Galanthus February 2010

[Paddy Tobin]

I wonder what John Richards says about them in the New Plantsman?

I'm afraid I don't subscribe but Mark can report.


Paddy

[johnw]

then Margaret Biddulph

Speaking of which my one bulb newly planted in a pot sits unsprouted. Might there be hope or should I de-pot and examine?

johnw

[snowdropman]

didnt someone say on the forum this week that yellows want acid soil or was that to get better yellow flowers

Be careful - whilst nivalis seem to like a more acid soil (although, intriguingly, 'Ecusson d'Or' was found by Mark Brown on a dryish chalk bank) - this is not the case with other yellows!

[Alan_b]

didnt someone say on the forum this week that yellows want acid soil or was that to get better yellow flowers

It's pretty chalky round here so the yellows from nearby Wandlebury Ring (Wendy's Gold, Bill Clark & Wandlebury Ring) probably don't benefit from acid soil.

[snowdropman]

then Margaret Biddulph

Speaking of which my one bulb newly planted in a pot sits unsprouted. Might there be hope or should I de-pot and examine?

johnw

John - are you saying that nothing, not even a leaf, has emerged - if this is the case then, if it was me, I would de-pot it - you are likely to find that either the bulb has disappeared or that it has a problem (e.g. stagno) which you might be able to do something about, if you investigate now.

If perchance the bulb is still okay, but just extremely slow in emerging then I would replant it, making sure that there were no air gaps around the roots (I do this by putting a small mound of grit sand in the pot and spreading any roots over this & then adding further grit sand until the roots are covered and then backfill the pot with normal mix).

[David Quinton]

then Margaret Biddulph

Speaking of which my one bulb newly planted in a pot sits unsprouted. Might there be hope or should I de-pot and examine?

johnw

John, mine too. No leaves above soil but there was a shoot extending towards the surface 2 weeks ago but as this should be in flower now I suspect that there is a problem. The shoot still hasn't emerged yet. I'll probably have a look again and check the bulb this time but I didn't want to disturb it too much as I know that it can be a little tricky and didn't want to give it an excuse to snuff it. Let me know what you decide to do and if you find anything.

David

[mark smyth]

Paddy the snowdrop article in the Plantsman is about inheritance of yellow and comparing chlorophyll A and B inside the plants

A few people have contacted me about the lack of posts from me. Nothing is wrong, I'm well and just lying low but watching.

Galanthus caucasicus - true form?
G. elwesii lost label, short mid/late season
G. elwesii ex Altamont
G. Green Pip - very short and cute
G. nivalis ?Melvillei
G. Modern Art
G. nivalis Dreycott Green Tip
G. nivalis Mini Me
G. nivalis miniature green tipped - over exposed making green tips invisible

[mark smyth]

G. nivalis Sandersii Group
G. nivalis Tiny Tim
G. nivalis Warei
G. plicatus Wandlebury Group
G. Primrose Warburg
G. rizehensis
G. woronowii green tipped ex Russian - so the label says

[Brian Ellis]

I really think it is up to the serious Galanthus growers to put a stop to this as they are being laughed at and frowned upon by the rest of the Alpine world if you get my point. As soon as a plant is given an award it is on ebay for silly money, this is not the way forward  is it Mark. What are your views. Pat.

Pat I think you may be preaching to the converted, most of the people on the forum know where to get the plants and generally wouldn't be buying on ebay and paying silly prices.  As to being laughed at and frowned upon by the rest of the Alpine world, I'm glad I'm not one of them, the nice thing about our forum is that most of us have a sense of humour. 

[cycnich]

I really think it is up to the serious Galanthus growers to put a stop to this as they are being laughed at and frowned upon by the rest of the Alpine world if you get my point. As soon as a plant is given an award it is on ebay for silly money, this is not the way forward  is it Mark. What are your views. Pat.

Pat I think you may be preaching to the converted, most of the people on the forum know where to get the plants and generally wouldn't be buying on ebay and paying silly prices.  As to being laughed at and frowned upon by the rest of the Alpine world, I'm glad I'm not one of them, the nice thing about our forum is that most of us have a sense of humour. 

Hello Brian
              Yes I too have a sense of humour, is it true there are over 600 named galanthus, if so that is funny and I like the damn things. Pat.

[Brian Ellis]

Well Pat as long as it doesn't get like Narcissus, have you seen the size of that catalogue of names (time to duck again ). 

[Paddy Tobin]

Paddy the snowdrop article in the Plantsman is about inheritance of yellow and comparing chlorophyll A and B inside the plants

I thought it might have some relevance to the discussion above but obviously not, pity.

'Mini Me' is a delightful little thing though, I imagine, it would be lost in the garden.

Paddy

[mark smyth]

Joint Rock needs someone like Rod Leeds, John Grimshaw, Matt Bishop or Joe Sharman on the committee to weed out ordinary snowdrops

[mark smyth]

Paddy, Mini Me is in a trough.

[Maggi Young]

Joint Rock needs someone like Rod Leeds, John Grimshaw, Matt Bishop or Joe Sharman on the committee to weed out ordinary snowdrops

Mark, Rod Leeds is one of the Chairman of Joint Rock for the AGS!

Committee for 2010:
Chair: Dr C Grey-Wilson
Vice-Chair: R J A Leeds, Prof A J Richards, A Leven
RHS Representatives
J Almond, Dr W J Baker, Mrs J Bishop, P Cunnington, Capt. P J Erskine RN, T Hall,
D Haselgrove, J Jermyn, Mrs V Lee, Dr M Sheader, E M Upward, Mrs R Wallis
Alpine Garden Society Representatives
C D Brickell, B Burrow, R Drew, A R Furness, Dr J E G Good,
Dr K Lever, B Mathew, D Peace, Mrs M F Randall, R Rolfe,
Scottish Rock Garden Club Representatives
Dr I Bainbridge, Ms S Band, Mrs A Chambers, I Christie, F Hunt, Ms E MacKintosh,
Dr D Millward, J M M Mitchell, Prof D Rankin, Prof P Semple, J I Young
Secretary: James Armitage
AGS Hon Secretary: Jim McGregor. SRGC Hon Secretary: Dr C Bainbridge