Autumn-Season 2008 begins

[mark smyth]

Much to early this year is the first of my G. transcaucasicus and possible because they are in a pot. This summer they will move to a new raised bed

[snowdropman]

Much to early this year is the first of my G. transcaucasicus and possible because they are in a pot. This summer they will move to a new raised bed

Mark - could this be an early form? I have had an early form of G. transcaucasicus in full flower since mid October, with G. transcaucasicus 'December Snow' coming into flower about 2 weeks ago (which, in spite of its name, consistently flowers in early November )

[loes]

my trancaucasicus is in the soil,not a pot,and not even showing it`s nose yet.
it flowers to the end of the season.

[Anthony Darby]

Two that are showing above the ground in my border now are 'Colossus' and 'Benhall Beauty'. The former has a well-formed bud. Not far behind is 'South Hayes'.

[Gerard Oud]

Lots of sprouts above the ground here also except the very late ones.

[Hagen Engelmann]

Gerard, is it normal for the netherlands ? We have it so too, but here it is very (too) early.

[ian mcenery]

Gerard are those bulbs lying on the surface of the soil on the right hand bottom corner of the picture 1?

Here is G Barnes doing its best. It has been trying to open properly for a couple of weeks now

[Gerard Oud]

I think its normal Hagen, but it is not going that fast anymore because daylight is getting shorter and its colder. We had the first elwesii monostictus in flower the first week of October and that is very early.

Ian they are still in the soil with their roots. It happens with the bulbs on the side's of the plantingbed because of the enormous lot of rain we had in October and November.

[ian mcenery]

Gerard I get this too but then I have difficulty if they become detached sometimes deciding which plant they are if they are close to another variety

[KentGardener]

Gerard I get this too but then I have difficulty if they become detached sometimes deciding which plant they are if they are close to another variety

It is funny how they jump out of the ground isn't it!  My snowdrop collecting started with being given permission to pick up the 'orphaned' ones from my aunts big garden.      If anyone is ever visiting my garden and sees something labeled as 'Doreens lucky dip' you will now know what it is! 

regards

John

[steve owen]

Folks
Advice please. The use of aquatic baskets for planting galanthus has been mentioned on at least two SRGC threads. Where are these containers to be obtained? Are there different sizes? And once the bulbs have gone in, is some netting over the open top desirable to deter mice/squirrels? Thanks,

[David Nicholson]

Steve, most garden centres stock them usually in the aquatic section. They are made in various sizes from a strong plastic mesh. Wouldn't surprise me if there was a picture somewhere in Ian's  Bulblog. Not being a Galanthophile myself I'll leave it to others to advise on topping the pots with mesh.

[Maggi Young]

Hello, Steve, welcome to the Forum!
 David is correct, you will find descriptions of these aquatic plant baskets in the Bulb Log. We would certainly say it is a good idea to cover the top of the basket, before top-dressing with grit, with a square of weld-mesh to deter predation by any furry bulb munchers. 
Also in the Bulb Logs, you will see that we use these baskets both in the open garden and in sand plunge frames.
Very useful containers, indeed.

[mark smyth]

Yes freely available at all big garden centres with pond sections. Next year I'm releasing all mine from pond pots. It was on the to do list this year but the summer was so c$%p. I have found that very few roots make it out of the holes. Twiweld/welded mash is available from all DIY stores and pet superstores. The smallest square is 1/4 inch. DIY stores sell various sized sheets
http://www.moncaster.co.uk/productpage.asp?category=Prime%20Welded%20Mesh

[David Nicholson]

.............I have found that very few roots make it out of the holes...........

That really surprises me Mark give the size of Snowdrop bulbs and consequently the thickness of their roots. I have a number of pots of tallish Narcissus in the garden in aquatic pots and they seem to thrive.