G. Straffan

[Maggi Young]

it's STRAWN!

As Luit pointed out in another thread a few days ago, that is how he discovered the Aberdeenshire village of Strachan is pronounced!!

[Paddy Tobin]

Here in the south-east of Ireland we would pronounce it 'snowdrop'.

Paddy

[David Nicholson]

Here in the south-east of Ireland we would pronounce it 'snowdrop'.

Paddy

 

[apothecary]

Kristina, Mark's photo demonstrates exactly what a perfect 'Straffan' mark should look like when the bulbs are growing strongly. The more I look at yours the more I feel it's 'Straffan' that's not growing very well and producing a rather poor mark. Can I see red-brown marks and distorted growth on one or more leaf tips in your photo? Could be disease if that's what I can see.

Well, as it happens you can, but only on one pair of leaves.  I had assumed something had nibbled at the meristem when they were but babies, but you might be closer to the truth.  It's hard to tell.  One thing I have noticed now that I look more carefully is that there appear to be two different types of leaf and some, including the distorted pair, are a darker, glossier, longer, narrower than the ones that the scape has emerged from.  Could this also be a symptom of disease?  Or are they just another bunch of rogues?

[Anthony Darby]

Here in the south-east of Ireland we would pronounce it 'snowdrop'.

Paddy

Careful or Mark will get in his lttle plane and strafe your house Paddy.

[loes]

and in Holland we say straf-fan 

[Martin Baxendale]

Kristina, snowdrop leaves losing their way 'bloom' and turning greener can indicate that there's something wrong with the bulbs - bulb rot, poor rooting or disease. In combination with the browned and distorted leaves, I'd say  there might be a disease problem; possibly stagonospora curtisii (a common fungal disease of snowdrops and narcissus - known as leaf scorch in narcissus).

For a start, pinch off the browned and distorted bits of leaf to help prevent spread to other leaves. I'd also suggest trying to get the affected bulb(s) out of the clump or pot and re-potting on their own while you observe them to see if they recover (and keep well away from other snowdrops). I'd also keep the healthier bulbs away from other snowdrops in case they're already infected. You could spray or water with fungicide, but the most effective (carbendazim) is not available to amateur gardeners - although you may well be able to get hold of it (but may not wish to use it).

[mark smyth]

I brought Straffan into the house today to force them open for a close up then the electrician guy arrived and didnt leave until six. Putting the pot outside I noticed the scent of Straffan is very strong and smells of honey

[johnw]

Is Straffan prone to virus or an inherent weakness?  I have lost this one numerous times and now the most recent replacement is not looking terribly vigorous.

johnw
Z6 & Z7

[Martin Baxendale]

Is Straffan prone to virus or an inherent weakness?  I have lost this one numerous times and now the most recent replacement is not looking terribly vigorous.

johnw
Z6 & Z7

Straffan is supposed to be quite easy to grow, but I don't find it very strong and easy, and I've lost clumps to disease. It's very old now and may be starting to show its age. I don't think it's especially prone to virus, but I think it may be susceptible to fungal disease, especially stagonospora curtisii. My Straffan that survive tend to be in places that are drier and better drained than usual (where stagonospora, which likes wet conditions, is less likely to cause problems).

[johnw]

Martin - Thanks, point taken.  I'll try a drier spot with sharp drainage.

johnw

[Paddy Tobin]

John,

You do know that G. 'Straffan' is an Irish snowdrop - so, what could possibly be wrong with it!

Seriously, I have found it a good plant in the garden, clumping up well and coming to its best at the moment.

Based in Nova Scotia, despite its New Scotland name, you might very well have Irish connections and this is an appropriate plant to grow and sure to prosper with you if you speak to it in Irish.

Paddy

[johnw]

Paddy said  "this is an appropriate plant to grow and sure to prosper with you if you speak to it in Irish."

Paddy - Must be the Gàidhlig to blame.

deagh feasgar

johnw

[Maggi Young]

I knew it! I was just about to post that there are likely almost as many Gaelic  speakers in Nova Scotia and those Eastern Islands of Canada as there are left in Scotland.... and up pops the Irish Gàidhlig, too!

[Anthony Darby]

If it's Irish I'll have to stop calling it Straff'n then?