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Avatar for MAINIAC
Apr 10, 2014 8:13 AM CST
Thread OP

It is with great sadness that I announce the closing of Faraway Flowers.

Due to circumstances beyond my control, the importing of my spring shipment was mishandled by several third parties. The end result is that the partial shipment I received in error had never been cleared through USDA. I am told that the bulbs cannot be released to my customers. I have requested the Maine Department of Agriculture take possession of the shipment and destroy them. Because they are perishable, the bulbs no longer meet my standards.

Faraway Flowers has given me much joy over the years and I was so pleased to be able to share these gorgeous flowers with my U.S. friends. But the effort, stress, and lack of profitability have made me chose to close.

Please rest assured that your payments will be returned. No customer will suffer a financial loss due to my closing.
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Apr 10, 2014 5:32 PM CST
Name: Lorn (Roosterlorn)
S.E Wisconsin (Zone 5b)
Bee Lover Lilies Pollen collector Seed Starter Region: Wisconsin
I've kind of been at a loss for words since learning about this early this morning. Surprised, shocked, stunned, maybe saddened is the best word to describe my feelings. Because we all hate to see this happen. Don't let your sense of obligation to customers and friends be the deciding factor in this decision which was caused by unfortunate and seeming ridiculous circumstances beyond your control. Your loyal customers and friends fully understand that sometimes events like this just happen. And if they don't, they haven't been growing lilies long enough!

I think you should set this situation aside for now. You'll have all summer to think it over; and, then make a decision by Fall. In the meantime, it goes without saying how much we appreciate all you have done for so many, and, hopefully will continue to do for many more years yet to come!
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Apr 10, 2014 6:23 PM CST
Name: Joe
Long Island, NY (Zone 7a)
Lilies Region: New York Seed Starter Plant and/or Seed Trader Garden Ideas: Level 1
I second Lorn's sentiments completely.
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Apr 10, 2014 8:16 PM CST
Name: della
hobart, tasmania
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Photo Contest Winner: 2015
How sad.

Just the thought of having to have beautiful bulbs destroyed, through no fault of your own, is sickening. I've been wondering alot lately about the 'authority' of agencies to do what they do, especially as they are composed of people and people make mistakes, and are governed by inflexible protocols that can't evaluate changing circumstances. I know we need some system to limit the spread of pests and diseases, but given the needless damage those systems impose, really... Thumbs down

I hope this doesn't crush your joy in spreading beautiful flowers. There may be other ways and tomorrow could seem brighter.
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Apr 10, 2014 8:43 PM CST
Name: Lorn (Roosterlorn)
S.E Wisconsin (Zone 5b)
Bee Lover Lilies Pollen collector Seed Starter Region: Wisconsin
Della, I call inability to make a quick decision based on 'good old fashion judgment' even with inflexible protocol.
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Apr 10, 2014 8:57 PM CST
central Illinois
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Plant Identifier Garden Ideas: Level 2
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Photo Contest Winner: 2017
Sad indeed! Though I didn't order any lilies from anywhere this year, Faraway has become my go to spot for acquiring lilies.
Nothing that's been done can ever be changed.
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Apr 10, 2014 9:14 PM CST
Name: della
hobart, tasmania
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Photo Contest Winner: 2015
Roosterlorn said:Della, I call inability to make a quick decision based on 'good old fashion judgment' even with inflexible protocol.


Imagine if quarantine officers were actually experienced in horticulture and botanically savvy - their 'good old fashioned judgement' would be a whole lot more reliable and appropriate than any inescapable official procedure or protocol. But still - they would have to be permitted first by legislation to exercise their judgement. Rolling my eyes.

[rant]This is where the demand for transparency gets us - when every decision and justification has to be made by recourse to 'impartial' legislation, we lose the input of all those mysterious dark brain computers that could come up with a whole lot better and more just decisions, and a whole lot more efficiently![/rant]
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Apr 10, 2014 11:23 PM CST
Name: Rick R.
Minneapolis,MN, USA z4b,Dfb/a
Garden Photography The WITWIT Badge Seed Starter Wild Plant Hunter Region: Minnesota Hybridizer
Garden Sages I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Of course it's a big loss for us all to not have Faraway Flowers as a go-to vendor, and sad that someone(s) messed up with the U.S. customs, but I am sure we all back Ramona (Mainiac) and her decision. I am sure there were mixed feelings, but to have the courage to make such a determination is to be applauded, and I hope our feelings of woe had little impact. Ramona, if it seems time to close this "chapter" in life, than we support you!
----

Della, love the rant (both the pros and the pseudo BB code). All this transparency has cause a multi-tasking in overload. Everything gets done just a little, and nothing gets done well. Transparency (read: clear access) is good, but that doesn't meant that our legislators need to have their fingers in everything. Wouldn't it be at least a temporary refreshment to have type B congressmen instead of type A, where they would actually care about someone other than themselves.... [/rant]
When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the losers. - Socrates
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Apr 12, 2014 2:22 AM CST
Name: Glen Ingram
Macleay Is, Qld, Australia (Zone 12a)
(Lee Reinke X Rose F Kennedy) X Unk
Amaryllis Hybridizer Canning and food preservation Lilies Native Plants and Wildflowers Orchids
Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Pollen collector Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Plays in the sandbox Sedums Seed Starter
Having watched customs for over 40 years, even if you get biologically knowledgeable people into the important positions, job promotions and transfers usually mean they don't stay long. I don't know what the solution is.
The problem is that when you are young your life it is ruined by your parents. When you are older it is ruined by your children.
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Apr 12, 2014 6:21 AM CST
Moderator
Name: Tracey
Midwest (Zone 5a)
Garden Photography Tomato Heads Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle Pollen collector Forum moderator Hybridizer
Plant Database Moderator Cat Lover I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member Garden Ideas: Master Level Seed Starter
Will miss all of the lilies Faraway brought to my gardens and Ramona's impeccable customer service. I honor her decision, whatever way it goes. And if she reconsiders, I will support her again Smiling Always grateful to businesses that put joy in life and happy to support them while they are around.
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Apr 12, 2014 3:17 PM CST
Lincoln, NE
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Miniature Gardening Butterflies
I agree
Where are we going, and why am I in this hand-basket?
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Apr 13, 2014 8:21 PM CST

Yes I am disappointed too, but Ramona has other reasons than this one for quitting so I respect her choice, but still hope she changes her mind!!!!! Maybe perhaps just do Fall sales??? Please???? Lilies actually did well for me here.
Ramona very generously sent me some wonderful lilies for my first year of gardening here in this strange place. Those lilies and some of my lost babies others so generously shared were the only thing getting me going during the terrible heat last summer (it had been unusually unusually mild the first couple years here). So when I became able to order more this winter hers was the first website I sought out. I had not kept up, I had not looked, sometimes missing something is just too painful. I am REALLY sorry I missed all those Martagons!!!!!!
So has anyone got some Kushi Maya they want to trade?
I don't have lilies right now, but will have some I the fall among other things. I do have now some Amorphophallus bulbifer, not stinky, has lovely pink flowers.
Also so Acidenthera, Babiana and a few Calla not yet planted.



Thumb of 2014-04-14/BUGGYCRAZY/442b17
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Apr 16, 2014 4:18 AM CST
Name: Anthony Weeding
Rosetta,Tasmania,Australia (Zone 7b)
idont havemuch-but ihave everything
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Region: Australia Lilies Seed Starter Bulbs
Plant and/or Seed Trader Hellebores Birds Seller of Garden Stuff Garden Art Cat Lover
What can I say ? not good.. Those of us that try to promote liliums and their future.. get stung Thumbs down Sorry Ramona..The system does not work very well here in Australia either! We have to beg / lie /cheat/out manoeuvre, like an elite officer, to keep up with a braindead dysfunctional system[I'm trying to remain as polite as possible] Shrug!
lily freaks are not geeks!
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Apr 27, 2014 9:01 AM CST

I got my order and am thrilled, I no longer need Kushi maya, unless our second winter kills it. Yes, my order came, it is planted and we are now having winter again.
The bulbs were in great shape and it was all HAPPY surprises (except for this @#$%! weather). I am thrilled, and according to the note there will be fall Martagons so everybody get ready, this fall may be your last chance from Faraway Flowers!
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Apr 27, 2014 9:04 AM CST
Plants Admin
Name: Suzanne/Sue
Sebastopol, CA (Zone 9a)
Sunset Zone 15
Plant Database Moderator Region: California Cottage Gardener Garden Photography Roses Clematis
Daylilies Houseplants Foliage Fan Birds Butterflies Bee Lover
I got mine too the other day, was so pleasantly surprised! Kushi Maya was also part of my order. Lovey dubby
My gardening Blog!
Handmade quilts, new & vintage fabrics in my Etsy store. Summer Song Cottage
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Avatar for MAINIAC
May 28, 2014 5:54 AM CST
Thread OP

As all things turned out, with the help of my Congressman's office, and constant work, I was able to get the shipment released (three weeks late.) I shipped as much as I could but many had over sprouted or had broken stalks. This is not the way I like to ship, but as it will be my last shipment for H W Hyde, I felt I had to make every effort to fill orders. Failure to follow import protocol cased the problems and I cannot be assured that it would be followed in the future. The fine for failure to follow protocol is $5000. Sadly, I can't work with someone who is not willing to work with me.
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May 28, 2014 7:31 AM CST
Name: Joe
Long Island, NY (Zone 7a)
Lilies Region: New York Seed Starter Plant and/or Seed Trader Garden Ideas: Level 1
Ramona, I hope you planted the broken and over sprouted ones. Some should come back for you next year. I hope you continue through hopefully easier channels for your bulbs. I especially like that fact that you've worked with North American hybridizers like Brian Bergman and Johan Mak in the past and hope you continue to do so. - Joe Astarita
Last edited by Joebass May 28, 2014 7:32 AM Icon for preview
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May 28, 2014 5:42 PM CST

HEY EVERYONE!
Ramona has a list of Martagons for sale in the classified, check it out!!!!

This was very welcome news as YAHOO has taken away all of my bookmarks (over 10 years worth) and I am frantically trying to remember they and get them in a notepad, while my computer still remembers them.

NO MORE YAHOO FOR ME!

Anyone with that email for me just change it to gmail.com and the same name. I won't be deleting my yahoo email but have not been using it for many months now due to the "NEW IMPROVED" Yahoo being just impossible to deal with anymore. And if I EVER get the time will be emailing everyone from there with my other one. As if I have nothing better to do than spend hours of the growing season sitting in front of this evil machine trying to salvage the Yahoo mess.
GRRRRRRRROOOOOOOWWWWL
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May 29, 2014 2:32 AM CST
Name: della
hobart, tasmania
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Photo Contest Winner: 2015
Good news that the bulbs got out. Smiling
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