G. krasnowii ex. Lake Ritsa

[Rick Goodenough]

Hello friends,

Looking for a bit of advice. I had the opportunity to purchase some bulbs from a U.S supplier who was selling a nice range of them on a one off basis having received them from an undisclosed collector. One bulb I bought in the lot is G. krasnowii 'Lake Ritsa'. (updated spelling)

I am in quite a snowy cold winter location, U.S. zone 6, -5F/-20C), and from the nibs and bits I have read, I should grow this under glass and not try it outdoors. Curious if I can get any confirmations or re-directs on that? I would also be delighted if someone has a photo that they might post of this cultivar.

Excited to get one that may be a bit of a challenge. Rick

[Maggi Young]

 Galanthus krasnovii 'Lake Rista' 'Ritsa'  isn't one I'm aware of, Rick - hope someone can cast some light.

Previous comments on G. krasnovii in the forum suggest that it doesn't want too sunny a spot...   

[Blonde Ingrid]

Hi Rick, you might try and message Ru...'Lake Ritsa', note spelling difference, is 'a lake in the Caucasus Mountains, in the northern part of Abkhazia, surrounded by mixed mountain forests and subalpine meadows' where your Krasnovii might originate?

[Alan_b]

I owned Galanthus krasnovii very briefly as it never came back the following year.  It is supposed to need a wetter environment whilst in growth than is typical for a snowdrop, followed by a dry summer.  If you have somewhere that is wet whilst your snow is melting but becomes hot and dry in summer that would seem to be ideal.  It is said to be sometimes found growing near or through melting snow so there is nothing to suggest it is tender.

AFAIK there are no named cultivars of G. krasnovii; I presume (as per Blonde Ingrid who beat me to it) that 'Lake Rista/Ritsa' refers to the region of origin of the bulb stock.

[Blonde Ingrid]

Hi Rick, Ru confirms it is Lake Ritsa, there is a population of G.k there but he has not seen it!

I am also starting out with Krasnovii, I have mine in a large pot, high drainage. I suspect they do not go completely dormant, so they should not dry out and not bake in the summer period.

Happy to compare notes as the seasons unfold 

[Rick Goodenough]

Thank you Maggie, Ingrid and Alan. So kind of each of you to take the time to give your insights and experiences. I will also note that the name is in question and may likely refer to the plant seed source geographic region.

Thank you all very much. Rick

[johnstephen29]

Hi blonde ingrid I have managed to get my hands on some g. Krasnovii seeds, what is the best way to sow them and will they need a cold period? Thanks John

[Blonde Ingrid]

Hi John, I have only just started with two groups of mature plants, I have no experience of growing from seed.

My observations so far are that Krasnovii never goes truly dormant. When I potted mine in the 'dormant period' it still had large fleshy roots.

I have planted mine with a long root run, in a high percentage leaf mould mix, with high drainage. I am working on the assumption that shade is important.

If I had seeds, I would probably follow this route but it would only be a working hypothesis.

I am looking forward to seeing what happens. Do let us know how your seeds get on!

[Tony Willis]

Hi blonde ingrid I have managed to get my hands on some g. Krasnovii seeds, what is the best way to sow them and will they need a cold period? Thanks John

I got some seed in 2012 and just put them in a pot of JI compost  covered in griit. Left them ouside all winter and they came up in spring no problem.I do not dry them off and have kept the bulbs damp all year round.

[johnstephen29]

Hi blonde ingrid and Tony's thanks for your answers, I have grown galanthus from seed before, but these krasnowii seeds were not cheap and I want to make sure I have the conditions right when I plant them. I will let you know how I get on gladly.

[Alan_b]

I owned Galanthus krasnovii very briefly as it never came back the following year.

Very dry summers in my part of the UK and I did not make any special effort to keep my krasnovii moist over the summer so that could easily be where I went wrong. 

[JimF]

Hello friends,

Looking for a bit of advice. I had the opportunity to purchase some bulbs from a U.S supplier who was selling a nice range of them on a one off basis having received them from an undisclosed collector. One bulb I bought in the lot is G. krasnowii 'Lake Rista'.

I am in quite a snowy cold winter location, U.S. zone 6, -5F/-20C), and from the nibs and bits I have read, I should grow this under glass and not try it outdoors. Curious if I can get any confirmations or re-directs on that? I would also be delighted if someone has a photo that they might post of this cultivar.

Excited to get one that may be a bit of a challenge. Rick

Rick:
This has been grown by several of us in Washington State for at least 12 years. It does well here getting the conditions others have noted in this thread. Here are my notes for it, additional comments and two photos.
 
“Galanthus krasnovii ex Lake Ritsa: From Don Hackenberry of “Appalachian Wildflowers Nursrey” who sold it in years past. Some growers here don’t think it’s G. krasnovii. Picked a leaf and flower from G. woronowii and photographed side by side with “ex Lake Ritsa” [see photo]. They are different. After looking through Davis’s monograph believe G. k. ex Lake Ritsa correctly named: plant as well as small pale green ovaries and markings of flower match his description of the species as well as painting in mono.”

Don sold several galanthus over the years most still unfamiliar even in the U.S. Assuming he is still with us and you can contact him, he may have more info. Otherwise try to find copies of his old lists from the 1980s-2000s. Mine went missing during a move, so if anyone can provide me with copies or scans I would greatly appreciate it - we need to be able to document his snowdrops.

It should grow outdoors for you Rick if heavily mulched with conifer boughs and leaves, but not until you have extra bulbs! Until then, grow in a pot kept from freezing. It's a lovely little plant.

(Maggi, these photos may be too big. Too long since I've posted any so not sure how to reduce them.)

Jim

The open flower on the left in my photos is G. woronowii. The unopened one on the right is G. kras. ex L.Ritsa as noted on the photo i.d. I should have made that clearer in the text.
Jim

[johnw]

Jim - Does the bulb & neck shape match krasnovii as well?

john

[MR GRUMPY]

The plant Jim F shows is definitely not krasnovii. The inner perianth should be pointed with no apical notch.I've posted two photos of one of my krasnovii.They are both the same plant ,but the second picture shows the inner perianth.

[Alan_b]

The plant Jim F shows is definitely not krasnovii. The inner perianth should be pointed with no apical notch.

I always thought that the lack of a notch was krasnovii's USP, making it so obviously different from other snowdrop species.