the first.... Galanthus wasp wanted

[mark smyth]

Book printers have them but my local one is unwilling to scan slides even though we deliver there 5 days a week and they know me

[Gene Mirro]

I will be renting mine at a professional photo supply place.  I found it through a long process starting with Google.  Scanning the slide is easy, but using the more advanced image enhancement features is not.  So I don't recommend this unit for someone who does not get on well with their computer.  You will need a USB2 interface.  Here is a link to a review of this product:

http://www.bythom.com/coolscanv.htm

Here are some specs on the Nikon website:

http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=98&productNr=9238#

I will report back on my first-hand encounter with the beast.

[mark smyth]

$1000 on Ebay in the US. Are you recommending the Super COOLSCAN 5000 ED? £793 from PC World in the UK

[Gene Mirro]

"Recommend" is too strong a word, since I haven't actually used it yet.  The 5000ED is the one I will be renting, but Nikon makes a cheaper one (see the Nikon link in my previous email).  I've never used either, so I can't compare them.  I only know this:  I scanned a slide with a lot of dark areas on it, first using my HP ScanJet document scanner with the slide adaptor, and the result was horrible.  I then had the photo shop guy scan the slide with the 5000ED, and I was amazed by how beautiful the image looked on the monitor.  It could pick out detail in the dark areas that the HP couldn't see at all.  So it isn't just a resolution thing; it also has to do with resolving slightly different density levels.  That's all I can say at the moment.

[Ian Y]

I await your review.

[David Shaw]

With regard to 'first flowering bulbs', we came back from holiday a couple of weeks ago to find a pot of Ipheion uniflorum (probably Alberto Castillo as it seems a bit large for Album) with a flower open. The pot was outside but I brought it into the greenhouse to apppreciate its flower and today note that it has put several more buds up.
The bulbs were rescued from the garden during a bit of serious tidy up last summer and just dumped in a pot outside until a new home could be found for them. They are still waiting but maybe I should keep some in a pot in the greenhouse for future years.

[KentGardener]

Hi All

I have just changed the main heading for this thread as I realised that 'the first....' was starting to cause confusion for any that were not aware of why it was started.

Hopefully I shall be able to close this thread to further replies in a few months time if the very kind offer of a 'wasp' bulb comes to fulfilment. 

regards

John

[KentGardener]

Thank you SRGC. 

I am now the proud owner of a Galanthus Wasp thanks to a very kind member of this forum.

It wouldn't have happened without the SRGC forum.

kind regards from a very happy Johnie   

[Maggi Young]

Excellent, John! It is heartening to hear of forumists who are coming together in this way to exchange plants. I hope you and your Wasp will be very happy together!

[Anthony Darby]

Well done John. I had heard that Wasp was going to be on offer at the snowdrop gala at Cambo, but that was a myth

[mark smyth]

Anthony, anything interesting there?

That's good news and very good for someone to part with Wasp.

[Brian Ellis]

Congratulations John

Always the best way to acquire a plant and fond memories of those who give them.  I hope it thrives

[Anthony Darby]

Just found this. I didn't go Mark but Ian Christie informed me that 'Wasp' was not available. I'll keep my eyes and ears open though.