OK, time to confess! Bulb orders PART II.

It is beautiful Boohum ! What a great find !
I bought 2 Papillios this year. They just arrived, along with 5 other "different" types. I love amaryllis. B & B had several and I went nuts *grin*. I want to force bloom 3 now and maybe a couple others later. A bit of color for January and February!

Our weather right now is cold and damp @ 45 degrees. Brrr...lol....sorry, had to say that. I can't imagine -2 degrees. Our last "white Christmas" was in 1989. We got 17 inches overnight and within 48 hours it was totally gone. Only have pictures to prove it really snowed here. (1989 was also the year we got blasted by Hurricane Hugo in September.)

AnnaPet, I bet your gardens are gorgeous with all that perfect weather and all those colors. Which Brugs do you have ? Did you buy the 150 mix from J & P ? That was a great price.

Chele, how in the world do you maintain your Brugs ? You must have a huge greenhouse !! My poor lil greenhouse is 10 x 12 and packed to the rafters. The floor, the shelves, even hanging from racks....is just too funny. When I open the door I think "oh gosh, where am I putting all this in the Spring ?" Then I go out and buy more, lol.
God bless you all, Margo

Margo, good for you! Wish I had a GH to fill and fill and fill! BTW I used a plastic bag and sphagnum moss and rolled up about 10 brugs to root them-not much space taken there! Tell all- what amarylli did you get???

Boojum, I bought from Brent and Becky's these at half price. The bulbs arrived Tuesday and are gorgeous. I am so pleased.

AMARYLLIS:
Papillio (X2)
Blossom Peacock
Pink Floyd
Double Queen
Vivaldi
Charisma
St Joseph's Lily--this one came from "Easytogrowbulbs" and has been planted in a pot for 2 weeks. Not your typical Amaryllis, but pretty, also.

This was my year for bulbs, lol :)
God bless, Margo

oh, wow, margo. i have to look up individual amaryllis you have. (i'll e-mail you my brug list - - - HALF came from you).

i'll check out our local OSH. last time we were there, i saw quite a few amaryllis bulbs.

anyhow, NO LILIES YET at costco....(sigh).

should i finish planting my daffs and tulips this weekend, i'll order that bunch from j&p.

=)

I don't think I can have bulbs shipped in this cold weather or I could weaken for more amarylli. Also no more window space!! What is the limit for shipping?? I stop as soon as the temps are 32 F and below.

Just getting in the spirit of things! =)))

I started "Lilies: OK, TIME TO CONFESS: What lilies did you order for 2006?"

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/561536/

See you there!

Annapet

Hey, guys, just found this thread!! Even has some new poster/bulb addicts! So exciting!

Gem--can't believe your score on bulbs!! Sound like a lot of fun (cold fun, though!). You can have a river of muscari just like Kukenwhatever in Holland!

Booj--love your Merengue. Very elegant. I have a couple of Fred Meyer's too---a 'Santos' comes to mind, that I got from Easy to Grow. Santos is pretty rare and not listed often so they told me.

Am hoping my Amaryllis will be ready to bloom around Valentines Day. Will have a party then to celebrate. BTW, Soon we leave for Christmas in California. So if you don't see or hear from me, that's where I am...in Pasadena getting ready for the Rose Parade...but they don't use many bulby flowers on the floats...maybe some dutch iris. Oh, and amaryllis, of course, if they are going all out and want to win a prize!

Take care. t.

wowee, wait until i tell my dad about amaryllis SANTOS. that's our last name. how cool.

=)

did some bulb planting today....woo-hoo. i am slow.

Well gemini, I do not have your good shopping luck. My plans for the day were to swing by Lowe's and go work on the other house for a bit. I walked back and looked and the bulbs were 75% off and they had tons left! So I found an employee and told her a friend got a super deal if he bought everything they had left. I asked her if I could get any kind of deal. She informs me all stores are different. She calls for her boss and calls for her boss only to find out he is off, on vacation. LOL

Someone else calls her to let her know about the boss. Well, she asks this person about what I told her. Then she gets off the phone and asks me if I have my friends receipt. I ask why I'd have my friends receipt. LOL So she tells me if I have proof the friend got that deal that the manager would consider. So I of course have to repeat that she just told me all stores were different then she wants to do what another store did IF they did it? Geesh! So I stand there feeling criminal, tell her that it's fine, not to worry about it and told her I just thought they might like to get rid of the bulbs before they went bad.

All in all I find it funny. By the time they get done dragging their feet, most of the bulbs will be no good. They easily had 100 packages left and many of the daffs were dry rotted or black and moldy.

Same deal here Badseed....and the Manager at my Lowe's is a friend. She said whatever they had left as of the 16th would be boxed up and sent back to the wholeseller for a credit ? Ours were 75% off, so I did buy 4 bags of nice daffies, not a great deal but averaged less than 20 cents a bulbs so I went for it.
Yep, Neal got a great deal, even the Manager here said it was awesome.
Back in a bit, God bless, Margo

AnnaPet !! I went to my Costco yesterday....nothing here yet either. (sighhh)

This message was edited Dec 10, 2005 10:36 PM

cross your fingers. i'm off to home depot in a bit.

i was at the san francisco costco today...=( nothing.

I should mail that 7' long reciept to you! Would'nt you love to see the look on her face!

LOL I just couldn't get past the "All stores are run differently..." followed by "Do you have the receipt showing the price your friend got?". Um, duh! Glad you got a deal anyway. :)

I can certainly see it now...

"Dear Neal in Morehead, KY,
As far as the local HD folks are concerned, You are my friend. Could you send me that reciept (to Lynchburg, OH) for that incredibly good bulb deal to show to the nice folks at my local HD that is different and the same as yours. They need proof that they will not be the first store to make an efficient and enterprising deal with a customer to get rid of some truly past-date bulbs.
Thanks, Badseed..."

ROTFLOL Everyone is my *friend* until they give me reason to knock them down a rung or two. Few make it to the ummm, *compost list*. Friend sounded a whole lot better than either "some guy I know of on the internet but have never met but I am sure he wouldn't lie to me..." or going into the 2 hour saga about "this wonderful website where I have met all these wonderful people and it's called...and the addy is.... and did I tell you about...that I have been trading with for almost 7 years...?" LOL

I still find it incredibly funny. I wonder how many other people would willingly buy hundreds of bags of bulbs (that should have been planted two months ago) in the middle of December with 5 inches of snow and ice on the ground. LOL

UPS is giving me fits! A week ago Friday they left my box of 90 tulip bulbs on someone's porch-not mine. And Thursday they left the Brent and Becky's box on the same porch I assume. Are'nt those boxes usually marked "keep from extreme heat or cold"? We were (and still are) having nasty, cold winter weather Thursday. I have a new UPS driver for my route (the last one worked this route for 20 years, so never a problem with him), but I'm consumed with concern for all those bulbs! And dealing with UPS online and phone systems of reporting lost packages is a real pain. Why is it automated systems never seem to offer the options you need? If any of you have to try the phone system, keep hitting 0, and finally you'll get a real human on the phone, even though it's not even given as an option. Now I feel like a bulb-detective and am ready to start going door to door asking about the missing booty!
Neal.

Neal, I ran outside to look at the box I received from Brent and Becky's. It is stamped all over "Open Immediately" but that is all.

I recently (like 2 days ago!) had the same problem with a greenhouse part. I followed the tracking to Cincinnati. I called the UPS and they gave me the address where they delivered my box. Goofballs mailed my parts to my old address despite them having my new address! Two hour trip later, I had my parts. See if they will give you the address where they delivered the boxes. It will save you knocking on a few doors. ;)

{Knock-knock}
"Hello?"
"Good morning, ma'am. I'm Detective Neal, with the bulb police. I am inquiring as to the whereabouts of a box that..."

There has got to be a better way to do shipping. I'm sure some of our more experienced DG friends could tell us about Fedex, DHL (Whatsit?) etc. A Friend (yes, someone in DG) in FL sent me a big box ($15 priority mail,) and some of the contents froze, even when she did an incredible job packaging each plant and wrapped the inside of the box with HOME insulation and heat-packs. Dang.
My B&B order should be here today, (saying a curt little prayer) Kenton

Being already prone to anxiety attacks, especially at this time of year, I know if I were'nt worked up over this I'd be worked up over time and weather to get them in the ground. So my head's going to blow up any day now, anyway. LOL But, I'd certainly rather it blow thinking about bulbs, than the rampant consumer craziness at work (stressed, bad moods, understaffed, etc.). Even garden worries are a blessing sometimes.
Neal.

Does that mean you haven't mailed me the receipt yet friend?

Bwa ha ha ha haha HA HA HA! ;)

Oh Neal - 'Chele really is a badseed! Evil girl! LOL.

You need to practice some relaxation techniques... aroma therapy... OK.
Dim the lights, llight a freesia scented candle and water a pot of dirt with
hot water (so the smell wafts out). Now close your eyes and just
imagine spring has come and all your bulbs are blooming in all their glory.
Ahhhh... isn't that better now?

LOL!!! Actually you gals and guys are the best therapy. But Tammy, I know what to do now when it really does blow, hehe, ...you crack me up!

Chelle, hehehe, it's stamped and ready to go! Perhaps it will become a lucky token blessing its carrier with extraordinary deals! Or we could treat it like a blue ribbon, awarded to the cheapest of cheap deals! Or just pass it on to those with need to harass Lowes managers and their twit helpers LOL.
Neal.

Put that sucker in a glass case and have it treated with non-acid museum parchment preservative. It will be extinct before long. Or at least put up a gag picture of it, eh? It has become a sort of relic about the place.
Kenton

Neal,
I have a better idea of relaxing...Find a quiet corner and think of all the beautiful asiatics, orientals, oriempets and trumpet lilies your trade buddy in Myrtle Beach is sending you. I won all the bids I placed and McKinley waived shipping for a week...which was equal to buying at least 2 more bags of bulbs !!! Wheee...now breathe deep and relaxxx....think bulbs, bright, colorful, fun bulbs....relaxxxxx.....hahahaha God bless everyone, Margo

Oh my gosh Margo! I can't wait to find out what ya got! I have a line of roses that edge the veggie/herb/nursery garden. They're mostly varieties that could'nt take the partial shade of my cottage garden areas, and some rescues from my Mother's house. So, I've decided to use the space between the roses for lilies, hehehe. More room for lilies is always a good thing!
Neal.

had to share this photo taken in amsterdam fall 2002. i didn't use to garden one bit. i wish did....so many bulbs...(sigh)

(Ignore this Neal, lest your head reaches critical mass.)

Well. This is the Bulb order thread.
Brent and Becky's came today. Via UPS ground. (Having left VA one week ago) I am letting them thaw in the garage slowly, but I don't think it is going to look very pretty in the morning.

Just to humor me: wasn't there something on B&Bs site about using 3-day air for bulbs on the other side of the Rockies? I think I need to know.

Kenton

Annapet, is that you? You are such a cute little thing! What a great pic! How did you get out of there without slobbering on everything??

Bummer Kenton. How many days did it take for the box to get from them to you? How long ago did you place your order? I went back to look at the site a few days ago and it was closed for the season.

oh, too bad, Kenton! Yes, they were supposed to ship to you by 3 day air and charge you more for it, too. Call them. With their reputation, I'll bet they'll make good with a refund.... which isn't the same as having lots of glorious spring bulbs at cheap prices, but at least it'll be something. Good luck!

kenton, sorry about that.

chelle, thanks. and that's my son with me, then 5 months old. didn't have any interest in plants whatsoever then, but loved cut flowers. now, i'm dying to go back to holland just to see the action.

would you like clogs with that? lol.

OMG! I was so much into those bulbs that I didn't even notice that tiny little body stuck to you! LOL Aren't those carriers the best?!?!

I actually love my rubber clogs. I wonder how those wood ones fit? :)

Oh my ... now I'm hyperventillating... all those bulbs!!!!

Would you be allowed to bring them home with you? It seems like bulbs would be a very popular souvineir for tourists. I would hyperventilate if I walked in there! Since import fees would'nt apply, are they cheaper?

Bulbs have to have some sort of agriculture inspection stamp on them in order to pass customs back into the US.... without the stamp, they can be confiscated. I had a couple of unstamped bulbs I picked up in the Netherlands once, and the customs agent let them slide, much to my relief (but he did confiscate my orange).

yes, you'd be allowed to bring them home. the cool thing about the bulb stores in holland, there are bulb inspectors checking the shops! if a seller carries not quality bulbs, that shop gets a warning, then after another inspection and the products do not improve - - - no more selling for them. i guess it's protecting their image. good thing. yes, cheaper, too. when the USD gets stronger against the euro, it will be the time to go again for me.

why did i buy just cheese and delft pottery. lol.

EDITED TO SAY:
when you tell the seller you will be bringing the bulbs to the US, they will stamp the package for you.

This message was edited Dec 13, 2005 5:55 PM

Ohh Annapet, WOW...what a picture ! You are a very pretty young lady !!! I wish I could see your baby. That's an amazing display of bulbs. I would think I was in total heaven. The pictures alone are yummy!
What took you there ? When do you think you might go back ? Wow, what an incredible trip...what a memory maker...so happy for you. there's a lot of truth to "a picture is worth a thousand words! "
God bless and Merry Christmas, Margo

Chele: It left VA Monday, and arrived on my doorstep the following Monday at 8:41 pm. Only the crocus seem like they might still be alive. (the rest are like boiled cabbage) I'll plant all 200 crocus to be sure.

They were very concerned when I called and I know they will rectify it. I still love B&B.

I can hear all of our hearts pound when we see those bulb pictures, Moonglow. That is some fascinating info. I know of American folks who have gone there and placed orders with sellers when the bulbs were in bloom. Gads, those Hippeasturm are gargantuan.

I wish country borders were not so hard to cross with plants. There were some great things in Canada I really wanted to bring home from farmers markets (Where the USD is really nice...)

See if you can smuggle one of those magical rubber stamps for us, eh?
Kenton

kenton, that will be so cool to have a DG frieldtrip there!

i'd love to go next fall, margo. depends on the USD-EURO thing.

when USD was really good, we've been tooling around europe in the fall, with the exception this year when we spent spring in spain (and fell madly in love with a BRUG).

NOW that i've started gardening, it's getting harder and harder to leave. i'd rather be home and start seeds, plant bulbs, or repot plants. lol. it's true though....WEIRD.

It is not Weird, -terrible thing to be an itchy-footed gardener.
Traveler/Gardener is a tough combination of callings. Ask anyone whom I have watch my place for me!

oh, thanks for saying that, kenton. what a huge change for me, and i love it.

it's 49F and sunny. i'll be out gardening the rest of the day!

annapet