Fritillaria 2009

[Gerry Webster]

Anne - I agree with Tony, F.  pinardii. The colouration suggests it may be the fine form collected by Vic Horton & Norman Stevens on Ilgaz Dag (HS 2526).

[Hans A.]

I struggle with frits which seem to have some soil borne disease which causes them to wilt and die of before flowering.This results in ever smaller bulbs.

Could  the mite Rhizoglyphus echinopus be the reason?

[Gerry Webster]

Three of mine in flower. I struggle with frits which seem to have some soil borne disease which causes them to wilt and die of before flowering.This results in ever smaller bulbs.

Tony - this sounds like 'Fritillaria keeling-over disease', caused by a fungal infection. This was widespread some years ago but I haven't heard much about it recently. Some people had success in controlling it using a micro organism product called Viresco. This used to be obtainable from John McLaughlan Horticulture (in Thirsk, N. Yorks) but I don't know whether they still exist. There was at least one article on the problem in the Frit Journal; I'll try & find it.

Edit: the article, by Bob Wallis, was in Frit Journal no.3 (Autumn 1998). Infected plants wilted & very quickly stems rotted off  at the point of attachment to the bulb. For the most part, the bulbs themselves  remained intact though considerably weakened. Bob & Rannveig found that treatment with a  microrhizal culture (Viresco) plus its nutrient (Humate) appeared to control the disease. At the time of writing, they had only used Viresco + Humate for one season but were sufficiently impressed by the results to recommend it to others who had the problem.     

[Tony Willis]

Gerry that would be very helpful,I have had it for several years and tried different fungicides to no avail.

[Gerry Webster]

Tony - I've added the details in an edit to my previous post. Bob Wallis says fungicides are ineffective & should be completely avoided during the microrhizal treatment; they kill the beneficial microrganisms.
If they still exist -  John McLaughlan Horticulture, 50a Market Place, Thirsk, N. Yorkshire Y07, 1LH

[Lesley Cox]

I struggle with frits which seem to have some soil borne disease which causes them to wilt and die of before flowering.This results in ever smaller bulbs.

Could  the mite Rhizoglyphus echinopus be the reason?

Or even simple botrytis? In which case, a good fungicide applied 2 or 3 times during the growth period should fix it

[Lesley Cox]

Re-reading the symptoms, apparently NOT botrytis. Ignor the post immediately above.

[Tony Willis]

Gerry thank you for that information.I will look into getting the product.Cost will be a consideration because I only have a small number of frits,which are of course getting less as time goes by. If practicable I will give it a go.

I see both are available from Viresco Uk.Ltd

[Michael J Campbell]

Could someone ID  this please. Looks like acmopetala without the colouring but the flower is almost twice the size,and the plant is 45cm high.

Fritillaria ?

[Lesley Cox]

I can't be sure but it really does look like an acmopetala form. There are some so-called "yellow" forms with no or few markings and greenery-yallery colour. But maybe someone else.....?

[Gerry Webster]

I can't be sure but it really does look like an acmopetala form. There are some so-called "yellow" forms with no or few markings and greenery-yallery colour. But maybe someone else.....?

This was my thought too, based on the flower shape, but without seeing the inside of the flower (the nectaries & style)) & the arrangement of the leaves it's almost impossible to pronounce.

[Sinchets]

Flowering now in the bulb frame: Fritillaria aurea and Fritillaria sewerzowii
Flowering in the garden: Fritillaria raddeana

[olegKon]

Michael,
Can it be the yellow form of Fr.pyrenaica?

[Gerry Webster]

Michael,
Can it be the yellow form of Fr.pyrenaica?

OlegKon - Yes, that is a possiblility I hadn't thought of. We really need to see the inside of the flower & the leaves before any definite ID.

[Sinchets]

Flowering today Fritillaria hermonis amana, F.hermonis amana 'Belen', F. nigra, F.crassifolia crassifolia and F.pinardii.