Narcissus 2010

[FrazerHenderson]

1&2 N.cyclamineus showing at RBGE Alpine garden today.

and from the RCHS show today:

3. "Itzim"
4. "x minicycla"
5. "Little Beauty"

[Darren]

I've used this clump of N cyclamineus as a parent of hybrids. Obviously a seed has escaped into the now mostly dead (thanks to this winter) Rhododendron keiskei 'Yaku Fairy'.

The other parent is probably asturiensis, jacetanus or one of their hybrids with cyclamineus backcrossed.

[tonyg]

One (sadly just the one) hybrid as a result of my crossing N cantabricus and N triandrus three years ago.
They are both in flower again today (just) so I'll try for a few more.
N x susannae.

[annew]

Very nice, Tony. Darren's cyclamineus seem to be beaming proudly at their offspring!

[Brian Duncan]

Gerry, thanks for that. It really is a struggle to ID most of the small Daffs perhaps it's time for a new monograph-any takers out there?

David,
Glad you raised this point. It's long past the time for a new Monograph - the RHS  is initiating an attempt to get such underway. The basic plans have been laid and already encouraging and very supportive consultations have taken place with Spanish botanists. It must be an international effort so there is much still to be done by way of consultation and co-operation with interested bodies. Funding will be the biggest problem in the current economic climate but this is being addressed. Amateur Societies will be asked to lend support in principle (and also some financial if possible) as this will aid the case being presented to potential funding sources. The Northern Ireland Daffodil Group has already committed a sum of £3,000 - a mere drip in the bucket, but as a very small society they are at least linking money to their keen support for the project.
Brian

[johnw]

a seed has escaped into the now mostly dead (thanks to this winter) Rhododendron keiskei 'Yaku Fairy'.

Darren    - I hope you don't mind if I respond to the above statement.  'Yaku Fairy' is rock hardy here in coastal Nova Scotia and has never in 30 or more years been winter-damaged. The same can be said for all other keiskeis with one exception, that being the very tall form which is tender.  My suspicion is if the soil is damp or wet enough for N. cyclamineus it might be too moist for YF.  It loves a high peat bed, even a scree, here in full sun.  A quick move might be in order.

Best

johnw  

[Darren]

I don't mind at all John - thank you. It is in a raised peat bed in full sun, but might have been very wet at the root in winter due to our exceptionally wet november, also after 6 years the soil may be getting compacted. The reason I thought it was the cold was that the surviving portion is on the southwest side (sheltered from the cold northeast winds we got in Jan & feb). I will move it I think.

[David Nicholson]

Gerry, thanks for that. It really is a struggle to ID most of the small Daffs perhaps it's time for a new monograph-any takers out there?

David,
Glad you raised this point. It's long past the time for a new Monograph - the RHS  is initiating an attempt to get such underway. The basic plans have been laid and already encouraging and very supportive consultations have taken place with Spanish botanists. It must be an international effort so there is much still to be done by way of consultation and co-operation with interested bodies. Funding will be the biggest problem in the current economic climate but this is being addressed. Amateur Societies will be asked to lend support in principle (and also some financial if possible) as this will aid the case being presented to potential funding sources. The Northern Ireland Daffodil Group has already committed a sum of £3,000 - a mere drip in the bucket, but as a very small society they are at least linking money to their keen support for the project.
Brian

Thank you for that Brian and I hope fund raising efforts are successful.

[Gerry Webster]

Gerry, thanks for that. It really is a struggle to ID most of the small Daffs perhaps it's time for a new monograph-any takers out there?

David,
Glad you raised this point. It's long past the time for a new Monograph - the RHS  is initiating an attempt to get such underway. The basic plans have been laid and already encouraging and very supportive consultations have taken place with Spanish botanists. It must be an international effort so there is much still to be done by way of consultation and co-operation with interested bodies. Funding will be the biggest problem in the current economic climate but this is being addressed. Amateur Societies will be asked to lend support in principle (and also some financial if possible) as this will aid the case being presented to potential funding sources. The Northern Ireland Daffodil Group has already committed a sum of £3,000 - a mere drip in the bucket, but as a very small society they are at least linking money to their keen support for the project.
Brian

An enterprising & welcome  project, though these are hardly the best of times in which to begin. I wish it every success.

[johnw]

I don't mind at all John - thank you. It is in a raised peat bed in full sun, but might have been very wet at the root in winter due to our exceptionally wet november, also after 6 years the soil may be getting compacted. The reason I thought it was the cold was that the surviving portion is on the southwest side (sheltered from the cold northeast winds we got in Jan & feb). I will move it I think.

Darren

You may be correct, perhaps there was root loss from the compaction on the side of the plant that got cold/wind zapped.   I think it is one of the best Rhododendron species.

johnw   

[Tony Willis]

I realise it is a diversion from Narcissus but I have two plants of Yaku Fairy and one is pristine and the other has been destroyed this winter by the weather.

[Ray]

Flowering for me now N viridiflora,seems to be a lot earlier than usual. bye Ray

[Gail]

Flowering for me now N viridiflora,seems to be a lot earlier than usual. bye Ray

Does it flower every year for you then Ray?

[Ray]

Hi Gail,this species flowers every year for me,but doesn't multiply very quickly or set seed for me bye Ray

[daveyp1970]

Ray that is stunning my seed has just germinated so cross fingers i might one day get to see such a lovely thing.