Amsterdam - buying flowers
 

During our trip to Amsterdam in June, I am interested in buying bulbs to give as gifts. I was excited to go to the flower market (Bloemenmarkt), but I recently read reviews that several people were scammed there. They thought they were getting multicolor tulips and they ended up being low quality of the same color. Any suggestions? Is there a certain kind to buy? Should I buy somewhere other than here? Thanks!

We will also be traveling north (Edam, Volendam, Groningen).

Thanks!

Be sure to research import regs. Mu husband bought some common tulips marked import safe but he had to go into the "special" line at our home airport, which did not make him a happy camper. You can get so much by mail order, not sure I'd consider it worth potential hassle, and I am an avid gardener.

Assuming you are from the US, here's the Customs form you will need to fill out and sign. As noted above you will need to declare that you are importing plants, even if it's marked by the seller as "import safe".

You may ask "I'm sure people do this all the time. What are the chances the customs agent will even know if I have bulbs if they are at the bottom of my checked bags." and it's a legitimate, question. If you're tempted to go that route the better question to ask yourself is "how will it work out if I'm caught lying to US federal agents..."

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a7cc1a1718.png

Same Dutch bulbs sold in packs 'from Holland' at home in U.S.

Buy them at the airport. You will be sure they are good to import into the US.
June is not really the time to buy bulbs. they will not be that fresh.

>>> During our trip to Amsterdam in June, I am interested in buying bulbs to give as gifts. I
I think you are there during the wrong season.
Tulip bulbs are harvested in summer for autumn planting. If you buy bulbs in June, they were probably harvested 10 months ago. The bulbs are likely to be stale. Reputable stores would not even bother to sell bulbs during the off-season. I always buy bulbs when I pass through Amsterdam in September but never in June.

It looks like you are from the U.S.? If you do visit Netherldands during the right season, be sure to get a package meant for the U.S. They have hologram like USDA(?) stickers on the bag. You find these bags at places catering to U.S. visitors. Not all the stores have these certified bulbs.

But you have to count on US airport employees respecting this--which does not always occur. I respect the regulation--it is meant to protect our environment and agriculture, but getting stuck in that line behind a multitude of horrors after a long miserable flight home is more than I can take.

>>Buy them at the airport. You will be sure they are good to import into the US.<<

>>But you have to count on US airport employees respecting this--which does not always occur. I respect the regulation--it is meant to protect our environment and agriculture, but getting stuck in that line behind a multitude of horrors after a long miserable flight home is more than I can take.<<

Just to clarify -- the line has nothing at all to do with whether they were legal imports or not. ANY fruits/veg/plants must be declared and then you have to go through special questioning/screening.

Okie: The main point is you really shouldn't be buying bulbs in June -- wrong time of year. If you are going to visit any growers, you can order bulbs to be sent later in the year. But honestly, you can get just about any sorts of tulips at home.

Just don't do it. There is no way you should buy tulip bulbs in June. There is nothing ultra-special about Dutch tulips (other than telling the neighbors you bought them in A'dam). You can get any kind of tulip you want at home in the USA, ready to plant at the right time of year. Having a bag of moldy Dutch bulbs come next February isn't going to impress anyone. Giving them as gifts is just mean.

Stores here even have Tulip Bulbs from Holland on the bag with a dutch motif - who would know where they were bought and as StCirq says bulbs will be fresh - and IMO probably cheaper as well and no going to the special Customs check if you declare live produce.

>>. . . who would know where they were bought<<

No, you really can't pass of something bought at Home Depot or your local Michigan nursery as a souvenir of Netherlands - there will always be some 'Americanization' of the labels. If only changing the grams to ounces and planting temperatures from C° to F° with a pasted over label. But usually other signs as well.

Okie: If the bulbs are to be gift souvenirs for someone else -- order them from a grower in the Netherlands for later shipping at the appropriate time. If they are for your own use -- just buy bulbs at home.

Tulips are IMO not the greatest gift - most folks have tulips galore already - perhaps that came from Holland in those multi-pack bags at Home Depot which do say imports from Holland often. Lace is a good item - little framed lace with windmills, etc on them. Every Dutch window seems to have these lace designs in their windows. Or a bottle of Jenever! -- the original gin and the national drink - men are said to drink the straight stuff but for something uniquely Dutch try the flavored ones (which a bar keep told me was only drunk by women).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenever

No, they don't.

Anyway, if you want to buy something traditionally alcoholic, first go here to taste: https://www.proeflokaalvanwees.nl and then buy a bottle of any Van Wees gin here, close to the source: https://slijterij-ooievaar.nl/en/ You can also see if the distillery has a tour available. Fenny van Wees has been distilling for decades and she's a passionate advocate for good gin.

>>No, they don't. <<

We know they don't - humour/humor him.

(I was going to post yesterday that they don't but just figured it would send another thread off the rails)

Many Dutch windows - about all I've seen in 40 years of travel - have white lace in them. Janis wouldn't know but if riding bikes and walking you would: https://www.google.com/search?q=dutc...w=1280&bih=625

Janis has no clue - Tulips does but still stand by my remark.

Was just suggesting things as souvenirs instead of flower bulbs that are identical to one you could buy at home - and I'd like to see menachem or hetismi's take on this - not that all windows have them but many do, especially on ground level or has this disappeared in the last decade since I was there?

I'm not a bulb person. But I do know, as was pointed out, that june is not the moment to buy them. I'd go for the gin, hehe.

Dutch people: heavy on "vitrage" window coverings, but not on "lace". Too frivolous. ("just be ordinary, that's crazy enough")

Lace windows are pretty passé, I should think. Same in France, though our garagiste, oddly, has them, and so does the police station!

I decided not to buy bulbs on my trip for several of the reasons mentioned here (heti's advice). I plan to order from this US based provider. Here are some reviews -
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/ww...urce=MicroStar

Lace window coverings are no more passe than matelasse. It may not be a personal choice, but not passe.