We have a new Customer, Karel Smit, who lives in South Africa. Karel wanted several of our most recent introductions, and after considerable research, both on Karel's part and on our part as well, we made the shipment from our local U.S. Post Office. The shipment was made on November 24, 2015. Karel followed the tracking service from the Post Office, and then the daylilies went to Customs in South Africa. The flowers were there for a few days, then a week, then two weeks. Well I know Karel was most disappointed, and we were also very, very disappointed. Then, finally, the flowers were released from Customs and went through the mail on the way to Karel's home; but then, the package was stopped again. With considerable effort on Karel's part the package finally arrived at his home on Thursday, December 17, 2015. Needless to say, daylilies in a box for 25 days is really, really harsh treatment. Karel put the roots in water, then he potted all the daylilies, and now we're waiting to see if they will recover. We're hoping for a recovery because it would be so wonderful to see our plants growing in South Africa.
You might wonder about the climate in South Africa. Well, although it is winter here in the States, summer is just now beginning in South Africa. It should be a good time for the daylilies to have the opportunity to recover. Karel took the beleaguered daylilies and put them in pots. They will have plenty of water, with good drainage, and I know Karel will let us know which daylilies survived the journey. Everyone here on the blog might remember that last January Diana and I took a trip to South Africa to celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary. We had a grand adventure that we will always remember.Thanks Karel for your Order and welcome to our fellow
ship where Daylilies are loved!
Well, I went to the Greenhouse a few days ago, and I was aghast at what I saw. I've been trying to convert BURGESS CHERRY FLAME, and I was hopeful that I was making progress. What I saw was a large sprout growing from underneath the plant. I stopped and immediately went to work. I brushed away the soil then took my X-Acto knife and cut away the sprout. I left the plant that I was trying to convert in front of the fan to help heal the place where the sprout was removed. Then I planted the sprout in its own container. I don't know if this will save my work with BURGESS CHERRY FLAME, but since I've done this before with some success, I'm hopeful. BURGESS CHERRY FLAME is a beautiful red flower with a deep red color, a cream colored eye, with a green throat. I'd really like to have this plant converted.
We hurried back from Gainesville to Cobb County to attend our Club's Annual Christmas Dinner which was hosted by our Vice-President, Glenn McKenney. When we walked in the door everyone was seated, enjoying their meal, but they stopped and gave Diana and I a hearty hand clap. We are so blessed by our home Club; indeed, we were so excited that I forgot to take a picture. There were 40 Club members at the Christmas dinner. We are all so much looking forward to a great daylily year in 2016.
On Saturday morning we all got up and went to Church to help put our Poinsettias in place. However, we were a few minutes late, and when we arrived all of the work was finished. So, I took Lily Rae to see the new hand-made rug that has just been put in our Narthex. The rug is just beautiful. It's design is from a Stained Glass Window built around the turn of the century, that was in our former Church, and is now placed in our Family Life Hall. Lily likes the Stained Glass Window, and so I had to show her the new rug. Then we walked into the Sanctuary. I wanted Lily to see the Sanctuary because it is ready for Christmas. Everything is good!
I should mention that in my Greenhouse my heater stopped working. I immediately called my friend, Jeff Wade, at Atlas Greenhouse. Atlas no longer carries the same heater that I bought, but Jeff nevertheless found a local company for me that could come and fix my problem. My need for repair was most important, so I called the Company Jeff recommended, and soon a truck from "Comfort Zone" pulled into my driveway. At first I was sort of skeptical that the young man could solve my problem, but soon he had the problem diagnosed. I needed a new transformer, and he had one in his truck. He promptly completed the installation, the cost was reasonable, and my Greenhouse is back to being normal again. Thanks Jeff!Merry Christmas to everyone! More news soon.
Bill
Great. Once I got daylilies in 3 months. Ibra from Pakistan sent me three daylilies. And they spent a long time. I even lost my hope. But then got note, that I got package with dry plants. That was a reason, why they let it. It was winter, so I pot them and I grow. Even two was H.Fulva, and one was unknown variety, I still have that one, and leave H.Fulva for grandmother. To keep in mind about long trip :) Glad you are international :)
ReplyDeleteHi Edvinas,
ReplyDeleteI've received several emails from Karel, with pictures, and his daylilies are showing recovery. How could anything live after being dry in a box for 25 days following a trip half way around the glove? Just goes to show that daylilies are tough.
Also, we are so thrilled to know that Karel has the skill to manage this "Daylily Comeback." There are comebacks in sports, but this daylily comeback, and your own experience, affirm one particular reason that daylilies are so durable.
The climate in South Africa is temperate most of the time. The country is surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. There are many species of plants that are native to South Africa. While flowering plants are abundant, there iis only a small amount of forest land in South Africa.
ReplyDeleteKurt Bohling @ Philadelphia Mail Room