Bulb Log 2021

[Ian Y]

There are big old Monkey Puzzles growing in Victoria, but always as a single tree, and no others nearby.

In the garden you photographed, there are a number of trees, which hopefully include both sexes. They are wind-pollinated, so don't need to be growing right next to each other. Do any of them produce nuts?

Good question Diane I don't know the answer to that but I will investigate and report back.

[Jan Jeddeloh]

Hi Ian,
Did you know your two newest bulb logs done't appear on the page that lists all logs?  It stops at the October 6th log.  I'm guessing this is a glitch with the new website.  I kept checking it for new additions and was getting worried when I didn't see any.

Jan

[Maggi Young]

Hello Jan,  yes, a hiccup with the new site.  The Bulb Log's will  open from any links given in the Forum or elsewhere - and until the new site is completed, you can still find the complete  list of all the Bulb Logs on this page :
https://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/index.php?log=bulb       

[Vinny 123]

Good question Diane I don't know the answer to that but I will investigate and report back.

I would have thought that you would have noticed as the cones are trully huge - you certainly would not want to be hit by a falling one.

[Ian Y]

I would have thought that you would have noticed as the cones are trully huge - you certainly would not want to be hit by a falling one.

The trees are very tall with all the growth at the very top but I will take my binoculars with me the next time I walk that way and have a good look to se if I can see any evidence of cones.

[Ian Y]

Fungi, autumn colours, an update on the sand beds and clipping clouds click the link to discover.


https://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2021Oct271635324347BULB_LOG_4321.pdf

[Nik]

October storms, autumn fruits, falling leaves and more flowering bulbs all in this week's Bulb Log.

(Attachment Link)
https://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2021Oct061633516551BULB_LOG_4021.pdf

I have read all of your bulb logs, Ian. They are great!
Re: getting Sternbergia lutea to bloom
I just started growing these this year (I am in a coastal climate zone 7a) but I am following what my mother does with ones in her garden in SE Europe: nothing. 
The plants she has are in very poor soil, watered only by rain, never fertilized. Also, as you can see from these (not very good) pictures, the bulbs are very close to the surface, some of them are partially exposed. Every year they flower profusely and multiply readily.
The ones in our yard are definitely receiving more rain than hers, but so far so good.
I also suspect plastic pots are likely not good for them, they like stones and rocks. Ceramic containers might work better (only speculating).

[Ian Y]

Thank you for reading Nik and for sharing your experiences with Sternbergia I agree with what you say but I am resigned to the fact that out  garden is probably too far north and cold to get such sun worshipers to flower as beautifully and freely as they do in warm dry and rock  areas.

[wooden shoe]

You may try to place a flat rock over the Sternbergia bulbs. If you position the rock southwards, it will catch all heat in summer while keeping the soil dry underneath. When it is time to grow, the Sternbergia stems will find their way underneath the rock and leaves and flowers will come up on the ridges. At least that does work with me although I do not live that far North.

[Ian Y]

You may try to place a flat rock over the Sternbergia bulbs. If you position the rock southwards, it will catch all heat in summer while keeping the soil dry underneath. When it is time to grow, the Sternbergia stems will find their way underneath the rock and leaves and flowers will come up on the ridges. At least that does work with me although I do not live that far North.

Thanks Rob I have tried everything and am now resigned that they will not flower for us in the open garden but I do get some flowers from the ones planted in the bulb house sand beds.

[Ian Y]

Where else will you see the colours of autumn, trees, reflections, muddy puddles, interiors, road markings, birds, fungi click the link to Bulb Log.


https://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2021Nov031635939245BULB_LOG_4421.pdf

[Ian Y]

In this week’s Bulb Log you can see fruits, seeds, death, renewal, Crocus and Narcissus flowers plus a review of a new Field Guide ‘Plants of Armenia’ – click the link below.


https://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2021Nov101636537894BULB_LOG_4521.pdf

[Ian Y]

More Autumn Fungi, leaves, trees with some thoughts and tips on encouraging self seeding colonies.


https://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2021Nov171637146321BULB_LOG_4621.pdf

[Diane Whitehead]

What are the numerous clusters of bright red seeds that are in many of your pictures?

[Maggi Young]

Two possibilir=ties, Diane - 1) clusters of berries with stalks, are Cotoneaster berries that have  been blown off the  trees by the stormy weather.
 2) More triangular clusters of bright red berries - fruiting heads of Arisaemas left lying around where they fell.