Most of my "new" irises are from trades. You can get a great selection through trades, especially from folks afar.
Ok, that did not sound great, let me explain.
I love trading with local folks (in my case, PA, DE, MD, & NJ). The issue is the trading becomes somewhat incestial nature. Everybody locally trades with everybody else, so we have mostly the same stuff. There are local influences or preferences that dictate what is available. Other areas may have newer (or older) introductions that make trading outside your normal trade zone attractive. This is why I love ATP (and cubits) because I am trading with folks all across the the country (and Canada too).
So, I have "bought" very little, zero in fact from normal iris vendors. The PNW was the only place I "bought" from.
Though, when you pay just postage for irises, you still are "buying" them. (kind of splitting hairs)
Glad to see you back in the thick of things Neal!
