The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)

[Paul T]

Jo,

That is exactly what my ikariae look like, much greener leaves tha Anthony's pic, and longer petals.  Quite distinct really.  So that would mean that the "ikariae" we have here is actually ikariae ssp ikariae then?  I must dig up a pic of my woronowii as well.

[Jo]

They are exquisite Jo.
Can you tell me how long they take to flower from seed?

My notes say I sowed them in 1989 from AGS seed exchange seed. Then as far as I remember they stayed in the pot till 1991 when I planted them where you see them. I also remember being very excited when they finally flowered 5 years after sowing.  I can't believe now that it really was that long, but thats how I remember it.

They self seed around very well and I've put them in a number of places in the garden. They do seem happy in the original location which is a south facing 'Devon bank' in light woodland edge

[maggiepie]

Thanks Jo, 5 years seems to be the going rate for a lot of choice plants, I wonder if there is a way to hurry them up.

[Jo]

I sometimes wonder if keeping the seedlings going in a pot and feeding, treating like a commercial crop, might speed things up. I just don't want to keep too many pots on the go.

Its like the 'watched pot' saying. I keep sowing new things each season and one day look back and that old pot is finally boiling. 

 

[maggiepie]

Jo, I guess it's the first five years that hurt, after that you have something happening each year.

[Hans J]

Hi Jo ,

is there a chance to find out from where this AGS seeds of your G. ikariae orginally comes ?
( Maggi could you help please ? )

Your plants looks exactly like the plants in the book "Bulbs" from Phillips & Rix ( page 17 ).
There is written :
G. ikariae ( Baker )
the form shown here was collectet on Andros .....

really interesting !
Hans

[Hans J]

Paul ,

If this plant from Jo comes orginal from Andros so is no wonder that it looks different to the pics from Anthony and mine - my plants comes from Pilous ( 1999 ) and they are orginal collect on Ikaria .

I confess - it is all confusing !

[Jo]

Hi Hans,

I don't keep the old AGS seed lists for more than a year or two so I can't help you there.

I also don't remember whether the seed was from the wild collected or the garden collected section.

Certainly it is a late flowerer, in March as some of the others go past their best. Jo

[Hans J]

Hi Jo ,

thank you for your answer .
I have in the meantime written to Maggi ...

It is a good advice from you that plants flowers in March !

[Maggi Young]

Jo, yes, I think that is the answer... if the seedlings had been kept potted and grown on en masse it would allow for more feeding and perhaps they would have flowered a little sooner.... but, as you say, that would have given you more work with pots to tend!
Main point to be gleaned here is, I think, that it is ALWAYS a GREAT IDEA to grow stuff from SEED! For a start, those seedlings which survive and grow on are already predisposed to like your conditions and are likely to settle down to be good do-ers in your garden and then there is the magical pleasure to be had from enjoying them as one's OWN babies when they are growing and glowing like Jo's ikariae!!

As Jo says, if you sow every year, then after a little while there is always something coming into flower to cheer you and give you strength for the next batch....and there are also those obliging subjects ( witness some gorgeous gladiolus shown recently in the Forum) which will flower practically within the year and so give a real boost to the "expectant" gardener ......
Yeh, seed rules!!

[Diane Clement]

Hi Hans,  I don't keep the old AGS seed lists for more than a year or two so I can't help you there.
I also don't remember whether the seed was from the wild collected or the garden collected section.
Certainly it is a late flowerer, in March as some of the others go past their best. Jo 

I haven't got the old seed lists going back that far, but I'll look into it, give me a little time.
Diane
(Assistant Director, AGS Seed Exchange)

[Hans J]

Hi Diane ,

Thank you for your help !

Hans

[Maggi Young]

I haven't got the old seed lists going back that far, but I'll look into it, give me a little time.

Well, of course you haven't... you are far too young.... your Grannie would had to have left them to you!

Terrific offer from you to try to track this down, Diane! Much appreciated
 

[maggiepie]

Cute little ani Maggi, I've adopted it 

[Maggi Young]

Cute little ani Maggi, I've adopted it 

I collect them, Helen, I can't resist 'em!
 I've got a special just for you...... you'll lovethis.....