Good colored Crocus mathewii

[winwen]

Hi,

on two occasions in the past, I bought some crocus mathewii-bulbs (always from the same nursery) but unfortunately none of them  was nearly as deep colored as the beautiful plants in Ian Young's bulblog or the fantastic crocuses (from art600 I think) shown in the forum. I know that c. mathewii is quite variable in coloring but having only plants looking linke having been "washed out" is not really funny  .
I therefore would like to ask, if someone could help me getting some of the really beautiful colored c. mathewii (bulbs or seeds).
For exchange, I could offer seeds and bulbs of Lilium alexandrae, L. nobilissimum, bulbs of L. majoense and possibly bulbs of L. ledebourii or white L. japonicum f. albomarginatum.
Best time for exchange would be in spring next year - I think!

[Anthony Darby]

I notice Paul Christian is offering a pink form with a purple thoat.

[winwen]

The crocuses I mentioned above were bought from PC.
The picture attached is to show what I mean. The crocus photographed was one of the better colored.....

Beautiful -yes indeed, but far from the sensational pix that are always shown concerning Crocus mathewii here in the forum, in the blog or on the website of some nurseries.

[Gerry Webster]

If memory serves, the strongly coloured  plants of C. mathewii pictured by Art600 came from Peter Moore (Tilebarn Nursery) from whom I also had plants several years ago. Taxing my memory further, I think Peter had them directly from Brian Mathew. I lost my plants fairly quickly but did not shed too many tears for, although the colour was striking,  the flowers were insubstantial. I seem to remember Paul T commenting that his plants, also strongly coloured, had substantial flowers so, unsurprisingly, it would appear  that seed-raised C. mathewii  are quite variable in all respects. 

[Anthony Darby]

A few years ago I had one that I'd just bought from PC come up totally devoid of any purple. What's more, the petals were cream. He replaced it with a nice dark form.

[art600]

Hi,

I therefore would like to ask, if someone could help me getting some of the really beautiful colored c. mathewii (bulbs or seeds).

I am having lunch with Peter Moore tomorrow and hope to buy some more of his beautiful Crocus mathewii.  I will add a couple of pots for you and when the time is right will post them to you. 

[winwen]

Thank you so much Arthur for your help! These really are good news.
Kind regards
Erwin

[art600]

Mission accomplished 

[Alex]

I have a couple of large pots full of the Peter Moore form, which is a beautiful colour - you are more than welcome to one or two next year if you want any more then. I actually threw away some of the sub-FS corms this year because I just can't accommodate pot after pot of these things! But, I would hate to be without it, it's a wonderul plant.

Alex

[Maggi Young]

I actually threw away some of the sub-FS corms this year because I just can't accommodate pot after pot of these things! But, I would hate to be without it, it's a wonderul plant.

Alex

 AAAARRRRRGGGHHHH!!!!!!!! Good grief, Alex, are you MAD?  I assure you there would be a good home offered through this Forum to any extra babies you may have!!

[mark smyth]

yes, me for one!

[winwen]

Arthur, Alex: Many thanks again!
I had always hoped to get some of the wonderful intensively colored Mathewiis. As Jim Archibald told me some years ago: there are enough C. mathewii but not enough intensively colored ones.

BTW: Does anyone know if C. mathewii is self fertile or self sterile?

kind regards
Erwin

[Gerry Webster]

I have a couple of large pots full of the Peter Moore form, which is a beautiful colour - you are more than welcome to one or two next year if you want any more then. I actually threw away some of the sub-FS corms this year because I just can't accommodate pot after pot of these things! But, I would hate to be without it, it's a wonderul plant.

Alex

Alex - I'd be interested to know when you got your plants from Peter Moore & what you think of this form apart from the colour. As I noted above, I had some from him many years ago (more than 10) &, apart from the colour, I found them very disappointing & insubstantial. In fact, I remember thinking it a pity that BM was celebrated by such a miserable plant. I wonder whether Peter has since acquired a superior form?

[Alex]

I got them in 2001 I think, don't have any photos but it is a very nice form. I've already potted them up for this year, but should have some to give away next Summer. Let me know nearer the time.

[Gerry Webster]

Thanks Alex. I'll get in touch next year.

Gerry