Heya! Chris at ADR says Amaryllises should be in this week, and depending on the day they could even reach us before Saturday's swap. So... let's see if we can put together a quick order.

ADR's Amaryllis page is here: https://www.adrbulbs.com/categ...

There are a couple of varieties already under consideration (by me & by Lisa), but feel free to suggest anything that's listed on the website as still available. When I checked yesterday, they still had everything, but one or two were only available as smaller (still big) bulbs, not JUMBO.

Peruvian bulbs are about $5 each, and Dutch bulbs are something like $6 to $9. The bulbs come 10 to a box, and we have to order whole boxes as a group -- that is, somebody can order 2, another person 4, another person 3, and somebody else 1, as long as the final number is 10.

I often order extras as gifts, so if we get close to 10, I can pick up the last 1 or 2.

Because of the difference in seasons, Peruvian bulbs will usually bloom in 6-8 weeks or even sooner, while the Dutch bulbs that have had a shorter dormant period may take 10-12 weeks. I've read that some varieties are quicker, and from my own experience I can say that providing bottom heat will speed things up.

In our early summer order, we got Cherry Blossom, Double King, Ice Queen, and Mandala (all "new" to ADR this year). Those initial boxes have all been spoken for, but I could go for additional bulbs of any of those if there's interest in getting a second box. I'm especially interested in more Mandala -- that deep red would be lovely for gifts.

So, speak up and let people know what varieties make your mouth water this year! If the amaryllises hit US soil by tomorrow afternoon (I'll call to find out), we'll want to get our order in THIS Wednesday morning (10/3), say by 10 am. Otherwise we can take a couple more days. But either way, this will be QUICK.

If we don't get the bulbs in time for the fall swap, we'll be looking at Sunday October 14 for a "pick up party" (maybe we'll meet at a restaurant in Frederick, Leesburg, or another convenient location). You can also arrange with me to pick up your bulbs in Frederick any time after they arrive.

I WILL NOT SHIP BULBS.

Varieties being considered

from Peru:
Denver (crisp white)
Minerva (classic red & white)

from Holland:
Elvas (double, white & raspberry center plus picotee edge! $9)
Gervase (no 2 blooms alike, amazing combos of white, pink & red, $8.50)
Magic Green (soft ivory-green with crimson accents, elegant, $7.90)

I've grown both Elvas (years ago) and Gervase (we finally got some last year!), and they are both amazing. I'm a sucker for double flowers and for picotee edges, so Elvas is a guaranteed oooooh for me. The pink on it is a rich raspberry... it would be lovely for Valentine's Day, as would Gervase or Hercules (intense pink, huge blooms, trunk-like sturdy stems).

And yes, you can easily "hold" bulbs that long in a cool basement. I just check them every so often to make sure they haven't started sprouting -- if they have, I pot them up so they can grow roots, but I keep them on the basement floor, and they usually make very slow if any progress toward blooming until I put them somewhere warmer with light.

The name Pajama Party intrigued me, so I googled... seems it's a small-flowered variety (small being a relative term with Amaryllis, but the blooms are 4" rather than 8"), and the nifty thing about it is that the coloration on the back side of the petals (white with red) is the reverse of the coloring on the front of the bloom (red with white stripes). Pictures I saw showed the blooms as somewhat trumpet shaped, I thought.

I like the all red Amaryllis from Peru: Red Heart; Mandala; and Double King.
I'm looking to get four of them (any of the above would be fine). Could go to 5 if necessary.

From our early summer order, we have both Mandala and Double King coming. We also ordered Ice Queen (double white) and Cherry Blossom (white & pink).

Frenchie, even if we don't order additional amaryllis, we can juggle numbers so you get 4 Double King and/or Mandela.

Minerva, Red Heart, and Olaf are still available as jumbo bulbs for $5... the other Peru bulbs are now available only as regular 28/30 size bulbs for $3-$3.50.

I could use a few more for gifts... anybody else?

That would be great Jill. Thanks