Cow Pie Effect Question

[Rick Goodenough]

I have a friend in Vermont, US who has discovered a bold yellow drop that appears to be elwesii v. elwesii. They always have a lot of snow and this year was no exception, so the worry is that this discovery may not be anything more than a cow pie (is that the scientific term? ) effect. My question is how long after bringing such a drop into normal light conditions does it typically take for some green to begin to appear? 

Here is his photo of the drop in question.

[Alan_b]

We generally say "cowpat" here in the UK.  A cow pie is something different, a Scottish delicacy I believe:
:

The suspicious feature of your yellow snowdrop is that the spathe and the pedicel are yellow as well as the flower.  That's a pity because it would be a lovely yellow snowdrop if repeatable.  As the story goes, you may have to wait until next year to find out one way or the other.

(See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desperate_Dan for more information about the image).

[Brian Ellis]

There is a touch of green at the base of the pedicel where it is in the spathe so I would keep an eye on it.  If it does stay yellow it is rather nice

[Rick Goodenough]

Thank you Alan and Brian. We will hope for this one for 11 months and will likely know then.  I understand that now after a week in the sun, there is no more green showing than in this shot...I thought this might be good news, but that is why I posed the question.  Patience is the watchword.

[Rick Goodenough]

And Alan, the graphic of a Scottish cow-pie will help me remember to write cowpat! Fun...is the dish a tasty one?

[Brian Ellis]

I understand that now after a week in the sun, there is no more green showing than in this shot...

Sounds very promising

[Alan_b]

...is the dish a tasty one?

I've never tried it myself because:

• The horns and the tail sticking out always put me off.
• I don't think 'Desperate Dan' is keen on sharing and he's not the sort of man you want to annoy.

However here's a recipe that does not require the whole cow http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/granny_tammys_cow_pie_05632

[Rick Goodenough]

Thanks again Brian and Alan.  I agree not to tango with 'Desperate Dan', but will make a point to try to cook a cow pie and will report in if I actually pull it off.

[Maggi Young]

I've never tried it myself because:

• The horns and the tail sticking out always put me off.
• I don't think 'Desperate Dan' is keen on sharing and he's not the sort of man you want to annoy.

Yes, the  horns and tail are not the most appealing parts of the beast - and it's the devil of a job getting an oven which is big enough to fit them in....... 

[Rick Goodenough]

 

[hwscot]

• I don't think 'Desperate Dan' is keen on sharing and he's not the sort of man you want to annoy.

He's from Dundee.

[Maggi Young]

He's from Dundee.

Tells you everything, really! 

[Rick Goodenough]

Must be a regional appreciation, Dundee. I have a cousin who is doing genealogical work and has discovered a Scottish connection to Robert Bruce, wonder if he helped get Dundee's reputation going?  This has moved down a bit of a rabbit trail from yellow snowdrops.

[Maggi Young]

Rabbit trails are all part of a garden's  rich tapestry, I reckon 

Besides - we need to fill the time somehow  until next season when we will see what that nice yellow 'drop does next year! 

[Rick Goodenough]

Yes, thank you Maggie.