Hallson visit photos!

[HostaDesigner]

Too many to post directly here, so check them out here:

http://home.comcast.net/~mgroothuis/Hallson/

Enjoy!

[party_music50]

Nice photos! Looks like everyone had a great time.... especially with the leaf painting. Who cast all those leaves???!!! are they hypertufa? and who had to put the paint into the water bottles? lol!

I loved all of the full group shots that must have preceeded the formal one... with some laughing hard, some drinking beer...

But why weren't potted hostas placed on the tables as centerpieces? <grin>

[LucyGoose]

OMG Mike, you did excellent!! Great pictures!! Some ugly ones of me, but that's okay.... ......And you got Brian pretty good, too which isn't easy.... I had so much fun, and it was like re-living it......thanks for taking so many...the growing areas look beautiful!!!! We are a great group!!

[Linda P]

Mike, you did a great job with the pictures.
Thanks for posting them.

Linda P

[ladyblue]

Thank you Mike for taking so many pictures! Especially since my camera was acting up!
You did a great job getting us quiet and still for the nice group shot.
It was a fun day.
Thanks also to Chris and Brian for inviting us!
Bonnie

[renaldo75]

Thanks for all of the wonderful pics, Mike!!

[steg]

Great Pics Mike (or is that Captain Candid )!

Brian made all the leaves to paint. They are mostly hosta leaves with a couple ligularia.

[pauhaus]

Great pics Mike. Thanks for posting them. It is just like being there again...

[LucyGoose]

Captain Candid

I laughed when I saw that, too!!

[newtohosta-no more]

Wonderful pics! Looks like you all had a great time!

[DBoweMD]

Those are great Mike!
I have some to add.

Hmm how did he manage to take so many pictures?

[Chris_W]

Great pictures everyone! This was such a fun time, as always, and though it took me a few days to recover I'm already looking forward to next year

The hosta leaves are made out of concrete. Brian tried 3 different types: mortar mix, regular Quikrete concrete mix, and Quikrete crack resistant mix. The mortar mix made the smoothest leaves, but they weren't as sturdy after 2 weeks. The regular concrete mix was heavy and really strong and sturdy, but there were more bubbles and blemishes in this mix, plus too 5 to 7 days to cure. You have to keep them moist and covered with plastic wrap for that long before unwrapping them. The crack resistant mix worked great because it only has to cure for 3 days and they were also very strong and sturdy. We'll probably go with that mix from now on.

The leaves are very easy to make out of concrete. We have to do some more soon for another group coming on August 23rd, so I'll get pictures when we make those.

Thanks again for such a wonderful weekend. It is always one of the highlights of our summer