August 2015 in the Southern Hemisphere

[fermi de Sousa]

Thanks Maggi, I believe it's one of those, but can't tell from the images which. S. greilhuberi Looks closer to me for the advanced foliage ahead of the blooms. Mine never sends up flower spikes with the first leaves and is a good clump before the first spikes emerge in late winter.

Hi Jamus,
I originally got it from Otto as Scilla hohenackeri but he later told that it was Scilla greilhuberi (as the leaves emerge in autumn) so it's now Fessia greilhuberi,
here's 2 pics - the second shows the blasted RLEM!
cheers
fermi

[Jupiter]

Thanks Fermi, now I can update its name in my plant list. It's nice to have things right.

[Lesley Cox]

It's lovely to see these beautiful spring things and I have a few to post myself but just feel I can't right now. Such sad news from Maggi this morning and I keep seeing that delightful wee furry face whenever I glance at my screen.

[fermi de Sousa]

Lesley,
I had that probelem till I got a non-reflective screen
 
Here are some pics of the bench exhibits at the August AGS Vic Group meeting:
The Bench
Viv's Scilla mischtschenkoana 'Tubergeniana'
Some of Otto's flowers, including Dionysia aretioides
The man himself!
cheers
fermi

[fermi de Sousa]

And BTW,
Good luck to all Kiwis in choosing a new flag! https://www.govt.nz/browse/engaging-with-government/the-nz-flag-your-chance-to-decide/
You guys are so far ahead of Oz in these social changes
cheers
fermi

[Parsla]

This is an unusual hellebore double - just the one bloom like this.

 

jacqui.

[Maggi Young]

Lesley,
I had that problem till I got a non-reflective screen
 

cheers
fermi

    That has raised a much needed giggle, fermi, thank you .

[Jupiter]

Fermi I absolutely agree with your statement about NZ's progressiveness. I'd love Australia to have a new flag. I love that the fern frond features in many of the suggestions. We should have a Swansonia or Eucalyptus or something. After all Canada has its maple leaf.

Also thank you for posting the pictures from the AGS meeting. Nice to see some of the plants on show and Otto.

[David Nicholson]

Can't see what's wrong with the current one meself?

[Lesley Cox]

Nor can most of us David, especially us "older" people who have grown up with and respected our national flag for eons, and especially those many men and women who went to war and fought under and for it. As one man said on TV last night, "I buried my mates under that flag. I don't want any other." The "new" flag is a diversion introduced by the current clueless Prime Minister, in order to direct attention away from the stupid and hideously expensive mistakes (many marginally or totally corrupt)  the govt is making over recent months and years. We are to have a referendum in November to decide on the top 4 or 6 designs chosen by a panel of "experts" (oh puleeze) and then another to decide between that winner and the current version. Cost of this little exercise is $26million while our health system fails many, the prison system is being farmed out to private enterprise for profit as is the education system and housing for the poor going the same way. (The name Serco ring any bells?)

The argument for a new one - or part of the argument - is that people can't distinguish between our fewer red stars and Australia's more white stars. So what? Even in this day and age, many of us can still count and are able to tell red from white!

OK, rant over - for now!

[Lesley Cox]

(I had the distinct impression Fermi that your comment re our possible new flag was tongue-in-cheek.) Funny, when spoken to on the street, almost all older people want to retain the present one while only about one third to a half of young people wish to change. Go figure.

[johnw]

Much the same feeling here in the 1960's when they ditched the Canadian Ensign.  Years later I've gotten used to it but still see the corporate logo of Maple Leaf Foods - suppliers of bacon  - flying over Parliament Hill!  Perhaps more appropriate over the Senate.......

johnw - pleasant day until it rained and the humidity went through the roof again.

[Hillview croconut]

Flags, anthems, preambles - bread and circuses.

I agree with Lesley. Devices to distract and "entertain" the masses. Let 'em feel they have some say in what's going on.

Cheers,  (from a cynical) Marcus

[Hillview croconut]

Hi Everyone,

Another lovely day. Will snap and post a few in between doing my tax!


Galanthus transcaucasicus - I bought this as seed from a Czech nursery. I am now not sure it is what it's supposed to be and I have nothing to compare it to (in the flesh).

Galanthus alpinus - this is correct!

Cheers, Marcus

PS I'll see if I can get a half decent pic of G. krasnovii later

[Anthony Darby]

And BTW,
Good luck to all Kiwis in choosing a new flag! https://www.govt.nz/browse/engaging-with-government/the-nz-flag-your-chance-to-decide/
You guys are so far ahead of Oz in these social changes
cheers
fermi

I seem to remember having a referendum on "new flag or present flag". People voted to keep the present flag, so they then spend millions designing a new flag that most people didn't want. How does that work?