Re: More "Wonderful Catalogs"

Hi,

I'm peering into the mailbox every day now hoping to see the Adamgrove and
Schreiner catalogs.  Adamgrove publishes a beautiful book with emphasis on
dwarfs and medians.  I was disappointed to see that one of you has had
problems ordering from them.  I hope it gets worked out.  I think sometimes
iris enterpreneurs are good at growing iris, but a little lacking in business
acumen and customer relations.

	I consider it more than a "problem" when Adamgrove refuses to reply
	to multiple letters asking where my order is (and later asking for an
	immediate refund).  Even after a registered letter with return receipt
	requested (which I was forced to send to ensure that they were getting
	my letters), I still have not had any kind of explanation (let alone
	an apology).  Frankly, I am more disturbed by the fact that they have
	ignored me when I've asked for information about what's going on, than
	by the fact that the order didn't show up.

	I am extremely disappointed by this situation, as Adamgrove does have
	a beautiful catalogue.  They specialize in iris (species as well as
	dwarves and medians) that are often difficult to find elsewhere.  I
	had ordered from them before without incident.  However, as a result
	of this, they have lost my business forever.  I don't have a lot of
	money (or time) and to have to deal with their incompetence (at best)
	or dishonesty (at worst) is something that I should not have to do.

	I have ordered from many iris suppliers with whom it was an absolute
	pleasure to deal.  They provided me with quality rhizomes and generous
	extras.  Among them are Clarence Mahan (Clarence, I am sorry to hear
	that you are closing down your commercial operation), Bill Maryott,
	Lu Danielson, Sharon McAllister, Lowell Baumunk, Keith Keppel, Joe
	Ghio, Terry Aitken and Bobbie Shephard.  The above list is by no means
	exhaustive.  If any of you are interested in addresses for the above,
	I'd be happy to supply them -- send email to me (sluizer@cs.unm.edu)
	rather than the iris list.  My limited experience has shown that it
	is best to order from people in your general geographical vicinity.
	Irises from East coast gardens usually take a year or more to acclimate
	in my garden (in Albuquerque NM).

	I have ordered from Schreiner's and Cooley's (and will continue to do
	so) -- however, rhizomes from these two sources are the only ones that
	have ever gotten botrytis (sp?) in my garden (in NM, which is pretty
	dry).  I now dry these rhizomes for a month or so before planting and
	I haven't had further problems.  While both Schreiner's and Cooley's
	are extremely reputable, they are quite large commercial operations
	with many employees and I imagine that quality control is more of a
	problem for them than it is for smaller gardens where the owner does
	most (or all) of the work.

	Suzanne Sluizer
	sluizer@cs.unm.edu
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