Bulb Log 2017

[Ian Y]

Many people stop gardening in the winter but not in the Bulb Log.
Click the link for the first Bulb Log of 2017.


http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Jan041483529585BULB_LOG_0117.pdf

[Cfred72]

Hello Ian.
Thanks again to start a new year for us to bulb log. Thanks to you I have just remembered to cut the foliage of the Helleborus that I forget each year.

[fermi de Sousa]

Looking forward to another year of insights from another "maturing gardener"
 
cheers
fermi

[Ian Y]

Thank you Fred and Fermi for your continued encouragement and support.

This week in the Bulb Log the weather continues to be kind with both work and flowers developing.


http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Jan111484136449BULB_LOG_0217.pdf

[Matt T]

Another fabulous bulb log! Those chance seedlings are all beautiful and they'll make more vigorous plants than the established clones. 'Craigton Chorister' is doing well here, but I missed the flowers whilst I was away 

Glad to hear you're on a selection programme for short-stemmed Daffs for dingy northern climes! I came home to a bulb frame absolutely full of flowers but all floppy on long stems. Unfortunately everything came into growth rather early for me this year. Still, lots of colour to brighten the days.

Your Celmisia looks a lot like one I was given last year, C. mackaui  It's a lowland species and even my young plant is producing roots above the soil level. Maybe your plant will fit the description?

[Ian Y]

Thank you for the comments Matt, yes there is an advantage to short stems.

You are correct about the Celmisia , C. mackaui does ring a bell - I am sure I did find that out some years ago but just forgot the name - thanks.

[fermi de Sousa]

Hi Ian,
the "hoops" are a major part of our early daff displays.
The Rod Barwick (Glenbrook Bulb Farms) introductions 'Kholmes' and 'Smarple' (both from N. bulbocodium subsp. bulbocodium var. conspicuus x N. cantabricus subsp. cantabricus var. foliosus) were the first I manged to get a hold of from local sellers before finding out that he put out a catalogue (hard copy, never on-line!) and that was the real start of it!
Now we have interesting seedlings coming up in the garden the way they come up in your sand plunges!
Nowadays the hybrids bred by Lawrence Trevanion and Graham Fleming (Mini-Daffs on the Forum) are superseding Rod's but all are still worth growing - as long as you have the space!
cheers
fermi
 

[Ian Y]

Eranthis pinnatifida makes its appearance but Narcissus are still the flowers of the week - snow falling on the garden enter the snowdrops.



http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Jan181484736810BULB_LOG_0317.pdf

[shaun342]

Thanks Ian for another amazing informative log. I may not comment much but I'm always blown away by the time and effort you put in to these photos and articles. It is much appreciated 

[Ian Y]

Thank you Shaun it is  nice to be appreciated.

[Ian Y]

A Bulb Log with extremes from the heavy work of tree felling to the delicate beauty of Narcissus.


http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Jan251485343675BULB_LOG_0417.pdf

[Robert]

Ian,

I finally had a chance to read the latest Bulb Log. Our garden too needs the removal of some trees this year and, of coarse, the yearly trimming and pruning of the other trees and shrubs. I am always complaining that there is no sun in our garden, even here in sunny California. Most of our front yard has been taken over by a large oak tree limiting what can be planted and maintained. Thanks for the reminder that it is okay to remove trees - its okay!      

I had to chuckle about the slugs and snails chewing on the bulb tips as they emerge. The other day on the South Fork of Cache Creek I saw that the emerging tips of the wild bulbs were being chewed on by the elk!    I have to admit that it is not a laughing matter when the slugs chew on the emerging tips of the bulbs in our garden, especially the younger seedlings. With some attention they seem to survive, however I am glad that I am not dealing with elk in the garden as some folks seem to in the Rocky Mountain region of the U.S.A. In the wild it appears that most of the wild bulbs survive the elk and grow on to bloom. In the wild, our blooming season has already started here in California.

[Ian Y]

Eranthis byunsanensis is the star of this week's Bulb Log  with a strong supporting cast.


http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Feb011485950459BULB_LOG_0517.pdf

[Ian Y]

This week's Bulb Log is a celebration of the Hoop petticoat Narcissus.



http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2017Feb081486557259BULB_LOG_0617.pdf

[fermi de Sousa]

Hi Ian,
hoops are some of my favourite daffs!
Lovely to see them in bloom over there while they are asleep here
cheers
fermi