Time marches on. I’ve been growing Lilies for 38 years now & selling them for almost as long. At age 79 I am beginning to find the annual task of digging bulbs more difficult.
At the moment, I am approaching the end of 11 weeks of lifting, washing, packing larger bulbs in crates of coco-peat to hold until they are all ready to list, and replanting the smaller ones for next year.
My great passion is in hybridising. The general nursery trade does not produce the Lilies and other plants that I, and many others, want to grow. Hence, I have spent the most enjoyable years of my life trying to change that.
Doing that is not exactly profitable. However, my very limited annual sales proceeds make it possible to continue the work I choose to pursue.
Most regrettably, something has got to give. My chosen strategy is to continue breeding new Lilies (as well as Lapagerias, Lewisias & Kalmias), as it would seem that no-one else wants to work with the plants I enjoy most.
Over coming years, I will be cutting down on the volume of Oriental Hybrid Lilies. These produce large bulbs with strong root systems that are hard to dig. I sprained my wrist digging some of these monsters a few weeks ago & that cost me at least a week’s progress. This only underscores my earlier thoughts.
I have replanted Orientals for next year, but in reduced numbers, so the next year will see a big reduction in the volume of these Lilies.
That hurts, as I have some great new Orientals to be released and I am very proud of the Orientals I have produced over the years.
Asiatic Hybrid Lilies are much easier to manage as are the Martagon Lilies that I will have more of over the next few years.
After many years without change, some prices have had to increase to cover ever-increasing costs.
Despite all of this, there will be more bulbs for sale this year than ever before, but that won’t happen again.
Please accept my apologies for all of this, but getting old brings limitations, and the alternative isn’t very attractive.
I would happily sell the business if there were someone with the necessary commitment who was happy to give it a try.
The joy I have derived from my work with Lilies over the years is quite amazing. Similarly, it has been my privilege to build a client base, many of whom I have come to consider as friends. Thank you all for your interest & support. I will continue with Cam Lilies (and Exquisite Plants), as long as I am able. I have always believed that we need good reasons to get out of bed each morning, and plants have certainly given me that.