Sternbergia 2010

[Maggi Young]

Not 100 % sure about ID of this  Sternbergia.

 Arnold, I'm not 100% sure of the ID of any Sternbergias  .... in spite of learned friends declaiming about geographical certainties etc, I remain thoroughly confused
(what else is new, I hear them say!) - There is such variation to be found I have decided I can reduce my stress levels by letting such matters wash over me.... I find myself doing this more and more..... I prefer not to add stress to the depression I feel when I see the flourishing clumps shown in these pages. 

[pehe]

Yes it is very difficult to identify Sternbergias, and some even say that sicula are forms of lutea. And maybe they are. I agree that there is less variation in lutea than in sicula (except from Herberts giant lutea).
There is also discussion about the relationship of greuteriana.
I have three different clones of greuteriana. One with rounded petals (like a small lutea) the others with more pointed petals (like a small sicula). Last two shown here:
Sternbergia greuteriana (from Potterton)
Sternbergia greuteriana (from Paul Christian)
The flowers of both are half the size of St. sicula 'Dodona Gold'
The last pic is 'Dodona Gold' in the garden

Poul

[BULBISSIME]

Here is Sternbergia sicula from Lebanon, very big size, more than 20 cm diam when fully open.

[Hans A.]

Fred, could it be Sternbergia clusiana? Great flower!

[Gerry Webster]

Fred, could it be Sternbergia clusiana? Great flower!

Fred - I agree that S. clusiana seems likely - enormous size of flower & absence of leaves.

[Pauli]

Thanks for the nice comments of my Sternbergias!

It is my opinion, that Crete Sternbergias are quite small flowered compared to the one from mainland Greece and Italy. So the giant stands out more than it deserves. It is about 1,5 the size of a good Italian type!

Perhaps I can exchange one or two bulbs of it next summer!


Herbert

[Hans A.]

Fred, I do not know if S. sicula occurs in Lebanon. As Gerry mentioned the size (and the form of the flower) let me think in S. clusiana - some of my S. sicula flower also without leaves if they do not get water to early.

[BULBISSIME]

Hans you're right of course, it was a mistake when I was typing the name, of course it's Sternbergia clusiana

[Gerdk]

Here are some pics from my new built bed made two days ago

The first ones show Sternbergia sicula Dodana Gold in the morning, at midday and in the evening.
The last two pics are Sternbergia lutea.
All were planted in summer 2010.

Gerd

[JoshY46013]

This sounds horrible but Maggi, I wouldn't be able to tell them apart at all!

[Maggi Young]

This sounds horrible but Maggi, I wouldn't be able to tell them apart at all!

I sympathise, Josh, they're almost as bad as Galanthus! 

[Gerry Webster]

This sounds horrible but Maggi, I wouldn't be able to tell them apart at all!

I sympathise, Josh, they're almost as bad as Galanthus! 

Look at the leaves Josh. However, the most recent opinion is that, botanically,  they are all S. lutea.

[JoshY46013]

I love them all!  Do you guys have a place overseas that sells them?  We in the states just have S. lutea, nothing different! 

[pehe]

I love them all!  Do you guys have a place overseas that sells them?  We in the states just have S. lutea, nothing different! 

Josh,

I do not know a us company which sells Sternbergia bulbs other than lutea, but there should be a chance that you can get seeds from NARGS (North American Rock Garden Society). If you want bulbs, I am sure that NARGS know a source.

Poul

[Gerry Webster]

I love them all!  Do you guys have a place overseas that sells them?  We in the states just have S. lutea, nothing different! 

Josh - Paul Christian (www. rareplants.co.uk) usually has a fair range of Sternbergias. However, he has a minimum order size of £50.00 for overseas orders plus charges for Health Certificates & postage which makes it quite expensive.