Ok, fair enough on both points above. Was having trouble getting it to work after several tries - was using a previous (new) save. After redoing it again with a brand new game all seems in order. Thank you again, Rock on DUST2DEATH!
It was giving me default plants or loading errors if i tried to update any "save"
Update: ok it now seems ok with my older SP save as well... I'll chalk it up to user error, that or... TFP WTF! hehe