March 2007

[mark smyth]

Martin I'll go through Janis' catalogue later

Paddy is the Orchid hardy?

[Anthony Darby]

Paddy is the Orchid hardy?

No, not Hardy.

[Martin Baxendale]

Maggi, yes the Borat film was an anticlimax! I thought it might be a bit of a dud after reading various reports of it but thought I'd give it a go out of comedy interest. Really quite exploitative in all kinds of ways and not that funny.

On the bright side, our kids both got Nick Park's autograph and original Grommit sketches drawn for them right in front of their gobsmacked little eyes tonight, which they'll probably remember for the rest of their lives. Nick and my dad are both from Preston, so they're friends, and apparently a guided tour of the Ardman Animation studio may be on the cards, which will totally blow their minds. The new avatar photo is an up-to-date warts-receding-hairline-and-all grumpy old man snap from last summer in Cornwall. Grumpy face due to finding seafood restaurant we'd just walked 3 miles to was closed.

Mark, be warned, the tuberous corydalis are almost as addictive as snowdrops! Half an hour with Janis's catalogue and you'll be wanting them all. For the garden (and even for pots to start with) best to stick to what Janis lists as the Western Woodlanders, which tolerate moist conditions in summer but don't mind a bit of drought either. I've found the Eastern Woodlanders (which really need summer moisture) and the Bulb Belt Species (which need very dry summers - i.e. alpine house) to be much trickier.

To add a little to my earlier suggestions, the old bracteata X solida hybrid C. allenii is nice - not showy, but very attractive in a low-key way, easy and vigorous. C. marshalliana is another one I like, with creamy flowers, quite easy to grow.

[Maggi Young]

Lucky children indeed, Martin, and something they will remember, though other folks would be just as impressed meeting you and your Dad, after all, you Baxendales are to print what Park is to animation.
It's just that Hollywood and Oscar ceremonies have a special cachet!

Mark, there is also Corydalis buschii, a gentle pink with feathery foliage for later in the year, and Ian's own 'Craigton Blue'  as recommended by Henrik Zetterlund!!(C. flexuosa x elata hybrid ... both parents are good, taller, of course than the earlier types) which extend the season a lot. C. cashmiriana is lovely, though sometimes miffy.

[Lesley Cox]

Those porophyllum saxifrages certainly do love a crevice garden.

[Lesley Cox]

John F, winter draws in, winter drawers on. Go figure.

[Martin Baxendale]

Yes, I'd forgotten about Corydalis buschii. Maggi's right, it's a nice little one for late in the corydalis season. Quite easy and reliable. And C. Craigton Blue is a stunner amongst the blue-flowered rhizomatous ones. Not too far-spreading and invasive with me and came through last summer's fierce drought fine, plus good foliage virtually all year round (while so many of the blue corydalis play dead at all kinds of odd times of year!). All the C. elata X flexuosa hybrids are brilliant garden plants. And most have inherited the (to my nose) sort of coconut-ish scent of elata, which I really like.

[Brian Ellis]

May I show my true Newbie colours -

Janis's catalogue?

[mark smyth]

probably the best catalogue in the world
Janis Ruksans Bulb Nursery
Rozula
LV-4150 Cesu distr.
LATVIA

$5 gets you on the mailing list but too late for 2007

JANIS  RUKSANS, Dr Biol HC - Bulb Nursery


The largest selection of the rarest small bulbs of top quality for the cheapest prices.  Richly illustrated catalogue for only 5, USD or Euro.  Refundable with first order.


J RUKSANS, PO Rozula, LV-4150 Cesis Distr, Latvia

Tel:  +371 41 00326, + 371 941 84 40            Fax: +371 41 33 223

E-mail: Janis.bulb@hawk.lv

[Maggi Young]

Brian, this is the catalogue of Janis Ruksans, the celebrated Latvian grower who was the Speaker at this February's Early Bulb Day in Dunblane.  A most experienced grower and explorer in the world of bulbs, not to mention a man who has been honoured for his services to his Country, receiving a prestigious award from the Latvian President.  He is also a very, very nice chap, so kind and helpful. His charming wife, Guna, grows perennials... what a family!

Send for a list and prepare to be tempted.... very tempted!

[mark smyth]

and try to avoid unnecessary spending prior to it's arrival and the arrival of the goodies. He has a UK bank that money can be transfered to. Well not to sure if UK is the word as it's one of our banks the Ulster Bank. To avoid costs for Scottish Rockers transfering money to the bank you could send cheques/cash to me and I will lodge them

[Martin Baxendale]

I've paid by direct transer to Janis's bank in N. Ireland and haven't had any bank charges. I think it must count as a UK bank. I did it quite simply via my online banking, just clicking on 'pay a bill or person'. But with the bank details Janis provides, you could do it in your bank branch.

[Hans J]

Hi ,

If anybody is interestet for the last list of Janis please contact me -I will send it .

Greetings
Hans

[mark smyth]

Martin last time I wanted to transfer money to England my bank wanted £24!

[Martin Baxendale]

That's a bit steep, Mark. I get direct transfer payments into my bank (Lloyds) from overseas licensees in Euros, dollars, zloty, roubles, and all sorts of other currencies, and the standard charge my bank makes to me for receiving the money and exchanging it is about £7.