Galanthus January 2009

[KentGardener]

It's January - where are the snowdrop photos? Dont rely on me to keep y'all hooked this year.

Sorry Mark - my excuse is 3 weeks out of the country enjoying myself, followed by long hours at work this week (not enjoying myself!).

I have taken a few snaps this morning of some of the flowers at my place today.

The first couple are just managing to hang on for a few days more (these were flowering when I flew away on December 20th)

Three Ships


X-Files


Roger's Rough


Richard Ayres (suprisingly strong scent!)


Mrs McNamara


Bess (a pretty little thing)


Ding Dong


Nivalis poculiformis


There are so many others with buds close to bursting open if they were only given a few nice warm days  .....

Best wishes

John

[Brian Ellis]

if they were only given a few nice warm days

and so say all of us.  Nice pics John

[Anthony Darby]

Jings. John manages to show pics of 10 snowdrops I don't have, and I have over 70 varieties!

[johnw]

John - Marvellous pictures.  I am excited to see Richard Ayres as it hasn't flowered here to date.

But I really like Bess, she's a charmer and the Poc and .....



johnw

[Brian Ellis]

John, I think Roger's bit of Rough looks alright

[johnw]

John, I think Roger's bit of Rough looks alright

What can you tell us of 'Mrs Tiggywinkle'?  You mentioned you were looking for it.  It has to be special \/ with a name like that.

johnw

[mark smyth]

Thanks, John.

[johnw]

With the arrival of the many snowdrop catalogues in the past few weeks, is there a brief list of varieties that should be avoided due to virus?

Rob mentioned 'Limetree'.  'Augustus' here is obviously afflicted yet it is thought not to transmit the virus.  Why it would not do so is puzzling especially if aphids are about.

johnw.

[Jo]

Rob would it be worth spraying your virused snowdrops with a long acting systemic insecticide so that if any aphids turn up they won't live to tell the tale ?

[Jo]

On another note ,  what is the wind like tonight ??

What's it like right up north Maggi ??  its really wild down here

[Maggi Young]

So far so good here, Jo...... I do feel for those of you getting blown to smithereens....it is getting windy, with  some heavy gusts but nothing like the gales elsewhere... at least, not so far  
I think the three snowdrops with flowers that are visible in the garden right now will be okay.


Though, even as I write, it is building... the fastigiate pine in front of my  window here is  flailing about now....fingers crossed for minimal damage if it worsens.

[mark smyth]

very high winds here today also. Just in from the Ulster Group meeting to find pots lying everywhere

[Jo]

Yes Rob, I was thinking of Provado, I use it on Cyclamen in pots, vine weevil being such a pain, but it does mean other creatures are knobbled as well, fungus fly and aphids for instance.

[johnw]

John, I think Roger's bit of Rough looks alright

But of course. Another one for the list.

johnw

[johnw]

Jo  - Provado is great for weevils but of late it has done nothing for fungus gnats.  It was a good precaution against aphids until last month when we saw aphids on hellebores that were treated in December.

johnw