was worried about him.
Then Scot called him & posted that Richard was fine. That's when I "lost it" (as Taylor said LOL). It was rude of Richard to keep us hanging... not a word.
I myself, would never take on what he did. He said he wanted to. No, he didn't have to pot them from the 'bullets' they came in , but he wanted to.
Ya know, I emailed Richard (wed) (he blocked PM's) & told him this reminded me of my son. When he was 11, he was out with friends in park across street. Was s'posed to check in & have lunch at noon. By 1, I was worried...couldn't see him in park. Local news cut in TV program & said an 11 yr old boy went under in the MKE river while playing on a raft. Rescue squad & divers just got there. I heard the sirens & ran out...1/2 block & down some ravines. Divers signalled they found something & were bringing a basket there. I was frozen...numb, freaked. My son appeared next to me wanting to know what was going on. I almost KILLED him!!!...for not checking in. Not that he had chores to do..cut the grass, go to store etc., but not knowing where he was.
Difference is, Richard knew we were worried, my son didn't have a clue.

[Kylie2x]

Patty.. YES YOUR WORDS NOT MINE!!.. You are being a Bitch..
You were only concerned about yourself and what came out of your pocket.. Till someone called you on it..The email you sent me........Don't do that again..
I offered to replace any of your 4 0r 6 plants you bought yet you felt the need to put on some big display and post a Very Rude and uncalled for post talking down about Richard.. If you can't afford to purchase a plant then DON"T ..Save your pocket change and save the Drama for your son!

Kylie

[Patty in Wisc]

Taylor & Harvey, I'm not offended & YES, I did lose it ! LOL
I tell you, I just took a big breath of relief here & I'm smiling now. It means Richard is OK & I am real happy for it. I don't care if my plants are OK or if they survive, just happy to have HEARD SOMETHING from Richard.

Whatever it is, you should know you have friends here you can talk about it with!
It's soooo nice to know someone heard from you:):):)
Now, get back on here!!

Sorry Kylie, I didn't mean to upset you. In a email I got from Richard, he was not upset w/me...he was very nice. It wasn't the money...I had the smallest order. After a while, I didn't care about the plants.

[1aday]

Gee, Kylie, kind of mean!

I too was worried about Richard, I have a very active imagination (watch too many movies) and find it easy to think of all sorts of horrible situations Richard might have been in. We were all EXTREMELY relieved when he was reported OK.

It's only natural to wonder why he couldn't take 2 minutes to send a short note. This was the main complaint. Some word, even second hand through someone else, what was going on. We had no idea what was going on with Richard, no idea if the plants were being cared for, no idea if we were ever going to get the plants. We didn't want personal or excruciating detail, just a short note, like "sorry, will ship in 2 weeks", anything like that! Remember that not all of us have been on this list for a long time, not all of us "know" Richard. We VERY, VERY much appreciated him going to the effort of coordinating the group purchase. But, yes, for all we know he might have turned out to be another Bernie Madoff!

Think of it this way, if a vendor like Agristarts or Plant Delights or whoever promised you plants on 4/6 and you still didn't have anything on 4/22, wouldn't you get on their backs about it? I don't know if you ever read reviews on Dave's Garden Watchdog, but the majority of complaints about companies is not sending plants on time, and poor communication. All we wanted was a very short note from Richard.

While I appreciate Richard putting the plugs in peat and pots and labeling, that was Richard's choice to do so. He could have just wrapped the plugs and sent them on. Last year I participated in a similar co-op and the plugs were sent in netting bags (the type onions come in) and laid on their sides in the box. No pots, no soil. Out of 113 plants I received one that was injured- it looked like it had been stepped on prior to shipping. My first box from Richard, every plant was damaged. People just don't realize that plants will fall out of their pots in shipping. Another member and I suggested alternated shipping methods to Richard, which he appreciated, and which helped in this round of boxes. Things ended up much better, but I still ended up with a lot of plants that fell out of their pots and I thought I'd have to guess at what they were. Of my 5 Musa Thai Black, 4 have broken pseudostems. Several others were broken as well.

I'm not too upset, because I know Richard and his packer (I forget her name, but many thanks to her) did their best. There is a learning curve to shipping plants.
And while it doesn't matter if someone spent 5 dollars, or like me, over $200, the fact is that we bought plants with that money, not donated it to a worthy cause.

I suggest everyone go back and take a look at Patty's post of 4/22. I just re-read it and it is not as bad as you think or remember it to be.

Maybe we should ALL "cool our jets" here. We are united by our love of plants, let's not be torn apart by this incident. This is a very enjoyable forum, usually. Let's all relax a bit and enjoy our plants!

[harveyc]

Good post 1aday, thanks!

[Kylie2x]

LOL Ya'll can think what you want.. I COULD post the email I got.... annnnnd better than good chance you would have a different opinion... But I won't..

Kylie:waving:

[Taylor]

Kylie, don't post what someone has sent you privately. That is, unless you want people to think even lower about you than what you've shown us in post #345.

[Bob]

My plants arrived today, all in good shape.:woohoonaner:

[harveyc]

My plants arrived today, all in good shape.:woohoonaner:

Congrats, Bob, good to hear some good news!

Best wishes,

Harvey

[Patty in Wisc]

Good post 1aday, thanks!
Good post 1aday, thanks!!! I couldn't have said it that good.
Kylie, I didn't email you - I PM'd you. It was Wed. 4-22 at 11:23 am. Later, at 12:57pm, I posted the one where I was angry (page 16).
Isn't it funny that later that night He shipped 18 boxes out???? I don't really know Richard so didn't know if he was trustworthy...some here said yes.
If anyone is curious as to what I wrote in that pm to Kylie, I will gladly paste it here so you can judge if I'm a B**ch.
I feel it's OK to do since I wrote it.
Yes, Kylie did kindly offer to send me plants (back when he was kind) but I was thinking of 100's of other plants & at least 20 ppl who ordered them. I didn't want any plants from Kylie, just ones I ordered, & for Richard to send all the others out.
...4-22 11:23am
..."In Reply to your Post Re: Agri-starts..:
Hi Kylie, did you say you got email from Richard?
I hear he was on the forum Sunday night but didn't post. I'm sorry, but I think he's being very rude. Now that we all know he's just fine he shoulda posted something instead of keeping us hanging. Those plants need to be potted up! I also heard that some plants he shipped were smashed because he didn't pack them good. I also think he bit off more than he can chew & is realizing this.
I have empathy & sympathy for ppl - I'[m not a hard ass but this is rediculous to let all these ppl down.
(sentence deleted for someones privacy)
I will be angry if I don't get those plants soon - and I only have 6!!"
__________________
Patty
Z5
...In other words, imagine how angry others will be who ordered much more.
This was all pretty much what I already said - not any worse, but Kylie's making me out to be a animal.
To be honest, 2 plants (all EE's) were broken but I didn't want to say this before. They won't make it -BUT IT'S OK

Right On Taylor!!!

[Ueberwinden]

I'm really tired of this thread!!! I had one of the largest orders in the group about $100 total ( I believe it was the 4th largest) and I wasn't a bit concerned. If I felt that there was a problems that was getting out of control I know how to speak up!! I think if you go through this thread you will find many people who were rude, and said hurtful things. I'm personally ashamed of how some acted, and have kept quite because I don't want to get too involved in others affairs. As for myself I believe Richard did a good job. I would have never attempted what he took on, in this format. Maybe Richard should have communicated more as we got closer to the 4/6/09 ship date. We don't know what Richards life is like outside of this group, he may have responsibilities that kept him distracted and then overwhelmed, I have been there myself. Maybe that's not the case at all, but if you haven't walked in his shoes then maybe you should not be so quick to stir up a firestorm that can quickly consume a lot of the members of this group. Richard if you ever read this post I want you to know my order was just fine and I appreciate you. Thank you for a job well done.

Michael

[enigma99a]

I'm really tired of this thread!!! I had one of the largest orders in the group about $100 total ( I believe it was the 4th largest) and I wasn't a bit concerned. If I felt that there was a problems that was getting out of control I know how to speak up!! I think if you go through this thread you will find many people who were rude, and said hurtful things. I'm personally ashamed of how some acted, and have kept quite because I don't want to get too involved in others affairs. As for myself I believe Richard did a good job. I would have never attempted what he took on, in this format. Maybe Richard should have communicated more as we got closer to the 4/6/09 ship date. We don't know what Richards life is like outside of this group, he may have responsibilities that kept him distracted and then overwhelmed, I have been there myself. Maybe that's not the case at all, but if you haven't walked in his shoes then maybe you should not be so quick to stir up a firestorm that can quickly consume a lot of the members of this group. Richard if you ever read this post I want you to know my order was just fine and I appreciate you. Thank you for a job well done.

Michael

I agree 100%. Also, I think maybe this thread should be locked and forgotten. It's just ugly

[Taylor]

Before this thread is closed if it is going to be, Richard just emailed me and said:

"IF you received damaged plants that do not survive, or if plants were
missing or just the wrong plants were in your order, please contact Richard
at orders@PlantsThatProduce.com. Thanks!"

[Patty in Wisc]

I too got a nice email from Richard saying that he will take care of any plants that don't survive. There is one for sure a goner but it's OK cuz I ordered 2 of that one. Not worth shipping one plant...I don't care about one plant. 2nd injured one may make it (?)
I told him my (and 1aday's) mail ppl must shake the boxes to guess what's inside them!!! LOL

[Scuba_Dave]

Bummer missed this order
But I'm probably better off to start with a few plants

[harveyc]

Has anybody received their Raja Puri yet?

I received an e-mail from Richard which was sent as a group broadcast. I can't find the e-mail right now but I thought they were going to be shipped last week. I want to make sure they don't arrive when I'm gone. I've tried to e-mail Richard several times but he seems to be blocking e-mails from me. All of my e-mails come forwarded back to me with a blank reply.

Thanks,

Harvey

[chong]

Harvey,
I don't think that Richard could possibly have sent any Rajapuris last week because Agristarts won't have them available until mid-June.

Just my speculation.

[harveyc]

I finally found Richard's e-mail which was sent on 5/8. He indicated he had just received word from AgriStarts that the Raja Puri would be sent in about 10 days (from that date) and that he'd get them around 5/20 and that they would be sent out to us in about a week from then.

[harveyc]

Richard just sent the following e-mail (apparently to everyone on the order list)
:

Hi folks,

AgriStarts sent me a message that they were unable to ship the Raja Puris last week due to inclimate weather. They are going to try again tomorrow (Tuesday, 5/26) so I hope to receive them by Friday. Also coming in this shipment will be a 1/2 tray of 1000 Fingers.

Cheers,

Richard Frost

[Patty in Wisc]

Sounds like Richard is using you for his personal messenger (?)
Of my 6 plant order, only 1 survived the poor packing sorry to say. $22.00 is a little much for a 2 inch EE.

[just j]

i got a whole tray of rajas a month ago from agristarts only have 2 left now but i didnt get them from richard what i want to know is how hes getting these 1000 fingers from them

[Lagniappe]

They may have had a few 'lying around'.

[harveyc]

Patty, sorry to hear so many of yours died. My second order was packed better than I first, following some of my suggestions made after the first. Most of the damaged ones I received recovered, though and Richard had issued a refund even though I told him I didn't want one. Richard had said it was covered by insurance and I never got an explanation of exactly what kind of insurance he was talking about.

The 1,000 Fingers will probably remain a mystery just like some other things.

[just j]

Patty, sorry to hear so many of yours died. My second order was packed better than I first, following some of my suggestions made after the first. Most of the damaged ones I received recovered, though and Richard had issued a refund even though I told him I didn't want one. Richard had said it was covered by insurance and I never got an explanation of exactly what kind of insurance he was talking about.

The 1,000 Fingers will probably remain a mystery just like some other things.

must be cause i have been on there waiting list for over a year on them and praying hands