trystianity

Hello all.

I live near Hamilton ON and I'm going around in circles looking for plants that I don't already have locally and I'm new here so I'd like some advice/help. Where do you all buy your plants? Online retailers, hobbyists, mail order, shops? If anyone in the area knows of good stores or anything that carry plants that are a little out of the ordinary I would really appreciate it. I am starting to get really frustrated seeing the same plants over and over again around here. It's especially frustrating looking at some of the amazing tanks and plants people post online and not knowing where to get them.

I already have most of the plants local stores stock (the ones I want anyway). Here's my current list:

Alternanthera reineckii ''roseafolia''
Anubias barteri var. nana (odd looking variety)
Anubias barteri var. nana
Aponogeton ulvaceus
Bacopa monnieri
Ceratophyllum demersum (hornwort)
Cladophora aegagropila
Cryptocoryne sp. (no idea, a friend sent it as crypt plantlets - should probably get an ID on those)
Glossostigma elatinoides
Hydrocotyle leucocephala
Hygrophila corymbosa ''Compact''
Hygrophila corymbosa ''Siamensis''
Hygrophila polysperma
Microsorum pteropus
Rotala rotundifolia
Vesicularia dubyana (java moss)

Up until now I have just had low light non CO2 tanks but I'm expanding into higher tech tanks (more options - I should be able to grow almost anything with what I have now) so I'd like to start expanding my collection as well. I don't really have anything to trade at the moment, I've been rearranging stuff, but I should have some glosso and rotala rotundifolia at least soon.

I've caught the collecting bug but I don't really know where to collect. I've heard there are some good stores in Toronto but I don't drive right now due to health issues (walking is not an option either ) so it takes a LOT of begging and pleading for me to get someone to take me on road trips. It would be a lot more convincing if anyone has specific stores that are worth a visit, or any that you people can recommend. I am also interested in any area plant clubs or groups that I could join.

As a last resort I've been thinking about asking Big Al's to custom order a few things for me but I would rather trade/buy from local people and also I'm thinking it will cost me a lot of $$$, something that is an issue for me because I've been out of work on sick leave for the past year. That's also why I'm expanding, it's a good way to keep myself occupied.

Even knowing anybody else is into aquatic plants in this area would be great. Please speak up if you're out there.