Let me introduce myself ...

[Katherine J]

A late welcome to everyone and especially to Katherine or is it Katalin?

Hi, Joakim! Yes, in fact I am Katalin but I thought Katherine is easier to spell for all of the forumists. I am revealed now 
Zalaegerszeg is not too close to Budapest, but if you come some time for gardening let me know, maybe we can meet somewhere.

[Maggi Young]

Then surely, Katalin, we should call you Katalin?  I WILL call you Katalin!!

[Katherine J]

I confess you even more, Maggi. My friends here, in Hungary call me Kata. If you like it...

[Maggi Young]

That is very pretty... so I will call you Kata! 

[Ezeiza]

Hello:
        I am Alberto Castillo from near Buenos Aires, Argentina, South America. I maintain a Botanical Garden dedicated to the conservation of geophytes from all over the world, particularly those of the American continent.

         We have a huge collection of species and a few hybrids. I have travelled widely over several countries of South America to see the plants in habitat and am most interested in sharing this information in order to improve other people's methods of cultivation.

         Sadly, several countries in this subcontinent are being transformed in soybean fields and very many species are in the verge of extinction after a few years. Stock of several species in cultivation might well be all that is left in the world of them alive. Along this, the role that succesful growers can play in an overall conservation program is of paramount importance.


Best regards
Alberto


Best regards

[Ian Y]

Welcome to our forum, Alberto, I had a suspicion it was you.

We are delighted that you have chosen to share your wealth of knowledge and experience with us on the SRGC forum.

I agree entirely with you about the importance of preserving the plants that we have in cultivation as sadly that may be their last place on the planet as habitats are being destroyed.
Continually raising from seed and confirming the identities of our plants is very important work and we all love doing it.
I am so proud of this forum - the combined level of knowledge and skills in cultivation of our forumists are awesome.
I am lucky and am travelling to New Zealand this week to talk about Bulbs I will also be spending a lot of time on field trips but there are not many bulbs native to NZ. Luckily I have always had a big interest in NZ alpines and they were among the first plants I bought from Jack Drakes Nursery in 1972.

[Ezeiza]

Hi Ian:

         My pleasure, after all this is the best plant forum in the galaxy!.

         Reading with envy where you are going now, that wonderful country full of outstanding gardeners.

         Take a good look around, they grow many species of South American bulbs. Due to the strict quarantine rules, it seems all the material is virus free. The presence of virus is a problem in Australia, the States and other parts of the world. But apparently no tin New Zealand.


Regards

[Alberto]

Alberto, it is really a pleasure to have you on this forum. It was a long time I have not read of you on PBS. I hope on next spring you will be able to send the bulbs of Hymenocallis you promised me, times ago.
Your land is really rich in bulbous plants, so if you can share experience and seeds it should be fantastic for Europeans!

My regards

Alberto
 

[Ezeiza]

Hi Alberto:
              Congratulations on your article in "The Plantsman", it was great to read it.

               Seed is ripening right now for you. Thank you for your patience but you know, I can hardly cope with so many requests for our plants.

Alberto Castillo

[Casalima]

¡Bienvenido, Alberto!

I posted my Ipheions and the next message I read was your introduction - a pleasant coincidence! I look forward to reading your posts!

um abraço

[Paddy Tobin]

Alberto,

Your name has been familiar before you posted on the forum - so to speak, we grow you in our garden. Great to have you with us and looking forward to many interesting posts from South America.

Paddy

[David Nicholson]

You are very welcome Alberto. Good to have your knowledge and  expertise available on the Forum

[John Forrest]

Hi Alberto,

I got from you (through Rafa) 2 of your Ipheion hybrids in January 2006. I promised at the time that I would not show nor publish photographs before you had written them up. They are 'CHUBBY' and 'SAIV', both of which are still growing. Do you have any more information on them and please let me know if I can put a photograph on the forum OR perhaps you will be doing it now that you are here yourself.


Best wishes
John

[Anthony Darby]

Fabtastic. Wow. To be named after a plant. Brilliant. Seriously though, welcome welcome welcome Alberto.

[Lesley Cox]

How wonderful to have Alberto Castillo on our Forum. You and all your excellent information are so, so welcome Alberto. Now, perhaps Rolf Feidler.....?