Crocus October 2015

[Janis Ruksans]

Now several of so named Crocus mazziaricus. Really I think that only Greek plants are true mazziaricus. There are pictures from 3 different localities - all are white.
The first lilac is from Samos Island (Greece) near Turkish SW border and the last is from Turkey. This last one was fantastic locality where I learned much about variability of crocuses from one population. Unfortunately the best forms didn't alive with me. Many "mazziaricus" stocks still didn't start blooming.

[Janis Ruksans]

Nicely blooms C. cambessedesii from Boques Valley
The first flower of C. ochroleucus opened, but flower segments this year are narrower than could be - I suppose the reason is very cold summer here
Then one of C. pallasii collected near Athens in Greece.
And again one of Crocus sakariensis. This and C. ibrahimii seem to be the latest blooming of all speciosus here. They both are lowland species and autumn crocuses start to bloom from mountain tops and then goes down. This seasonality is kept in cultivation, too
This C. cancellatus comes from war destroyed Syria. It was collected by Arnis more than 10 years ago when it was peacefull country

[Janis Ruksans]

And the last pictures from today was made on Crocus pumilus. Regardless of small size I like them very much just for very long exerted many-branched stigma. Especially on plant originally collected by Jim Archibald on Vouvala, Crete.
I repeat with some plants, but they are so nice that I can't stop picture them again and again using nice sunny day. Night again will be very cold, not as last one but cold.

[Yann]

magnificient posts Janis, the BM-8033 is typical with the black anthers.

[YT]

Crocus pallasii, JJA 349.819, Turkey, Kan Geçidi. 1565m. Ex RUDA 100.

We have sunny and warm... almost hot autumn this year and crocus flowers fade very quickly

[Melvyn Jope]

Crocus goulymi, selected dark flowered form.

[Boyed]

Crocus goulymi, selected dark flowered form.

Very beautuful, Melvyn

[Matt T]

It's heart warming to see so many gorgeous Crocus on here, folks. Have been oh so busy here, but a sunny day coincided with a quiet moment so I caught a few Crocus in bloom, finally - everything is a month later than last year. A few more are in flower today, and the sun is shining but it's too windy to get photos just now.

Some selections of C. hadriaticus: from Alepohori, 'Annabelle', lilacinus and the gorgeous 'Purple Heart' - could almost be mistaken for C. mathewi at a glance.

[Matt T]

Also, my absolute favourite (currently at least) C. tournefortii.
C. kotschyanus leucopharynx is always a winner.
C. melantherus brings back memories of our Greece trip last year.
And the lovely C. pulchellus.

[johnstephen29]

The first of my Autumn crocus have flowered, this one is C. Niveus, I've brought it into the house so we can enjoy the flowers.

[Johan K.]

Crocus ochroleucus

[Janis Ruksans]

Here still very cold nights - again minus 8 C. Days are slightly warmer but in shade grass didn't defrost at all. In greenhouse temperature in day goes up to +14-17 C, but in nights drops now to minus 5. Crocuses still are in full bloom but slowly goes to end. Still some of most southern didn't started. So there are nothing new to show, so I can only repeat earlier pictured species (of course new pictures of the current day).
The first is Crocus macedonicus from Ossa
Then another form of Crocus cambessedesii
Crocus lycius usually is pure white, but rarely are foundable slightly bluish toned individuals. Here one of such, but so pale that on picture looks almost white
Crocus boryi is another usually white, here quite rare form with striped back of flower segments
And as last in this entry pure white Prospero autumnalis from ruins of Perge in Turkey. I collected it by fingers from split between stone benches surrounding ancient stadium. Was afraid that it will not grow here as altitude from where it comes is very low and there are no real winter at all. When I visited Perge in autumn all splits in stadium were full with blue flowers of Prospero, bet occasionally few white ones were between those. I collected 3 and two of them alive and now bloomed for the first time.

[ruben]

Very nice striped boryi Janis!

Here the weather is very good. the temperatures are much higher than the average up to 16-17 degrees celcius. No wind and no rain.

Some pictures of outside growing crocus:

Crocus asumaniae
Crocus goulimyi
Crocus longiflorus collection from Malta

[Maggi Young]

Surprised to learn today, via Facebook, that the Crocus Group has changed its policy and membership is now free .

 " Crocus enthusiasts, are you aware that there is a group specifically for YOU! The CROCUS GROUP has regular newsletters and a seed distribution service. Membership is FREE. Contact any of the committee members listed on the photo and we will add you to the distribution list.

 Mat Murray "

[ruben]

Some different collections of crocus biflorus ssp. melantherus:

Crocus biflorus ssp. melantherus from Thomas Huber (Thanks a lot)
Crocus biflorus ssp. melantherus from Hendrik Van Bogaert (Thanks a lot)