Crocus February 2008

[mark smyth]

I'm hoping this is a pure white tommie. To the eye it's white but now that I have edited the photo I see a very small hint of cream on the outers

[mark smyth]

I took the white tommie photos at work and could have cried when I got back from a doing some deliveries. Someone or something had destroyed the flower. I needed a photo of the flower wide open and had left it outside in the sun.

[John Forrest]

The garden is full of C.tomassinianus which have produced a great variety of hybrids of different colours of inner and outer petals. The ones in the alpine house are less prolific and floriferous due to unintentional neglect but here are 3 anyway. I'm sure you will let me know if they are wrongly named.

[mark smyth]

John it's February now  I do know minimus is correct

[John Forrest]

So it is!!!!! I just clicked on the link new replies to my posts and never looked to check the date

I have moved JoF's posts to the correct month!M

[tonyg]

Here are some pics from the crocuses planted in roadside verges in Norwich.  There are several massive plantings which have been made in the last 10 or so years.  Mostly small biflorus/chrysanthus cultivars there are now some interesting hybrids appearing.  The first few shots are to give a flavour of the originals then there are some of the intermediates.  I've saved the best for last .... but this is only my opinion of course!

[mark smyth]

Tony are you allowed to lift special colours?

[tonyg]

I have had official permission - but not in writing   Now I have to
a) find the time
b) pluck up courage ... so far taking photos I've had mild abuse and offers of help to find the lost whateveritis!
c) make space for and care for them.
Right now I'm thinking they might be better off where they are for now

[mark smyth]

what's your opininion on the white tommie. I think it's either ex Janis or John Foster

[tonyg]

To my eye the flower shape in side view is more vernus than tommasinianus.  I have something which came with the name 'Good white tommasinianus' but I think it is white vernus or possibly a hybrid.  Nice to look at whatever it is - or was in the case of your bashed flower.
While on the subject of disasters, I would say this is my worst season for crocus ever.  Fewer flowers due to early dormancy, more pests (cutworms, slugs, aphids) and then there is virus and damping off diseases.  I have had losses like those recently described in the Crocus michelsonii thread, again more than ususal.  I think perhaps I should go back to growing sweet peas and petunias 

[mark smyth]

Thanks for the input. I've had flower stems rotting this year also and botrytis attacking flower buds before they open

[David Nicholson]

Tony is there an MBE in the offing for services to Norwich tourism, or is there a good job going in the Marketing Det at Norwich CC?

Lovely to see them.

[Brian Ellis]

Thanks for the reminder of how lucky we are in this area Tony.  The planting in Norwich is super and I also love all the Chionodoxa on the University approach road.

[Thomas Huber]

Thomas,
I agree chrysanthus "Spring Pearl" is very delightful and desireable
Who sold/still sells this cultivar?
[/quote]

Armin - I don't know who sells them, I have mine from friends in Holland.
But there should be a few spares for you in summer 


Tony, wonderful hybrids - take good care of them if they are replanted in your garden!
And if you don't find space, send them to Germany 

[mark smyth]

Here's a wee peek in the glass house this afternoon