Chipping/Twin-scaling type question

[Maggi Young]

I have only ever used brand new bags and always throw them away or use them for something else.

Hmmmm, note to self - don't share Brian's sandwiches.......

[RichardW]

It has been suggested that the problem could lie with the storage of the vermiculite or even fungal infections in the air.  It would seem that some vermiculite is sold in bags which have holes in them which permit airborne infection, whilst others are in resealable bags which ensures the least possibility of infection.  This can be minimized by moistening the freshly opened vermiculite and then putting in the resealable bag/box that you intend to put the chips in, only opening it once the chips are out of the fungicide to put them in.  Once you have done this if any vermiculite remains use it for something else and buy a new bag - after all it is a lot cheaper than a snowdrop!  Again opening the bags as the pips develop allows for the introduction of any airborne disease so this should be avoided if at all possible.  I have only ever used brand new bags and always throw them away or use them for something else.

I get through a lot of vermiculite so get industrial sized bags which probably doesn't help, with the quantity needed for chipping smaller resealable bags would be a much better idea.

[Uwe]

 my first chipping 

[Maggi Young]

That is a successful start, Uwe! Well done   

[Uwe]

many thanks Maggi and i have very little loss .Almost 100% are good . I potted them today and i hope it continues so good !

[mark smyth]

Does the flower bud in the centre of the bulb become a bulb after chipping?

[Uwe]

sorry Mark,how do you mean ??

[Matt T]

Mark, when I chipped my bulb at the end of May there was not yet a young flower bud in the bulb, just bulb scales. No doubt there would have been undifferentiated tissue at the very centre, but probably 'plastic' enough to become anything. Doesn't the young flower bud develop gradually over the summer dormant period, so we're probably chipping and twinning at a time before this has developed?

[Maggi Young]

 A photo from Razvan Chisu 




Raz  titles this photo : "Procrastination results -  From scale to flower in 5 months  "

Quite amazing results - and perhaps mostly showing the desperation of the plant to survive! 

[Brian Ellis]

How extraordinary!

[Matt T]

 

[Maggi Young]

Found some pix from John Grimshaw on Facebook  which are relevant here .....
John Grimshaw: " These are 'Colossus' dissected in late June/July, showing how advanced the flower is - the anthers have fully formed pollen in them; how the shoot sits within the bulb; and how one can produce a chip with complete shoot still attached"



 

[WSGR]

New here! So forgive me if I put this in the wrong place.

1) In twin scaling, they mention methylated spirit and fungicide. Where can I buy these cheaply please, considering that I only need a small amount please?

2) Also, I have a Wendy's Gold which has a seed pod which is quite yellow and big. What should I do with it please?

[Brian Ellis]

Not Methylated spirits - white spirit obtainable from the chemists.  Most garden supplies should sell fungicide which will always come in useful.  Have sent you a PM.

Poke the seed pod into the soil near the parent plant about 1/5cm deep and keep your fingers crossed!

[brianw]

I buy methylated spirit from my local builders merchant/paint suppliers. Useful to control mealy bugs etc. on large bulbs. Same supplier for white spirit. Not sure if the water white IMS, industrial MS, is available outside of industry but apart from the pyridine smell and blue colour my plants don't seem to complain.