August 2015 in the Southern Hemisphere

[melager]

Hi guys,

I get occasional seeds from my range of yellows. If I get some this next season I send you some Anthony. I have another NZ friend who asked me only a week ago if I had any so if I find a few I'll let you know.

A few more from Hill View:

Crocus tomm. Taplow Ruby - is this extinct in Europe?

Galanthus "Trymlet" - much better doer than its parent.

Galanthus "Ketton" - Good old tried and true one.

Cheers, Marcus

is that me you talking about Marcus, I promise I will share with Anthony when and if  I get some yellow grow

Mel

[melager]

Finally some crocuses opening. We had a nice sunny day here today for a change.

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C. tommasianus 'Ruby Giant'


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C. tommasianus 'Yalta'


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Helleborus


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C. vernus 'Pickwick'


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Ruby Giant again

Great photos Jamus

[melager]

it was great reading all the past few pages from all us southern hems, I will have to start putting up some photos as well, once I get a handle on how to do it.

Mel

[ashley]

Some articles say they are the same but in my opinion for what it is worth I don't agree, Narcissus moschatus is much taller than Narcissus alpestris. N. moschatus flowers are larger and it flowers later, may be in the wild they can't see the difference but the forms I have are very different.

I'd agree Viv.  N. moschatus - at least as I have it - is taller, later and fairly distinct from N. alpestris under garden conditions.  Foliage is more upright and its flowers open cream/primrose bicolour then fade to soft white, while N. alpestris forms (two Tony Willis collections & JJA 0.693.701) are all whiter from the start with tube strong green & streaked into the back of the petals.  My N. moschatus clone seems to be self-incompatible whereas N. alpestris is not.
Both very lovely though.

[Maggi Young]

Helleborus 'Anna's Red

If it's the same one Lesley, and it looks very much like it, Anna's Red was bred by Rodney Davey in deepest East Devon. Rodney is a Hellebore specialist and this is one plant from a series called RD Marbled Group and I think there is another called 'Penny's Pink'. He named the former after plantswoman and author Anna Pavord.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/howtogrow/9113922/Hellebore-heaven.html

 Was just about to post when I saw David had beaten me to it!

 We've also discussed this in the forum - it is an English raised plant, named forth Anna Pavord by  Mr Davey -     here http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=10137.msg269185#msg269185   and  http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=12613.msg328049#msg328049 

Jamus has a great pic of  the foliage here : http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=12327.msg314130#msg314130

Ralph had a pic here : http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=11215.msg294516#msg294516

and David here  http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=10138.msg268295#msg268295

[Parsla]

May I weigh in on the earth mite topic?

Californicus prey on the eggs of a range of spider mites, so could be worth a try. Another company that supplies by post to both domestic and agricultural customers is bugsforbugs.com.au; which is polite-speak for bug-eating bugs. I've tried a range of their predators over 3 or 4 years, from gall wasp parasites through to lacewings, and found them very effective.

Alternatively, spraying leaves with neem oil  (from Azadiracta indica) debilitates sucking or chewing insects but doesn't harm others - bees and ladybirds for instance.  I would think this includes spider mites.

That's my first post over and done with. 
Jacqui.

[Maggi Young]

Hello Jacqui, welcome the the posting side! 


 Re  Red legged earth mites  ( first mention here on page   - I had to 'google' this! 

Halotydeus destructor   http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/pests-diseases-and-weeds/pest-insects-and-mites/redlegged-earth-mite     

[Matt T]

Hello Jacqui, and welcome to the Forum - the friendliest site on the internet!

Re. spraying neem oil, is it effective only through contact with the critters (direct spraying or residue on leaves) or is there a systemic effect?

[Mini-daffs]

 
Hi
A few photos of cyclamen from our shade house.

[Parsla]

Hi Matt,

Thank you for the welcome.

Neem has a systemic effect, although I imagine that as an oil it would also smother the eggs. So it doesn't work immediately like pyrethrum. It inhibits feeding and egg laying.  Slowly but surely...

Jacqui.

[Mini-daffs]

 
Hi
A few more photos from our garden.

[Parsla]

Hi Maggie, that's a very helpful link you found.
Seems an egg predator could be just the thing!
And thank you for saying hello.
Helped me get over the posting nerves.
Jacqui.

[Matt T]

Thanks Jacqui, it sounds as though neem oil could be a useful tool for the conscientious gardener.

Three posts already - you're already at home here with us.

M

[Maggi Young]

Hi Maggie, that's a very helpful link you found.
Seems an egg predator could be just the thing!
And thank you for saying hello.
Helped me get over the posting nerves.
Jacqui.

  No need for nerves here, Jacqui, you're among friends. 

This red legged wotsit  sounds like a very determined pest of agriculture and horticulture- needs work on every front to control, I'm sure. 

[fermi de Sousa]

Hi Jacqui,
Welcome to the Forum.
Are you the recent new member of the AGS Vic Group?
cheers
fermi