Hey, Cindee!

I don't think I would say ugly, but I would say that 'not substantially different' turns me off. But one has to realize that I have had hippastrum for over 15 years.

Soooooo....

Different intrigues me! Happiness and Grand Cru did NOT!

My Exoticas (most of which were supposed to be Exotic Star) opened beautifully and were absolutely gorgeous because they were 'different' in color.

Red Lion and Minerva do nothing for me, but Appleblossom is still a thrill to behold.

Some, I like more each year that I see them, like Johnsonii. Others I begin to feel that I could do without. I really don't like to list those because someone else may adore them.

Over the years, my favorites have changed, and I am sure they will continue to do so.

I will never tire of my doubles with the exception of perhaps White Nymph but that may be because my original bulb was quite sickly and I have nursed its pups for years.

Good topic!

I may have to answer this one next year... after I have had a good opportunity to see how well everything I have performs.

I thoroughly enjoyed my pot of Red Lions, but was not impressed by the performance of the Apple Blossom I bought. I love Minerva, but that's because it holds great sentimental value for me, and I'll probably always have a soft spot for that great red and white flower...

I was disappointed that my White Dazzlers turned out to be Minervas, but I love Minerva, so...

I'm not sure I can name one bulb that I didn't find some merit in... except maybe Amputo, which is still peacefully snoring away on my heat mat... I'm not sure what to do to get that bulb to awaken and bloom for me! I've tried everything short of pinching it and yelling WAKE UP!!

The only really disappointing thing was watching several of my seed pods dry up and abort, but that's all part of breeding... and is to be expected...

Much like Elizabeth, my favorites change from moment to moment as new varieties bloom and other ones fade... and I think my favorites will continue to change as my collection grows and evolves...

It's no trouble to name my favorites, but naming my least favorites is a bit more difficult...

Hey Eliz! What's shakin? I can understand your not wanting to influence or offend others who may love one that you have had a less impressive experience with...like Red Lion, seems boring to me now...but I am just looking for personal opinions.
Also, you mention "white nymph". I have a "Nymph" what is the difference between "white nymph", "red nymph". Here's mine...and I DO like it, by the way. I thought all Nymphs were one and the same.
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I was unimpressed with "fairytale" it's a minature but never opened fully for me and I liked the colors but was disappointed with the flowers- one more scape to open- maybe I'll be surprized? Exotica was nice but I think I expected more exoticism from it. We've been lucky to have a white winter here this year in the north but I find I really appreciate the more intense colors( "royal velvet" and "amigo" were nice reds) in the window with the white background.

Hey Sal, do you have pics of your Exotica? I wonder if the ones that seem to partially open aren't just weak at the time of blooming. Colorwise I am surprising myself to be enjoying the pinks and salmon/orange colors more. I am a totally RED loving person when it comes to color usually.

Cindeea I do have some pics of "exotica" but am still trying to figure out the photo thing I have gotten as far as putting pics in a photobucket account, but have been frazzled with busyness and haven't reached a point of learning how to post them here yet. I just got my first digital camera as a gift- It's so fun- but please bear with me to post some pics. The "fairytale" that didn't open fully had 2 scapes do that in quite close succession, I am holding out for the third...

I dont know how to put the pic in the message yet...

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:376508}}

One more try...

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:376509}}

Cindee,

This is a great thread and very helpful for me when trying to decide what I would like to try next. I liked the photos of exotica on websites but then have read that some consider the color washed-out. The only "real" exotica's I saw were almost faded at Target. They seemed to lack substance but that may have been due to the being way past prime.
Choosing the right bulb from website photos can be difficult because flower size, true color and substance is really hard to tell from these photos. Also, as I have found out on this forum, some varieties are not strong and/or are difficult to maintain and grow. These are things that are important to me as I really want to enjoy a vigorous healthy bulb/plant.
I have found it very helpful to read why a particular flower didn't measure up to expectations. Not that it isn't 'nice' just that it wasn't 'great'. When space, time etc are at a premium these can be deciding factors when choosing the next bulb.
So thanks for starting this thread and maybe someday I will be able to contribute.

Jodi, I have one Amputo that is growing a scape and one that is sleeping. Now I just have to wait to verify that the one that is growing is an Amputo! That's another thing I have learned from this forum, you don't know what you have until it flowers!

Cindee, You are so right: You don't know what you have until it flowers. I was disappointed with the small Dutch double, Red Charm, this year. Within 2 days, the flowers looked 'old'. Same thing with the African single, Milady.

About Exotica...you have to approach Exotica as a quiet beauty...she looks best displayed with other greens like Lemon Lime. She is a flower for watching up close and personal. As to her lacking substance...now way! I accidently broke off a bud that was just opening. OUt of curiousity I left it lying by the plant and that flower stayed looking fresh for at least 6 days before starting to loose some of the substance on the outer edges. In fact, I Decided to keep a list of those who could stay fresh without water, and realized that these would make wonderful corsages or bridal bouquets! So far I have found the Royal Velvet lasts on y a few days but would be ok for a wedding, Furor stays as bright and pretty for days, Mambo has a very short life off of the plant, Faro holds up very well, and lemon lime is another that can go a good 6 days, maybe more! I threw away one set of bulbs from MZ, the ones that were supposed to be Lilac Wonder and were not, because the flowers died almost overnight in a bouquet. THey did not look good for that long on the plant either! Oh yes, Giraffe holds up well for an event flower, Rembrant Van Rijn is questionable. And those are the ones I have tried this with so far. But a flower that blooms with a strong waxy feel to it, a smooth gleaming petal of substance will probably hold up a long time either on or off the plant. IF the flower has a crinkly texture in my iimited experience it will not last as long or be usable as a cut flower.

Now I wish someone would come to us in our cut flower business, wanting a winter wedding! I am dying to do one in lime green with Lemon Lime!

salpal
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Salpal, for PhotoBucket all you do is click, copy and paste the HTML code that is under your picture (start a new line in the text area and paste) As far as your flower goes, I think it is beautiful.

It seems flowers like food or wine are really a matter of taste.

Jodi-Your Amputo is on the same time clock as my Vera, STILL. It looks no different than a month ago. Still I am encouraged that I will have blooms long after all the others have faded. At the rate she is going, it will prob be blooming by June...lol!

Also, on disappointments, it could be not just a matter of taste, but failure on the bulbs part, after going through shipping and handling. Still it is interesting to hear what others think. I always enjoy hearing others opinions.

So far I've been disappointed with my White Dazzler, but I'm waiting on this year's blooms to make a final judgement. I think it may just be too plain for my taste -- usually the ones that impress me are patterned.

The main exception to this is the charm that oozed off my lovely Amigo. Not a lot of pattern going on but by goodness it made up for it with other charming features :) Besides, this girl can't resist a pretty flower that smells a bit like black pepper! Who needs roses for Valentine's day when you have Amigo :)

I second the non-impressment with Vera's growth rate. I have two I added from Tru Value Hardware. I was impressed that the bulbs came with three small offsets in the box -- unfortunately none attached (so they are growing in small pots now). I wouldn't know the things were alive if it weren't for the firmness of the bulbs! If I'm not impressed with them I may make them part of my Amigo's harem of bulbs and hope the offspring have some of its charm :)

Happy growing,

Liltika

I broke off the buds of exotica when moving stuff. I left it hanging there and it bloomed! And surprisingly it was a full beautiful bloom. There was about the thickness of a string holding it on. Right now it appears to be setting seeds. I love this one as the blooms, for me, have been big, beautiful, opened fully & repeatedly bloomed.
But, I've only met a few plants I don't like. Nothing is prettier than the hipps blooming out in the garden, even the plain ole boring ones, it's a nice surpise to round the corner & see a big red lion bloom sticking out of one of the beds, I have a tendency to just walk around & stick them in the ground after they bloom. They bloom late spring when in the ground here.
Aphrodite is especially pretty right now.
Tally HO!

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HEre was my first Exotica flower. Not sure it shows the limey bakground as much as it should. It grows on me the more I see it!

'Fairy Tail' ugly?? Hogwash!

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WOW Liza, that Exotica is wonderful. I hope mine will look like that! I see what you mean by 'quiet beauty'!! It's very soft, water color is gently accentuated by the intricate stripes. I see the hint of lime too. Can't wait for mine to bloom.

Haha tommyr, once again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What sensational long and symetrical scapes. Yes, you should be proud! Keep in mind, I am asking personal opinions here. It is amazing how experiences with same breeds can differ don't ya think?

My personal opinion is that I need to get a good look at my bulbs in bloom for at least 2 seasons before I make a solid decision as to whether or not I like a variety or not... I think some bulbs are weaker than others, or older than others, or perhaps have had better care than others... all this before we get them... and so a bulb that might not open its blooms fully this season may be positively gorgeous next season! Or, a bulb that is mediocre the first season may be mediocre again the next season...

I would just hate to not give a bulb a chance to shine... and so, this spring and summer, I'll give optimal care, and we'll see what next bloom season brings... in the meantime... I pretty much love them all, and will continue to collect!

I know I should be pickier... but I'm a sucker for a hippi!

Thanks Cindee and Zuba for the help with posting pics. Exotica is on it's 3rd scape now and it does "grow" on you. I just made sure to give it a spot where it can be better appreciated this time.

Cindeea,
Yes, it IS amazing how personal preferences differ!

I've always wanted Exotica and bought one a few years ago that turned out to not be Exotica. Now I see that I must try again. Those pictures of it are mouthwatering!
: )