Hi, I think Lyndon Lyon is a US vendor, since I just placed an order from them last week. But Dibley's, the hybridizer of the "Crystal" series is in England, and it's true that you can't order from them. They won't ship here. But if you found the Crystal streps on Lyndon Lyon, order them! People do occasionally sell them on ebay, at outrageous prices, so if you're really desperate, there's always that. Good luck!

Cabarb,

Yes, as Nikki said Lyndon Lyon is in the US. Go for it!!

Larry

Larry and mwedzi....you are both right, and I am wrong. I did mean Dibley's in England carries the Crystal Ice streps. I am so sorry....guess I can blame it on either old age or the darn earthquake we had earlier today! Thank you!

Be patient. They will come to us. I am sure of that, since all the older Dibley's creations have made it into circulation here and in Canada. Someone will bring back a leaf and someone will propagate it and before you know it, our mail order specialists like Lyndon Lyon will offer it.

By the way, I like the plants I have gotten from Lyon's though they are ones I bought at convention plant sales where they brought plants rather than mail order. But they are the same plants they ship. They grow amazingly robust and beautiful starter plants. Lyndon Lyon was a great hybridizer of AV's and gesneriads. He started the nursery in the late 40's I think. Today it is owned and operated by his grandson, Paul Sorano, who learned the business and learned the love of plants from his grandfather. He was the grandchild who hung out at the greenhouse from an early age. So, I am a big fan.

Jon

PS. Though the newer hybrids being created by Dibley's and other hybridizers, many of whom are also in the UK are outstanding, I still believe that one can get just about as nice plants by growing on seed, if that seed comes from some of the better hybrids. One seed pod from a single cross can produce an amazing assortment of outstanding flowers. A good source for a wide variety of strep seeds is the AGGS seed fund.

The African Violet centre (see straptocarpus leaves thread) in England has them in their nursery. You can email for a plant list, but again, I don't know if they send to USA.

There are eight greenhouses in Ste. Foy, Quebec, two devoted to streptocarpus. Prim'fleurs get tissue culture from labs in Europe and take the tissue culture to streps in 4 1/2 inch pots.

These are wholesale so you have to buy 15 plants at a time and shipping to US would be expensive. Many varieties are available including Crystal Ice.

www.info@primfleurs.com

I buy from Prim'fleurs and am satisfied with the plants. I am not able to sell or trade plants to US.

For the moment, appreciate what you have. There are some really great streps from Rob's, Lyons and Martens. Try some of the less popular Rob's. I have Bristol's Bingo Bango plus 15 others of his and they are outstanding.

Nancy