Galanthus in February 2013

[Maggi Young]

Maggi - On our SRGC Calender ( the hard copy that came with the last Journal ), today is indicated as 'Snowdrop Day'. What is the significance of this please? 

Oh dear, had you not seen about this?
Today is Snowdrop Day, organised by the SRGC and held in Dunblane- Ian Christie announced it  back in October :
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=9587.msg256857#msg256857
and there have been other  posts, such as :
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=9508.0
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=9924.0
And the event is listed in the current journal - I cannot recall if it was in the previous one or not- I haven't had time to read that yet!

It's listed in the main site under various headings- and on the front page.
You'll see all the details in those posts

[KentGardener]

The clouds are blowing in alarmingly fast and the afternoon is darkening by the minute.   This might be my last warm and dry 45 minute break outside for today.

1 - 'Bloomer' has opened her petals for the first time tis year (that I have been at home to witness).

2 - 'Norfolk Blonde' - not a very yellow colour - but a very pretty little thing that is readily recognisable from the rest of the group of sandersii offerings.

3 - 'Narwhal' - I got this in 2008 and am now enjoying my first flowers 5 years later. 

4 - 'Fuzz' - seems one of the more willing spikies to flower.

5 - 'Swanton' - a very kind gift from an SRGC member - the flowers are just a week old.  As they mature they do a wonderful Diggory'esque shape.

[ronm]

Oh dear, had you not seen about this?

  Afraid I hadn't Maggi... thanks for putting me straight. I'm not a follower of the Galanthus, but when I saw this on the calender I thought it must be some sort of Traditional Celebration type day ( such as St.Andrews day etc.! ) , perhaps of a restricted local nature... .
Maybe it should be a day of celebration across the nation!

[Maggi Young]

Afraid I hadn't Maggi... thanks for putting me straight. I'm not a follower of the Galanthus, but when I saw this on the calender I thought it must be some sort of Traditional Celebration type day ( such as St.Andrews day etc.! ) , perhaps of a restricted local nature... .
Maybe it should be a day of celebration across the nation!

I think David has listed the major dates of the SRGC year in the calendar  - perhaps we can have a holiday for each of them? and cake!

[ronm]

I think David has listed the major dates of the SRGC year in the calendar  - perhaps we can have a holiday for each of them? and cake!

  An Excellent idea !!

[RichardW]

John, Swanton looks very nice, would like to see another pic when it's fully open.

my escaped Diggory with another small flowering bulb for comparison, looking more like Diggory with a green mark, cant wait to see this next year...

Prmirose Warburg with 7 flowers, after 10 years of failing is so nice to see 

various views of the moat & courtyard

[RichardW]

end of moat

[KentGardener]

A few more pics from my afternoon tea break.

1 - 'Angelique'

2 - her sister 'Gloria'

3 - 'Wilhem Bauer' - One I purchased in Germany - but to me it looks like it originated in Belgium.

4 - elwesii 'Don Armstrong' - A stunningly beautiful Canadian elwesii that I received as a very kind gift from an SRGC member.   

5 - EDIT:  added another pic of the 'Anglesey Abbey' as it was more open in the warm afternoon.

[johnw]

I'm just having a play with some pollen dusting. Can anyone point me in the direction of a good article on hand pollinating galanthus? The snowdrops monograph reports that Church says the stigma is receptive as soon as the flowers open. I'm finding it difficult removing the anthers without releasing pollen. Are they self-fertile or is emasculation unnecessary?

I usually try to remove the outers and inners well before they are ready to open so insects are not attracted; sometimes only the inners.  I do this by holding the flower upside down and then carefully removing the anthers with needle-nosed tweezers - again upside down so as not to release the pollen.  I return later to apply pollen when the stigma is ready, oftentimes repeated several times.  Never have managed to get micropore over the pollenated ovary but have with narcissus.

johnw - a balmy +3

[art600]

A few more pics from my afternoon tea break.

1 - 'Angelique'

2 - her sister 'Gloria'

3 - 'Wilhem Bauer' - One I purchased in Germany - but to me it looks like it originated in Belgium.

4 - elwesii 'Don Armstrong' - A stunningly beautiful Canadian elwesii that I received as a very kind gift from an SRGC member.   

5 - EDIT:  added another pic of the 'Anglesey Abbey' as it was more open in the warm afternoon.

Stunning plants John.

[MR GRUMPY]

Superb plants john.Stunning photo's too.I really love 'Don Armstrong' he looks lovely.

[MR GRUMPY]

I had a chance to take some photo's today.The first time they have opened up this year.
1. Green tear( first time it has opened up)
2. Hoverfly
3.Graeca (LB 525)
4.Pyramid

[JacquelineJ]

Stunning photos in this thread!  I guess you need lots of patience to be a Galanthophile... a 5yr wait to see your Narwhal!!!   Well worth it 

[Paddy Tobin]

Great set of shots, John. Lovely snowdrops.

[Mavers]

I rushed home this evening to see my snowdrops & they were actually OPEN!!

Took some photos of them in the SUNSHINE so will try to load them over the weekend.

Wonderful drops John, thanks for posting them.

Mike