Lowes and WalMart Bulbs

14 years ago

Just made the rounds of the local Spring, TX (north of Houston) Lowes and WalMart. Lowes is carrying the same 3 amaryllis from last year (Red Lion, Piquant, and Apple Blossom). Recall that last year, Piquant turned out to be Gilmar... So I thought I'd gamble again and bought a Piquant for $6.98. WalMart had 3 standards for $5 each (Red Lion, Minerva, and Apple Blossom) and the boxes were so small that I didn't even look inside at the bulbs.

I was the first to buy from the Lowes display and had to open several boxes, but the bulbs were HUGE and lots of healthy, plump roots.

So....it's HERE!!!! Bulb season has officially begun at my house. I can't wait for the orders from catalogs to start arriving. Has anyone received anything that they've ordered yet?? I am sitting on my hands and will try NOT TO order/buy much this year as I have all the seedlings from so many crosses. Will have some room in the greenhouse though, but will try to practice self-restraint!!

Here's last years Piquant - really Gilmar:

{{gwi:376585}}

:-)

Kristi

Featured Answer

Brian Sakamoto (10a, CA, USA)

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

While shopping at Ikea, took a stop next door at Lowes. Half of their bulbs were blooming out of the boxes. This mislabeled bulb was supposed to be "Minerva" but it looks more exotic like a Ruby Star or Opal Star. Couldn't resist, took it home.

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Comments (42)

purpleclover
14 years ago
Kristi,

It must be hard to practice restraint with a green house to fill!

I did a coop order through BnP; I have no idea how long it takes before the order is received, repacked, and shipped out again. Surely by next week though, right? ;-)

After the excitement of determining what I HAD to have first, scrounging the money, etc. -- I keep forgetting I ordered them!

So I'm about to change into fresh clothes (lots of dog walks this morning) and go check out the Lowe's near here and see if those bulbs are out.

Here's what I have on order:
Exotic Star
La Paz
Misty
Moonlight
Novella
Sweet Lillian
Neon Rose
OOH, and someone sent me seeds for Tosca and Jewel!!

Kristi, what have you ordered?

G
kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
Original Author
14 years ago
So far, orders for:
Pink Nymph
Pink Surprise
Bellisimo
Trentino
Alfresco

Other sources (trades, etc):
Neon Rose
Sweet Lillian
Paris
Elvas
Lilac Wonder

Kristi
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Every year, I ALWAYS post this reminder: There is nothing wrong with buying cheap bulbs. Just keep them away from your collection till you are sure that they are clean, pest and most specially virus free. The virus detection is the hardest. Most "pampered" hippies will not even show signs of it. Put them under stress and you will be very surprised and probably scared. Rot is always visible most of the time. Mites can hide deep inside the bulb. Virus is unseen by the naked eye. So a very healthy looking bulb with lots of fresh white roots and bulblets still has a 50-50 chance of being sick. I also bought some hippies from Walmart last season, clearance priced for $2 something. The Royal Velvets were good. The Appleblossoms were trashed...virused!!! Veronica Read strongly advices readers to "Only purchase bulbs from a reputable supplier". For me, that should be the #1 rule for bulb purchases if possible. Unfortunately, in our quest to acquire varieties that are not offered by the known bulb companies, we had to get our bulb from other sources. It is a risk that we all have to take. Taking pre-cautionary actions can save you a lot of grief besides the $$$. On a happier note...I received 2 boxfull of Hippes today. One from Park Seed and one from Wayside. Some bulbs are good, some are bad. I'd hate to say that I expected this because we as paying customers do not deserve bad bulbs. Apparently though, it has become a trend. Are we supposed to get used to receiving bad bulbs? I hope not... Now it's time to call customer service ...AGAIN! I hate complaining and doing this every year. I'm pretty sure they are expecting our calls too. Anybody received their Sonatinis from Rarebulbs yet? I am getting weary over my purchases from them. Some of the sonatinis that I have received from other comapnies are starting to put out scapes and need to be planted ASAP. I surely don't want to receive bloomed out bulbs at this time of the season. We will be seeing Lemon Sorbets and Little Devils soon...
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lonewolf_amar
14 years ago
Current orders:
Bellismo
Lemon Sorbet
Trentino
Molto Bello
Baby Doll
Amalfi
Amourette
Baby Star
Fairy Tale
Green Goddess
Misty
Amputo
Giraffe
Lemon Lime
Charmeur
Papilio

I am FINALLY rebuilding my collection. I also bought two 'Apple Blossom' at Home Depot today to do an experiment with. However, I did not see any out a Lowes or the local nursery yet...soon hopefully. I want to get some cybisters this season but will have to wait for the sales so my wife does not string me up.
jodik_gw
14 years ago
I'm hoping to be able to order a couple this season... I'd like to find an Apple Blossom, Pasadena, Splash, and maybe a Samba or a Santos. I'm not really sure yet... I'd like to see which bulbs our local garden center will have before I order anything.

I see so many that I'd like to get... but I don't really have the space.
holantina
14 years ago
Yes, yes! Bulb season is open here in Tilburg, Netherlands too :-)!
I have really indulged this time and bought the following:

'Prelude'
ÂOrange SovereignÂ
"Hercules"
"Faro"
"Amsterdam"
"Pink Surprise"
"Exotic Star"
"Ambiance"
"Temptation"
"Papilio"
"Aphrodite"
"Stargazer"
"Christmas Gift"
"Exposure"
"Benfica"
"Vera"
"Apple Blossom"
"Estella"
"Amputo"
"Neon"
"Minerva"
"Limona"
"Gracilis" (red)
"TrÃ©s Chic"
"Mega Star"
"Luna"
"Clown"
"Papilio"

From these, i've got already Amsterdam, Pink Surprise and Faro (From Het Vlaams Zaadhuis / Le jardinier du Nord http://www.vlaamszaadhuis.com/index/index.html ) Neon, Minerva, Limona en Gracilis were next (these were from Bakker, Hillegom) along with Hercules and Papilio, from Vreeken's zaden. I'm still wating for the other orders, they are with three diferent shops, including Royal Colors, which is the one i've found (in Holland) with the best offer. Other shops just carry a few good known hybrids as Apple Blossom, Red Lion, etc.
I must say i'm very happy with my order by Het Vlaams Zaadhuis. They delivered lightning fast and teh bulbs are HUGE. The size they are marketed as mother/jumbo bulbs at Royal Colors (for instance) but for less than half the price. I paid 5,50 euros for them and am very happy :-) It was my first order with them, i'll be checking them out from time to time, hehehe.....
anna_in_quebec
14 years ago
From Garden Import in Canada, I already have:

Amalfi
Graffiti
Cupido
Zombie

From Laurier (yes, OUR Laurier):
Picotee
Monte Carlo
Lemon Lime
Rembrandt Van Rijn

Local coop to come, in addition to Royal Colors, and maybe another newly discovered Canadian source that are selling some old standards, but also some different ones, namely:
Charmeur
Charisma
White Dazzler
Vera
San Remo
Clown
Red Lion
Black Pearl
Pasadena
Dancing Queen
Double Dragon
11.50 each - temptation, temptation!
beachplant
14 years ago
Home Depot in Galveston, Lowe's in Texas City both just had the three in boxes, Red Lion, apple blossom and minerva. No piquant. Walmart didn't have any last week but I'm going tonight for cat food so I'll check then. Nurseries in area still have none, Maas is expecting them and Tom's Thumb doesn't know when theirs will be in. Houston Garden Center doesn't have any either.
Tally HO!
radagast
14 years ago
The Lowe's here in Maryland have Red Lion, Piquant, and Apple Blossom this weekend as well.
frank27603
14 years ago
Kristi-

I would like to see an actual 'Piquant' bloom from one of those boxes. The 'Gilmar' is a very pretty substitue in my opinion, but it seems like they would realize and change their box already! I have purchased 2 labeled as 'Piquant' and the first did not flower and the second was a beautiful 'Gilmar'.

I have ordered several beauties through an order with Alana from the bloomingbulb.com sale I think and some others she ordered extras of. I will have to check with her to see what they are. Other than that, I will just grab a few from the local garden center here. I have too many already!

-Frank
beachplant
14 years ago
Lowe's in Texas City has piquant, red lion & apple blossom. Frank-when piquant blooms I'll take pics and we'll see what it really is. They were $6.98 and good sized bulbs. The apple blossom bulbs were much smaller. I bought one apple blossom at Walmart for $5 and it's the same size as the Lowe's one. Lowe's also had "amaryllis belladonna" 2 bulbs for $5.98 and decent size bulbs. Yeah, some of those hopped in the cart too when I wasn't looking.
Walmart in Texas City & Galveston don't have any yet except red lion, minerva and apple blossom. I'm keeping a lookout for their fancier varieties.
Tom's Thumb in Galveston got theirs yesterday so my timing was perfect, Evergreen, White Christmas, Elvias and a red one I can't remember the name of.
Tally HO!
bama_gardener
14 years ago
Down here on the Gulf Coast, none of the garden centers have their hippi bulbs yet. I found the Belladonna at Lowe's and I had to have a package of two. Not sure what to expect from them. I assume I will be bringing them into the greenhouse for the winter.
jodik_gw
14 years ago
Amaryllis Belladonna should be ok to plant in the garden in zones 8 and 9... it's zone 7 and north that I'd be worried about.

For the northern zones, Lycoris Squamigera is almost identical to the Belladonna, but it's hardy to zone 5, or even 4, I believe. I would have to check to be sure.

Either way, these bulbs don't like to be disturbed, so once planted, it usually takes a couple of years before they bloom.

I've got a potful of Amaryllis Belladonna growing indoors, and I've got several groupings of the Squamigera planted out in the gardens. I even potted up a few of the Squamigera to try growing them indoors... we'll see how that works out.

As far as Hippeastrum goes, it seems like my area is one of the last to display their bulbs for the season. It's kind of annoying... everyone else is buying bulbs, and there's nothing to buy here yet! :-(
beachplant
14 years ago
Maas in Kemah has their first shipment of bulbs, about 10 kinds and more expected soon! I bought 3 along with a few other plants on Friday.
Toms Thumb in Galveston has their bulbs in also, only about 5 types but they do have Evergreen.
Tally HO!
Brian Sakamoto (10a, CA, USA)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Bumping this old thread, my local Walmart had their Amaryllis and it's interesting that they are the same price as they were in 2009.

Must... resist... urge...
popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
5 years ago
Hey thanks! Last time I was at Walmart they didn't have any. But maybe it was too early. I'll take a look this weekend!
Fred Biasella
5 years ago
Oh Kristi, just give in and get some :-)))
kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
Original Author
5 years ago
Fred... this thread is nearly 10 years old!!! I don’t shop there for bulbs any longer!!!
Fred Biasella
5 years ago
And why not??? They still make lovely gifts.
berkeleysgr8
5 years ago
Hahahaha... I did buy two of those bulbs today. One is very big with two scapes showing already (supposedly "Ferrari")... the second bulb is smaller with significant red blotch. They'll be pretty for the season, but they're not the quality I'm accustomed to. At only $5, I couldn't resist... *hangs head in shame*
kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
Original Author
5 years ago
Maybe I should go look. I just had such bad luck years ago. I promise, I’m not THAT MUCH of a bulb snob!!;-)
popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
5 years ago
I went to two different Walmarts today. I got Desire (these had scapes already showing) and Amigo. I also saw Ferrari and Stargazer but did not purchase those. I may try another walmart tomorrow to see if there are any other varieties available. For $5 they will make a nice little gift. The ones I keep will really brighten up the winter blues!
berkeleysgr8
5 years ago
They come with low quality coir in a pot without holes, so they should be potted in something else. I was impressed with the size of the supposed Ferrari bulb. I'm kinda wanting to stop by the Walmart that is on my way home from work... so I can have the variety of what is offered. I'm still waiting for my bulb order to arrive... CHAD has me in its grip!
Brian Sakamoto (10a, CA, USA)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
In a moment of weakness, I drove back and got 1 of each bulb from Walmart (4 varieties total). As berkleysgr8 said, the bulbs this year are plump and larger than what's normally offered at big box stores at this price range. Particularly the Ferrari.
popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
5 years ago
I realized that with the inexpensive bulbs, I can afford to put three or four in one container to get that really fabulous large display.
Fred Biasella
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
And just imagine how happy you'll be when it's the dead of winter and you have this gorgeous display or the look on someone's face when they get it as a gift. Since the bulbs are so inexpensive, maybe you can splurge on a very nice pot and really make them pop :-)))
popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
5 years ago
Good idea, Fred!
popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
5 years ago
one of the $5 Walmart bulbs has two, yes two buds on it! Can't wait! Yes it's still in the silly container that it came in. I have grand plans for a better container though.
berkeleysgr8
5 years ago
My "Ferrari" bulb has two scapes also. Unfortunately, the checker dumped my bag upside down to empty the contents, and the tip of one bud was broken. Regardless, I think it will be $5 well spent!
Brian Sakamoto (10a, CA, USA)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
"Amigo" from Walmart just became the first bloom of the season.
Brian Sakamoto (10a, CA, USA)
5 years ago
Thoughts on what this might be on my other Walmart bulb? I'm thinking spider mites so I'm spraying all my new bulbs daily with neem oil.
fishing_dentist
5 years ago
I think, this is red blotch, that means captan or another fungicide will do a better job. And keep it relatively dry
Brian Sakamoto (10a, CA, USA)
5 years ago
Thanks, I also happen to have captan available.
berkeleysgr8
5 years ago
Only one of my Walmart bulbs is growing. It DEFINITELY has red blotch showing on the scape. I dusted the bulb with Captan this weekend.
dondeldux z6b South Shore Massachusetts
5 years ago
I'd say you probably saved that Ruby Star's life! Lucky bulb and lucky find!!
popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
5 years ago
Wow, what a beauty! My Walmart bulbs are blooming like crazy. Here is Aphrodite on the left (not from Walmart) and the Walmart Amigo on the right.
dondeldux z6b South Shore Massachusetts
5 years ago
Both very beautiful!!
Fred Biasella
5 years ago
Wow!!! What a wonderful display. Now that says Merry Christmas to all :-)))
berkeleysgr8
5 years ago
My Ferrari from Walmart is blooming. It has 2 scapes, but definitely has signs of red blotch on the scapes (Captan didn't seem to help). The blooms are big, red and cheery... but I wish the bulb was free of red blotch!
berkeleysgr8
5 years ago
Ah... now that the flowers have opened, I see signs of bulb mites too (misshapen flowers and spottiness to the flowers where they've been munched on). I was going to give it to my mom for a little Christmas cheer... but not with bulb mites and red blotch. I have other bulbs I can pot up... she can enjoy watching the scapes develop.
popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
5 years ago
Here is the last of the Walmart bulbs in bloom. It just bloomed this week. I think this one is Amigo. Although I confess I did not label my Walmart bulbs. The red is really deep. The photo doesn't do it justice really. It's a true red, not the orange tinge that is reflected in the photo. It got two flower scapes and they both bloomed at the same time. So it really packs a punch.
Brian Sakamoto (10a, CA, USA)
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Haven't seen any of the usual Amaryllis pots at my local Walmarts this year. Often, I'll grab a few after the season is done at 50% off.