November 2014 snowdrops

[Alan_b]

I am waiting for the yellow r-o 'Fotini' and the yellow 'Rosemary Burnham'.  Think they might set a new EBay record 

Me too, Arthur.  Yet, oddly, I don't think there are any known examples of a yellow equivalent to a virescent snowdrop.  Perhaps each type (yellow markings and virescent) is individually rare so the chances of combining the two by accident is very small.  But a yellow analogue of the trym-types has been bred so perhaps a really yellow snowdrop is not too far off?

[Brian Ellis]

here is for all a test with seeing colors...thats the famous Ishihara test 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishihara_Test

The test is also here with reasons why some numbers are not seen:

http://ishiharatest.blogspot.co.uk/

[Maggi Young]

Hi could I have some advice from the expert snowdrop growers on here please, I grow galanthus Cilicicus, peshmenii & Reginae Olgae Tilebarn Jamie, there flowers have gone over, I want to ensure a good seed set so I can increase my number of these loverly plants. How do I treat them?, do they need feeding & when will the seed be ripe? Thanks John

I'm a long way from an expert snowdrop grower, John - so I hope one of the real 'drop lovers will advise you - but - for other bulbs, I'd give a  pinch ( not more than a quarter teaspoon) of sulphate of potash powder, sprinkled over the top of the pot and watered in to feed the bulb while it  is ( you hope!) making seed.   
But let's see what the experts say........

[Mavers]

This is the first year I've noticed snowdrops that bloom in Feb/Mar being sold on Ebay at a time when the bulbs have just established or still forming their root systems.

Unless the bulb is grown in a pot & shipped in the pot how can the root disturbance & possibility of root damage/drying be anything but detrimental at this stage of its growth cycle?

[Maggi Young]

This is the first year I've noticed snowdrops that bloom in Feb/Mar being sold on Ebay at a time when the bulbs have just established or still forming their root systems.

Unless the bulb is grown in a pot & shipped in the pot how can the root disturbance & possibility of root damage/drying be anything but detrimental at this stage of its growth cycle?

  Something I think a few of us would wonder, Mike.  Can't be a good thing, I would think - though it must be a great idea for anyone wishing to pull the wool over the buyer's eyes -  since it will be so long before any "mistake" is noticed.

Cynical? Yes, I am .

[mark smyth]

At least one is offering pot grown bulbs - Blacksmith's http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/blacksmithscottagenursery/m.html?item=201200998957&hash=item2ed8839a2d&pt=UK_HomeGarden_Garden_PlantsSeedsBulbs_JN&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

[Maggi Young]

The test is also here with reasons why some numbers are not seen:

http://ishiharatest.blogspot.co.uk/

And here is the whole test..... http://www.dfisica.ubi.pt/~hgil/p.v.2/Ishihara/Ishihara.24.Plate.TEST.Book.pdf

[Mavers]

I don't think experienced growers would be too keen to purchase highly priced snowdrops at this time of year when they can soon be ordered & received at a more appropriate time for the bulbs or better still buy flowering snowdrops in rude health at the SHAFTESBURY SNOWDROP FESTIVAL   

See what I did there Emma?? 

[Mavers]

Are you coming to Shaftesbury Mark?

It would be good to meet you again.

[Maggi Young]

I don't think experienced growers would be too keen to purchase highly priced snowdrops at this time of year when they can soon be ordered & received at a more appropriate time for the bulbs or better still buy flowering snowdrops in rude health at the SHAFTESBURY SNOWDROP FESTIVAL   

See what I did there Emma?? 

Don't know about Emma - but I nearly fell off my seat laughing there! Well done !!

Couldn't agree more - there will be quality plants for sale from a whole range of well-known growers - I think that starting to fill a piggy bank now would be a great idea 

See here for booking details for the Day - and just for the sale - if you can bear to miss the talks: http://www.shaftesburysnowdrops.org/#/study-day/4581752903

The Scottish Rock Garden Club is proud to be sponsoring Matt Bishop's Talk and so  cementing our association with this super event in Shaftebury.

[chasw]

Great news that SRGC is again sponsoring a talker at Shaftesbury   

[emma T]

I don't think experienced growers would be too keen to purchase highly priced snowdrops at this time of year when they can soon be ordered & received at a more appropriate time for the bulbs or better still buy flowering snowdrops in rude health at the SHAFTESBURY SNOWDROP FESTIVAL   

See what I did there Emma?? 

I think I may have noticed 

I liquid feed my snowdrops with a dilute maxicrop seaweed feed

Hi could I have some advice from the expert snowdrop growers on here please, I grow galanthus Cilicicus, peshmenii & Reginae Olgae Tilebarn Jamie, there flowers have gone over, I want to ensure a good seed set so I can increase my number of these loverly plants. How do I treat them?, do they need feeding & when will the seed be ripe? Thanks John

[SnowClock]

Snow, try a plain pale grey background or a clear blue sky. The camera will concentrate on the flowers. I use plaster board.

Thanks for the advice, Mark! Next year I will experiment a bit with different backgrounds.

Looks like you might be too close for your camera to focus while on macro. What's your camera?

I have a Nikon D5000 with a 18-105 mm lens.

It's just that the colours in these 'coloured' snowdrops are never strong enough to get me excited. [...] Now galanthophiles have snowdrops that are white with a hint of orange or white with a tinge of pink but still, fundamentally, white.   

Of course you are right, Alan, that "Pink Panther" is "only" off-white and not really pink. But it is different. That is what makes this new range of "coloured" snowdrops highly collectible for me.
But I do love the virescent, too. And the yellow..., the Trym-likes..., the green-tipped and... *sigh* Okay, I love them all...    

[johnstephen29]

Hi Maggi Brian has already giving me some excellent advice and now Emma has as well, I've proberbly said this before, but I'm going to say it again this is what I love about the srgc people on here readily give you advice and helpful hints and tips, love it

[Mavers]

We're all learning John no matter how long we have loved growing our snowdrops & seeking out some new 'affordable' treasure.

Mike