Galanthus nivalis 'Green Light'

[Alan_b]

Thank you anyway, Brian.  I have actually only just made it from 'newbie' to 'junior'!!

I have another green-leaved green-tipped form, found nearby, that has an elongated ovary compared to 'Green Light'.  Maybe in 'Green Light' the ovary is still a little long or maybe this is my imagination.  I will leave this to the experts on the forum to determine.   

[Maggi Young]

By Jove, Anthony, I'm hoping Alan'll make another 13000 postings!

..... though he needn't feel he has to get them all done by next Thursday

[Maggi Young]

the ovary is still a little long

Good grief! You mean to say there is an optimum length for snowdrop ovaries?  What next?

[Brian Ellis]

Good grief! You mean to say there is an optimum length for snowdrop ovaries?

Just see what you are missing out on Maggie

[mark smyth]

Yes the ovary looks slightly long but they are so varied. I'll look for examples when I get home

[Maggi Young]

Brian, I assure you, if you were female then the thought of an ovarian measuring discussion would curl more than your hair!

[Brian Ellis]

thought of an ovarian measuring discussion would curl more than your hair!

Maggi if I were female I might have some to curl

[Anthony Darby]

thought of an ovarian measuring discussion would curl more than your hair!

Maggi if I were female I might have some to curl

I'm with you Brian.

..... though he needn't feel he has to get them all done by next Thursday

Should be done by Friday?

[Alan_b]

Well as one more post to add to my total, I might as well finish the story and explain how Joe Sharman of Monksilver Nursery became involved.

At the time of my discovery, I was not at all confident of my ability to identify snowdrops so I wanted a second opinion from a snowdrop expert.  I also wanted permission to collect some of these interesting snowdrops before somebody decided to light a bonfire on top of them or otherwise imperil them.  I contacted Joe Sharman and he was able to use his local contacts to get the necessary permission so, one day in February 2004, I and he (and a friend of his who was visiting) met together in the wood where they grew.  Joe and his friend set to work and in the space of about half an hour they found eight (!) other snowdrops with some interesting feature in the same locality.  It was quite awe-inspiring to see how good they were at doing this, compared to my meagre abilities.  Amongst these there were two more clones with the same feature of green leaves and green-tipped outer petals.  We took a few specimens of each type and divided them amongst the three of us.

After trialling the three green-leaved, green-tipped clones, Joe selected the one he thought was the best and it turned out to be the one I originally discovered, which he has named 'Green Light'.  I hope this story will give heart to other snowdrop beginners by showing that it is possible to find a snowdrop that is worthy of cultivation.

   

[KentGardener]

Hi Alan,

as I was reading your account, there was a moving film on telly with suitably tear jerking music.  I found your story of discovery was almost hollywood standard with the background piano accompaniment.

Thank you, very interesting, nice to know the story behind a snowdrop discovery and especailly when it is one of 'our family' that found a £40 each 'drop!  I will be searching my local woods this weekend.

Maggie - I know he can't move from Jnr instanly - but I join with Brian on the campaign trail.  How about a personal monika ('finder of the light'?).

regards

John

[Maggi Young]

'tis done 

[Brian Ellis]

'tis done

You are incomparable (I think that's how I spell it)

[Maggi Young]

Just call me FAB, Brian, it's easier... and I like it!

[Maggi Young]

By the way, Brian, don't you agree my modesty is one of my most endearing features???

[Anthony Darby]

It used to be my only fault Maggi.