new Hellebore

[chris]

Hi here my reply again, I'm not that good in english, my dictionary is beside me,
about my crossings:
I will show you some pictures I use when I give my lecture about Hellebores,just give me some time.
I started my collection about 28 years ago and hybridise 25 years, I have worked a lot with wild plants and plants growing from seed from Ashwood and Washfield.
Most of my plants are planted out in open ground, I pollinate the flower when she just opens, than the pollen of this flower arent ripe and it is easy to put pollen from another plant on the pistils. I do that 3 days with the same flower so I'm sure the pollination is done well,3 years later I see what I have done, for good plants you need 4-6 crossings.
Diane not H.'Pluto' but another H.torquatus 'Strippy' is the start of the beautiful veins in most of H.'Picotee', if it opens I show a picture.If you backcrossed to H.lividus that means you backcrossed with a tender plant who dont likes cold and wet weather,you must make good drainage for your pottingsoil.
I try to repot my seedlings as soon as possible (and if I have time) one week before I repot I give my seedlings a firteliser with a lot of fosfor (10-52-10) so the roots have a good start to grow.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Great pictures everybody ! I'm quite impressed - so hard to choose the best form.
I had the pleasure to pay Chris a visit last week and to enjoy his achievements "live" - it was quite worthwhile  !   
If anyone were still in doubt : this man breathes knowledge about Hellebores, Hepatica, etc...
I hope I didn't make you blush Chris...
By the way, I got home safely with my plants and have given them a safe (I hope) harbour.

[Maggi Young]

Luc, perhaps we should be organising another bus trip... in Belgium!!

[Luc Gilgemyn]

I think we could make it worth your while Maggi !
And apart from plants you might even be tempted by some of our chocolates  or some of our unequalled beers 

[Maggi Young]

Bier, chocolate, chips, Chris' plants, what more could any visitor ask for?

[Johan Mens]

Diane
One of the striped wild forms.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Well... I could think of a few other things Maggi...

[Maggi Young]

Luc, you will get me into trouble and you know I can do that well enough already!

Johan, what an extraordinary flower. Such rich colours and the substance of the petals looks very strong and thick.

[snowdropman]

Johan - what an unusual flower, with that lovely veining

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Maggi, I was thinking of visiting Manneken Pis, Bruges and more such things.... or my Pleione collection... surely this wouldn't get you in to trouble

[Maggi Young]

Luc, the beer chocolate and chips is more than enough trouble for me! Also, I feel the bus trip turning into a fortnight's holiday!

[Luc Gilgemyn]

I rest my case Maggi 

[Johan Mens]

Maggi,
this one showed up few days ago and is opening now

[Geebo]

As You can see Maggi,Belgium has a lot to offer he, 8)I have not seen so many beautiful Helleborus pictures,more posted everyday,Johan,Luc,Chris,its like the tree Belgium tenors for there Hellebores,wait and see next we find the hepatica`s and pleiones on time next,IHave to agree with You Luc a visit to chris is always worth the journey,Chris and Rita are such lovely people,great to know them.Always ready to share advice,his love for plants says it all.Thanks for your knowledge and sharing it Chris.
Cheers Geebo
 

[snowdropman]

Maggi,
this one showed up few days ago and is opening now

Beautiful!!