Crocus February 2007

[David Nicholson]

David - my early crocus pots were just like yours .... I'd stop now before the fever really gets a hold

Tony, it's too late, it has got me. I'm already planning for next year, when I SHALL do better. I think I shall follow Mark's plan and leave them outside until the buds show and then put them in the greenhouse.

Loved the pictures of Earlham Churchyard. We always spend a week with friends in Hethersett, normally it's the weekend in which the East Anglia Show is on in Wymondham. I haven't managed to get them there yet, they are not gardeners, but I shall have a real go this year, but I do get to have my annual "fix", and spend a fortune at Hythe Alpines.

[mark smyth]

David you will need to be quick Hythe is closing down! - allegedly

[David Nicholson]

Mark, on my visit last year they did say that they were thinking about retiring but they are still maintaining their Web Site, last update today, so I hope they are still in business on my next visit. Age must be catching up with Alpine Nursery trade in general, I have heard that another of my favourites, Lydford Alpines here in Devon, are retiring. I shall have to see if they are at the South Western AGS Show in Exeter on 31 March. 

[Thomas Huber]

Hi friends!

I'm back from hospital and I can calm everybody who was concerned about
the news of Chris - HE IS WELL!!! It was only a little problem, but it
took lots of time for the doctors to locate it - 4 nights for father
and son together in hospital - only one was planned 

I was very touched about the sympathy I obtained from all over the world
via SRGC-forum, private e-mails or personal messages
MANY THANKS TO ALL OF YOU - too much to name everbody!!!!!
 




Coming back I've found lots of new crocus in my rockgarden and lawn,
but I don't think I will be able to post photos today, maybe tomorrow
or on Monday. But I will try to reply to some of your questions later this
afternoon.

[David Nicholson]

Great to have you back Thomas and very glad to hear that Chris is well.

[Thomas Huber]

So many beautiful photos while I was away - took me lots of time to enjoy
them worthy!  


Mark - your Crocus tommasinianus Whitwell Purple looks like Ruby Giant.
Whitwell Purple is dark purple in the upper part of the stem and has broad leaves.
The last one's name is Crocus minimus not minima.

Franz mystery chrysanthus cultivar is indeed Advance. I think Marks Advance
looks somewhat ill due to bad weather.

David N - You can be lucky that your crocusses are NOT out of the ground at
this time of the year - many of mine were battered by heavy rainfalls in the
last weeks. Yours are cute and wait for "true" spring!  

Lesley - Kittiwake is out of cultivation since many years. I know only a few
persons having this beauty, but not me! Wish I could send you some Advance
seeds, but mine have never set any seed   Did you ask Marcus for both?

Again Mark - I agree with Tony, that your Prince of Orange looks like flavus.
Chrysanthus should have orange-red styles. I would recommend to have a
look at the corms in summer. Crocus rogue is surely a tommie - I've often received
mixed stocks of minimus and tommies in the past!

Luc - Crocus Yalta should be Crocus vernus Harleem Gem a fine and vigorous
selection of Crocus vernus. And Tony is right about sieberi Bowles White.
From what I can see, I would say it's Crocus biflorus Miss Vain.

David N. - Your Crocus Ruby Giant shows the dark stem and broad leaves
of Whitwell Purple.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Thanks for shedding some light into namegiving darkness Thomas - our Dutch friends in the trade don't seem too concerned about it !
Thanks again and welcome home and back on the forum !

[Maggi Young]

So good to have you back, Thomas. Lots of love to Chris from us all.
 I had just obviously not looked closely enough at Luc's  "Bowles White".. when I checked back I did see that there was only a little pale yellow in the throat. I am pleased to learn it is 'Miss Vain'...for it is very pretty and I will look out for it.  I must take more time to study things properly first time round.
Still very wet and grey here, so no open flowers today!

[David Nicholson]

Mark, in view of Thomas' reply I think you and I need to swop plant labels?

[Maggi Young]

Mark, in view of Thomas' reply I think you and I need to swop plant labels?

Laudable recycling effort, there, David, but then ther are the postage and packing expenses/pollution to take into account... perhaps you should just scrub the old lalbels with a brillo pad and start again?

[udo]

Tony, Crocus sieberi ssp. sublimis has the first flowers this year,
i hope, he is a good grower.

without words !! ( a gift to my birthday )

[David Nicholson]

Dirk, you can't leave us in the dark without a translation? Or am I the only Brit suffering from the typical Brit disease of having only one spoken language-and not very good at that either?

[Maggi Young]

Paraphrasing, David: "garden as much as you can, do housework only when  you have to"

The German is "as much gardening as is possible, as much housework as is necessary"

Works for me!

[David Nicholson]

Thanks Maggi. I am making a copy of Dirk's sign for my wife.

[Maggi Young]

I have it engraved on my heart, already!