Galanthus 2006

[mark smyth]

The 'Bushmills' snowdrops were only named that for me to remember where they came from and what they are. They weren't found by me, green with envy and red glazed eyes. They were found by Derrick, hello Derrick!, who works in a garden centre. Yes there are four of them.

It's the small black slugs that are doung the damage. The weather is too warm to keep 'em away.

Web site - I'm having probelms with the links. I'll upload later and see what happens

A friend uses fine composted bark. I worry when she puts it down at th e wrong time of year - usually now. Many are attacked by moulds. I would guess putting it down in the summer and letting the bulbs push through normally their sheaths will protect them which lets them emerge above the level of the bark. I use a very nice grit sand but the cats like it too. I would guess the cats would like the composted bark too.

Maybe this can tempt Janet out of the darkness? Huh?

[mark smyth]

It always amazes me when I look at the stats of my web sites and see how many people have had a look. This is the tally for the snowdrop site for this year

Jan 2006 - 39,445
Feb 2006 - 41,444 
Mar 2006 - 28,384
Apr 2006 - 10,042
May 2006 - 4,855
Jun 2006 - 5,855
Jul 2006 - 4,054
Aug 2006 - 6,626
Sep 2006  -6,766 
Oct 2006 - 9,764
Nov 2006 - 11,480
Dec 2006 - 13,405

Total 182120

[Maggi Young]

Good grief, Mark, who'd have thought these white jobs were so interesting!!

John, AKA SRGC 00Agent : we used chipped bark from a sawmill  for many years (though nowadays we don't need to buy it because we shred all our own prunings and hedge-cuttings) and we never had any trouble with it.

[mark smyth]

Maggi you do realise that some white stuff is going your way in January?

[mark smyth]

links are now sorted but now my web site has blocked me out.

You do realise that it's a lovely sunny day outside and I've been sitting here for two hours.

[Maggi Young]

Yes, Mark, I will just have to be brave in January when you come to infect the Aberdeeshire Group with white fever. It is for the Group that I make these sacrifices!
Besides, on Wednesday 3rd I'm giving them a fabulous selection of Rhodos and other Ericaceaous and assorted glorious Liliaceae... it is a moving tale of Eric and Lil ,a match made in heaven!!
I'll be sneaking in the odd other genus that look good with my adored rhodos but while there will be plenty fab white flowers, there will be no snowdrops!

[KentGardener]

Hi Guys

thanks for the picture of carolyn elwes - I must admit that I am rather disapointed at the 'yellow' colour.  Not up to the standard of Primrose, Wendy and Bill.

Interesting statistics Mark, you can certainly tell which months are the most popular for interest in snowdrops - thanks for sharing them.

cheers

John

[mark smyth]

here's a timely reminder to get out the insecticide. Do you see it? I didnt until I edited the photo just now

[mark smyth]

Here is my loose clump of elwesii 'Haydn' doing very well with 33 flowering bulbs and part of my 'Castlegar' group showing flowers in various stages of growth. Adding plicatus 'Colossus' and elwesii 'Maidwell L'. 'Maidwell L' wasnt in flower until February 1st in 2006 but this year it's four weeks early

[David Nicholson]

Mark- don't boast about the sunshine. The second low reached Devon about 1130, black as night and pouring down. It's a little brighter now but still pouring down. IT's ON ITS WAY.

[Paddy Tobin]

Bark, chipped: I have chipped bark on one bed which has galanthus and it has had no ill effects at all. I haven't topped it up and won't for another year or more. It was on the bed which was planted with cyc. coum and the snowdrops were added later.

Mark, I am surprised that snowdrops are so far ahead in your garden as you are so far north of me and the same snowdrops are not at all as advanced here. Local microclimate, I suppose.

Website statistics: In deference to Maggi et alia I will not go there. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH

Paddy

[mark smyth]

I really dont know why any of my plants perform so early. Just been out with a compass. The garden has light from southeast to northwest 140 to 320 degrees what ever that is.

Whats not out with you, Paddy?

[vanhouttewim]

Hi Galanthophiles !

my father baught a lot of Galanthus elwesii bulbs , at different times , from different locations , imported from turkey.

he planted these only a month ago , much too late , i know.

1 part started flowering more than 2 weeks ago , and with the temperatures now , a lot of these will flower next week.
he allready found 3 plants with totally green inner segments , is that interesting or just normal?
1 other plant has leaves which are not Galanthus elwesii leaves , it's another species with smaller leaves.

his second part of bulbs , 500 or so , also elwesii , are still under the ground.

is his first part Galanthus elwesii var hiemalis ? the leaves are very small (5cm) when the plants are allready flowering.

i don't know  and your comments could be very helpful .
Thanks , Wim

[mark smyth]

elwesii with all green inners is normal. If you find one with all green outers get slightly excited. Mark it properly and wait to next year. If it is green again jump up and down but watch where you jump. You will have to wait to next year to see if it is in the Heimalis Group but it could be. It's a very mixed up seaon.

I wouldnt worry if the bulbs are still underground.

The plant that is different I would need to see the leaves and flower to know what it is.

[vanhouttewim]

Thank You Mark !

Can you give it a name?
Wim