Galanthus - January 2015

[mark smyth]

Arthur you might have stag on the bulbs behind 'EA Bowles'

[Jane]

A few Snowdrops in flower from around the garden this week.
Galanthus nivalis 'Finchale Abbey'.
Galanthus 'Greenfinch'.
Galanthus 'James Backhouse.
Galanthus nivalis 'Art Nouveau'

[Maggi Young]

They're doing well in the cold weather, Jane.
 I see you've still got stock in your mail-order lists... http://www.cornoviumsnowdrops.co.uk 

[Maggi Young]

Where's John Finch this year?

Working too hard and really busy - but well!

[Anne Repnow]

I was surprised and delighted to find my most expensive purchase last year has twin scapes - see photo of 'E A Bowles'

I think so, too, Arthur. I planted mine in 2013. Last year there were 2 scapes, this year there are at least 4, possibly 5.
Sutton Courteney: again - my experience, too. There are 6 scapes from the one bulb I planted in autum 2014! I like this snowdrop for its unique and cheerful looks - even when it is closed in bad weather.

[art600]

Arthur you might have stag on the bulbs behind 'EA Bowles'

I am glad this was spotted.  Have removed the pot and will investigate further.

Many thanks to all who advised me here and on Facebook.

[Carolyn Walker]

I think so, too, Arthur. I planted mine in 2013. Last year there were 2 scapes, this year there are at least 4, possibly 5.
Sutton Courteney: again - my experience, too. There are 6 scapes from the one bulb I planted in autum 2014! I like this snowdrop for its unique and cheerful looks - even when it is closed in bad weather.

I am confused about this issue.  In the American FB group, I mentioned two scapes on one bulb where each scape had its own set of leaves and was told that was impossible---that there must be more than one bulb there if there was more than one set of leaves.  That reasoning would mean that you have six bulbs because it looks like each Sutton Courteney scape has a set of leaves.

[Anne Repnow]

I know what you mean, Carolyn, I was surprised, too. This is not a good photograph, but it shows the situation. Maybe the bulb had divided up inside but was still wrapped in its outer covering, so appeared to be one bulb when planted in July last year?

The experts will know...

[mark smyth]

Sutton Courtenay is due to divide

[Martina Kopsieker]

Sutton Courtenay is due to divide

Yes,Mark. Sutton Courtenay is a really good galanthus. I multiplies fast, makes a good clump in no time. Its olive green ovary is quite showy.
My problem only was here- the narcissus flies liked it, too.
I had to remove it to another place in the garden.

Kind regards,Martina

[Alan_b]

I am confused about this issue.  In the American FB group, I mentioned two scapes on one bulb where each scape had its own set of leaves and was told that was impossible---that there must be more than one bulb there if there was more than one set of leaves. 

It's not uncommon for a snowdrop bulb to split 'internally' whilst retaining the outer scales.  I don't know how long it takes for a scale to get from the inside of the bulb to the outside but I think it must certainly be more than one season.  So I'm with the American FB on this one, each 'nose' produces a  set of leaves and each set of leaves produces one or more scapes.  You can have a bulb with multiple noses that are not visible when the bulb is dormant - but if you stripped off the outer scales you would find multiple bulbs inside.

[mark smyth]

'Moortown Mighty' is a mighty snowdrop - short, fat, thick outers just like ..?.. that down open when squeezed. I don't like its scent. With a wee squeeze I can see the inners but don't know if the outers open wide enough to reveal them. Two windowsill sessions and this is the widest they opened

[Anne Repnow]

It's not uncommon for a snowdrop bulb to split 'internally' whilst retaining the outer scales.  I don't know how long it takes for a scale to get from the inside of the bulb to the outside but I think it must certainly be more than one season.  So I'm with the American FB on this one, each 'nose' produces a  set of leaves and each set of leaves produces one or more scapes.  You can have a bulb with multiple noses that are not visible when the bulb is dormant - but if you stripped off the outer scales you would find multiple bulbs inside.

Thank you for the clarification, Alan! I thought that was the cause, but it is good to know for certain.

[SJW]

I'm not a galanthophile although the past couple of years I've started showing worrying signs of infection. I bought a pot of G elwesii from Wisley last year, because the flower marking on one was different to the other two in the pot. Thought I'd ask how common it is for the inner basal and apical green marks to merge? 

[Brian Ellis]

Steve, you are on the slippery slope   G.elwesii are endlessly variable so often you find marks have merged giving a sort of goblet shape, many are lovely.  This doesn't detract from your finds.  What would is if they were not stable year in, year out.  Enjoy them as you found them