Collecting plants can become obsessive and a life long passion. However there is one way to manage the addiction that I can thoroughly recommend.

Many years ago we hit on the idea of serial collection.

At its simplest this is moving on from one plant collection to the other. This overcomes all those never ending problems of not having enough room or finding a new passion or that plant you cannot live without. You can then smilingly admit to all that you are not really obsessed...but just interested in the new.

The therapy of moving on from one plant type to another is truly rewarding and banishes any dwindling thoughts of giving up, as plants take over every waking and sleeping hour.

We strongly believe that the symptoms of plantaholic addiction should be turned to the positive and embrace the new plant you have just spotted that would grow so much better.. if you gave it a new home with nourishment and care.

In repayment it would certainly reward your diligence with growth and flowers and years of instant and long term pleasure.

Go out and buy another plant today..you know you want to!

The wonders of Ebay plants!

http://www.ebay.com

Ebay provides another slippery slope for all those plant obsessed. Now is is possible to obtain all sorts of specialist plants from all around the world or closer to home.
It is a real bonus for the plant collector and especially those keen on growing from seed.
A good idea for anyone new to the world of online auctions is to seek help from friends or colleagues familiar with the site. Their advice can be worth its weight in gold. It is always important to check out past sale feedback and reputations. It is good to monitor other sales of the plants you are interested in and let a few auctions pass to see how the prices hold up.
There are scams on ebay but they are often over played in the media. There are routes for complain should you have any seroious problems.
Specific to plant purchases, a good tip is to research sellers on Google and also join plant specific newsgroups. They often have members who use ebay and will voice opinions on reputations and specific sellers. There will be sellers to avoid and sellers to endorse.
Importing plants from abroad can come under the control of local or country plant health legislation. This can involve the issue of permits, certificates or inspection documentation. All good ebay sellers, shipping internationally will be aware of these regulations and should be able to make suitable provision on instruction from the purchaser.
A restricted number of plants are also subject to CITES regulation.

Information can be found at http://www.cites.org/

Generally the easiest route for obtaining new varietes from aborad, is to purchase seeds as these can be sent with a minimum of regulations and phytosanitary control. However do check your countries plant regulations first before bidding.
The wealth of unique and varied varieties is huge and many being offered by collectors or enthusiastic amateur hybridizers. Indeed many varieties never make into the commericial seed houses as they are too specialist or rare.
Online auctions make a great resource to find something special and extra for the plantaholic.