Galanthus March 2009

[Martin Baxendale]

I'm not to know who Robin is and if he can or cant chip or twinscale.

That's exactly why I was trying to point out that Ian Christie had already posted to say that he knew Robin had the skill to chip his own snowdrops. I assumed you'd missed it. I'd also seen some of Robin's posts elsewhere on the forum and I talked to another forum member who confirmed what I felt, that Robin and his family were experienced gardeners who would not neccessarily need to get someone else to propagate the snowdrops for them, especially if specialist advice was available to them through the forum. So I was trying to let people know the situation, that there was no need to keep pushing the question of third party chipping and that those amazing snowdrops were in safe hands and would not disappear through ignorance or neglect. I was just trying to clarify things.

The situations you mention where snowdrops were "taken" for chipping were of course bulbs being taken with the agreement of the owners, who presumably did not want to do the chipping themselves. No-one just came along and said those are being taken away to be chipped whether you like it or not.

I don't think I was throwing any shit in your direction, just trying to inject some facts into the discussion in the hope of calming things down a bit, because I did feel that Robin was coming under a lot of pressure. They are his snowdrops after all and no-one can tell him what to do with them, only advise, preferably based on the facts of the situation.

Now can we all kiss and make up?   

 

[Anthony Darby]

Here's some flowering yesterday:
Galanthus nivalis 'Streifen-Weh';
G. n. 'Federkleid';
G. n. 'Anglesey Abbey';
G. gracilis;
G. plicatus 'Warham' doing something strange

[Paddy Tobin]

Anthony,

Being a bit to the south, G. 'Anglesey Abbey' and G. gracilis are completely finished here. There are just a few stray flowers left on G. 'Warham' while G. 'Federkleid' and G. 'Sreifen-Weh' are certainly well past their best.

Of course, this means that we can look forward to postings from forumists on the continent whose gardens are only now reappearing from the snow and beginning to thaw again. The season will continue for another while, at least on the forum.

Paddy

[johnw]

It looks virused.

Keen eye Mark. I never even noticed.  One has to  wonder about virus; it is said that Nerines have latent virus that can be activated by over application of nitrogen and put back to rest by slacking off the nitrogen. I wonder if the same might be said for Galanthus i.e. cultural conditions etc. Has anyone seen virus back-off or is it the road to death.

No back seat please Mark or we'll send Maggi off on Ryanair to Antrim.  Your advice is wise re: getting new material propagated asap.  How many new rhodos have I seen destroyed by weevils the moment a name was contemplated or the thought arose that it was a keeper - those weevil eyes bulge the moment a label goes on.

johnw  

[Robin Callens]

Hi all,

I already received more requests for a spare bulb of G. 'Green Mile' than I actually have. I am going to try to increase the stock in the next two years so that I can provide everyone a bulb who wants one...

Robin

[Alan_b]

Hi all,

I already received more requests for a spare bulb of G. 'Green Mile' than I actually have. I am going to try to increase the stock in the next two years so that I can provide everyone a bulb who wants one...

Robin

Robin I think that's no small undertaking, because I suspect many more people who would like a 'Green Mile' did not ask or do not read this forum. 

Do you know of Joe Sharman?  He is a nurseryman who specialises in snowdrops (but who sells a much wider range of plants) and organises the UK Galanthus Gala.  About 25 years ago his mother found Wendy's Gold, the yellow Galanthus plicatus.  Joe built up his stock of this, was invited to snowdrop events where he swapped Wendy's Gold for other snowdrops so built up a collection of rare snowdrops which he now offers for sale.  I wonder if you will be doing something similar in 25 years time?

[Anthony Darby]

You may have noticed the label in the pot in front of the gracilis? Well, my first Galanthus platyphyllus opened today. When the snow goes and it opens fully I'll post a pic.

[KentGardener]

Here's some flowering yesterday:

G. n. 'Federkleid';

This is the second time in as many weeks that I have seen a photograph of 'FederKleid' - I am really liking the shape of that 'Spring Dress'.  Definitely one to be added to my Galanthus search list.

Cheers

John

[Thomas Huber]

Proceed with caution.  I have a pot of Galanthus alpinus bortkewitschianus which I intended to inspect and re-pot in the summer but left this until the end of August.  What I found was that the bulbs had already formed extensive roots.  Rather than disturb these roots, I abandoned my plans.  But it may be that this species breaks its dormancy earlier than other snowdrops.

Thanks for the tip, Alan. I already made my experiences when I wanted to replant
Galanthus in July and found them well rooted. Will try to check bortkewitschianus
in June and tell you what I found.

[Regelian]

Pity I missed the gathering in Oirlich, as it is not far away from Cologne, but so is it.  By the time I hear of such gatherings, they are always over.  Germans are not good at getting the news about.  We really need to network better.

I have a question for you experts.  The attached Galanthus popped-up in my garden some years ago and I've never seen another quite like it.  It looks to be a huge G. nivalis, but blooms about 10-14 days before and is over twice the size.  Maybe a tetraploid?  The upper flower is a typical nivalis in my garden for comparison.  Any ideas?

[Hristo]

Galanthophiles, is this unusually large for G.elwesii or any chance it is subsp.minor? ( 6cm from petal tip to petal tip )
Cheers
Hristo

[galanthophile]

Flowering now

Augustus 3a
 Virescens 1a
 Blewbury Tart 2a
 Amy Jade 1a
 Merlin a

[Onion]

Jamie,
that you never miss any of the events in the future I send you this link

http://www.gartenlinksammlung.de/reise1.htm

Sorry forumist only in German

[Anthony Darby]

My first genuine Galanthus platyphyllus (some I bought last year turned out to be woronowii) is pictured here.

[Hagen Engelmann]

Top Anthony, I have never seen a flower of this plant before. Now I see a pic at least. Thanks for sharing