March 2019 in the Northern Hemisphere

[Leucogenes]

Today the first flowers of Townsendia jonesii var. tumulosa appeared. Sowed in winter 17/18

[David Nicholson]

Very nice Thomas.

[Leucogenes]

Very nice Thomas.

Thank you David. Townsendia is one of my personal favourites from North America.

Even without flowers they can be very decorative and versatile. Perhaps the best example is Townsendia condensata.

Cheers
Thomas

[Robert]

Thomas,

I am impressed with your skill as a grower!    Your plants are so well grown.

I agree, even without flowers the Townsendias pictured are beautiful.

Thank yo for sharing the photographs.

[Yann]

This morning i couldn't resist to a walk in the woods...

[Hannelore]

I like it colourful . . .

[Leucogenes]

Thomas,

I am impressed with your skill as a grower!    Your plants are so well grown.

I agree, even without flowers the Townsendias pictured are beautiful.

Thank yo for sharing the photographs.

Hello Robert

Thank you very much for your kind words. I try to do my best. 😊
Here a little beauty from the USA...but not from Nevada (like the Townsendia)...but from northern Arizona...

Mertensia macdougalii. My personal highlight this month. I especially liked the closed flowering stage.

Thomas

[Robert]

Thomas,

My wife enjoyed the photograph of Mertensia macdougalii. What a beautiful little plant, and of coarse grown to perfection. 

I noticed that you grow one of our local species, Gentian newberryi. Have the plants bloomed for you yet, and if so are they variety newberryi or variety tiogana? Here in El Dorado County, California I generally see variety tiogana. This species has been quite easy for us to grow, even in the flat lands of Sacramento.

How do you handle summer dry species such as Fritillaria recurva? I was having difficultly with Fritillaria micrantha until I planted it directly in the clay, then let it bake all summer (easy-to-do here in California). In general, the potted methods and soils used to grow containerized Fritillaria species fail miserably for me. For me, getting them into the clay and no water during the summer months is essential. Then they thrive and need little attention. This is how many of our California Fritillaria species grow in nature.

[Leucogenes]

Thomas,

My wife enjoyed the photograph of Mertensia macdougalii. What a beautiful little plant, and of coarse grown to perfection. 

I noticed that you grow one of our local species, Gentian newberryi. Have the plants bloomed for you yet, and if so are they variety newberryi or variety tiogana? Here in El Dorado County, California I generally see variety tiogana. This species has been quite easy for us to grow, even in the flat lands of Sacramento.

How do you handle summer dry species such as Fritillaria recurva? I was having difficultly with Fritillaria micrantha until I planted it directly in the clay, then let it bake all summer (easy-to-do here in California). In general, the potted methods and soils used to grow containerized Fritillaria species fail miserably for me. For me, getting them into the clay and no water during the summer months is essential. Then they thrive and need little attention. This is how many of our California Fritillaria species grow in nature.

Hello Robert

I am glad if you liked the Mertensia macdougalii.  I bought this one plant three years ago.  This year it bloomed for the first time.  However, I will give this specimen to a botanical friend...he is interested in the species Mertensia...small gifts keep the friendship.

What kind of subspecies is Gentiana newberryi, I can't say yet.  I received these two specimens only two weeks ago...  from the Ardfearn Nursery in Scotland.

I am very grateful for these plants...because I am always looking for small Gentiana species.
 
Also with the Fritillaria recurva I cannot give any further information.  To my shame I have to admit that most of the geophytes are completely new territory for me.  I have to try to consult some specialists here in the forum.  I will probably also plant the seedlings in pots and use a very mineral substrate with a large proportion of sand.
In general, my interest in alpines from dry regions is growing...  a challenge for the future.

Please excuse my lack of knowledge

Thomas

[Robert]

Hi Thomas,

No need to apologize.

I too lack knowledge. This is a major reason I asks questions.

I hope that you are not offended that I ask questions. Also, when I ask questions, "No" is an acceptable answer. Some things are my responsibility or none of my business. I wish to always use good judgement. 

Anyway, thank you for taking the time to consider my questions.     

[Leucogenes]

Hi Thomas,

No need to apologize.

I too lack knowledge. This is a major reason I asks questions.

I hope that you are not offended that I ask questions. Also, when I ask questions, "No" is an acceptable answer. Some things are my responsibility or none of my business. I wish to always use good judgement. 

Anyway, thank you for taking the time to consider my questions.     

Hello Robert

Thanks go back to you.

I have passed on the problem of the cultivation of F. recurva to the specialists here.  This fantastic forum can definitely help.

By the way... the seeds of Penstemon newberryi var. newberryi germinate 100% from you.  Thank you

Best regards to Jasmin

Thomas