Chipping/Twin-scaling type question

[KentGardener]

Thanks for a really interesting thread everyone - I can't believe how it has suddenly appeared in the last few days.  Very interesting reading.

I agree with Brain that some of the prices are far too high.  I thought £50 was about the limit that could be justified for a very rare one.

I hope I get round to trying some twin scalling myself next year.

regards

John

[steve owen]

Annew mentioned earlier in the thread that margarine tubs could be used instead of polythene bags for twin-scaling. Is it important to seal the lids with tape for air-tightness?

[Martin Baxendale]

Annew mentioned earlier in the thread that margarine tubs could be used instead of polythene bags for twin-scaling. Is it important to seal the lids with tape for air-tightness?

No, just closing the lid will do. No need to be airtight. In fact I think it's better if not completely airtight, so the chips can 'breathe' a little. All that's needed is for the vermiculite not to dry out too much. I meant to ask Anne if she had no problems at all with rot in the margarine tubs. I believe the plastic bags allow some minor transfer of air through them if not too thick, which helps keep the air inside less stale than a thick container. If using marge tubs I think I'd be very careful to not over-moisten the vermiculite. I tend to open my bags from time to time to give the vermicultite a gentle shake, checking on the chips and aerating them at the same time. I think this helps prevent rots.

[Brian Ellis]

I use bags and open them every week when I am checking over the chips/scales so that would introduce fresh air.

[KentGardener]

I have been saving the plastic boxes (with lids) that Chinese take away arrives in - they always seem far too good to chuck away and I have been trying to think of a use for them.

If I get round to chipping in 2009 I shall see how they fare.

Regards

John

[annew]

Just caught up - in reply to Martin, I get very little rot in the chipping tubs, but the vermiculite is only just moist. The odd taxon will fail, but I think it probably would have anyway. Every few weeks I check through and give the tubs a good shake, which fluffs up the substrate again. It will be noted that some condensation forms on the lid, but this is not in contact with either the substrate or chips, so in fact it probably helps to avoid too much moisture on the chips themselves.

[snowdropman]

I wonder if the abberant inner occurred genetically in the original seedling/clump or is the result of rapid twin scaling?

It does not seem to be the result of twin scaling as the 'Snowdrops' book records "The whorl of inner segments is not quite as regular due to competition for space, and occasionally there can be two or three partly petaloid anthers"

[Gerard Oud]

One of these Flocon's is for a forummember, guess who!

[Anthony Darby]

My goodness, they look really healthy.

[mark smyth]

Here is another shot of 'Floccon'

[David Quinton]

Crumbs - definitely need a sanity clause.

Anthony, didn't you know, 'sanity clause'  doesn't exist

[David Nicholson]

 

[KentGardener]

Anthony, didn't you know, 'sanity clause'  doesn't exist

Brilliant! 

[Anthony Darby]

Brilliant. 10 Marx out of 10 Definitely my favourite Marx Brothers film.

[David Quinton]

Brilliant. 10 Marx out of 10 Definitely my favourite Marx Brothers film.

I'm more of a Laurel and Hardy fan myself but a friend of mine is crazy about the Marx Brothers. The sanity clause sketch or contract sketch has stuck with me for years as it was/is so funny. Thanks for reminding me of it.

I prefer to spend my time watching Stan and Ollie. It is great to sit down with my 3 year old son and laugh at the two of them messing about. They don't make them like that any more. I was fortunate enough to visit their last resting place earlier this year along with the location of the Music Box steps in a pilgrimage to Los Angeles. What a privilege.