Bulb log 10 2014

[Matt T]

Ian,
Whilst you don't get seed on Mini Cycla, I was wondering whether you find that your 'F2 hybrids' are fertile, i.e. does your vigorous hybrid from N. cyclamineus x Mini Cycla set seed?

[Maggi Young]

Ian is  off to speak  (as both of us!) in Dunblane tonight, Matt.  I don't  think he's had seed off the hybrid  in Bulb Log 10 yet - but I'm not sure.

[Matt T]

The compatibility (or otherwise) of Narcissus is intriguing. It also makes you wonder how the taxonomy got so confusing when some of their ilk are not so promiscuous?!

[mark smyth]

Narcissus confuses - wow

[Diane Whitehead]

I am surprised to see that your Trillium ovatum maculosum flowers on California
time, just as mine does, despite your being so much farther north.  I wonder
what triggers it.

As is normal, ovatum native to British Columbia  is still completely below ground
- not even a leaf tip showing, let alone flowers.

[Maggi Young]

Most of our other Trillium are just coming above ground  now.
I wonder if this young maculatum maculosum got 'enthusiastic' after its move?  It will be interesting to see if it retains this early flowering as it matures.

[Ian Y]

Ian,
Whilst you don't get seed on Mini Cycla, I was wondering whether you find that your 'F2 hybrids' are fertile, i.e. does your vigorous hybrid from N. cyclamineus x Mini Cycla set seed?

Mat, the pollen on the F2 is fertile but to date I have not managed to get seed on the plants. This could be to do with cold weather at flowering time and does not mean that the plants are sterile- I live in hope.

I think Narcissus confuses would be a good name for the whole tribe

[Ian Y]

I am surprised to see that your Trillium ovatum maculosum flowers on California
time, just as mine does, despite your being so much farther north.  I wonder
what triggers it.

As is normal, ovatum native to British Columbia  is still completely below ground
- not even a leaf tip showing, let alone flowers.

Diane it is very early and it is planted on the north side of our house where it does not see any sunshine - it will be interesting to see if it continues with this early flowering in future years. Our normal Trillium ovatum is not through the ground yet.

[Matt T]

I think Narcissus confuses would be a good name for the whole tribe

I've just been looking at some identical looking plants I supposedly got as N. jonquilla var. henriquesii and N. fernandesii.

Narcissus maximus confusus!!   

I know Section Jonquillae is notoriously difficult (and even Blanchard didn't attempt a key), but I suspect one batch of bulbs was mislabelled and I've got the same plant twice. I'll identify which at the weekend.

[tonyg]

Narcissus confus us ... they certainly do

Just 4 species will do for me:
N. pseudoconfusus
N. bulboconfusus
N. jonquiconfusus
N. restwilconfusus
 

Ipheon also .... did someone tell me they are all called something else now .... Northoscordum? No that's just the one we used to call I. sellowianum.  However, the lovely pale blue job at the head of this weeks BLog is Ipheon Rolf Fiedler, great solid and refined flower compared to most of the others.  Ipheon Froyle Mill is a purplish one with the slightly 'untidy' flower shape which it shares with I. Alberto Castillo.

[Ian Y]

Thanks for correcting me Tony, I have a mental block on these two cultivar names an forever muddle them up. As to the genus I am sticking with Ipheon for now.

I like your Narcissus nomenclature that would just about cover them all

[Maggi Young]

There was an  error ,too, with the name of Trillium ovatum maculosum- given as maculatum, tsk!  now corrected :

http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2014Mar0913943651275MarchBULBLOG1014.pdf

[Matt T]

I've just been looking at some identical looking plants I supposedly got as N. jonquilla var. henriquesii and N. fernandesii ... I'll identify which at the weekend.

The wind has died down so I've finally been able to get out to the bulb frame to look at these two pots. Close examination (including with a tape measure and ruler) reveals that both plants are N. fernandesii. Here are some pics of the imposter, labelled as N. j. henriquesii, which is actually N. fernandesii.

[Matt T]

... both plants are N. fernandesii.

And the correctly labelled, N. fernandesii.

[fermi de Sousa]

There was an  error ,too, with the name of Trillium ovatum maculosum- given as maculatum, tsk!  now corrected :

http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2014Mar0913943651275MarchBULBLOG1014.pdf

But they're still in a "clod Scottish garden" - but definitely not a clod's garden!
cheers
fermi