Sternbergia 2009

[Gerry Webster]

Here is one I bought as Sternbergia lutea sicula. It is very different from Ian's #2. Poul, your greuteriana from PC has very pointed tepals. I have only once seen what I would regard as a 'classic' example of greuteriana, and it had tiny flowers with rounded tips to the tepals. I have been searching for this form ever since.

Anthony - I only have one form of S. greuteriana, given to me by the late Erna Frank (probably from a Manfred Koenen collection). The shape  of the tepal tips seems to vary somewhat  on successive flowers from the same bulb - relatively pointed to relatively rounded. I should have some spare bulbs & can send you some next summer if you like.

[pehe]

Here is one I bought as Sternbergia lutea sicula. It is very different from Ian's #2. Poul, your greuteriana from PC has very pointed tepals. I have only once seen what I would regard as a 'classic' example of greuteriana, and it had tiny flowers with rounded tips to the tepals. I have been searching for this form ever since.

Me too. I hope I have found them. RV Rogers picture of greuteriana is like that. http://www.rvroger.co.uk/index.php?linksource=stockgroup&webpage=sternbergia&listgroupfile=bulbs&parentpagefile=latesummerbulbs&season=BLSU&caller=Header
I have ordered some, but not yet received them.

Poul

[Michael J Campbell]

I finally got one flower on Stenbergia lutea ?

[Anthony Darby]

Poul. That's the one. Thanks Gerry, I'd be honoured and delighted. I have Sternbergia lutea 'Autumn Gold' from PC just about flowering. I'll take a pic tomorrow. Alas, on Monday I am off to sunny Millport with 17 6th year Advanced Higher Biology pupils (16/17 year olds) and won't be back until Thursday evening. I do hope my flower buds, especially Crocus mathewi, wait until I'm back?

[Gerry Webster]

A pleasure Anthony, I'll get in touch next summer.
I'll be interested to see what 'Autumn Gold' looks like since I haven't been able to obtain it.

[udo]

some new Sternberia this weekend:
Sternbergia greuteriana, stoloniferae form
      ''                ''       , without stolone and larger flowers ( Crete )
      ''         sicula ssp.attica 'Dodona Gold'

[Ragged Robin]

Lovely Sternberia everyone - a real burst of sunshine in a pot - are they all grown in a greenhouse?

[Alessandro.marinello]

today in flower, Sternbergia colchiflora

[udo]

Hi Ragged Robin,
i cultivated all my Sternbergia outside, with protection before rain and snow
in summer and winter.

[BULBISSIME]

Alessandro, I love you tiny Sternbergia 

[pehe]

today in flower, Sternbergia colchiflora

It is nice to see a colchiflora. What compost do you use?

Poul

[pehe]

Some post ago I mentioned that I might have a Narcissus fly attach in my Sternbergia. Unfortunately I was right.

Here is the story:
I was happy some times ago as I saw that almost all plants in a group of Sternbergia sicula 'Dodona Gold' had flower buds. Specially as this group is placed in the open garden and therefore normally not flower so well. But I got a bit worried as one of the flowerbud did not develop as rest of them. And as the leaves started to get yellow I decided the dig it up. And I was right. The bulb was hollowed by a grub. After killing the grub (I admit with pleasure) I cut of the rotten part of the bulb. As the roots looks healthy I will give it a try. I have powdered it with sulphur and replanted it in almost dry compost too see if it can survive.

1. The plant with typical signs of a Narcissus fly attach: Undeveloped flower and yellow tipped leaves.
2. The bulb with the grub visible inside.
3. The nasty little devil!
4. The hollow bulb.

Now I am very worried about my Galanthus Reginae Olgae, as they are the preferred target in my garden.

I wish you have avoided any Narcissus fly attach!

Poul

[Oron Peri]

today in flower, Sternbergia colchiflora

Alessandro,
does it set flower every year for you?

[Luc Gilgemyn]

I think I read in this thread that St. sicula "Dodona's Gold" is one of the better one's to grow outside.  Am I right, and if so, would somebody have some bulbs to spare when they go dormant, or otherwise indicate where they can be obtained ??

Thanks !

[Gerry Webster]

I think I read in this thread that St. sicula "Dodona's Gold" is one of the better one's to grow outside.  Am I right, and if so, would somebody have some bulbs to spare when they go dormant, or otherwise indicate where they can be obtained ??

Thanks !

Luc - 'Dodona Gold' is said to grow & flower outside if conditions are favourable (i.e., hot). Based on my own experience with other Sternbergias in a fairly hot garden in Brighton I am a little sceptical & would be inclined to lift them when dormant & store them like tulips.
I don't grow this form but it is obtainable from Paul Christian (Rare Plants) & comes from one of his own own collections (with Antoine Hoog) made in 1987.