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

Wade and Gatton opened back up last year. Stopped doing the per eye pricing and just sold the whole pot for the 1-2 eye price. I haven't heard what they were doing this year. The problem with Hornbaker is I ordered some small Hosta and when I planted them in front of my other new medium and large Hosta they were just too big. I know the other ones will catch up, but it will be a couple years at least. All new plants this year except the tall 1st and Ten on the left and the little variegated one in the back. Hornbaker sent the 3 in front and the one in the middle right of the fern. The blue in back will be one of my largest Hosta (Gentle Giant) also came from Hornbaker.Here's the whole new bed. The 3 bigger plants near the middle are not new this year.

Not trying to be a downer, but is this nursery up to date on HVX, and do they try to ensure they have no infected stock? I would love another source to buy from, but HVX is so rampant, I'm hesitant to order online anymore.

Thank you guys for all of the quick responces! Just as a sidenote incase anyone is interested: I also enclose in each hosta a second cheap plastic label I stick way in the dirt just incase the metal one gets displaced, so I always have the hosta name in a second place. I notice though that even black Sharpie markers do not last forever. And if the sun hits any part of it, forget it. However, if you get their Metallic Silver markers that are meant to write on dark surfaces, these really stay forever. I have had labels out in the sun for years with no fade so far. And, I also just discoved yesterday at Staples for the first time, that Sharpie now has Oil-Based Paint Markers! They are specifally made to be Weather-Water-Fade-Resistant. The pack I got was one Gold and one Silver. But on the back of the package, it says that they also come in other colors, so I am sure you could find black too at some point. They also have them in different points, med,fine, etc. I just thought I would share that while we are on the subject! Christy