I don't know of any on-line sales like that; usually, on-line places like VE sell out of these bulbs before their season ends. Maybe other folks have better sources.

Around here, I can find boxed kits in the grocery store for $2.50 each. The same kits are usually available in the big box stores for about twice that much. These can be a great way to add winter color without bankrupting yourself, but they aren't failsafe. You HAVE to open the boxes. They're made so you can do this without damaging the packaging, if you do it carefully. Make sure the bulbs aren't blooming inside the box. Make sure they're not shriveled, not covered with red blotches, not slimy, not really light feeling when you lift them. Buy the boxes with the biggest, heaviest bulbs, as long as these don't have too much red blotch on them. Don't use the soil that comes with the kit, and make sure you use a pot with drainage holes.

I think it's better to buy from a reputable nursery whenever possible. But it's hard to beat a $2.50 hippeastrum bulb. Be aware that bulbs this cheap are often mislabeled, so you might be surprised when they bloom. Good luck!

Amanda

Sorry, Maureen; I just saw from another post of yours that you always open the boxes...didn't mean to lecture you there!

Amanda

HI Amanda. That's ok, It just reinforces what I do :-)

I have my first amaryllis of the season flowering now. I just bought a Charisma from Becky & Brent's. I really wanted a RED one, but they were all sold out.

I'm off to Stop N Shop to check out their bulbs

Thanks
Maureen

I just bought some Amaryllis bulbs from Becky and Brent a few weeks ago. They were on 50% off and the bulbs they sent me were nice and healthy. Unfortunately, I had to put them in the refrigerator first. Been busy baking stuff to be sent out to friends and relatives. A lot of the varieties were sold out but I still got to order some nice ones.

Brent and Becky's 50% off bulb sale is a great way to get some cheap amaryllis. They have a nice selection, and you can usually get them around $4 or 5. I have gotten a lot of my amaryllis from their 50% off sale.

Unfortunately, their sale just ended on Dec. 5th. But it might be worthwhile for next year. They usually have their sale around the end of November into December. Just remember to order as early as possible, as they do sell out.

CF

I missed the B&B sale---drat---but just bought 5 different varieties last weekend at 'regular' price from John Scheepers ($8.75). I was thrilled when they arrived yesterday---huge, solid, healthy bulbs. Much nicer than I was expecting this late in the buying season. Even better than anything I've seen locally in my favorite discount stores or good nurseries.

Maria, I have one in my fridge too. I'm planning on having coffee when I wake up tomorrow a.m. and planting it.
It's from Brent & Becky's sale -- and it's HUGE.

Creeping fig -- yes, I definitely will get their sale early next year. I'm newly into amaryllis. Next year I'll be watching for the 50% sale.

Kathi - I was perusing John Scheepers yesterday -- wow, they have some great ones to choose from. If I get boredd this weekend I'll be buying more :-)

AsarumGreenPanda, Great info. I have four beauties from B's & B's sale just started so don't have to worry so much about quality there (and some "b b store" kits started earlier on second flowering stalk doing great). About "big box store" clearance items..What about relatively okay bulbs that have started to grow in box with white leaves and/or stalks? Any limits here? Thanks geekgranny

I want to ad.. I purchased three b b store kits a couple of weeks ago (reg price ~ $4-5/per but I was desparate) that were beginning to grow in box; all white stems and leaves at about 3" of growth. They did have more red stuff than I prefer but I had to open about 15 boxes to get these that were the best looking. They have greened up and are growing. One has double stalk with normal size "buds" but only about 7" tall. I'd say it will probably open up at that height in a week or so. Another the same but with one flower stalk. The third has leaves only at about 7". No red stuff on green parts but still a little on top edges of bulb. Will the red stuff affect their future health or get on unaffected plants near them? Thanks, geekgranny BTW... I'm off to some other b b stores today to see if I can locate any bargins. I've pretty well picked over whats left at our HD and Wallies.

I ordered a bunch from John Scheepers this a.m. Sure hope they make it here without freezing. Shipping info says they ship only ground. Cross fingers, eyes, toes for these beauties please. I'll keep you all posted. geekgranny

Hello, geekgranny - Well, I think you answered your own question about the ones growing in the box. I've found they do just fine, as long as I get to them before they've grown more than about three inches. (I've actually never purchased any that have grown more than that, so I don't know what happens with them.) Good for you for rescuing these!

I find that many first-year Hippeastrum don't bloom at their normal height. I don't know why.

As for the red stuff, that depends on what it is. There's a great thread here, started by Anna_in _Quebec, about different kinds of red markings and what they mean for the health of the bulb.

If you do have red blotch, not just red patches, there are various ways to combat it. You might start--even if you don't think there's actual red blotch, the fungal disease, on the bulbs--by spraying the bulbs, especially at the point where the leaves emerge, with Safer soap. Hippeastrum expert Hans-Werner says that red blotch is a secondary infection; the primary damage comes from bulb mites, which are present on pretty much all commercially available Hippeastrum. So if you decrease the population of bulb mites, you decrease the chance of a secondary infection of red blotch. Hans-Werner, by the way, does not use Safer soap to combat bulb mites, but I believe others here (and on the Bulbs forum) have found it helpful, and it's safe to use in the house.

Good luck with the Scheeper's order. It's supposed to warm up a little this weekend, here in southern New England (finally!). Good news for shipments of tender bulbs.

(Sorry, Maureen, for taking the thread off-topic.)

Amanda

Here is a link that might be useful: 'Red patch on bulb' thread

Thanks for the great info Amanda. Although it appears that we have "hijacked" this thread, I do think it is somewhat on topic to getting bulbs on or offline at this time of year when we are all looking for bargains and find many that don't appear quite up to par.
Weather: Boy did I luck out and for all you who are so very "chilled" I'm sure this warmth will be nice relief.
Weather Also: see my link to discussion on bulbs that should have frozen but didn't.
Red Stuff: It appears that the red on various bulbs is okay and not the dreaded red blotch. What red that has been on any of my bulbs this year and last hasn't seemed to affect them at all. Merry Holidays All, alice

Here is a link that might be useful: Leaves Frozen but Bulbs Seem Okay

Don't worry about "hijacking" - as long as we are communicating about amaryllis it's ok with me :-)

Maureen

That is another question that came up in a Hungarian Amaryllis Forum. A lot of newly purchased (offered) bulbs have red dost on them, and my friends are afraid to buy them, thinking that they are red blotch signs. I have told them how to try to treat the sickness, but also told them that the bulbs tend to turn red if they get hurt dropped, pinched, whatever. Am I right. I was talking from my own experiences. I can't really imagine that growers would put out bulbs in Europe from visibly sick state.