Re: Iris Catalogs
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: Iris Catalogs
- From: I* <I*@aol.com>
- Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 14:45:24 -0700 (MST)
In a message dated 98-01-10 15:40:05 EST, Kathie in Wisconsin writes:
<<
I'm putting together a list of catalogs that I'd like to send for and have
a few questions since I'm new to Iris gardening.
Hi Kathie: I'm not much more experienced than you are... but I'm happy to
jump in on questions like this. First of all, are you a member of the
American Iris Society? One of the most delicious parts of the Bulletin for us
winter-bound northern types is the extraordinary commercial listing in the
back. Probably Scott has many of these on the webpage too (don't remember)
but there's nothing like sitting in front of the fire with your highlighter,
Bulletin, glass of wine and iris-lust to drive away the cold....
1) From past discussion on the list, it sounds like late January or
February is the time to request the catalogs. Is this correct?
--->You can order any time now. Most commercials are compiling their catalogs
now for the season.
2) When do the catalogs start arriving?
--->Well, the first to arrive here is generally Keppel's - touching down in
January/February. After that, my memory fails but I believe you'll get the
bulk in March/April with a few more trickling in later.
3) When should you order? And when do the rhizomes arrive? (remember, I'm
new at this and think I know but I want to be sure. :)
---> You should order INSTANTLY and the rhizomes will arrive at the proper
planting time for your area (July/August here). Actually, I guess early
ordering is not as crucial in iris-dom as it is in other types of plant
catalogs (iris growers plan better), but if you really have your heart set on
something, do order the minute said heart starts racing. As the saying goes -
you snooze, you lose.
4) On the average, how many catalogs does everyone request each year? I
was looking at requesting about 7 but didn't know if that was too many?
too few?
---> Oh wow! You mean some people have limits? How charming! What a
concept! Personally, I like to have enough catalogs to keep me occupied till
spring. Seven is definately not too many - and is probably just right. And
although it's tempting to comparison shop, do take things like bonuses and
shipping costs into consideration. Most commercials have a bonus policy -
kind of a 'thank you' for your business. This is not to say that you should
EXPECT a bonus, but many, many commercials reward your order with a carefully
chosen extra. Some take especial care too when selecting the bonus. Keppel
is legendary (and I hope I don't sound like a Keppel groupie here... he's
just kind of particular) - anyway, he's legendary for researching past orders
to make sure the 'extra' wasn't ordered in the past. Other places ask you for
a 'wish list' and try their best to choose from those when selecting a bonus.
Have fun with your catalog ordering Kathie... and do let us know which ones
have struck your fancy.
Kathy Guest.... (OT part--->)having a quiet day at home after the
extraordinary Mardi Gras Under Glass last night at the Buffalo Botanical
Gardens, organized by Peter Weixlmann and Carolyn Schaffner and Rachel Martin.
A wild and wonderful time.
