Galanthus February 2016

[Alan_b]

Thanks for identifying it for me Cyril, it seems as good a plant as ordinary nivalis.

It has pros and cons.  Because it is a double, the petal spread wider so seen en-masse you get a better impression of a white carpet; "vegetable snow" to quote Thomas Tickell.  But if you examine the individual flowers you will see that they are messily arranged with irregular petals; quite unlike the perfect symmetry of the single form.

[ichristie]

I visited the Castle yesterday for another load of Beech leafmould we had just enough sunshine amidst the snow showers for Snowdrops to open I am posting a few pictures fro the wild and one good find from last year, cheers Ian the Christie kind

[ichristie]

A few more love your new green Hagan

[ian mcenery]

Here is a picture showing the lower leaf surface of Galanthus koenenianus, quite a small but delicate species.

Magnificent group Cyril

It is a very elegant species

[Maggi Young]

Certainly is, in fact this is the main attraction of the species.

 And yet  I don't remember  that we've seen much of  the plant in the forum..... that may be down to  the plant not being very widely grown - or  there being a greater emphasis on "new " cultivars !

[Alan_b]

..... that may be down to  the plant not being very widely grown - or  there being a greater emphasis on "new " cultivars !

I think the two go hand-in-hand.  We galanthophiles get so mesmerised by the new cultivars that we often forget about the less-common species.  This makes them relatively cheap, so relatively unattractive to nurserymen, so relatively hard to come-by.

[ian mcenery]

I think the two go hand-in-hand.  We galanthophiles get so mesmerised by the new cultivars that we often forget about the less-common species.  This makes them relatively cheap, so relatively unattractive to nurserymen, so relatively hard to come-by.4

In my experience  many of the more obscure species are unattractive to nurserymen because they are difficult to grow and don't multiply quickly enough even though they are often more beautiful

[Brian Ellis]

In my experience  many of the more obscure species are unattractive to nurserymen because they are difficult to grow and don't multiply quickly enough even though they are often more beautiful

...nonetheless they are available if you know where to look.  I know of a couple of suppliers of koenenianus, but of course as it is not generally grown (can be quite tricky, needs good drainage and semi-shade) there is not a big pool of bulbs to begin with.  It is the specialists where you will find these should you want to seek them out.

[johnstephen29]

Hi Brian I wouldn't mind having a go at growing koenenianus, could you please let me know who sell it?

[SusanH]

Got my delivery from Avon Bulbs today - the bulbs are stunning - much better than expected.
These plants are soooo addictive!!!!!!!

[ian mcenery]

...nonetheless they are available if you know where to look.  I know of a couple of suppliers of koenenianus, but of course as it is not generally grown (can be quite tricky, needs good drainage and semi-shade) there is not a big pool of bulbs to begin with.  It is the specialists where you will find these should you want to seek them out.

I agree that you can find it (I have and I acquired a couple of clones) but don't all rush because if any grower has as many has Cyril has in that pot I would be very surprised. The number of well grown plants showing in this pot is remarkable

[Cyril L]

My plant came as a single dormant bulb in 2010 from the Wallises but it was not particularly cheap.  With regular repotting, it will increase but I could have been lucky and got a clone that multiplies well.  Most of the smaller species are best grown in pots as they are easier to appreciate and do not get swamped in the garden by the more vigorous varieties.

[Brian Ellis]

The Wallises also have a G.koenenianus x fosteri

[annew]

That's where I got my bulb of that hybrid.

[johnstephen29]

Just sent off a email to Rannveigh, Brian, all my fingers are crossed.