Janis' Crocus Adventures in November 2017

[Janis Ruksans]

Next morning we are visiting the Cave of Dirou, located near Aeropolis. The underground part represents 1200 m long trip by boat and 300 m long walk up to exit. The caves ceiling is quite low at several spots, so must be careful if your are long. There are plenty of stalactites but almost no stalagmites. The depth of cave reach 71 m under p[resent water-level and all stalagmites are below water. That confirms the significant rising of water level with the end of Glacial Age, as stalagmites can be formed only in the air, not under water.
On the hill slopes are plenty of Cyclamen hederifolium, some tubers are washed out by rains and shows incredible growing capacity of cyclamens. Another one "wonder"was spotted later, where cyclamen found its way out growing asphalt pavement of road.

[sokol]

Although last year we didn't spot it as well as extremely rare Colchicum zahnii - known only from 2 spots on Mani peninsula. It has very specially looking corms - they are distinctly rhizomlike with swollen apex. Just recently Oron Peri on Facebook showed this species abundantly blooming in his garden. Will it be hardy with me - I don't know.

Now I have realised that Colchicum psaridis is a synonym for Colchicum zahnii:

look here to see the rhizome: http://wildgreeceeditions.com/colchicum-of-greece/2-uncategorised/31-colchicum-psaridis.html

We have found a good population by chance between Areopolis and Gytheio.

[Maggi Young]

Oron Peri's photo of Colchicum zahnii - this is a screengrab from a little video clip of his plants in flower

[fermi de Sousa]

Maggi,
are you trying to convert us to FB? 
That pic from Oron's FB page is amazing!
cheers
fermi

[Maggi Young]

Certainly NOT, fermi!  I am only there to be able to promote the SRGC  and I never tire of saying how much easier to find the information posted here is.  Most search engines give great results for SRGC posts -  available to anyone on any machine, no registration needed!

[Janis Ruksans]

Certainly NOT, fermi!  I am only there to be able to promote the SRGC  and I never tire of saying how much easier to find the information posted here is.  Most search engines give great results for SRGC posts -  available to anyone on any machine, no registration needed!

I'm always using and checking our forum. As some FB lands on my screen I check them but only rarely replies, always giving preference to SRGC  forum.

[Janis Ruksans]

Not much left to tell. After visiting of cave we continue our road to South up to "last petrol station" (as it is announced on roadside) and then turn across mountain ridge to opposite side of Mani peninsula. Along the road everywhere cyclamens and Crocus boryi. Almost at top we again visit locality with huge amount of Crocus boryi, spotted already last year. More abundant on formerly cultivated land and openings , but growing between spiny dwarf shrubs, too. Oh this boryi, growing almost everywhere. We really tired from it. View to sea around Mani is wonderful.

[Janis Ruksans]

But for the first time we found at this place some of Crocus goulimyi clumps, too. Not densely, but are present. Most likely we are here too early and it only starts blooming.
Before small village along road to Githio on roadside something different - it is Crocus niveus and in this population dominates bluish toned forms. Night and morning rains damaged flowers and they still are very wet - you can sea drops of water on flower segments, on opposite side of village again Crocus boryi.

[Janis Ruksans]

After tiresomer winding on coastal roasd serpentines we finally reach the road crossing Mani and joining Aeropolis with Githio. We take the first turn to right from it to Vathi - the place of most wonderful beach found may be in all Greece. Ground there is covered by tiny rounded pebles (excellent size to cover pots) so stepping in is not painful for my foot, water is warm, place something hidden, but no one else around - too cold for natives... So swimming and after that lunch on the beach before starting our way to Monemvasia, to our last hotel on Pelloponesse.

[Maggi Young]

We are fortunate - and very grateful - to  have  not only your expertise in these pages, Janis  but also your  generosity in sharing these adventures too. 

[David Nicholson]

I've never been to Greece but am familiar with many of the places Janis mentions from reading about them on the Forum.

[Ian Y]

Great report from your latest adventure Janis thank you for taking time to share with us.
I love reading them and seeing the pictures with such variations in colour.

[Yann]

Thanks for for sharing your photos 

David you should (must  ) travel at least one time in this beautiful country, early april is the perfect period for Peloponese.
It's time to ask Santa claus 

[David Nicholson]

David you should (must  ) travel at least one time in this beautiful country, early april is the perfect period for Peloponese.
It's time to ask Santa claus 

He(she, surely!) might just reply but the decision would be based on sufficient supplies of:- (1) 4/5 star hotels. (2) handbag shops (3) shoe shops (4) flights that leave Exeter airport[only 25 miles from home!] (no other airport will do) between 1100 and 1400 (5) flights that get back to Exeter airport no earlier than lunchtime and no later than teatime.

[Yann]

hummm lots of check boxes on the list, you can suggest a week to the italian riviera...after one week isolated in the rocks of Peloponese.
I hope you saved enough money