Galanthophilia - the new tulip mania

[monocotman]

Hii guys,

if you want to see plant collecting gone mad just check out the prices of some of the rare snowdrops for sale in the UK and Europe on ebay.
One recently went for over £300 and a new 'yellow' clone - 'Elizabeth Harrison' is standing at £369 for a single bulb with some time still left for the auction.
We haven't quite reached the price levels of the 17th century tulips but for small white flowers with varying degrees of green or yellow smudges on the petals, this is quite something,

Regards,

David

 

[Lanmark]

Ah yes, snowdrops are the best! I completely understand the pricing and the hype! :drool: The Galanthus woronowii 'Elizabeth Harrison' is especially nice! :clap: Similar types would include Galanthus nivalis 'Sandersii' and Galanthus plicatus 'Wendy's Gold'

 

[likespaphs]

wowzers!

 

[Rob Zuiderwijk]

<snip>...but for small white flowers with varying degrees of green or yellow smudges on the petals, this is quite something...<snip>

Isn't that the same for some Neofinetia's... :wink:

Rob

 

[SlipperFan]

:clap:

 

[NYEric]

Ah yes, snowdrops are the best! I completely understand the pricing and the hype!

Really!? oke:

 

[Marc]

This is the auctio that monocotman is talking about.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Galanthus...arden_PlantsSeedsBulbs_JN&hash=item43ad1fabf7

And I do find the comparison with Neofenatie quite fitting, eventhough I like Neo's more then Snowdrops.

While googling some information about this craze I also found out that a well know German E-bay scammer is also active in selling would be rare Snowdrops.

 

[Dido]

Hopefully the seller is not a relative to Kai

 

[monocotman]

Latest update - the bulb of Galanthus wornowii 'Elizabeth Harrison' has just sold for £725.10 !!!
Some people have very deep pockets,
David

 

[Marc]

That's a lot of money but I find the price just as viable as the prices that are asked for certain other rare "exotic" plants out there.

 

[Lanmark]

Pricey, but the buyer just got something rather special for his/her garden! Hopefully the vendor is not a con-artist. I wouldn't bid that high for something from someone with virtually no seller feedback history unless I knew the seller personally.

 

[Shiva]

I could see Erythrone going for these. oke:

 

[monocotman]

The seller of Elizabeth Harrison is authenticated. If you want more details go to the Scottish Rock Garden web site (http://www.srgc.org.uk) and visit the forum. There is a galanthus section.
Incidentally this site is one of the very best on the web for plant geeks. Just an amazing amount of information on growing plants, mainly alpines, but lots of others too.
Regards,
David

 

[Lanmark]

The seller of Elizabeth Harrison is authenticated. If you want more details go to the Scottish Rock Garden web site (http://www.srgc.org.uk) and visit the forum. There is a galanthus section.
Incidentally this site is one of the very best on the web for plant geeks. Just an amazing amount of information on growing plants, mainly alpines, but lots of others too.
Regards,
David

Sigh... Then I'd have to say the buyer of the 'Elizabeth Harrison' is one helluva lucky gardener! The price is justified as long as the market will bear it and the buyer will cough up the cash. I would dearly love to grow such a Snow Drop in my garden! :clap:

 

[monocotman]

Just found out that the buyer was the seed company Thompson and Morgan.
Apparently it is going to be micropropagated.
Not too easy with snowdrops but possible.
David

 

[Lanmark]

Just found out that the buyer was the seed company Thompson and Morgan.
Apparently it is going to be micropropagated.
Not too easy with snowdrops but possible.
David

That's exciting! Now even more people will have the opportunity to grow this beautiful flower! :clap: