Galanthus in June 2018

[Blonde Ingrid]

I have always rated Morgana as the top virescent. A beautiful green colour, robust and a great garden plant.

Andy Byfield's Andrea's Fault has delightful markings and I wanted to assess it's robustness against Morgana to see how it fared.

Just knocked out a single bulb from 2 seasons back. Seven lovely healthy bulbs!

Andrea's Fault is closing the gap to Morgana fast!

Strongly recommend both, Andy's production machine needs to gear-up  .

[ashley]

Both are lovely.  I look forward to when Morgana becomes more widely available.

[Blonde Ingrid]

The return of the weed! 

Last year I had to cut Philippe Andre Meyer out of the pot as it had increased so dramatically.

I sent a number of clumps to friends and kept two small clumps and re-potted (both clumps about 4 bulbs).

Here are the results that I have just knocked out...31 bulbs!!!

If you want a good garden snowdrop and have a plot the size of Buckinghamshire, this is one to add to your collection.

[Maggi Young]

I was impressed by Ingrid's reply to a questioner on Facebook - we know her 'drops grow really well - and she is prepared to give cogent advice  about her methods :

M.G. : "Newbie question... Dormant period now.. time to check the bulbs "


Ingrid Jacobsen : "The answer is it might be.

This is one of the difficult, judgement based elements of snowdrops. It will of course depend on local climatic conditions. Even in the UK, snowdrop friends farther North, where it is wetter/colder than the very hot and dry weather here, will knock out later (2-4 weeks) than I do.

First point of reference is when the leaves vanish. I usually leave it at least 8 weeks and then start to assess climate conditions (has it been hot and dry or wet) all of which will impact root dormancy, before I start to investigate.

Select one that went over first, carefully lift to avoid any root damage if roots are still present.

Take a view, the roots should be dry, possibly gone completely. If they are, you can continue lifting, re-potting and replacing the growing mixture if appropriate.

If there are active roots, the next judgement is are they old roots that have not gone dormant or are they new roots. If the latter then the rest of your drops are probably ready. Some of mine are already showing new active root growth.

Hope this helps."

 As another  person commented : "What really valuable information you give Ingrid, good for us all to know."

Thanks, Ingrid!

[Blonde Ingrid]

Knocking out continues: this photo is a real guide as to why sourcing great bulbs from a top source pays dividends.

Left is Dryad Gold Sovereign, a single bulb from 2015, now 11 bulbs.

Right is Dryad Gold Bullion, a single bulb from 2016, now 10 bulbs.

Top and bottom is Dryad Gold Charm and Dryad Gold Ribbon, both single bulbs from 2017, now both have two large offsets.

Anne Wright's drops are not only stunning but excellent do'ers.

[Blonde Ingrid]

A number of the group have messaged me to ask if it is worth knocking out after only 1 year.

Here are five photos of G.e. Hughes Emerald, planted in the ground. Last year, i decided not to lift and check...big mistake!

The first photo shows the pot with the upper soil brushed off, nothing else moved.

The second, shows half the soil removed and the end of any attempt to shake the drops loose.

The third shows the shape of the side of the pot showing the warning bulge and the fourth the only means of removal, cutters.

The final shot shows the haul.

Even within a year, if drops are vigorous and well looked after, dramatic increases are possible!

[Maggi Young]

The picture of the plastic pot with its sides bulging  illustrates one of the most fun things about growing  bulbs in  these pots - the excitement in finding a pot with its sides so distorted by the  richness of the  bulbs inside is a real treat!  I can't tell you the amount of time the BD and I spend examining pots under glass to see such promising  bulges in bulb pots.  Soooo satisfying!

[Blonde Ingrid]

I can't tell you the amount of time the BD and I spend examining pots under glass to see such promising  bulges in bulb pots.  Soooo satisfying!

I agree Maggi, the bulges bring the greatest buzz, it completely drowns out the low-level background insect noise! 

All the more satisfying with such a wonderful snowdrop! 

[Maggi Young]

Always  nice to see a success story - but all the  the more so when the grower is willing to share their  experiences and methods with a wider public.
 

[Maggi Young]

More on Ingrid's  FB conversation on  the benefits of  examining the pots each year ....

J.H. It won’t hurt them to do it now M.H. And you can check for damage rather than leave for another year.

M.Y : Good point, Joan Head - even if tipped out and returned to same pot it's good to know how healthy the bulbs look.


M. G. Tried with Brenda troyle  - now repotted in three posts


Ingrid Jacobsen: Now you have got it M.G, there is no looking back now! A good friend calls this period Yorkshire Christmas, so many potential presents available. If that Brenda Troyle is from 2017 or 2016 you are obviously growing them very well!


J.H.  This post has galvanised me into action and begin tackling a rather large job. This morning knocked out 'Midas' (1 bulb to 3 since August '17), 'Utrecht Goud' (2 v. small bulbs to 3 since 2015), Monti Picentini' (1 to 3 since 2016), 'Baxendale's Late' (bulbs doubled to 14), 'Marjorie Brown' (now 12 bulbs from about 5), 'Beluga' remains the same at 1 bulb, 'Neill Fraser' (6 bulbs from 1, 2016). Many more to look at but I'm pleased overall, especially to see the golds develop.

Ingrid Jacobsen: I think it is a fun BUT very worthwhile exercise J.H.  giving several benefits (your's are clearly doing well).

1, How many bulbs are there in the pot. If it is a precious one, can you take an additional bulb and plant it in a spares pot to safeguard your supply?

2. You can assess the soil/mixture. Is it damp/dry/very dry/the same as in other locations ? A damp area may lead you to consider whether other drops might benefit e.g. I always keep my Ian Christie drops slightly damper to reflect the Scottish climate. If very dry, you might want to tweak your watering strategy.

3. You can check the bulbs for firmness, any signs of problems such as softness or damage, you can dip them in a fungicide before re-potting if it seems necessary.

4. If they are rapid dividers they can quickly become cramped and need more space.

5. You can also assess root growth, are they fully dormant, is there still old active root present or is there new root visible. All help with re-potting and dormancy management.

All in all, it is useful and fun.

[Maggi Young]

Message from Anne Wright re Dryad Nursery  summer list :

 "We're sorry our summer list will be delayed this year because of family illness. I hope it will be ready by early July."

 I'm sure we all understand Anne's situation  and will be  patient.

[Maggi Young]

News from Don Peace :  It's bulb repotting time and I've just put a few spares bulbs of the autumn flowering Galanthus peshmenii ‘Kastellorizo’ and other #snowdrops etc. on ebay at https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/petiolarid/m.html?item=391819977005&ssPageName=STRK%3AMESELX%3AIT&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

 Don lists some other things too!

[Blonde Ingrid]

The joys of knocking out continue, plus the odd surprise as well.

Morgana doing it's stuff, in this case a single bulb, from one of my satellite clumps, looking about to divide. As you can see, not so much a bulb as a small planet!

Still the absolute top virescent in my view and very robust.

[Maggi Young]

A fat lady indeed - dear Morgana,  wonder if she sings?

[Blonde Ingrid]

dear Morgana,  wonder if she sings?

I have never heard Morgana sing, I have heard Hughes Emerald belt out a great version of the Chris Cornell 'Casino Royale classic 'You know my name'!