Crocus January 2008

[mark smyth]

so tomato feed would be OK

[mark smyth]

mild = most of autumn so far

[Maggi Young]

Mark, tomato feed has quite a lot of nitrogen but if they weren't fed last year then that would be okay,  but not best. We're back to ye olde Sulphate of potash for preference!

[Andrew]

so tomato feed would be OK

I use Chempak No.8, 12.5:25:25 NPK.

[mark smyth]

OK I have that too.

Andrew I havent seen Chempak ferts over here

[David Shaw]

At last, this Crocus korolkowii has been sitting waiting for nearly a month now. Some sunshine on it today persuaded it to open for a short while.

[tonyg]

Any chance of enlightening us on the matter of C. crewei raised higher in the thread ?

If you are referring to the colour of the anthers I would agree with the opinion that the anthers of older flowers often appear yellow as the pollen hides the outer 'black' surfaces.  I have observed the same change with age in C biflorus melantherus.  Perhaps as the anthers open the black outer surface curls back on itself which would also serve to obscure the original colour.

[tonyg]

This arrived today with a request to publicise it.  I will be there!!!  Will you?

Crocus Open Day

Tuesday 26 February 2008
at the Hillside Event Centre, Wisley Garden
A day has been arranged to coincide with the current trial of Spring-flowering Crocus which is now in its second year.   
With special guest appearance of Janis Ruksans, who is flying in from Latvia to give the background on the many cultivars he has submitted to the trial.

The day will start at 10:30 with coffee
10.45    Brian Mathew :          General Introduction to Crocus
11.20   Alan Edwards :           Cultivation of Crocus
11.55   Roger Holland :    Bowles and the C. chrysanthus hybrids
12.30   Janis Ruksans :    Crocus in the Wild

12.30 – 13.00   Questions and Answers Session

14.00 – 15.30 Tours of the Trial of Spring-flowering Crocus, in the Rock Frame Yard, with Committee members and crocus people present to answer questions.

All attendees are invited to bring crocus for interest or identification
Tickets are £5.00.  Places are limited, so early booking is recommended.
……………………………………………………..
Crocus Day at Wisley on Tuesday 26 February 2008
I will be attending the morning talks    Yes   No  
I would like to attend a tour of the trial in the afternoon    Yes   No  
I will be bringing some plants for identification/interest Yes   No  

Names of guests for morning talks……………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Name…………………………………………………………………………………………..
   Please print

Address………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Tel: ………………………………………Email:……………………………………………………………

I enclose a cheque (£5 per person) for…£……………………
               made out to:  The Royal Horticultural Society

Please return to:

RHS Event Booking, PO Box 313, London SW1P 2PE
Tel:  Event Booking Hotline  0845 612 1253

For more information contact : RHS Trials Office Tel: 01483 212440 email: trials@rhs.org.uk

[mark smyth]

This is why I hate being stuck on an island! Why couldnt they tell us a year ago so I could arrange a cheap flight and accomodation?! Same goes for their Hepatica day. grrrr

[tonyg]

I'm stuck on an Island too - but mine's bigger than yours 

Besides 26 Feb is a bit late unless winter decides to turn up down here.  Most crocus will be well over by then

[Anthony Darby]

I'm stuck in teaching so Tuesdays are out.

[Tony Willis]

I can guarantee the provenance of my biflorus crewii as I collected the seed my self. Apart from angustifolius which I got from a friend this applies to all my crocus. The one thing I cannot always guarantee is the names particularly of the different biflorus.

On the subject of feeding maybe I will give it a go.

[Maggi Young]

Tony G. I have copied the Crocus Open Day info to the Events page for a little extra exposure.
 How we would LOVE to attend 

[David Shaw]

"Besides 26 Feb is a bit late unless winter decides to turn up down here.  Most crocus will be well over by then"
Tony, that C. korolkowii is the first of our early flowering crocus to even give a hint of perfoming! The rate that they are going this year we will be enjoying them in August

[David Nicholson]

My Spring flowering Crocus are behind as well although the Autumn flowerers were all early.