Oh, no! This is very sad news. Bill was at our local Farmer's Mkt almost every year. He was so enthusiastic and loved his bulbs so much, it wasn't possible to pass by without stopping for a chat which always turned into a long and educational conversation. Right now many lovely and fragrant Narcissus from his stock are blooming in our orchard and gracing every room in our home. I just made the first cut yesterday. I will miss him so much. I hope someone will rescue his bulbs so his work isn't lost. Perhaps others of you will attend the service for him. If so, I hope to see you and know who you are somehow. Lin in Watsonville where Spring is advancing apace and out my window I see Hardenbergia and Magnolia in bloom along with the Narcissus On 2020-02-21 09:07, michaelcmace@gmail.com wrote: > I heard this week that Bill Welch, AKA Bill the Bulb Baron, passed away at > the end of 2019. > https://pacificgardenschapel.com/tribute/details/… > Welch/obituary.html > > I hadn't seen Bill on this list recently, but he posted a lot in the past > decade. Bill had a farm near Watsonville, CA, where he grew Narcissus > hybrids and Amarygia. It sounds like he did a lot of work with Narcissus, > but his posts here were mostly about his beloved Amaryllids. He had a wealth > of knowledge and was always glad to share information. Thanks, Bill! > > From a post he made to the list in 2015: > > "Here on the coast near Watsonville, California, it is the most phenomenal > bloom year I have ever had on the Amaryllis belladonna hybrids--10,000s > blooming. And here I thought last year was outstanding! > > I attribute this abundance to the warming climate, all my bulbs are doing > better than ever in the last 2-3 years. > > They did get a few waterings in the months after the rains quit around New > Year's, but none after early April. > > I have also been seeing some of the deepest colors ever, as more of my > crosses reach maturity. My season is also peaking now but still many more > are emerging from the ground each day. It is a later and longer season than > usual." > > Even though he was about an hour from my house, I never found the time to go > over and look at those flowers. You always think there will be time next > year. > > Mike > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/… _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/…