The Postman Sometimes Rings Thrice

Getting amaryllis bulbs through the harvesting, curing and bloom programming (cooling) stages takes time, and timing. Wholesalers now face receiving bulbs from multiple countries, and from both hemispheres. Sometimes suppliers know what they will be selling to retailers well in advance, but not always. In the hopes of securing orders (money!) as early in the season as possible, printed catalogs start going out as early as July and August here in the U.S. Those varieties appearing in catalog photos have to be pretty well set in stone for availability or sour customers begging for refunds will be the result at shipment time. Online companies that aren’t tethered to the confines of publishing those colorful paper catalogs have more flexibility. This autumn sees two companies in particular making some irresistable late additions that will have many of us ordering from them (and paying shipping again…grrrr) a second, or even third time this season. 

New Hampshire based Living Gardens has long been one of the best sources for some of Hadeco’s offerings, and this year is no different. Though a stumbled introduction of ‘Thai Thai’ has been frustrating, the additions of ‘Karoo’ and ‘Butter Ball’ are very welcome, even if their naming has Emaryllis perplexed.  The South African company’s website has long shown the small yellow trumpet variety ‘Buttercup’ and currently shows no other similar cultivar in this category. We can assume that these light yellow “sonatinis” are one and the same, but the proof is in the works! The photo currently used to promote ‘Karoo’ was formerly viewed on Hadeco’s website as ‘Chianti’; perhaps it ultimately couldn’t be registered under that name. Whatever the banner, its always great to see some of these larger flowered hybrids bred for shorter and sturdier scapes, as many of us do not have ideally bright light in which to bring these into bloom.

On the opposite side of the spectrum comes a sudden mini-barrage of cut-flower varieties posted on the Royal Colors website. From pastel ‘Chipolata’ to earthy hued ‘Fledermaus’ and ‘Mocca’ to elegantly trumpeted ‘Golden Daylight’ and the stylishly patterned ‘Mozaique’, we suddenly have access to varieties not even intended for pot culture. Registered by Pascal Berbée in one form or another, these cultivars are about as exciting as it gets, notably because they are available nowhere else. And if history has set any example, they may also never be offered again. Having kicked myself for not moving quickly enough on some limited offerings in the past, this time a new order was placed without hesitation. Suddenly, a season that had started out looking pretty ordinary, just became extraordinary. Whether or not you choose to make that second (or third) order with those companies making late season pitches, be assured that Emaryllis has emptied the company coffers to invest in whatever potential joys transpire. And, as always, photos and observations will be posted right here, as soon as possible!