Bulb log 2018

[Ian Y]

I wish everyone a happy healthy New Year with many garden pleasures and successes.

The first Bulb Log of 2018 is heralded in by a profusion of hoop petticoat Narcissus flowers.


http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2018Jan031514978967BULB_LOG_0118.pdf

[Linda]

Already read and admired! What a nice way to be greeted in the still new year! Thank you!!

[annew]

Craigton Chalice is a lovely thing, and very distinct. It's so hard to choose between so many gorgeous hoops just now. Nice to see you have the same problem!

[Ian Y]

Already read and admired! What a nice way to be greeted in the still new year! Thank you!!

Thanks Linda, hopefully you will enjoy them for the rest of the year.

Craigton Chalice is a lovely thing, and very distinct. It's so hard to choose between so many gorgeous hoops just now. Nice to see you have the same problem!

It is a nice problem to have Anne, so many are lovely but not distinctive enough - they have to stand out from the crowd before I even consider naming them.

[Ian Y]

Winter thoughts and tasks in this Bulb Log


http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2018Jan101515583223BULB_LOG_0218.pdf

[Leena]

I like the winter views of your garden, and all the evergreen plants in it. Ferns look so big and nice. 
I have been thinking recently about how different the climate can be also in my garden: in some parts the frost melted away during the warm period around New Year, but in another part of the garden the ground stayed frozen! Just the same as you had over there.
Though now the ground is frozen everywhere, but again some parts are better for early spring plants than others later when the spring comes.

I remember you have written earlier (maybe in the summer, I can't now find it) that Primulas don't like it when you can't dig the ground. Do I remember correctly and are they more difficult to grow when there are more tree roots, and the compost is added only above the ground? Which Primulas do like your garden?

[Ian Y]

Leena,
Yes it is my experience that Primulas do best in fresh dug ground,, they will grow if you have a good amount of humus above tree roots that is refreshed every year.
The Primulas that have stayed with us are Primula florindae and other candelabra types, also P. vulgaris,  veris, etc. Oh Primula marginata.

[Leena]

Thank you. 

[Ian Y]

Narcissus 'Craigton Chorister' on the cover of this Bulb Log - which finds the bulbs and the photographer having to adjust to deal with the low winter light.


http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2018Jan171516188852BULB_LOG_0318.pdf

[YT]

Hello Ian,
I’m happy you mentioned my 'Craigton Chorister' picture posted in the forum, thank you
The mid-day light levels at your place are far lower than I guess. That is almost twilight! I have to thank to living in the low latitudes with higher light levels.
Flash unit on compact digital cameras – even if they are high-end models like yours – usually don’t work well with flowers.
Using the neutral colour LED torch with your camera under the weak sunlight is a very good solution. And perhaps a tabletop tripod like this http://amzn.asia/9E5H2V0 could help you.

[Ian Y]

On a cloudy day at this time of year it is always twilight- yesterday and today we had blue sky and sunshine all be it very low in the sky.
I have a small tripod but it is difficult to place it near my subject without it or the camera causing damage to others.
The problem is my own making as it was me who planted so many bulbs:-))

[annew]

Thank you both. It has me looking at little tripods for taking my flower portrait shots indoors. Gloomy here too.

[Ian Y]

See how the freezing conditions affect the Bulb Log.


http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2018Jan241516794058BULB_LOG_0418.pdf

[Diane Whitehead]

I am surprised that your Eranthis seeds manage to survive on the surface and germinate.
I have birds that practically plough the ground, with both feet moving backwards so they
can eat any seeds below the surface litter.

Perhaps your birds have daintier eating habits.

[Harald-Alex.]

See how the freezing conditions affect the Bulb Log.

(Attachment Link)
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2018Jan241516794058BULB_LOG_0418.pdf

Hallo Ian Young, I have read Your interesting blog with the frost-conditions-pictures. We have here this very often in winter, but this year it is very warm, only some nights with -2°C. I am every time so surprised, to see, how dowdlayed snowdrops after frosts stands up with much of energy!
Thank You for so many blogs, I am memeber of the SRGC since november 2017 and read with great interest the bolgs of the former years! Greetings from germany Harald Alex