Dear Judy: The same here in California, I noted the bulbs when shopping there Cosco's, last week. I think you will find these come from Japan, even though there are pictures of girls in Dutch costumes on the packages. If you find the bulbs firm, and if you give the tulips cool storage, you should enjoy them. Raised in various micro climates, I would not force them as then you may be disappointed. Purchased when first offered, these bulbs should be fine, but they can dry out if too long on the shelves. I doubt if you will get the true King Alfred, but another large trumpet, perhaps Dutch Master. At the prices you can hardly go wrong. Hippeastrums, they are also a good buy. Cheers, John E. Bryan. Judy Glattstein wrote: > > Last week at Costco (a big-box, warehouse type store that requires > membership if you shop there) I noticed large bags of bulbs. Yellow "King > Alfred" daffodils at 100 for $14.99, bags of tulips, hyacinths - nothing > uncommon, just "the usual suspects." > > My question - all these discount places, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, etc - seem > able to have spring flowering, fall planted bulbs available for sale way > earlier than mail order vendors can ship. How come? > > Judy in sticky icky humid New Jersey. > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php