Erythronium 2010

[Ian Y]

Leslie,

I would suggest that your Query 1 is E. multiscapoideum and Query 3 is E. oregonum.
Of course both these species hybridise in cultivation and without being in front of the plant it is difficult to give a deffinitive ID.

[Lesley Cox]

Thanks you everyone. I'll go and label them right now, before the flowers fade and I'm lost for another year. The multiscapoideum is indeed, outward facing, and if the other appears to be it is becaue I tipped the flower so it could be seen inside.

[Guff]

Lesley nice clump of Ruapuna Dawn.

Just so I know, should I have removed the offset bulbs before planting them? I did think about it, but planted them as is.

Dens canis

[Lesley Cox]

I think it pays to divvy up dens-canis quite often and maybe grow on the little ones separately. Otherwise I get heaps of leaves and precious few flowers.

[Hillview croconut]

Hi Paul,

No unfortunately  . Sooooo many plants not enough time! I do have a stunning hybrid from Libby Raines but it hasn't apprecited the move and is sulking. Perhaps it will never get "around" remaining one of those treasures held by only a handful. On the other hand the revolutum hybrid, "Hascombe" looks to be a better bet and might get on one of my future lists.

Erythronium from the northern hemisphere are not easy to acclimatise and you may as well forget NZ because now Australia requires a phyto AS WELL as post entry quarantine. Small specialist nurseries in NZ just can't cop the regulatory cost (2 inspections) and under that regime individual enthusiasts don't get a look in.

Cheers, Marcus

[Lesley Cox]

Tim Orpin received a few of 'Ruapuna Dawn' maybe 3 years ago Paul. I don't know how they fared but you could ask him some time. Or maybe they were in the consignment that quarantine managed to kill just about everything in it?

[Guff]

New Erythronium Bed, they are planted in leaf compost/sand. Should I fertilize them? I have Miracle Grow all purpose 24-8-16, tomato 18-18-21 and bone meal 6-9-0. If so which would be best to use? Thanks for info.

[Ian Y]

From the picture your compost looks to have quite a leaf compost content and I would doubt if you need to add fertiliser just now.
If you add anything use the bone meal and steer well clear of the high chemical nitrogen composts.
When the growth appears in the spring then is the time to asses if they need any extra nitrogen. You will be able to tell from the leaf growth and colour - pale colour and slow growth may indicate they need a gentle nitrogen boost but I would doubt this will be the case. Later in the season, around the time the flowers are going over you can add some potash, potassium, in what ever form you can get. The fine powder form we get is good because it enters into solution and is available to the plant quickly courser forms more like a fine grit should be added a bit sooner as it releases more slowly.
Hope this helps - I look forward to seeing the bed in spring.

[Guff]

Ian, thanks for the help.

Will post pictures if some flower.