Crocus in both hemispheres August 2008

[Paul T]

Is it as arid as it looks in the pictures?  I ask because so often the pictures are deceptive and there is really a lot more growing than it "look like" in a picture.

[Oron Peri]

It is arid, i would say about 80-150 mm annually, well with us it is considered semi arid

[Paul T]

Yep, that's pretty dry!! 

[Oron Peri]

Tnx Paul,

I really recommend you to set a Refrigerator....
The funny story is that 5 years ago i got some plants of cyclamen colchicum from Jan Bravenboer in Holland,
the day they arrived was really hot, about 41c and i was afraid they will not survive so i got this idea, i just rushed to the flea market in Haifa and bought this used frig. and it is perfect, the best is that because the frig. tremble it helps Cyclamen to auto pollinate so i don't need to think about it any more...

[Paul T]

Oron,

I collect enough as it is.    It's only the real alpine plants that I have problems with.  Thankfully all the other treasures like Fritillarias, Erythroniums, Galanthus, Helleborus, Crocus, Colchicums, Narcissus, Trilliums, Eranthis, Cyclamen, Iris etc (The list goes on and on.  ) do fine here without a fridge, and I can even get away with some tropical stuff in sheltered areas.  We always want what we can't have, so I of course want real alpines.  In future years as the Magnolias etc in my garden mature I will have more shelter and the garden will stay somewhat cooler in some areas, so some of the alpine things will probably stand much more of a chance.  Then again, if the warming trend continues we'll be another few degrees warmer in summer which will counteract the better shade.    Can't win either way.  Maybe THEN I have to get a fridge!! 

[Maggi Young]

it is perfect, the best is that because the frig. tremble it helps Cyclamen to auto pollinate so i don't need to think about it any more...
 

Now, that, Oron, IS perfect!! A self-pollinating plant store.... just great!

We tried this idea with one of the flat style, table top type of refridgerated shop cabinets a few years ago, but it took up a lot of room because of the shape and it was hard to fine somewhere it could be paced to keep the electricity safe and still get good light for the plants..... we did not want to have to have grow-lights as well!! In the end we gave up when it broke down and was not fixable by Ian at reasonable cost.  Super solution, though, for keeping plants cool but providine light.... Fritillaria alburyana springs to mind....

[Maggi Young]

Mat.... I thought you looked familiar.... I did recall assorted young Australians at the Conference but with 500 plus folks there, I began to suffer name fatigue  At the time it felt like I HAD spoken to everyone, but as time passes I realise that in fact it was only 475  !!

[Paul T]

Maggi, I've told you a million times not to exaggerate. 

[Maggi Young]

Actually, Paul, that's  only 999,567   times.... but who's counting ? 

[Paul T]

Careful Maggi, you might get the other 433 all in one go!!   

[Oron Peri]

well Paul,

your situation is better than mine, I grow most of my fritillarias in my dreams...and Erythroniums only when i sleep really good...

[Maggi Young]

Oron, I am sure that Ian (who dreams about erythroniums 24 hours a a day, awake or asleep) wishes you lots more sweet dreams! 

[Lesley Cox]

Paul here is a pic of my Crocus veluchensis, (as ID'd by Thomas) the pollen parent of my hybrids.


My vernus flower much later than this, barely showing leaf yet.

[Paul T]

Lesley,

Yeah, I'd expected a lighter colour than mine turned up.  Oh well, shame it isn't correct.  I'm assuming the ring-in isn't a trade type vernus though is it?  Is it likely to be a wild type or something?  The flower form is much more species type to my eye than the big hybrids or anything like that?

Oron,

yeah, I am lucky to sort of be in the middle climate-wise, although our warming summers are making it harder for some things.  I'll be setting up some shade coverings for the back yard this summer I think, to cut down the heat a bit.

[Thomas Huber]

Paul, after seeing Lesley's veluchensis I noticed, that these have a bracteole
while vernus has NOT. This is more obvious than the prophyll!