Galanthus March 2009

[KentGardener]

.....you may only get one snowdrop in a jiffy bag for £50! 

That would be £50 PLUS POSTAGE!.....  

[Martin Baxendale]

I do, for a very Dutch price 2 euro each and its definitely a pure nivalis.

Gerard, why did I never notice your website symbol before? I didn't know you were selling named snowdrops. Just had a look at your list. I'm interested in buying some nivalis 'Maximus'. When do you send out dormant bulbs, what's your preferred payment method and how much is postage?

[Martin Baxendale]

My snowdrops from Avon Bulbs were probably the best packed this year - large box so no bent leaves, and the roots in bags with soil or compost rather than moss (which can easily dry out in the post, leaving the roots dry, especially if delayed in the mail). Have to say I'm still a big fan of buying snowdrops moist-packed during dormancy, when the bulbs are firm and full-sized and ready to grow and flower the following season, rather than bare-rooted in growth with all the risks of dry roots, flaccid bulbs etc that can entail. 

[Paddy Tobin]

Anthony,

The tiny yellow nivalis is a real dote, lovely.

Paddy

[ichristie]

Dear all, very interesting topic about posted snowdrops, I have seny out quite a few this year and tend to dip the bulbs in a solution of Delsene then put some damp moss around the bulb. Everyone depands on the post office delivering as soon as possible and sure it is not easy to get boxes to fit every snowdrop, most of you I am sure want to see the flower even if it is going over when the bulbs arrive. We all want the best value healthy bulbs also and with so many different ones some are lifted earlier than others, this is not an excuse but please give the nurseries a chance,  cheers Ian the Christie kind.

[Anthony Darby]

Actually Ian, there is no excuse. It is not as if they wake up one morning and decide to sell a few snowdrops. They will learn when people stop buying or name and shame. I have received snowdrops packed in rigid cardboard tubes which are ideal for the job. I know the care you take in packing plants which arrive in perfect condition. It's not rocket science!

[Alan_b]

You can buy rigid cardboard tubes at the bigger Post Offices.  I used one earlier this week to send some snowdrops to another forum member (swaps).  It was easy to pack the snowdrops inside and I am told they arrived safely.  In fact last year, when I was sending snowdrops through the post for the first time, there was a thread on this topic.   

[David Nicholson]

I save all all our cardboard tubes from kitchen rolls. I also wanted to save toilet roll tubes but was prevented from so doing by a much higher authority!

[RichardW]

apart from large orders I use rigid posting tubes, not that expensive to buy from online packaging suppliers, so there really is no excuse for sending delicate expensive plants in something that can't protect them, for someone selling bulbs it's not expensive, buying & posting a tube 1st class = less £4, is not a lot to pay for P&P considering the value of what might be inside.

[Martin Baxendale]

please give the nurseries a chance,  cheers Ian the Christie kind.

Of the three snowdrop orders delivered here this year by mail none were especially badly packed, just some better than others. Usually moss around the roots is okay if plenty is used, well moistened and quickly dispatched. But in the past I have had bulbs arrive in dried-out moss which means dry roots. I suppose it depends who's packing, how careful they are, and how long packages take in the post.

It just seems to me that growers can avoid all the problems complained about here by supplying dormant (but not dried out) snowdrop bulbs in Summer, which are virtually guaranteed to do well the next season. One snowdrop-selling nurseryman told me years ago, when I asked why he didn't do dormant snowdrops in Summer, "It gives us something interesting to help bulk out our Spring catalogue."

[Anthony Darby]

please give the nurseries a chance,  cheers Ian the Christie kind.

It just seems to me that growers can avoid all the problems complained about here by supplying dormant (but not dried out) snowdrop bulbs in Summer, which are virtually guaranteed to do well the next season. One snowdrop-selling nurseryman told me years ago, when I asked why he didn't do dormant snowdrops in Summer, "It gives us something interesting to help bulk out our Spring catalogue."

Martin, it is sometimes not easy to identify dormant bulbs unless your growing regime is very well organised, and even then. Last summer I tried to find a bulb of 'Ailidh' for Chris (see pic above). I knew where they were, but could I find them? No! The bulbs have duly flowered exactly where the label said they were, and exactly where I looked! I must have planted them much deeper than I thought.

[Mavers]

Is there anything wrong with naming the poor packers/suppliers so other forum members can make an educated decision about whether to order from them or not?

It would also give the poor sellers a kick up the backside not to be so complacent about us punters.

[Maggi Young]

 It is only fair to inform anyone giving less than perfect service that you are dis-satisfied to give them a chance to explain/apologise/ make reparation.... before naming them publically, I suggest.

[Mavers]

Yes you are right Maggi.

If not name & shame how about recommending the good suppliers who send quality plants well packed?

These are two suppliers I've bought snowdrops from this year I can reccomend:

Beth Chatto Gardens

Snape Cottage Snowdrops

[Maggi Young]

That's a constructive and helpful approach, Mike!