eBay

DESCRIPTION:

We call this our Crinum Grab Bag Special: 20 small bulbs, a guarantee of at least 6 different varieties, our choice, plus free shipping! All bulbs you receive will be clearly labeled. As you will see from our other listings, most of these small-size bulbs sell for $12 or more. All of the varieties pictured, plus others, are used in the grab bag, but you are only guaranteed 6 different.

If you write us immediately after purchase you can specify:

1. all white 2. all red 3. all pink 4. all striped 5. Any combination of 2 of the choices. We will bill you separately for 15% extra.

This is a great way to aquire a starter collection of crinum, and it is also an excellent gift idea for someone you know that likes to garden. You could keep half of the bulbs and still have 10 to share. Our inventory is over 40,000 crinum, 1000 different varieties, including about 350 of our own hybrids, growing in our flower beds. The Grab Bag Special lets you buy crinum at about $6 per bulb, about half of our regular price, if you purchased the bulbs individually. Some varieties multiply faster and we have excess inventory, and, frankly, we just don't have the room to grow all of them to full size. Some of the bulbs that will be included can grow to over 6" in diameter at maturity and can take up several square feet of precious growing space.

Crinum are called "Queen of the Bulbs" and form the largest true bulbs in the world. They come in all sizes from bulbs the size of a finger-nail that only grow to about 12" tall to bulbs the size of a man's leg that grow to 8' tall and bloom year-round in tropical climates. This selection will contain some seed producing species bulbs, but most will be hybrids. There will be multiple colors and sizes in the mix, and all will be clearly labeled.

You can refer to our other listings to get more detailed information on some of the possible bulbs you will receive.

BACKGROUND:

Most crinum originate in the central and southern parts of Africa, but there are also some Asian, South American and North American species. Crinum bulbs live for decades and make great inter-generational pass-along gifts. So many people have old heirloom varieties such as Ellen Bosanquet, J C Harvey, herbertii's, digweediis, or scabrum that have been passed down from grandparents and parents who have been growing them for over 100 years.

Although the selection is our choice, you are most likely going to receive at least some of the types pictured. Some of these, in no particular order, are: Hannibal's Dwarf, Powellii 'Album', Digweedii 'Royal White,' Herbertii, Bulbispermum, Macowanii 'African King' or 'African Queen', 'Carolina Beauty', 'Miss Elsie's Sister', Digweedii, 'Ellen Bosanquet', 'J C Harvey', 'Summer Nocturne', 'Southern Snowball', 'White Fluff' or 'White Rabbit'. From time to time, depending on supply, we add others to this list.

You might receive 1 bulb of one variety but no more than 4 of any variety. All of the bulbs will be small offset bulbs, usually less than 1" in diameter, which might not yet have roots or leaves. These bulbs are VERY hardy and should easily grow for you in almost any garden situation.

GROWING CONDITIONS:

Flowers, depending on the variety, can appear in late January or early February, some won't start blooming until spring and others in the late summer continuing on until freezing weather arrives. In zone 10 or above, you could have something blooming every month of the year. Crinum are very hardy, easy to grow, and require no special care. They tolerate a wide range of soils, extended dry periods, and most types will tolerate freezing weather to zone 7, possibly lower, if the bulb is planted deeply and mulched. Bulbs can survive nicely out of the ground for very extended periods if allowed to dry. They prefer full sun, but blooms last best with a bit of shade in the mid to late afternoon. They will also make excellent, large container plants.

DESCRIPTION OF ITEM FOR BID:

You are bidding on 20 small bulbs, or seedling bulbs, our choice, with a minimum guarantee of at least 6 different varieties and no more than 4 of one variety. Most bulbs will be 1-2 years old but sometimes we throw in a few that are larger. They will almost always be freshly dug, washed before shipping, but may, or may not, have roots or leaves (new offset bulbs quite often have not formed any roots yet). If they are absent either roots or leaves, these will quickly form, and the bulb will grow vigorously. This offer usually is only for our hardiest bulbs that reproduce the most rapidly.

WE SIZE OUR BULBS APPROXIMATELY BY AGE AS FOLLOWS: A few varieties can take 6 years or more to bloom.

Jumbo bulb – has bloomed at least 2 years, close to the maximum size for that particular plant (6+ years old)

Large bulb - should bloom this year or next (3+ years old, close to, or at blooming size)

Medium bulb - should bloom in 1-2 years (at least 2 years old)

Small bulb - should bloom 2-4 years (current year or 1-2 year old offset)

Seedling bulb - started from seed (usually in its first year of growth unless otherwise stated)

PHOTOS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

These are pictures of our plants, so you know exactly what they look like and what you will receive. The photos show the plant in various stages of growth. Please feel free to contact us for additional information, and click on "Me" following our star rating. Also, we invite you to go to our store (little red door) and look at other items we have for sale.