March 2017 in the Southern Hemisphere

[Mini bulb lover]

Looking good Jamus!

It's a pity I don't know anyone else that grew some of Marcus' Colchicum seed to see what their flowers look like. It's possible there was a mix up with just mine. I'm still happy with it, whatever it is.

[fermi de Sousa]

Fermi,

Garland Lily looks very nice.    Do you ever see Fringe Lily, Thysanotus, in your area? My understand is that there are 45 species in Southwestern Australia.

Hi Robert,
I've not seen fringe-lily locally but it may exist in some places nearby.
They're not the easiest native lily to cultivate - we're trying it in a sand-bed this time 
Another clump of Garland Lily is coming into flower
cheers
fermi

[fermi de Sousa]

At yesterday's AGS Vic Group meeting a few members brought Cyclamen;
1) Viv's cyclamen
2) Cynthia had C. rohlfsianum;
3) Otto had a mixed pot featuring C. mirabile 'Tilebarn Nicholas';
at home this morning I found in flower one of our C. mirabile grown from AGS Seedex seed ex 'Tilebarn Nicholas'
cheers
fermi

[Robert]

Hi Robert,
I've not seen fringe-lily locally but it may exist in some places nearby.
They're not the easiest native lily to cultivate - we're trying it in a sand-bed this time 
Another clump of Garland Lily is coming into flower
cheers
fermi

Fermi,

Thanks for the information. Let us (all) know if you have success with the Fringe-lilies in the sand-bed.

[Jupiter]

Here is a dodgy picture of a crocus I snapped with my phone last night at a friends house. She said she bought the seed from Marcus a few years ago. I know it's a long shot, but can anyone hazard a guess as to what it might be? Otto? Anita?

Characteristics: Bluish purple tepals, yellowish in the throat. Slight darker striping, pointed tepal tips, short orange anthers.

[Lesley Cox]

Are the anthers white? If so, probably pulchellus. I have a lot just starting also from Marcus' seed and a good deepish purple shade. Pulchellus is often paler.

[Lesley Cox]

Sorry, didn't read it properly. NOT pulchellus with orange anthers. Early speciosus? Ian Y will know, for sure.

[Lesley Cox]

Looking good Jamus!

It's a pity I don't know anyone else that grew some of Marcus' Colchicum seed to see what their flowers look like. It's possible there was a mix up with just mine. I'm still happy with it, whatever it is.

I had a lot of colchicum seed including variegatum (and Cyclamen) from Marcus' final list but not a single thing has germinated from the whole lot after a bit more than a year. I won't throw them out any time soon but I have to say I'm pretty disappointed.Actually, I do have one seedling just a few days ago, from one of the Dracunculus but nothing else.

[Jupiter]

I was sort of thinking C. longiflorus, but the anthers weren't quite frilly enough (technical term). I didn't look that carefully though.

[Maggi Young]

I think a C. speciosus

[Otto Fauser]

Jamus , you usually take superb photos but this one is terrible . As Maggi  I think it is Crocus speciosus . However I have to see the orange finely divided style over topping the anthers .

[Jupiter]

haha! you are right Otto. It's awful. I do apologise.    I will tell Dannie that we think it might be speciosus.