Gloxinia Tigre Red

'Under pressure everything becomes fluid' is a winged saying that I like to use when we are once again pressed for time on some job. But it seems that this does not apply to the ink in my pen. It is already a quarter past half late and there is not a single letter on paper. Can I still do it, or have the best pears been picked?

Dahlia French Cancan

Also, a lot of texts still need to be written for all the new Dahlias and other cheerful bulbs that we are introducing this year and that will be available next Sunday, February 27. There are almost 40 of them from memory. Phew, they all need a nice text to try to convince you to throw them in your shopping cart. But hey, that will work out too and if a text is missing here or there, luckily we still have the photos.

Dahlia Yvonne

That reminds me of the Dahlia Yvonne. When I enter Dahlias in the web shop system and I can't find a photo right away, I always use this one. Just a nice photo with our house in the middle by the rear windmill and behind it the always sunny coastal town of Petten. That was also the case last year when entering Yvonne's details. But the funny thing is that I had forgotten about Yvonne for a moment and by the time I found out that Yvonne was on the site without a passport photo (and without text), Yvonne was already completely sold out. Look, that's how I get credit for my work, I do my best to produce nice photos and reasonable texts for everything we offer and then Yvonne comes along to point out to me that it can also be done without... catastrophe. By the way, this year there is a photo of Yvonne on the site, of course I had photos, I think Yvonne is really nice, but if you want to see what she looks like, you'll have to go to the site.

Dahlia Edge of Joy

But seriously, the above also tells you a bit about how popular Dahlias have become in recent years. Last year you really had to be quick to score a nice assortment of Dahlias for your garden. The Dahlias went online at midnight on Saturday night and by the time I woke up on Sunday morning the first ones were already sold out. I don't like to keep chasing you around but I think it's a shame if among you, dear newsletter readers, there are Dahlia lovers who miss the mark. So with that, keep an eye on next Sunday the 27th if you like Dahlias.

Dahlia Sweet Surprise

Since writing is not going well for me, I will share a nice reaction to my newsletter from two weeks ago with you. In that newsletter with the title 'The Winterdip' I showed pictures of Amaryllis seedlings that will only be for sale in the distant future.
This was the response I got from Eric:

Dear Carlos,

Thanks for the winter tip. Considering the restless greed that all the beauty and temptations from your letter cause - not only in me but undoubtedly in many others - I would like to return you a tip:

No doubt, 3 years ago, beautiful varieties were also selected by Marco Penning and associates? No doubt, you were also interested in them three years ago and no doubt you took photos then too? Why not place the delicacies from 3 years ago - which are now available, thank God - in the newsletter?! Better for my peace of mind and your business position. Why choose this form of schadenfreude when many people are already having such a hard time?

Now you force me to archive all your newsletters for at least 3 years and reread them with a delay of 3 years, to put money aside so that it will still be available in three years, to keep 'fluwel.nl' in my browser favorites for at least 3 years, to reserve suitable spots in the garden for three years, and... and... and....

As I write I wonder if you realize what you are doing to people who were once satisfied customers of Fluwel with your thoughtless letter, full of professional and childish enthusiasm? In short, you are thanked for this winter dip that you are now giving me and that may last for three years. And then dare to put it on the website as a motto 'Buying flower bulbs is a matter of trust.....'

Ehh, when will that newsletter about Camassia and Ornithogalum finally follow?

with thanks & regards,
Eric Epping

Motto in times of corona:
'Better a distant friend than a good neighbor!'

I don't know the good man but I had to laugh a lot. This is what I answered him:

Hello Eric,

Oops, in answering your comment I will have to proceed with caution and weigh each word carefully before I consider writing them down.
You have a very hard life. It's terrible... and then that newsletter... how awful... The nicest reaction I've ever received to a newsletter.

But I have a question, could I use your message in my next newsletter?
Then I can let the readers read what I have to go through and how complicated it all is for me :-)

Kind regards,

Carlos

I received the following answer from Eric again:

HAHA Carlos, like a bolt of lightning my winter blues are over!
Some companies are among my favorites because they deliver good products, some because they have a unique customer relationship, and some because they accidentally deliver buttery yellow crocuses when you order blue ones. You really tick all the boxes!
Yes of course you can use that message as long as it is about the Camassia, Nerine and Ornithogalum. I am curious how you will get through the rest of the winter...

Have a nice evening!
Eric

Eric would like to say that with customers like him I get through the winter laughing, I have a very nice life. Camassia, Ornithogalum and Nerine will definitely be on the agenda Eric.

Amaryllis Aquarel , one of the eye-catchers in my greenhouse.

But lo and behold, I've managed to cobble together another 1000 words and that while I wanted to try to tell you about the Gloxinia. That will be the cliffhanger this time.