crocus abantensis

[Arda Takan]

hello all,
I'm planning to visit Abant next week and I am hoping to see some crocus abantensis. I know this year spring came very early and it is even latter than the normal time of blooming but do you think I can find any blooming crocus abantensis? Or only leaves?
Thanks
Arda,

[Janis Ruksans]

I think you will find, may be you will need longer walk, but there are plenty of gullies with more snow where blooming delays. And there were quite heavy snowing at quite low altitudes NW Turkey during last days of our trip (16-17th of March). So I suppose - you will see flowers, too. Look for unusual colours and may be you will be lucky to find some Crocus x paulinae with brownish flowers.

[Arda Takan]

Thank you Janis!

[Arda Takan]

by the way I forgot to say I have no car so the location of hotel I will stay is very important. could you suggest any?

[Janis Ruksans]

I never lived in hotel near Abant, I think they are very expensive (at least for me). I usually lived quite far from locality in small moderate city hotels. There are several just near lake.

[Arda Takan]

Unfortunately I will stay in that expensive hotel(I have no car). I've made the reservation. Hope I'll find what I want on saturday.
Thank you for your reply Janis,
best regards,
Arda

[Maggi Young]

I hope you have a good trip, Arda, and that you see lots of crocus 

[Janis Ruksans]

Unfortunately I will stay in that expensive hotel(I have no car). I've made the reservation. Hope I'll find what I want on saturday.
Thank you for your reply Janis,
best regards,
Arda

Arda, go by main road up to pass and then turn right, higher by slope and you will find C. abantensis. It is growing together with ancyrensis. I usually puictured my plants just on both sides of pass, but you are later, so must go up higher by slope. Both species grow there in abbundabce, so must not be problems. Side by side is C. speciosus (autumn bloomer), too, but it is more under trees in partial shade. The last is growing at lekes altitude and even lower, too.
All depends from weather. Ones I was there in mid March, C. abantensis just started blooming. I returned on my way back 10 days later and all were under deep snow.

[Arda Takan]

My Journey is completed.  I have found too few c.  abantensis at south of lake so I decided to climb.  At the highest point and end of the forest,  near snow I have found a great amount c.  Abantensis.  I will add photos when I reach home.
Arda

[Maggi Young]

Excellent news that you found the flowers, Arda. We will look forward to seeing the photos later.

[Arda Takan]

I'll add more soon

[Arda Takan]

Sorry for delay,
I am back with more pictures( but not with good quality I am sorry)

After reaching abant about 8 AM I went directly to the south of the lake. An there near the path I found these little crocuses.

[Arda Takan]

I wasn't satisfied with the looks, so I remembered what Janis said and decided to climb.

[Arda Takan]

So when I reach the top of the hill I saw the snow and hundreds of cyclamens,Primula(??)s and  crocuses.

[Arda Takan]

Me stepping on snow and enjoying the view.