Eranthis 2010

[Lesley Cox]

Re your generous offer of seed Rodger, you realize I'll be in my 70s when they flower. Maybe I should mark out a rectangular area in which to lie, and have the seed scattered over me.

[gote]

It is difficult to move [Eranthis hyemalis] since the corms look just as clods of earth.

I've always moved them in the green, with great success. The key is to replant them immediately. If possible, do the work on a wet day

I am sure you are right. This year I will try to move a few hudred of them as they start to fade a little. I need to clear an area.
Göte

[Gail]

Has anyone else come across this fungal infection on their eranthis?  I think I read something about it in the RHS magazine a while ago but can't find the reference.
The leaves show pustules of black spores then the stems split open as in the centre of the second picture.  I noticed it first last year and have been removing and binning affected plants.  It seems to spread quickly which is unfortunate as I was just getting a nice carpet of eranthis!

[Maggi Young]

Oh, yuck! Off outside to check on mine   

[Maggi Young]

It didn't take this long! I got sidetracked.... including walk with dogs!
I don't see any splitting on stems as shown in Gail's pix but there are some spots on the foliage that look suspiciously like these ones from the pic above...
Apart from these  few biscuit-coloured spots... which do not show any signs of black spores ( under 20 times lens) the plants look very healthy.... should I be worried, do you think?

[Gail]

I've certainly got some which have the same spots as yours - I haven't watched individual plants yet to see if that is the first sign of infection but will do so now and suggest you keep your eye on yours; if you see the black spores you need to remove affected plants and bag & bin or burn them.

[Lesley Cox]

I know many people don't like to use insecticides or fungicides but if something like this is suspected or expected, wouldn't it be smart to apply a systemic fungicide BEFORE the event rather than waiting until the symptoms are seen? I've done that with the botrytis that has affected my frits in recent years and the problem is just about gone now. I drench with a systemic fungicide around now (autumn) when roots are forming and later as the bulbs come through I spray them. It's a nuisance but worth the effort in healthier plants and better seed set.

[Gail]

Yes, probably very sensible.  I always get confused by which fungicides are suitable/legal now though (I haven't cleared the shed out in a while so don't know what I've got in there!)

[gote]

you realize I'll be in my 70s when they flower.

And so what?
I am already past that age and women live longer than men.
Cheer up! There is always time to plant an acorn
Göte

[Lesley Cox]

Thanks for reminding me Gote, that I have at least another 25 years or more to go. I could almost believe it if it were not for my back and knees!

[bulborum]

Lesley
My father planted rhododendron seeds when he was over 70
and of course he saw them flower
be optimist and I have no time for dying and after a bad day
there comes a good day was his motto

Roland

[gote]

you realize I'll be in my 70s when they flower.

And so what?
I am already past that age and women live longer than men.
Cheer up! There is always time to plant an acorn
Göte

Or Haycorn as Piglet would have said.
Göte

[Hans J]

Hi all,

I can offer for swap now some seeds of Eranthis -there is no 100% guarantee that the seeds comes true ....but it is worth a try !

Eranthis cilicica
            hyemalis 'Gruenling'
            hyemalis 'Flore Plena'
            hyemalis 'Orange Glow'
            hyemalis 'Aurantiaca'

If anybody is interestet so please send me a PM

Hans

[bulborum]

Hello Hans

Would be nice to have some seeds of
hyemalis 'Orange Glow'
hyemalis 'Aurantiaca'

If you like I have some bulbs from E.cilitica from wild origin

Roland

[Hans J]

Roland ,

I will write you a PM !

Hans