Crocus in the garden April 2010

[Ragged Robin]

A fascinating history of how one seedling made it to the world wide market through your selection Janis.  In spite of the name 'Yalta' having a less desirable connection with history it remains a beautiful form of Crocus tommasinianus; thank you for explaining all about it.

[anita]

I've posted this in the Southern Hemisphere thread... but just in case crocophiles have forgotten that the autumn crocus are popping up in the SH... I've doubled up (I hope this is not sinful Maggi ).
The autumn crocus are in full swing in Adelaide but the highlight's been this cluster/clump of C. goulimyi Mani White. This cluster is based on just three bulbs I bought from Marcus Harvey in 2006. Of the various crocus that I've been trialling in the garden C. goulimyi seems to have adapted best to Adelaide's dry summers and moderate winters. This clump is at the edge of the front lawn where they get a little additional water in summer. The second pic is a wider shot showing outliers to the cluster. Interestingly the flower at the bottom of the cluster seems to have more pointed petals yet it must be a clone of the others in the group as I haven't had any self-sown seedlings (although I did collect seed from this group last year).
For those interested the other autumn-flowering Crocus that have adapted, despite the lack of winter chill, are C. boryi (I posted a pic in the March SH thread and its still in flower, albeit different corms in the same location), C. pallassi, C. pulchellus, C. hadriaticus, C. cartwrightianus, C. niveus.
Cheers Anita

[Lesley Cox]

I hope the 'Yalta' I have ordered this year from MH ARE 'Yalta." Last time they were 'Vanguard.'

Anita, only chocolate is sinful, and not even that, to Maggi.

[Maggi Young]

I've posted this in the Southern Hemisphere thread... but just in case crocophiles have forgotten that the autumn crocus are popping up in the SH... I've doubled up (I hope this is not sinful Maggi ).

Anita, only chocolate is sinful, and not even that, to Maggi.

Couldn't have put it better myself, Lesley.

[Janis Ruksans]

Crocus albiflorus form with white flower tube
Crocus biflorus subsp. tauri
Janis

[annew]

What a beautiful crocus Mani White is - such good solid flowers.

[olegKon]

1.Crocus shrysanthus Saturnus
2.Crocus vernus Vangard

[Graeme Strachan]

Below are some of my of my last hybrids to flower this year. The photos were taken yesterday (11.4.2010).

            Graeme

[Ragged Robin]

Wonderful shots Graeme, all looking lovely in the sunlight - C Chrysanthus Bluebird is my favourite 

[Janis Ruksans]

Today between seedlings of Crocus veluchensis alba found specimen clearly showing that some pollen from C. cvijicii was involved. Note the nice golden rim on inner petals, but all impression of flower is nicely cream, not visible on picture. Both are the latest bloomers in outside garden and rarely hybridizes. I had seedling of C. cvijicii Cream of Creams with lilac flush (unfortunately lost in very hard winter).
Janis

[Graeme Strachan]

Thanks Robin.

      Graeme

[Janis Ruksans]

Want to warn all crocophiles - check your stocks of C. atticus (sieberi) Bowles' White. Today checked leaves of 2 stocks - baught in Holland in autumn 2008 and 2009 - both turned 100% virus.  Earlier destroyed one stock on open field, too (by wrinkly flower petals). Fortunately my old corms (stock) turned all healthy.
Just found that corms of Carpathian Wonder baught last year from another grower in Lithuania (as my own stock became too small) turned virus infected for ~70%. Again found that fortunately my own stocks still are healthy. After returning from Georgian trip (if Air Trafic will be restored) will check all my outside grown crocus stocks. Today due cancelling of flights many visitors couldn't came to my Open Door days and I used time to check leaves on pot grown crocuses and 4 pots were destroyed or placed in quarantine for seed crop before destroying - two were pots of Crocus olivieri istanbulensis - all my corms of it. Pity.
Janis

[Janis Ruksans]

One of latest in garden - Crocus veluchesis. Here high mountain form with smaller flowers - GIMLIE
Janis

[Sinchets]

The snow is now melting enough in the nearby mountains to begin our annual C.veluchensis pilgrimage. Unfortunately last weeks trip was a little early and there was still anow above 1200m.
The two sites we visited were a north facing woodland neighbouring a ski-piste over granite and the second was in humic grassland on a marble peak.

[Sinchets]

Photos from the second site of C.veluchensis.