07 GARDEN FRIENDS BULB/RHIZOMES/CORMS etc. SWAP

Garden Friends 5th Annual Bulb Swap
We have been holding this fun event for several years now and it just gets bigger and better.
Last year over 1000 bulbs were divided up among the participants. This year should be even bigger and better as word gets out about it.
Sept 1st-Oct.15th are the dates to send your bulbs, rhizomes, corms, etc. Please remember that the box you send your bulbs in is most likely the box you will be getting back, only filled with a variety of fun bulbs.
You need to include postage in the same amount as it costs you to send to me. No postage is due if you drop off and pick up your bulb swap.
Here is how it works:
You send me a box of bulbs/rhizomes/corms etc along with postage amount that's the same as it costs you to send to me. Make sure bulbs are sent between Sept. 1st and Oct. 15th. Please mark the bulbs you are sending. The bulbs you receive will have the name of the bulbs plus the person that sent them name attached. Bulbs will be sent out no later than Oct. 22nd. You can also include a list of bulbs you would like to receive. Please NO common orange daylilies or ditch lilies, NO common purple iris please. Hardy and tender bulbs accepted.
Theresa Wecker
241 S. Second St.
Marine City, MI 48039-1701

I've noticed that you've posted about this in other threads. Any other takers yet, Theresa?

hi Jess. Yes, there are lots of takers. I have been doing this bulb swap annually now for 5 years. Each year it gets bigger and better. Participants include a couple of sites like DG and also my own yahoo garden group and IRL garden friends too.
Last year I distributed over 1000 bulbs and it looks like its quite a bit bigger this year so far.
I hope you join us, it really is a great swap.

I didn't know that it included people from other sites. That's impressive. I actually am slowly building a package to send. I have dug quite a few things and hopefully will get it out this week.

Theresa: I'm not sure I know what type of bulbs to send. I have a big blue/white unnamed iris, and then tender perennial bulbs like caladiums, calla lilies, and elephant ears. Would these work? Ruth

Theresa, my box will go out in the mail on Monday!

All that you mentioned would be great Ruth. I am looking for more EE, caladiums and the iris would be great for the swap. Participants would also love to have calla. These are some things we havent had too much of in the past. Those iris are gorgeous.

I will put some bulbs in the mail next week. Do most people just send in an $8.95 flat rate box? Ruth

The bulbs dont have to be mailed priority. However you want to do it. Lots of people do use the flat box if they have a good sized amount.
Whatca sending?

Theresa: I think I will wait until October 8 to send my bulbs. Then I can enjoy them a little longer. I will be sending some of each: elephant ears, two different caladium, red canna, and the blue/white iris. I am going to go out today and take a picture of the tender perennials today and send a little pic with the bulbs because I don't know names. How is the best way to package, i.e., each bulbs separately, or just each kind of bulb separately? Ruth

Here is the elephant ears. And the next picture is the caladium. The pink one is Carolyn Whorton, but don't what the green/white one is.

The caladiums. The calla lilies I have are white, yellow, and pink, but I won't guarantee the color (I will label what I think they are). Ruth

Hi Ruth!
Love the pics. What a nice variety your sending. Sending Oct. 8 is fine.
You asked about packaging. Please bag each kind of bulb seperately and label them.
I will divide them up once they arrive.
Sending Oct. 8th seems good. I'm so glad you decided to join in the fun.
I have nearly 100 bags bagged up and have only begun receiving bulbs!
Have a great week!

Keep me in mind for getting any lilies, especially border lilies of any color, and black iris, or a reddish Louisiana iris. If those aren't available, then any surprise would do. I do not wish to get daylilies, unless they are named. Ruth

Jess, received your package today. Thanks for participating. Watch for upcoming emails. wow those are big red hot pokers. never saw any that big before!

Those are the babies. The big blooming size ones are the size of footballs. I was thinking about sending one of those, but only one can fit to a priority mail box! I wanted to be able to send a mix of items, so I chose smaller ones, lol.

So could I send a box full of named irises and ask only for spring bulbs in return? If so, that seems ideal for me. I could ship out on Monday.

PLMK ASAP. This sounds like fun!

Roni

Hi Roni!
I looked at your trade list. If its current I would love for you to send the following:
Im just starting to love all the different iris'. You have some really cool ones I have never seen or heard of.
I'd love and or all of these:
Miniature Dwarf Bearded Iris
Iris 'African Wine'
Tall Bearded Iris
Iris 'Allegiance'
Tall Bearded Iris
Iris 'Apollo One'
Intermediate Bearded Iris
Iris 'Bottled Sunshine'
Tall Bearded Iris
Iris 'Broadway'
Tall Bearded Iris
Iris 'Cayenne Capers'
Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris
Iris 'Dot Com'
Tall Bearded Iris
Iris 'Everything Plus'
Tall Bearded Iris
Iris 'Grape Snakez'
Tall Bearded Iris
Iris 'Harlem Hussy'
Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris
Iris 'In the Red'
Tall Bearded Iris
Iris 'Indiscreet'
Tall Bearded Iris
Iris 'Infernal Fire'
Tall Bearded Iris
Iris 'Millennium Falcon'
Border Bearded Iris
Iris 'Minnesota Mixed-Up Kid'
Tall Bearded Iris
Iris 'Pumpkin Cheesecake'
Wow...you sure have an awesome collection! I have a new area and would love to have some interesting iris!
I looked at your want list too:
There are some really cool ones there too!
Whatever you send, make sure you include a list of bulbs you would especially like, or would not want to receive.

Theresa

I'll be out in the garden this weekend finishing up a redesign -- some will be divided back to only 1 or 2 rhizomes and the rest will be outta here! LOL.

It's been a busy summer and my trade list isn't up to date. I'll work on it though after it's too dark to be out in the yard.

Roni

I look forward to your participation Roni!

Theresa: If anyone is sending in tall miniature beared iris, I would love one of them. Ruth

When you say no common purple iris do you mean like siberian iris? I think what I have is 'Caesar's brother'. Also would large liatris corms be too common? I'm a newbie so I don't know what's expected. Nothing's "common" to me if it's pretty.
Pam

Pam, both of those items you mentioned would be fine.
Come on and join in the fun!!!

Theresa,
Sorry to ask so many questions. I have never dug bulbs, etc when the plant was not dormant. How do I treat them? Do I just cut off the foliage & that's it? How short should I cut it? Should they be rinsed off? How long do they need to dry out before being mailed?

I have a beautiful yellow iris but I have no idea what kind it is. Can I include it? In fact I don't know for sure the variety of my siberian irises. Do people expect exact ID or do they accept surprises?

I still would like to know what you mean by common purple iris. Is there a wild variety of iris like the ditch lilies? Thanks for your help!
Pam

Your not asking too many questions Pam. You just want to do it right, and thats a good thing. Leave 3-4 inches on the liatris,(depending on the size of the box you send) and just knock the dirt off. You can mail them right away. You can just put them in a paper bags to mail. I have a good drying/holding area for the bulb swap and I bag them up individually and log them in. If bulbs need drying I leave the paper bag open til right before mailing. This has worked out good for the entire time I have been holding these yearly bulb swaps.
You can send unnamed items. The more info the better, like if its a siberian or dwarf, etc., color, if its a rebloomer.
I love yellow iris, and if there are too many of the same things in the swap I take them to my friends plant swap. there are always bulbs I can get there. Im surprised at the resources I have found this year.
This is my garden groups favorite swap of the year. I get bulbs from all over the country. This year Canada is participating, the first time. Her bulbs got here quickly and no trouble. So far I havent got the box I sent her back...
I can label your unnamed iris Pam's Surprise! LOL.
I think you stumped me on common iris....and you made a good point too, nothings common if its pretty. I like that...
Please include your email address with your bulbs.

How do I divide my elephant ears? I thought there would be extra bulbs/rhizomes, but it just seems like there are roots on each of the shoots. Ruth

I dont know Ruth. Let me check and see if I can find an answer for us.

Ruth,
from all that I can find, it appears that many tropicals are nicknamed elephant ears when in fact they are colocassia or taro. These dont produce bulbs, but you can bring them in and overwinter them like a houseplant.
I hope this info helps.

Thanks for the info Theresa. I guess I won't be sending elephant ears. Ruth

How about Tiger Lilies? I just divided a patch of them and have about 20 bulbs... Not sure what I would ask for though - except that it should be hardy in zone 4...

Tiger lily bulbs would be fine amazar. I will make sure to get your package out right away since you are in zone 4. As you know, a few days makes a big difference in zone 4.
If you have a pic of the lilies I'd love for you to either email it to me, or post it here.
Would love to have ya join in on the fun!

Not a great picture of them, but the only one I could find on short notice. They are, of course, the tall orange ones in the back.

Theresa, is it too late to send my bulbs next week. I dug up the cannas and they are drying. The elephant ear didn't really reproduce underground, but I will send one of them. Also plenty of unnamed iris. And a couple of green glads for someone to try. Haven't dug up my dark leaf dahlia, but it sounds like it could get cold soon and it will quit blooming.

Refresh my memory as to how we pay postage. Ruth

if you get your box out early next week that will be fine. Whatever amount it costs to send your box, thats how much cash or check or money order to enclose for return postage.
I never saw a dark leaf dahlia before. , and I would love to have some green glads too!
Everything you are offering is good for the swap.
Better late than never!!!