Snowdrop prices 2010

[steve owen]

 
I thought I'd try some good news as an antidote to the "Withdrawal Symptoms" thread whilst waiting for the thaw being hinted at for the end of next week.

Ebay selling prices for 44 different varieties of snowdrops sold over the past four weeks show an 18% drop over the 2009 prices for the same varieties.

A health warning; the main Ebay buying season is yet to come and white fever may yet push prices up again. Or maybe the recession is actually having an effect. Or it could be that more sellers such as "galanthusboy" are slowly emerging and producing a more diverse market place. As I have commented previously, part of the inflated market is down to individuals who have good stocks of certain wanted varieties but won't share or sell them to the people who want to grow them. I recall one lucky possessor of a clump of well over fifty plants (at a conservative estimate) of a scarce snowdrop variety who assured me she would be sharing them only with her friends.

Fortunately I have encountered far more snowdrop enthusiasts who will readily share, swap or sell plants where they have spares.   
Wendy's Gold is an interesting example of a variety whose price has steadily reduced as a good supply of bulbs has become available, but Bill Clark and Primrose Warburg are counter-examples where this supply/price effect has yet to benefit buyers.

One final comment; full marks to one or two nurserymen who are working hard to produce sufficient stocks of desired bulbs.

[mark smyth]

I was watching Ebay last night and noticed the reduced prices also

[Hristo]

Steve, Mark, my eyes have been on Orchids this winter, and though I can't quote stats the degree of trade in orchids within Europe on eBay has been very much lower than last year. Both quantitiy and variety seem somewhat 'depressed' as compared to 2009, maybe with the exception of trade in Pleione. Prices where open auctions take place 'feel' lower than 2009 but remain on the whole higher than purchasing from established off eBay sources. Always the hope of a bargain though I guess!

[Brian Ellis]

I recall one lucky possessor of a clump of well over fifty plants (at a conservative estimate) of a scarce snowdrop variety who assured me she would be sharing them only with her friends.

I suppose it depends on how many friends she has as to how many she would have left!  I know someone who will not split a clump until she has at least a dozen, her experience in the past has been that her generosity left everyone else with her snowdrops and her original clump just disappeared.  Again I believe it was Richard Hobbs who had a huge clump of Yaffle, split it in half to sell some (around 20 I think) at the Gala and the next year he only had one which he has had to nurture back to a decent sized clump of his own.  Most snowdroppers seem very generous as you say, and thank goodness for that.

[mark smyth]

Alan Street told me one ime dont part with any snowdrops until I have over 10. Problem is my snowdrops dont bulk as fast as I see in other gardens

[Gerard Oud]

Try some horse-fertilizer Mark it really works!

[mark smyth]

Too many weed seeds in horse manure.

Buying snowdrops also relates to how deep the pocket is. If I have a limit of £40 someone who saves better/has a good job/pension might say £80-100 is OK for a rare one.

[Brian Ellis]

If I have a limit of £40 someone who saves better/has a good job/pension might say £80-100 is OK for a rare one.

...and all you need is a couple of them vying with each other to push the price through the ridiculous ebay roof

[mark smyth]

true

[loes]

...well,but I "need" Diggory so I bid (but not too much so I do not get them usually) on Ebay

[Brian Ellis]

...well,but I "need" Diggory so I bid (but not too much so I do not get them usually) on Ebay

Of course you need it Loes, any self respecting galanthophile does, but if you keep trying you will eventually get it at a cheaper price

[mark smyth]

It will probably be available at a snowdrop event for about £16

[chasw]

That is a nice thought Mark,I shall have to keep my eyes peeled

[Paddy Tobin]

Chas,

You are obviously a man with passion (Mini 40s!) and I'm sure you will get your snowdrop!

Paddy

[Maggi Young]

...well,but I "need" Diggory so I bid (but not too much so I do not get them usually) on Ebay

I was in pursuit of "Diggory" last year (not on Ebay) but it didn't happen 

I like "him"!