Brought some more plants back with me

[fred]

For those of you who know the reason why I was away for just over 5 weeks well I brought the last remaining Hippeastrums that my mother had growing in my Fathers memory.
30 more plants I have re potted them all I now have well over 100 Hippeastrums.

I had to get a permit to bring them back into Tassie that took some doing believe me as plants are not allowed to be brought back into the state but I was lucky.

I am so happy that I could bring the plants into the state

quarantine did not spray the bulbs all we both did was wash the bulbs a second time and I then paid $13 dollars for the permit and all was well.
I got off the boat and quarantine looked at the bulbs saw the permit and never looked through my car.

I also found out orchids can not be brought back into Tasmania
not that I was worried about that I just wanted to bring in my mum and dads Hippeasturms

I will have to take some pics for you all to see

[janet_a]

ooh yes please.

[fred]

hey janet I also bought a few doubles as well
I will get some pics up today

[patticake]

While I understand that they have to be so careful, it seems like a lot of beaurocratic red tape to me. I'm so glad you got the Hippeastrums. I'll bet they're gorgeous!

[articuno75]

I can't wait to see the pics...

I'm glad that you were able to get the plants. Some families grow plants that stay in families for generations. We have a couple of rose bushes. The meanings and memories are a lifetime.

[evagentry]

One hundred bulbs should put on quiet a show when they bloom, that sounds like a nice, yearly memorium.

[solay]

I had to look up Hippeastrum since I've never heard of that. So it's the same as Amaryllis. I always thought they were beautiful. I'm glad you were able to get the bulbs. I'll be waiting for the pics.

[Andrew]

Fred,
A few years back Tasmanian quarantine regulations changed from requiring a simple inspection and phytosanitary certificate to import horticulturally clean, dormant bulbs to also needing methyl bromide fumigation. I was caught by surprise by this policy change when I tried to send some orchid tubers to someone in Tasmania (I had sent tubers in previous years without issue). Methyl bromide is toxic to orchid tubers so I opted not to send the plants. Am I right in thinking you got the Hippeastrum bulbs past the Tasmanian DPI without needing to fumigate them??!!
Hopefully, that means Tasmania has eased back on restrictions.

[fred]

Andrew your right about methyl bromide it does kill orchids.
the quarantine laws have been made even harder this year I wont be bringing anymore orchids from the main land knowing they get sprayed with methyl bromide.

with the Hippeastrums I had to make sure they had no green on them and I cut half of the roots off and gave them a really good wash to get all the dirt off the bulbs.

when I went to Melbourne to the department the DPI looked at the bulbs and decided that they needed another wash with water.
so a DPI officer and I went into a room and washed the bulbs and that was it I was given the permit.
No need to fumigate thank goodness when I got off the boat it was very easy also.
I showed the permit and bulbs and I was told have a nice day.

[fred]

here we go a few pics of all my Hippeastrums
the first pic is all of my Hippeastrums the second and third are spit in half to show you all of them.
non are the same color.

[articuno75]

Wow! That will put on quite the show when they grow and bloom. I can't wait to see.

[fred]

last year I had them on our kitchen table when in bloom hmmmm what to do this year

[patticake]

That would have to be a mighty big table, that's for sure! I know you'll come up with something! They are going to be beautiful! I can't wait to see them in bloom. I have a couple of amarylis, but there's only a handful of varieties around here. 100, and they're all different? Wow!

[fred]

yep I do not have two of the same color Hippy's
they are all different and I also have double flowers also and also some that throw up double flower spikes as well.

the truth is I am the only other member of my family that knows how to grow these plants besides my Father he has been gone now for just over 4 years now so I grow then for him and my mum.

[jay]

Wow, that is quite a collection there. If you have a kitchen table big enough for all of those, I want a tour of the mansion. Can't wait to see update photos.

[PhalPal]

They will be just beautiful when blooming Fred; it would have been a heartbreak if you could not bring them home.

What a wonderful tribute to your parents.

All I have from my parents legacy is a LOT of mixing bowls and measuring cups.

[fred]

yeah it wold have been a heartbreaker if I could not have brought the plants back with me but when I told the quarantine boys in Melbourne why I was bringing them back they could not do enough to help me.
also a lot of people here hate the quarantine ( DPI ) people but if one is honest with them they are great they are only doing there job.

I am proud to carry on the legacy for my Dad and my Mum

I bet you just as proud of the mixing bowls and measuring cups

I brought a lot of other things home like very old Dutch plates that are over 150 years old as well

I wont take this thread any further off topic but I am one very proud son.
I wish I could say that about my brother. hmmmmm he has a lot to answer for...

but this is not the place to comment about that anymore

[Greenhouse Gal]

We will all be waiting for the pictures, Fred.
With that many, do they bloom at slightly staggered times, like tulips?

[fred]

Hippeastrums here in Tassis are slightly staggered most will bloom around November to early December.

I have seen them flowering around this time of year but they were grown under heat conditions.

[Sharyn]

Bringing the bulbs back - great news Fred. I love the Hippys. Some people may think, "Why bother when you can buy new bulbs?" But there's something very special about caring for plants grown in the family tree. I've been dividing my grandma's African Violet for over 15 years. Every time it blooms, it brings back special & happy memories.

I gave a friend of mine many of my sister's garden plants after she passed. She planted them in a special garden and named it, "Karen's Garden." Each year, my friend jumps for joy at flowering time and makes a call for me to come and see Karen's garden. It is a sweet memorial to my sister and brings great joy. I'm sure you'll find a special garden for the bulbs. God Bless you - you're a great son to care so much.

[fred]

Sharyn I know how you feel

I am lucky I always took notice of my Father with his plants and gardening
he gave me his knowledge and I am more than happy to keep growing them for him and my Mum.

special and gifted is how I feel and i have my mum and dad to thank for that
my mum said to me while I was with her that I was so much like my Father.
mighty big shoes to fill I always thought and then to be told that by my mum makes me feel so proud.

I will also do what my Father used to do keep the mother bulbs and give the young bulbs away to friends.

when i had all the hippy's flowering on our kitchen table last year and the year before that etc etc what was my first thought... Thanks Dad

special & happy memories i am with you there Sharyn

[janet_a]

oh, those are going to be SPECTACULAR--!

[PhalPal]

Fred you are so sweet and have such a kind heart. Most men would not see the sentiment in a 'just a flower.' Your father would be so proud of you. Isn't it funny, that even as (slightly older adults??) it still makes our heart soar to know our parents are proud of us.

[fred]

Connie you have got me with that one
I know this might seem a little like a sob story to some but my mum and dad mean the world to me.
I am so proud of my parents as well.
some of us know that my mother is dying I wont go into details on the site for its not the right place or time all I can say to that is my heart is shattered.
the truth is my mum owns my heart I love her so much.
at the moment I feel so lost
I have to stop with this as my eyes are full of tears
sadly my mother will never see this post but I love you Mum

[fred]

I thought I would give you an update on the Hippy's in my side GH ( green house )
I had to get the plants off the ground.
I noticed yesterday when I took these pics that some of the hippy's are coming into flower spike so I started watering them also they have not had a drop of water for about 4 months leading up to and through winter.