Crocuses in December - 2008

[Janis Ruksans]

In December starts silent period in Crocus blooming here (of course only in greenhouses). The last bloomers are Crocus cambessedesii – although blooms are small, they are very nice. Still in full blooms are late forms of Crocus laevigatus and C. biflorus melantherus. Violet form of Crocus caspius just started “second” blooming. I have 2 forms of this species – white and lilac (last I got from Norman Stevens - UK). Interestingly, those flowers of second blooming (using Ian Young’s terminology) are darker in shade than those which bloomed in October-November. I suppose that it is due lower temperatures and light intensity. Still are some blooms in pots of white and blue forms of Crocus niveus, close to end are Crocus boryi and C. goulimyi – all forms and subspecies of it. I’m quite doubtful – is it worth to separate subsp. leucanthus. I saw during my visit in Peloponnese this autumn in every population great variation both in size and color – from almost white through bi-colored to very deep blue and larger and smaller blooms.  There are just last flowers on Crocus kotschyanus (HKEP-9205) and C. thomasii but Crocus veneris only pushed through soil the flower buds. No sun is outside and flowers remain closed. Main job is taking off of old flowers to prevent corms from infection and rotting.
Outside we had very strong snowstorms a week ago. I was closed in nursery for almost two days waiting when municipality will clean the roads. But after that weather changed to rain. Fortunately this morning was little frost and even some moments of sun allowing walk on fields without trouble to get drowned in mud. I took my mice poison bag and walked through fields and greenhouses placing poison tabs (at every such walk I’m using 150 tabs of poisoned food). On Crocus field I was shocked –finding huge amount of crocus shoots, remnants of corms etc. in one tube for poisons. I found “rodent restaurant”. Poisons must be renewed once a week but due snow cover I missed one case… Now I’m in great trouble – how to write new catalogue – how many crocus taxa I can include in it? Again outside started heavy snowing and everything is covered with two inches of snow. Still are snowing…
Few more pictures in second part.
Janis

01Crocus cambessedesii -01
 02 Crocus cambessedesii -25.
 03 Crocus caspius in December
 04 Crocus caspius at start of November
 05 Crocus kotschyanus HKEP-9205 -01
 06 Crocus thomasii MS-978 -04

[Janis Ruksans]

It is heavy snowing outside and my trys to send additional pictures several times were interrupted - so I decided to send in one case few pics only hoping that they will go through.
Janis

 07 Crocus veneris e Sixtus -03
 08 Crocus veneris in 2007
 10 Restaurant for rodents

[Janis Ruksans]

The last pair of pictures. the last blooming C. laevigatus - very dark form.
Janis

[mark smyth]

Great photos of Crocus cambessedesii. What camera do you use?

[Carlo]

Janis,

It's great to see you in the forums...and get a look at your amazing plants. Nice to have you here...

[Gerry Webster]

C. goulimyi – all forms and subspecies of it. I’m quite doubtful – is it worth to separate subsp. leucanthus. I saw during my visit in Peloponnese this autumn in every population great variation both in size and color – from almost white through bi-colored to very deep blue and larger and smaller blooms. 

Janis - it appears that leucanthus is now regarded by Kew as  a variety rather than a subspecies. See:  Crocus November 2008; post no. 54  on November 10

[art600]

Janis

The dark Crocus laevigatus is stunning - nothing like it my collection of laevigatus.

[ian mcenery]

Once again Janis lovely plants and great photos Thank you

Ian

[Janis Ruksans]

Great photos of Crocus cambessedesii. What camera do you use?

I use Canon-50D with 100mm macro lense and other lenses, too.
Janis

[udo]

Welcome Janis !

My last flower for this year,
a possibly new species from Iran.

[Oron Peri]

Dirk, that's amazing

Can you give us more details regarding this Crocus?

[udo]

Oron,

i find this plant between seedlings from Crocus caspius, wild col.seed in 2004
more details next summer

[Armin]

Janis,
C.caspius & C.laevigatus are superb

Udo,
wow, very special!
I'm anxious if it confirms to be a new species.

[Janis Ruksans]

Welcome Janis !

My last flower for this year,
a possibly new species from Iran.

How looks its corm tunics? Very unusual of course for Iran if it isn't mix in seeds.
Janis

[Janis Ruksans]

Welcome Janis !

My last flower for this year,
a possibly new species from Iran.

Black anther connective, multifid stigma. Very special. Of course there can be many unknown species in Iran. This spring I succeed to collect very unusual Crocus speciosus form in Iran. By Brian Mathew's opinion - new subspecies forming leaves in autumn. Would like to swap with yours.
Janis