I'm not sure to whom I should be sending this suggestion, but I trust that you will please pass it on to the right person. Thanks! I appreciated your Thanksgiving message, and feel thankful for a high quality company like yours. In contemplating this uncertain economy, (where people are once more thinking about "re-use, re-cycle", etc. ) I wondered if you might want to include in your writing about amaryllis that they can be the gift that keeps on giving. As you know, with proper care they can live for many many years. (I still have a bulb that was given to me by my father, who has been gone now for 20 years!) Of course most people will still choose to buy new bulbs every year so they can make sure when the bulbs will bloom (or will want to add new varieties to their collection of spring beauties) but it might be a nice sales incentive to let people know that they can give a gift that can bring beauty to the life of their friends for many years. You might even advertise that with the plant you will send instructions about how people can get their bulb to rebloom the next season. (Of course most people won't go to the trouble to do it.......but it could possibly encourage sales to some folks.) I have many amaryllis, some of which came from you. Each spring when they start up, I have a "loan an amaryllis" program. As soon as I see that a bulb has a flower starting up, I take it to an elderly friend, or the local nursing home, or to someone who doesn't have garden space or just needs a spring cheer-up. The bulbs bloom beautifully for people all over town. The understanding is that my friends may keep the bulbs (after flowering is finished) if they wish, or the bulbs may be returned to me to nurture in my garden for the summer, and I will give them back to them when ready to bloom again. It's amazing how much excitement an amaryllis can hold for a retirement community of people, who no longer have gardens. Your amaryllis are so gorgeous.....I hope you sell very many of them! Wishing you a happy holiday season.
Carole Sullivan - Galena, IL |