Overdose

I happily continue puttering around in my greenhouse, life truly is difficult sometimes. I take my time to photograph the last Amaryllises, the ones that came into bloom later than average. Usually, that is because they are varieties that we received from growers later on, new varieties that they want me to test out, as I might want to sell them later on. But there are also a few that I planted about halfway through November and that are just now showing their face. Slow and steady wins the race, just like with Tulips and Daffodils, some Amaryllises just need more time to finally join you in your home. Picotee is a prime example of that. There are varieties that are in their full shine during Christmastime, and there are varieties that almost make it to Valentine’s Day. The world of Amaryllises is large and diverse!I have to say that I have really enjoyed the Amaryllises this year. It’s been over two months, and I’m still having a great time with them. They’ve had an exceptional year. 

But I can almost hear you thinking right now: That’s easy for him to say, he has hundreds, and obviously a baker likes his own bread. But the people that have known me for a while know that I am very strict with my Amaryllises–and other flowers. And even in my greenhouse, I have a few bulbs that are, well, disappointments. To show you some examples of Amaryllises that decidedly did NOT get their ‘Fluwel Quality’-stickers this yearMandela is one of them. Usually one of my favourites! When I planted her, it was a healthy bulb, no issues at all, but disaster can strike at any moment, and this was one of them. Suddenly, she was completely rotten, absolutely unsalvageable. 

But I am also happy whenever one of these rotten Amaryllises appears in my greenhouse: It means that particular bulb didn’t get sent out to a customer. Imagine that: You bought a Fluwel Amaryllis, and you gave it to your mother-in-law with your brightest smile, and then the thing didn’t work! Your mother-in-law will surely think: Just give me a cactus right away next year, at least then I’ll know how you really feel. Amaryllis Rebecca

But to be serious for a moment: It is really important to us that you let us know if you receive an Amaryllis that didn’t work properly. Our bulbs are kind of like our ambassadors, we send them out, and by being themselves, they need to be our biggest advertisement. And if every once in a while, there is one that suddenly doesn’t do that, we want to know, because we want you to experience the quality we talk about, and we will send you a replacement right away. 

I’ve asked that before, but I am doing it again anyway. Really, if you have a disappointing Amaryllis, email us! And I know that it is easy to place the blame on yourself whenever a flower bulb doesn’t work out. I tend to do the same. But I really hope that you won’t do that when it comes to our products. Just send us a picture. If we can see anything in there that does, in fact, make it your own fault, we will also tell you, and give you advice on how to make sure it doesn’t happen again. And even then, usually you’ll get a replacement anyway: It could still be on us. We might not have given adequate explanation about what this bulb needs. Long story short: You help us learn more about our bulbs and our website, too, when you send us photos of your flower bulbs. We want to hear from you. Amaryllis Flamingo Amadeus

Throughout the years, our biggest help when it comes to sending out flower bulbs that work has been planting all of the bulbs we offer myself, in my greenhouse. It gives me so much new knowledge about every single variety we sell! Every year, we offer new varieties in the web shop, and this is how they get selected. And they are gorgeous all together like that. I love seeing Vlad happily skip around in there, looking for his own favourites. Sometimes he brings my attention to specific varieties, and we can judge them together; Sometimes, a flower looks beautiful, but only one of the three bulbs we planted is up to par. Then that one doesn’t make the Fluwel Quality-cut.

I’ve been serious again, and I wanted to use this newsletter to thank you! Thank you for your amazing response to our Fluwel Special Amaryllis Collection. Really, I am overwhelmed by the positive response we got. Some of you must have slept in front of your computer that day, because when I looked at the website an hour after it went live, five varieties had sold out already. I was really happy to be able to tell all the people that contributed to the collection about that fantastic news. Thank you, thank you–even though I sometimes have my doubts about some of your financial decisions. I mean that lovingly, of course!And the Happiness Amaryllises I talked about last week are also still around. If you missed last week’s newsletter (how could you?!): With every Amaryllis you buy, you get one for free. A different variety, just to make you happy. 

Hmm. I wanted to talk about transitioning my greenhouse into a place for my Daffodils, but I am, yet again, out of space. I haven’t yet withdrawn from my Amaryllises, it seems. Next week, I’ll tell you all about the Daffodils. Let me give you a sneak peek: Narcissus Punk. Isn’t she cute? Narcissus Punk, cute, right? 

I’m going to stop writing again, I think I am going to pick a few Snowdrops. If you’ve never put those in your house… they really do look nice, even though you usually only see them outside. I’ll do that while you make your last rounds through our Amaryllises, because it is still winter, and Amaryllises do nothing better than to bring joy and colour into your home during these cold months. 

Kind regards, 

Carlos van der Veek Galanthus Grumpy, sadly not available but nice