I think that more growers have joined the ranks, and are cashing in on the growing popularity of the Amaryllis, or Hippeastrum, to be more accurate... I haven't been collecting that long, but I think you're right... most bulb growers used to be just in Holland and that area of the world...

Now, bulbs come from South Africa, South America, The Orient, Israel, Australia... even right here in America! I think it may be a combination of growers emigrating, and also new growers joining in and creating new businesses... this is just how I see it, and I may be wrong... but when I was younger, it seemed like bulbs were pretty much strictly a Dutch thing... but then, new varieties are joining the ranks quite fast! The Miniatures and Cybisters are relatively new to the market!

Opinions and comments??

What part of Chicago are you from, Mrbrownthumb? I'm a Central Illinois transplant... I'm originally from the Dundee/Elgin area!

Jordan River Bulbs is an Israeli amaryllis grower and there are several facilities that are handed over to the Palestinians right now in Gaza. Israeli settlers created nurseries due to the perfect growing conditions. They are exporting their bulbs for $1 per bulb. That is hard to beat for a Dutch grower. In Holland, they have to use local work force that is way more expensive.
But as I see, Jordan River Bulbs for instance is a state of the art, high quality growing facility. I wouldn't worry about the quality of their bulbs. I have seen that all the Home Depot and Lowes bulbs from Israel too.

mrbrownthumb: The Netherlands still is the #1 country for floricuture, hands down. But other countries, more notably South American countries like Columbia, Brazil and Argentina are also fine growing areas (mostly roses), as is the mideast like Israel, for certain flowers. They don't offer the assortment of bulbs like The Netherlands does, nor is it quite as sophisticated; but they have an established flower business and have for some time. Historically, they are producers of Jaffa oranges for the U.K. and Europe but many countries as well are producing flowers of all kinds: cut, potted, and bulbs for the floricuture trade.

It is mostly technology now that has other countries vying for a place. Some countries find that they do not want the expense of greenhouses and all that goes with it; to heat and chill and water, etc. It is easier to find a place where a lot of the things are naturally provided. You should see some of the greenhouses along the Central Valley and also in northern CA in the South Bay just laying idle. There used to be a lot of floriculture and certain flowers grown here, but now row upon row are empty! The growers just do not want to invest in water and heating (yes, heating!). The flowers are grown some place else. There are very few left here. Container plants, however, are grown in abundance.

However, and this is a tad off-topic, we are NUMBER 1 in the U.S., with Florida being #2.

Jodik,

I live on the SW side not too far from Midway airport.

Thanks for the responses everyone. You know the year before last Target had all those bulbs kits with the Target brand on them. Last year they didn't carry them and this year they didn't come in my area. Soultan was it you that told me that they weren't in stock last year because something happened in the country they were being grown?

I know that natural disasters, political strife etc affect the supply and origins of the produce we find in America. I suppose I never figured it could also happen with Amaryllids-maybe I thought that the Amaryllid Santa brings them to the stores. :)

BTW last night while trying to find information on the reasons why Amaryllid suppliers change I came across a thread here from October where there was some talk of restarting an American Amaryllid society and I just want to say that you can count me as a member if it gets off the ground. Even though I'm just a noob that experiments with pollination with them on my blog I'd help wherever I could.

MrBrown,

I did not tell you about the Target bulbs because I don't know about them. :o) I know that last year, White Nymph was scarce because the crop turned out low quality, as John Scheepers said, and this year, it is Santa Fe that is hard to find for the same reason, according to Paul Romjin from Royal Colors.
Since I try to buy a lot of interesting varieties, I sometimes get replies that some of them are not available for some particular reason.

Mrbrownthumb... I'm familiar with Midway Airport... for a short time, I lived in the vicinity of 87th and Harlem Ave... and my Grandmother lived right around 47th and Kolin Ave... I grew up way out in the country, past the suburbs... we plan on moving back up north within the next year or so, but right now, we're down in the Champaign area... it's nice here, but very flat and rather windy! The only good thing is gaining a gardening zone!

I'd be interested in joining an organization dedicated to Hippeastrums, but it's not looking like there will be anything too local... if my health weren't an issue, I'd be interested in starting a new club... but I know I couldn't do all that would be necessary to maintain a bulb organization... but if anything should pop up, I'm interested in a membership, that's for sure!

I'm just a newbie, too! A scant few months ago, I had two bulbs... a Minerva and an Apple Blossom... I now have over 30 bulbs, and I have a growing wish list! My first seed pods are ripening, and I plan on putting together a breeding program so I can, someday, have my own crossed varieties... I know it will take quite some time to see the results, but I think it's worth the wait!

Hey Mr. BrownT! How are ya? Dennis is from Chicago and his daughter and her family are in Round Lake. His sis is downtown and his other sis is out near Elmherst. We were just there in late October. Colors just begining to change and a slight nip in the air. If my bod could handle the cold I would move in a heart beat just to be near to the grandbabies. They are so awesome and are growing way to fast.

I'm so glad I live in Los Angeles... 74F for a winter day is something I can live with.

74F and sunny sounds so nice! I only wish we'd move somewhere warm! But I think I'm doomed to stay where it's cold... the husband will not move to a place that doesn't have a cold winter...

I could very easily live in the tropics!

Jodi,

I know the areas you mention. I went to High School kind of close to where your Grandmother lived.

Cindeea,

Looks like there are Chicagoans all over this website except in the Midwestern forum. LOL. If you wait a couple of years with global warming it will be warm enough to live here in the winter. ;0)

Soultan,

I guess I'm confused maybe someone told me on another forum. I'm jealous of the temps you're having. But when the snow gets here I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

When the snow is falling, the temperature is fine. I liked to walk in the falling snow. The smells, the sight, the snow packed bare branches on the trees, the sparking coming through the crystals under the shining street lights, the white, fluffy duvet on the edge of the walkways... All so nice. I loved that feeling. When snow is falling, it is around 0C. That is just about freezing, so the snow stays crisp and does not melt right away.
My hatred of winter starts when the temperature drops below 0 and the wind starts to carry kitchen knives when hitting your face and ears, at least it feels like kitchen knives slicing your skin... That is what I don't miss whatsoever. I give up the peaceful white duvet in exchange of not having to experience the latter horror. :o)

I hate the damp cold that penetrates my bones and makes me feel like someone is scraping the marrow out with a dull spoon! Lupus makes the cold feel even worse! I hate the biting wind, driving conditions, excessive wind chill factors, and shoveling snow!

I do like a softly falling snow at midnight, blanketing the trees and shrubs, making everything look clean and brand new... or waking up in the morning to the sun shining on sparkling snow that fell over night...

I'd still prefer to live where it's 74F and sunny most of the time!

Me too. I will have to move to Hawai'i. :o)