Crocus November 2009

[I.S.]

  Simon very nice C. pallasii forms from wild. I have also this species in my side of border but I am afraid that I will miss to see them in best for this autum. After two weeks I will be arount there!
  I want to ask you a special question. Do you have C. hadriaticus in Bulgarian flora or in your side of boderline? Because a friend of mine signal to me this species which is not seen yet by me!

[Janis Ruksans]

Excellent pallasii, Simon. Similar to those from Crimea in variability of throat color. Only Crimean whites seem to be with wider petals.
Janis

[Sinchets]

Thanks, Ibrahim and Janis. Interesting to hear that the Crimean whites were broader petalled, all of the ones we saw were narrow petalled. I would love to understand the genetics involved in the variation of flower size, shape and colour in this species.
The final pics show flower density in the second area and a few other colour forms.

[I.S.]

Here is my C. pallasii subsp. pallasii from European Turkey but picture is from last year.

[Ragged Robin]

Ibrahim, that is a stunning photo of C. pallasii subsp. pallasii, so well defined.

Simon, I'm really finding your discoveries fascinating and informative, thanks - very good to know preferred soil types where these crocus grow.

[BULBISSIME]

Wonderfull pics everyones !

It's so nice to see plants in their habitat  even with bad  weather conditions 
congratualtions to photograph braving the storms !

[Sinchets]

Thanks again, Ibrahim. Good to see yours has the same good markings and shape.

[mark smyth]

The following winter/spring flowering Crocus in my collection have noses and leaves showing.
?corsicus, danfordiae, biflorus, angustifolius, chrysanthus, x paulinae, pestalozzae, baytopiorum and vernus heuffelianus

[Oakwood]

Nice pics, Simon! Very close to Crimean pallasii pallasii - I agree with Janis! But in Crimea there is not much grass around, It grows there just in already bare soil and in October! 

[Sinchets]

Nice pic, Dimitri. Here we have seen them growing in bare soil further south. In our area they are mainly in seasonally grazed grassland. What is the other bulb there in leaf in your pic? Is it Sternbergia colchiciflora?

[Lesley Cox]

I shall probably get drummed out of the Forum for saying this, so I shall say it very quietly, I am getting thoroughly bored by autumn-flowering crocuses.

[Maggi Young]

maybe not quite so quietly...... Lesley, forget a Christmas card this year.... it's not going to happen!  

[Gerdk]

I shall probably get drummed out of the Forum for saying this, so I shall say it very quietly, I am getting thoroughly bored by autumn-flowering crocuses.

Lesley, Have mercy with us in the north - foggy, plenty of rain and cold instead of your joyful spring. Why not beeing happy with a few autumnal crocus flowers!

Gerd

[Lesley Cox]

Of course you're right Gerd, it was selfish of me to wish your autumn colour to go away. Here I am surrounded by irises, dianthus, campanulas, lewisias and hundreds of others that I shouldn't grudge you your little spots of purple and white. Mea culpa. Please forgive me. Besides, how can I go on living if Maggi doesn't send me a card at Christmas?

[Maggi Young]

I'm sure the Croconuts will forgive you your momentary lapse of taste, Lesley ...... I'm considering it ....

 It  is such a pure delight to be able to go out to the bulbhouse to see the wee crocus in all their delicate beauty in these days which are, lately, all too often dark and wet.... in the garden all are flattened 
The very notion of the vistas of hundreds of the little souls in their natural habitat  is enough to left my spirits....