I've been looking at White Flower Farm's offerings for a while now, debating whether to order anything or not... I just don't have a lot of room right now... and the prices, while too bad, are more than my meager budget will allow at the moment. They do have some lovely varieties, though... it's tempting!

Hey Kristy (((hugs)) at ya! I have always been happy with ordering from Gurneys. I have fruit plants mostly from them (grapes, blackberries) Last year was the first time I ordered amaryllis from them. I ordered a Zombie, then later they offered it as buy1/get1 so I ordered again promising the 2nd to Jodi. Well, I got the BoGo deal and the first WAS Zombie...the 2nd turned out to be Harlequin and I was THRILLED! See, sometimes mis-shipping turns out to be a good thing! LOL on the track of ordering from them, their bare roots have always been great for me and the bulbs were in very nice condition too. Here's Zombie x2 and Harlequin from last winter.
{{gwi:435619}}From Amaryllis

{{gwi:435620}}From Amaryllis

{{gwi:435621}}From Amaryllis

I had a mislabled bulb that turned out to be my beautiful Nymph!!
{{gwi:373601}}
The company that packaged the bulbs has sent replacements. There were 3 that were mislabled (and really) Double Peacock (Nymph); Rilona (Apple Blossom) and Exotico (Faro).

Since Gurneys had a good sale right now, for $23 I got Jingle Bells, Little Devil, and Zombie. I don't have those 3 so what the hey!

Luckily, winters here are typically mild. Once they all bloom, they can go out on the back porch as I have the means to keep it at 40 on cold nights. All of the dormant bulbs are placed on lower shelves that don't get much sun. The bulbs that I have had for years get moved into sunny shelves once they start regrowing leaves in March.

Kristi

This is why I need to rearrange my little indoor jungle... when certain bulbs lose their leaves and rest, I'd like to be able to move them to lower shelves so bulbs in growth could benefit from more light.

Last year, we took advantage of a Home Depot sale on those mini-greenhouses, and bought four! I put them together and use them as shelving, without the plastic covering.

The problem I'm having is limited space! Our tiny apartment has four window alcoves, one facing each direction... north, south, east and west... west contains the heating and AC units, so it's unusable. South is in a stairwell, so only the sill is usable. North is dim, but lights can be hung. East is positively packed with plants! It's the best natural light source, and it's the biggest alcove. I just have to figure out how to arrange it so I get the most out of it, while still being able to get in there and work!

The Zombie that Cindee sent me is awake and growing! It's a beautiful, healthy bulb! I've got him sitting right on the east windowsill, and he's got two large leaves right now. He's in a place of honor, right next to my prized Minerva!

If my Zombie is any indication of Gurney's quality, I think you'll be pleased, Kristi!

Cindee, that Harlequin is gorgeous! And you already know how I feel about Zombie! Your photos last season sent me over the edge! It's got to be the most beautiful bloom I've ever seen!

Quick inventory after my recent (past 3 weekends) buying spree has:
Night Star with 2 scapes, one should open soon
Minerva one bulb has 2 scape tips peeking out and the other bulb has 1 scape tip visible
Piquant has 1 scape peeking out the neck of the bulb
Both Red Nymph and Red Pearl are HUGE bulbs and both have a huge scape just emerging (the bloom buds are humongous).

I hope to have blooms nonstop soon...between mid-Nov and Christmas.
Kristi

I'm partial to the Minerva blooms... they're always beautiful! Red Nymph was nice, and Red Pearl was spectacular! A large, very deep red beauty! You'll enjoy them all, Kristi! Please post photos!

I need to re-pot my large Minerva, but I hesitate to disturb her now... last time I re-potted her, she skipped a bloom cycle! She's been extremely dependable, blooming almost every February since I've had her, and there have been years when she's been quite neglected! Her baby is almost as big as she is, and the two of them fill the pot! Getting them separated will be quite a chore... I'm sure their roots are tangled together worse than the yarn of a knitted sweater! I may need to cut them apart, which will be difficult for me, seeing as how the mother bulb has such a sentimental value. I'm dreading this re-potting!

Luckily, I planted Red Pearl and Red Nymph into decent sized pots, so they won't require re-potting for another year, or so... perhaps a top-dressing would be in order, though.

This is all so exciting! Everyone's bulbs are arriving and growing scapes! Soon, this forum will be filled with new photos of everyone's pride and joy! While I gain oodles of pleasure from watching my own bulbs grow and bloom, I am equally excited to see the flowers grown by all of you! Let the fun begin!

Thanks a lot Kristi...you made me get Zombie...its all your fault. Thanks!

Ryan

Ryan....blame me for your bad habits...that's fine! Just give me credit for a good one too! Jodi was the one who assured me of the quality above, so she can shoulder some "blame" too! :-)

Can't wait to start posting photos!!
K

Groovy! I get blamed for everything anyway, so I'm used to it! Pile it on! I can take it! LOL! Hey, I raised three kids... you can't hurt me! LOL!

I was so taken by Cindee's photos of Zombie... the coloration and shape... it's got to be the most beautiful Hippeastrum bloom I've ever seen! I can't wait for mine to throw up scapes! I'm thinking that next spring should bring blooms from this one. It recently woke up after a nice rest, and it's currently got a couple of large leaves growing.

I think you'll be pleased, Ryan...

Well I'm not blaming you, Jodik... *glances at Kristi* ;o)

Aw shucks, I can't be mad at anyone but myself. I have no idea where the bulb will find a home but hey... I think I'll make do! Or is it due? Whatever...

I'm a Double junkie! Nearly all of my bulbs are doubles and I admit not even looking at singles unless they are out-of-the-ordinary (like the butterfly amaryllis). When I consider petals, I think the more, the better!

I think we each have only ourselves to blame for indulging our addictions! It's so difficult to say "no" when such beauty is but a phone call or a mouse click away! Even though I've got precious little space to work with, I find myself adding more bulbs... and my budget for plants is very low, but I still manage to come up with a few dollars here and there to feed my addiction!

Look at the bright side... we're not addicted to dangerous drugs or anything illegal, and we're not speed or action junkies... collecting bulbs that give us so much joy, and teach us so much, is not a bad thing... no matter how you look at it! If we must have an addiction, this is the best one I can think of to have!

Ryan, I do like the doubles, too, but in the interest of breeding them, the more petals there are, the less reproductive parts there are to work with. I have a few doubles... Lady Jane, Aphrodite, Nymph, Red Nymph, Joker, Zombie... but I actually prefer the singles. There are two doubles that I'd like to acquire yet... Double Dragon and either Elvas or Blossom Peacock... I haven't made up my mind yet. Jewel is another double I'd think about getting, only because it's supposed to be scented.

To be quite honest, there isn't a variety I don't like! I like them all! I like some better than others, but overall, I'd take any variety of Hippeastrum, hybrid or species, over another houseplant type, any day! Regardless of variety, I don't think you can go wrong in getting any of them! I'm an Amaryllid Junkie! I've gone over the edge, haven't I? :-)

White Flower Farm has been very good to me. I would order again from them in a heartbeat.

Jodik--

I understand the lure of wanting to breed these things-- they are amazing either way you look at them. For me, though I think I'd have fun breeding them, there is no way I have the room. The apartment is pretty big and all-- but the light isn't enough and the space is already being used... so I'll gladly breed the flowers, but send them to folks like you!

Which reminds me, I need to send the seeds I do have off!

Regarding the doubles-- I think I'll keep collecting them and only them.

May I add a possible double to your list? Ragtime... its amazing. My blooms are always huge and though they can be extremely heavy (even for a double) the color and the shape is bright and festive. If it grows a baby this year, you're welcome to have it.

Ryan

Sweet, Ryan! I'd be thrilled with a baby from Ragtime! I've seen it in photos, and it's a lovely flower, to be sure!

As I said, I don't think there's an ugly one in the bunch. It's just that in the interest of breeding, and of precious space, I need to concentrate my purchases on singles, which allow for easier pollinating. I know breeding doubles is possible, and many have had good success, but none of mine so far have had the necessary parts. It's rather frustrating, actually!

I think a collection of doubles would be lovely! Imagine all of them in bloom at once! That would be some photo!

I wonder if Maria has a picture of just doubles all in bloom? Hint, hint, Maria! :-)

*Groan* Jodi's been on the list FOREVER...and I'm new so Ryan is blaming me for his addiction! Where's the justice in that!??? I don't even have Zombie (yet), but one's on the way. We're going to sign Ryan up for the 12-step program to combat severe CHAD! Jodi's an enabler!!! ...and Ryan is her dealer!! Just wait til you see photos of my new acquisitions....you'll relapse Ryan, so just be prepared now! YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!!
K

Kristi are you kidding me? I'm no dealer....though I guess I do have a growhouse. LOL

And for your information, I too have Zombie on the way. My CHAD is under control though-- really, it is...I'm not lying to myself.... :o( Ok but seriously-- I was at the store yesterday and there were a bunch of bulbs and I bought NONE. So there...see, I have control.

Ryan

Ryan.....remember the AA prayer (although if anyone on the list has gone through AA please don't blast me if I get this wrong)...it's Lord grant me the courage to change the things I can, the strength to accept what I can not change, and the wisdom to know the difference. The same applies for us with CHAD. I have 13 bulbs in pots in the kitchen and 7 more coming from Royal Colors (some day!) and 3 on their way from Gurneys. It's like heroin (I think...wouldn't know). The more you "use" the more you need to get the same Hippi High!! ARGH!!!!!
:-/
K And yea...I haven't bought a bulb in 24 hours either. I even resisted a Ludgwig Dazzler......so see...I have control TOO!!! Oh uh, I have to go to Home Depot to buy lumber, what harm would it do to look!

Ryan,

It's okay! I'm a double junkie too! I started collecting doubles many years ago, and every year, I would puchase the doubles in kits at the local stores like Walmart.

In the past few years, they have not stocked the doubles, but whenever I see one, whether I have it already or not, I get it.

I adore them!

White FF definitely has a couple I'd like to have, but they're soooooooooo e-x-p-e-n-s-i-v-e, so am holding off. This was an expensive summer -- no, not for a vaction, but for construction. I have little or no room, and not much money, but did place an order with RC, if and when it ever arrives. However, just came back with a box under my arm -- yep! Fed my addiction. But you know, I could go pay a shrink to help me, or spend $5.99 and buy a hippi. They both work, and which is less expensive. BTW, it was a Red Lion. They also had White Christmas and Appleblossom. Sure I must have Red Lion somewhere, but this is all primed to bloom, you know - instant gratification. Oh, this was in a grocery story.

Hi all...

I just about froze my bulbs off outside! Its so cold! I walked to the liquor store (I'm making the wife hot buttered rum tonight!) and thought by walking I'm saving wear and tear on the car and not burning dinos... and it isn't a far walk but now I'm sooo cold! Its hard being green when you're blue.

I had to go to Lowes today-- pathetic offering. Paperwhites! Pffft!

I'm glad there are other double junkies. I'm not ashamed of it at all.

Kristi I don't know how many bulbs I have now... when I de-potted my bulbs a bunch of babies broke off so they are technically bulbs...though not blooming size yet. They all went into a big communal pot to keep growing. I think Picotee and Ragtime both broke off two pretty big babies that I think could be blooming size in a year. I think from now on, as I grow them, I will offer up spare babies to you guys here. I just haven't the room. But I will keep just enough on hand that should one give the ghost, I'll have a spare.

Off to the gym before we hit the rum ;o)

Ryan

Ryan...funny, I went to the liquor store tonight too, but only for me. Having a pity party (work-related).

13 (OH that's not right 6+6+4=16!) includes only the number of bulbs I have bought in the past 3 weeks and also the bulbs that were sent from the Netherland Bulb Company. And...my RC and G orders are still due (groan...what have I done??)

Here are those replacement bulbs and boxed bulbs:
{{gwi:435623}}

Here are the Tea's bulbs:
{{gwi:435624}}

The Lowes/Home Depot bulbs:
{{gwi:435625}}

The some of the outside guys that won't go to sleep!:
{{gwi:435626}}

And ...my cute puppy who is getting ready to hunt quail (she practicing pointing on a ball in the back yard!)
{{gwi:435627}}

AND....my friend from NH drew this and I received it the other night. It's about 11x14 three views of my Maggie who left me this summer.
{{gwi:435629}}

OK Ryan....enjoy your hot buttered rum! My Night Star bud has opened and there are 4 blooms that should open in the next day or two........ahhhhhh! (that's me getting a bloom "fix"!)
:-)
Kristi

Kristi, I'm so sorry you lost your Maggie this summer, but being an artist I really appreciate and admire the drawing of her. She looks as though she's on a soft cloud very comfortable and contented. Very, very well done.
Kitty