'Family Heirloom' amaryllis--where to get ID?

16 years ago

I have an amaryllis that's been in my family 50 years or more, and I'm wondering what the name is. It has produced many offsets over the years and I just separated a big pot of them into indiviual pots. I really don't need them all, but don't want to sell them as "unknown". Unfortunately, I don't seem to be able to upload an image right now...Is there a site I can go to to look at various varieties? Mine is not like the modern broad-petalled amaryllis one sees nowadays--it has narrow petals, white with maroon-red stripes and a green throat. It usually produces 2 blooms, sometimes 3, never 4.

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Comments (31)

betty_germany
16 years ago
Hi Jane,
if you like, send the pics to my e-mail-adress, then I can show them for you. I know many hippeastrum-sites, but if its such a old 'hairloom', probably you don't find it there.

Greetings from germany
Bettina
Noni Morrison
16 years ago
I want to see these!
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I like this kind of thread, and I've often thought about asking similar questions in this forum. My entire gardening life exists as a monument to family sentiment. My father's parents kept a large garden, right at the edge of the ocean, where they grew all kinds of things that conventional "wisdom" defines as being "unsuitable" for coastal conditions. If that sounds romantic, it wasn't. It was purely practical. They had both grown up during the depression, both the children of Northern European immigrants- they were frugal, to say the least. I don't keep a vegetable garden, but I can't eat a pea or a raspberry without thinking of my grandparents, and how much time they put into that garden all year long. They never looked at it as being a burden, or nuisance, or chore, the way so many people today seem to do (I just dont have the TIME-it's too much WORK). When I'm with my cousins, we ALL share very fond memories of time spent in that garden. But their flower garden is what I've tried to reproduce in my own life. They grew a great deal of flowers, the kinds of things you'd expect people of that generation to have had in their garden, and they ALL have sentimental value to me. I can never smell honeysuckle without thinking of the back porch, where we'd change out of our filthy clothes before being allowed to sit at the table for dinner. Or the sweet spicy smell of pinks, which grew along the river-rock steps to the front door. The sweet peas and Nasturtiums, which Papa grew as a curtain of curly tendrils climbing up the sides of the front porch. The yellow dahlias which I chose for Grammy at the garden booth of the County Fair when I was 5- which she ALWAYS referred to as "Zachy Dahlias". She kept those dahlias, or identical replacements, in that garden for the rest of her life. And of course they had a rose garden, where they grew 'Peace' and 'Tropicana' and 'Queen Elizabeth' (grown against an east-facing wall, to keep them out of the wind). I have all of these plants in my garden, (even 'Tropicana' whose color I LOATHE, but my mother gave it to me, because she remembered), none of them coming to me directly from their garden though. It's still there, even though they both died long ago. The family won't sell the land, but they also won't maintain it, so it's in a sorry state, and I'm the only one left in the area. I tried for years to keep it clean, but I decided instead to re-create that garden on my own land. And that's what I've spent the last 6 years trying to do. Every one of the plants I grow feels like an heirloom. I'm probably TOO sentimental, but like my Grandparents, I'm also practical. I'd rather grow roses in the present than sit around and cry for things that are gone.
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In today's Wall Street Journal. The paper had several photos - looks like by Victor Schrager from Amy Goldman's book. The link might not work forever, so I pasted the article below. Hope I have the images working right. By ANNE MARIE CHAKER Black varieties: These heirlooms often hail from Russia and are known for their salty or smoky flavor. Victor Schrager/The Heirloom Tomato In the kingdom of vegetables, the heirloom tomato is high nobility. Genetically unchanged from one generation to another, it offers an intense flavor prized by gardeners and gourmets. But it has a reputation for being persnickety in the garden. While modern hybrids are tweaked and improved to resist common diseases, the old stalwarts seem to easily succumb to pathogens that can cause plants to suddenly wilt just as they seem ready to produce. Tasty Tomatoes View Slideshow A selection of cherry heirloom tomatoes. 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jane_artist
Original Author
16 years ago
betty_germany has offered to post the pic--I've sent it to her.
betty_germany
16 years ago
Here it comes:

{{gwi:402801}}

And that's the name: http://mpeixoto.sites.uol.com.br/amaryl/vittatum.html

And do you really want to sell some of them? I think, there will be a lot of prospective customers - including ME.

Greetings from germany
Bettina
paxfleur
16 years ago
Thank you Jane and Bettina for both taking part in sharing the photo of the family heirloom amaryllis. I have a question for Jane:

Jane, does this amaryllis have a red center? I can't quite see the center of the flower other than the green. Vittatum has a red center (usually surrounded by green) and has a fragrance-sweet scent. Have you noticed any of such in this particular heirloom? TFS! =)
elizabeth_jb
16 years ago
How nice of you, Bettina! Many THANKS!

Jane,

I would also adore to have a Vittatum! Even if this is not the actual named variety, I would like to have it to cross with Johnsonii and perhaps Amputo. So, if you decide to sell some of them please let me know.

Paxfleur! Do you have any for sale? I am not much on trading and would rather purchase, but if the only way to get one is to trade, then I will...

Cheers!
jane_artist
Original Author
16 years ago
Mine is ALMOST like the Vittatum! The petals are narrower with wavy edges and the throat is a bright emerald green all the way back. The scent is wonderful and fills the room. Here's the deal about my selling any: I went to the trouble of finding out the conditions under which the Maryland Dept. of Agriculture allows the sale of live plants, so I feel that I had better follow the rules. Without a permit (which I don't have and am not going to get), I can only sell them in the state of Maryland, and that restriction applies to shipping them as well. I know folks here trade and ship plants all over--I did some, too, before I learned the rules--but I'm not going to any more.
elizabeth_jb
16 years ago
Yours is very pretty, Jane!

I don't blame you for wanting to follow the rules. I must say that I do not know all of them. Every state is very different.

Cheers!
paxfleur
16 years ago
Elizabeth, I don't have vittatum....yet! =) It is on my want list for next season. I think Cindee and Lora have them in their collection though. =)

Jane, what part of Maryland are you located in? Do you travel to NoVA? That's quite funny that Maryland has such strict restrictions on the shipping of plant material; and to think I thought Virginia had the most strictest laws/rules of D.C/VA/MD.
kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
16 years ago
I had a huge message composed and accidently deleted it! I found an online print of Hippeastrum Vittatum from the late 1800's that looked like your bloom. If you do a google search for "Hippeastrum Vittatum" you find lots of variations, some with more striping than others, but there are some photos that resemble your bloom more than others.

If it is that old....contact LUDWIG & COMPANY (there's a contact link on their website) and ask them!
Kristi
jane_artist
Original Author
16 years ago
Now, anyone from out-of-state CAN come to Maryland and buy them and take them home, apparently! But I cannot take them across state lines and then sell them or even give them away. Bureaucracy and loopholes...
jane_artist
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks Kristi!
paxfleur
16 years ago
Jane, did you actually talk to someone at the DOA? These regulations seem so silly so I tried calling someone I knew at the office but she had already left the office for the day. I lived in Hawaii for 11 years and they are stricter than strict on bringing in and taking out plants and their regulations were a lot more reasonable than Maryland.
kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
16 years ago
I just read these and, after living in CA, they sound somewhat familiar. The regs apply to "Nursery stock"

http://www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/nurreg.pdf

Nursery stock is defined as:
"Nursery stock" means:
(a) Any hardy plant or plant that survives Maryland winters, including a deciduous or evergreen
tree, shrub or woody vine whether cultivated, native, or wild, and all viable parts of the plant;
(b) Any nonhardy plant or plant part to be distributed in another state that requires plant
inspection and certification before entering that state; and
(c) Any other plant included by the Secretary, if regulating its movement is necessary to control
any dangerously injurious plant pest.

I think you go to the USPS and mail the bulb. As long as it's cleaned of all soil (and accompanying pests!) you should be ok...they are more worried about pests coming in than leaving the state.

Just my 2 cents worth!
Kristi
paxfleur
16 years ago
In Hawaii, the DOA actually inspects all plant material going out of the islands for FREE and stamps all boxes as "Inspected by the DOA of Hawaii" before any packages go out legally. The fact that Maryland doesn't even allow plant material to cross state boundary lines is a bit ???. I'm going to clarify things with one of my acquaintances that actually works for the DOA and see if Maryland is really this unreasonable about shipping plants w/o a permit.
haxuan
16 years ago
I have "vittatum", or rather "almost vittatum" and am willing to get and send each of you a sizable bulb... only US laws don't allow it! Sigh!!!

Xuan
jane_artist
Original Author
16 years ago
Here is the word from the MDA--these are the relevant parts of the email I received:

You need to maintain a current and valid Nursery Inspection
Certificate or Plant Dealer's License if you sell, distribute, give
away, or advertise the sale of WOODY plants or if you sell ANY plant
outside of the state of Maryland.

Examples of plants that are not currently regulated and do not
require a license would be: annual bedding plants, tropical
houseplants, or herbaceous perennial species such as peony, hosta, or
asters. But remember, they may only be sold within the state of
Maryland.

sincerely,

Stephen Malan
Plant Protection Section
paxfleur
16 years ago
Jane, perhaps Steve Malan was under the impression that you were going to go commercial and start selling/distributing plants in high volumes? It just makes absolutely no sense. I will personally give the department a call in the late afternoon tomorrow to clarify on this. And just to note; Amaryllises fall under the "tropical houseplants" category as they are not hardy and native in tropical South America/Africa.
blancawing
16 years ago
Jane, What a lovely treasure! If you find a way, I would enjoy adding one or more of your scented heirloom bulbs to my collection. Perhaps trading or giving the bulbs away for "free" with a suitable "handling and shipping" charge would satisfy the regulations against selling.

Paxfleur, I hope that you are successful in obtaining further clarification. Many thanks for your efforts.
jodik_gw
16 years ago
Unless you're selling volume as a commercial operation, I doubt there would any problem sending non-native, non-invasive, clean bulbs anywhere within the 48 contiguous states. The main worries for the Dept. of Ag are invasive plants and pests, which doesn't apply to the lowly Hippeastrum if shipped devoid of soil, and clean.

It's a lovely flower... one that's on my list of future attain-ables!
jane_artist
Original Author
16 years ago
Good luck geting an answer you like better! The question I asked Mr. Malan was what are the regulations about selling my own surplus houseplants, perennials, and herbs at yard sales. I was very clear that this was not a business, just me as an individual sharing my personal plants with other gardeners. Now, I will tell you that two other people at the MDA gave me different replies (MORE restrictive!) before passing me on to him.
paxfleur
16 years ago
Here's the update so far:

I talked to someone named Gloria from the plant department at the DOA MD and she said that the shipping of plants is allowed according to her knowledge as long as there was no dirt/pests attached to the plant. I used the example, "If I was trying to send a cutting of a houseplant I have to a friend in Kentucky from Annapolis, MD; what would the regulations be?" and she replied that if the plant had dirt, it would be required that the plant be inspected and a phytosanitary certificate would be needed. If no soil was attached, she said it should be okay. However, she did note that the state that the plant would be going to, might have its own regulations on what comes IN so she said regulations/rules go both ways (going in, going out; for instance, I know that if you live in Hawaii, it is illegal to send cactus/cacti to the state of California). Gloria said she would double check on this and have a specialist call me back with a definate answer to my question. I gave her my name and phone number and she said that I would get a call back atleast by tomorrow. Gloria's response is quite different from that of Steve Malan's....I will update you all further when I get the return call from the DOA's plant specialist.
jodik_gw
16 years ago
Don't you love the fact that all government personnel are on the same page?! I'm getting quite a giggle out of this!
paxfleur
16 years ago
Jane, I received the official call from Robert Trumbule who is one of the plant specialist. I believe I understand now where you got the "permit" and "nursery license" information. Robert, who was quite the gentleman, said that you do indeed need a permit and/or nursery license if you are selling plants/distributing for profit. With Robert, I used sending plants from Maryland to Virginia as a example/possible scenerio and he replied, "I don't see any problems with sending cuttings or bareroot plants to Virginia as long as all soil is washed off and removed and the bareroot plants or cuttings are wrapped in damp newspaper and sent in plastic bags. Our main concern is plants being sent overseas and the spread of pests. For Virginia, I don't see a problem. But take Florida for example, it would be illegal to send any kind of citrus from Maryland to Florida and vice versa. States like Florida, Texas, California, Arizona, and Hawaii have strict laws regarding the plant materials that enter the state." I did mention your email from Steve Malan (who Robert knew) and Robert said that he believes Steve may have misunderstood what you were saying in terms of the whole 'cannot take plants pass state lines' and 'cannot ship plants'. The catch here is, you cannot sell plants and ship them for profit, but otherwise it IS legal. I also collected Robert's contact information for you (his cellphone, he says he is out in the field most of the time) if you would like to speak to him yourself.

Now, my question for you Jane is, how much were you looking to be compensated for these plants? And would you consider a DONATION or a trade for one of your bulbs? Like I said, Robert said it was completely legal and okay to send bulbs to Virginia and I have his contact information if you would like to clarify things for yourself. =)
oldspider
16 years ago
Hi Jane
As Paxfluer stated It is illegal for agriculture
crops like citrus ect. to be shipped to certain states
for fear of pests. Arkansas allows plants and bulbs to be
sent or received in trades as long as all soil has been
removed. the pest looked for here is nematodes and fire ants.(dont't have them and sure don't want them) When shipping I also write bareroot live plants on
on boxes and so far have never had a problem.
vikki
cindeea
16 years ago
Eliz, I think I have a selfed pod on my Vittatum. Will have to make sure, I spied it while I was on the move this evening, it may be on the Johnsonii, I will let you know for sure tomorrow. You are always welcome to some of my seeds.
jane_artist
Original Author
16 years ago
So...the restrictions they have specifically apply to SELLING plants across state lines? It's a bureaucratic/money issue rather than a pest/disease issue. I think my head hurts! I have no idea of the possible value of the plants at this point--haven't researched prices. All my bulbs (8 total) have recently broken dormancy and are actively growing (two more are going to bloom), so it's not the best time to ship them anywhere. Ummm, I'm tired tonight....
jodik_gw
16 years ago
Isn't it ALWAYS about money? And isn't it funny that bureaucrats are the first in line looking for that money? It's a wonder anything gets done at all, politically speaking. Well... the thread was worth a chuckle, at least.
haweha
16 years ago
It is a nice idea to exchange bulbs worldwide.
On the other hand, I am not unconditionally a proponent because there is always the risk of distributing nematodes, bulb mites (no, in this case I do not have bulb scale mites in my mind) and virus diseases.

What I vote for is to raise and exchange seeds.
cindeea
16 years ago
Eliz my Vitattum is crossed with Ferrari. I just have one pod, but would gladly send you at least a few seeds for your previous generosity. Let me know
jane_artist
Original Author
15 years ago
I've decided I'm going to put them in my yard/plant sale next weekend. Don't know if they will sell or not!

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:402800}}

'Family Heirloom' amaryllis--where to get ID?

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