Repotting Galanthus

[Paul T]

Congrats, Anthony.  Good result.

[Otto Fauser]

I moved my 'Spindlestone Surprise' and from one bulb last year I found this.
[/ quote]   I too find that 'Spindlestone  Surprise ' is the most prolific increaser of the yellows I grow . 

[Anthony Darby]

Should I leave it or split it?

[Martin Baxendale]

Should I leave it or split it?

Anthony, I'd separate any that come away from the mother bulb easily without having to force them too much. Any (especially smaller ones)that don't seem ready to come away easily would be better left. Too much congestion like that, I find, can lead to an increased risk of disease and rotting, so better to space the daughter bulbs out a bit of possible. After splitting, leave the mother bulb and daughter bulbs in a dry air place for a day to allow the splits to heal and callous over before replanting. Dusting with flowers of sulphur if you have some to hand is a good precaution but not essential.

[Paddy Tobin]

Certainly a good result, Anthony.

Paddy

[Anthony Darby]

Thanks Martin. Certainly a good result, and nice to say it was a swap from Evelyn Stevens.

[johnw]

I am just about ready to start repotting bulbs, most importantly Galanthus.

Roger, in his improved E. B. Anderson mix, mentions pasteurized soil. Roger, just how do you pasteurize your soil?

Along the roadside today I collected a garbage can of oak leaf mould, later I put it through the chipper-shredder. It looks very good but did clog up the shredder several times.  I have some sifted compost as well.  The last time I sterilzed a large batch of these two - 10 minutes in a plastic bag - I fried the microwave. Are any other methods to be recommended for the leafmould, compost and the soil?  

I spotted a few black weevil grubs in the leaf mould before they went through the shredder and don't want to take any chances.  By the way, sciarid fly eggs seem to be impervious to microwaving.

A definite change in the air here today. The humidity has dropped and the nights are cooler, we are to go to 10c tonight.  Hopefully the Nerines will not be triggered into flower.

johnw

[Anthony Darby]

How about using a steamer for small quantities?

[mark smyth]

I found this last month

[Melvyn Jope]

A few words of caution from someone that has never had problems handling Galanthus bulbs in the past.
Over the weekend I repotted my remaining Galanthus bulbs and probably handled hundreds, as I was careful with watering over the past cold winter several had dry outer skins so I cleaned them off, something I have regularly done in the past.On this occasion by the evening the back of both hands reacted as though I had been stung by a wasp and were uncomfortably swollen and one finger was stiff and painful, I assume all of this from an allergic reaction and have since been taking an antihistamine and the swelling has reduced. When finishing off the job yesterday and today I did so wearing protective gloves! I have been aware of some having problems with Hyacinth and Tulip but have never before heard of a potential problem with Galanthus.

 edit by maggi: I've highlighted this post because it raises an important note of caution!

[Maggi Young]

I think your report of this reaction is interesting, Melvyn. I have heard of a reaction to hyacinth bulbs but not, I think , to Galanthus, so I have edited your post to make it stand out on the page .... your warning may prove a boon ...... thank you! 

[Paul T]

Mark,

Was that picture taken of a bulb that was repotted last year?  Is the main bulb still alright?  That seems like an almost unbelievable amount of offsets for a single bulb that has remained healthy..... more like a twin-scaling operation.    Congratulations.  Was it a good variety too?

[johnw]

Melvyn  - I have just repotted 100 pots of Galanthus and am about halfway through. I have had no such reaction, maybe I am immune.  The worst reaction I have is while sitting with a snowdrop catalogue.

I do react to handling hellebore seeds and get tingling in my finger tips for several days afterwards.

johnw

[Maggi Young]

Too funny about the galanthus catalogues , John!!


The irritation problem with hellebore seed is quite well known...... I suppose it pays to be careful with "stuff" in general..... after all, Melvyn's reaction has come out of the blue after many years as a carefree snowdrop handler 

[Melvyn Jope]

I like your comment about galanthus catalogues John although I think cardiac arrest when looking at prices is far worse than my experience.......