Daphne 2014- 2015

[mark smyth]

Just went out to measure it. The close up doesnt allow the viewer to know the size of the plant. It's only 10x15cm

[Paul T]

That tiny!!?  Even more wow!!

[mark smyth]

I dont think the flowers will last much longer unless we get a full day of rain soon. I did water the trough this week but the flowers aren't looking good today

[tboland]

Wish I could grow D. genkwa in Newfoundland....not enough summer heat to ripen the wood.  It is a stunning species.  However, we can grow Lawrence Crocker no problem.  Mine won't be in bloom until June....heck my February daphne is not even open yet!

[henkw]

dear Mark,

Can you tell me a bit more about your Daphne Lawrence crock er.

Do you know the parents. where is the best position to grow it and in which soil.
Is it widely available

Henk

[Roberto Gamoletti]

Mark
I have read with great interest your posting about daphne cuttings in balls of clay. I will try this method because I always failed to propagate daphne from cuttings (lack of experience of course!)

I was surprised to find in my garden a very few daphne tangutica seeds germinating now after one year from sowing. The seeds were from the SRGC seed exchange. All other daphne seeds I tried have never germinated. Is it really so difficult to grow daphnes from seeds?

[mark smyth]

Roberto I have tried seeds many times and get maybe 99% failure. Others may have better luck especially Michael in southern Ireland

Henk if I could remember anything about 'Lawrence' I would be buying more. I think I might have got it in the Czech Republic. I might be at there autumn show in September and will look there. Another possibility is to get Michael Campbell to graft some cuttings. I am willing to let some go to him. Michael?!

[Martin Baxendale]

According to Robin White's booklet "Daphnes At Blackthorn Nursery", D. 'Lawrence Crocker' is a hybrid between arbuscula and collina raised at Siskiyou Nurseries in Oregon, flowering April-May, growing to 30cm high and 60cm wide, evergreen, hardy and very fragrant.

[Michael J Campbell]

Another possibility is to get Michael Campbell to graft some cuttings. I am willing to let some go to him. Michael?!

No problem Mark,but you will have to wait until next spring as I have used up all my rootstock's for this year.

Daphne seed must be sown immediately after harvest to get a decent germination. I usually clean the seed(a messy operation) but I think that I get better results from cleaned seed. Others do not agree.

[henkw]

Thanks Mark and Martin for the information.

Michael good luck with your grafting.
Which rootstock do you use?

[tboland]

Curious Mark if your Lawrence Crocker blooms repeattedly or just in spring.  Mine is covered in June but then blooms sporatically all summer then often puts on a bigger show again in the fall.  It is really my favourite daphne.  We have several alpine nurseries in Canada that sells it.  Mine is in full sun. well-drained soil...certainly not clay, a soil type that is rare in Newfoundland.

[mark smyth]

Todd mine flowered late last year and I worried there wouldnt be another show for this spring but buds appeared. The mix mine is in is 50/50 top soil and grit and a couple of cups of lime sand. For the top dressing I smashed some lime rocks with a hammer. The feature rocks are limestone.

[mark smyth]

It definitely grows fast.

Here it is last year and this year

[Michael J Campbell]

Michael good luck with your grafting.
Which rootstock do you use?

Mostly Mezereum, sometimes Tangutica when available  and  Longilobata

[Michael J Campbell]

For those of you who do not grow Daphne's here is petraea and petraea grandiflora so you can see the difference. These are just small plants,last years grafts.