Galanthus February 2011

[RichardW]

Carolyn, when you post a reply, click "additional options" this opens attach/choose file, click choose file and browse to the location where the image is on your computer, double click the photo, then post your message.

[Paddy Tobin]

Hi Carolyn,

Welcome to the forum. Good to hear you have G. 'Beth Chatto' and that it is as described. I think you may be one of the very few to have it.

I have never heard of galanthus being thermogenic.

Looking forward to further posts from you.

Paddy

[Gerdk]

Just a few hours of sunshine and I was attracted by the first snowdrops here

1.+2. Galanthus elwesii
3. Galanthus plicatus

Gerd

[Paddy Tobin]

Your season is catching up on us, Gerd.

Good healthy snowdrops, looking well.

Paddy

[Maggi Young]

I just registered for your forum today.  I am an American galanthophile in Bryn Mawr, PA, outside of Philadelphia.  I am looking for anyone who has information as to whether snowdrops are thermogenic, i.e., produce their own heat.  This statement is often made, but I am wondering if there is any scientific evidence for it.

I also have Galanthus 'Beth Chatto' that might pre-date the seedling problem.  The marking and the prostrate nature of the leaves both match the bible and the Beth Chatto Gardens description earlier in the thread.  I have a very good photo but can't figure out how to get it on here---sorry kind of computer illiterate.

Carolyn

A warm welcome  to you Carolyn.  I have heard this theory that galanthus may be thermogenic and I would not be surprised to learn that is correct, but I cannot say I know of any hard and fast research on the matter.

Pictures like this one of Galanthus elwesii from Franz Hadacek do rather add fuel to the theory by appearance, don't they?

[ian mcenery]

Nice sunshine today. Here a few from me

Galanthus sandersii Lowick
G Primrose warburg just beginning to open with some promise
G Rosemary Burnham just a wee one
G Modern Art (thanks Anne)
G South Hayes

G Mighty Atom a favourite

[Alan_b]

Pictures like this one of Galanthus elwesii from Franz Hadacek do rather add fuel to the theory by appearance, don't they?

I'm not convinced.  The ice crystals in snow are transparent so don't absorb the heat from the suns rays efficiently.  Any coloured object sticking up through the snow will absorb sunlight and heat up faster than the snow surrounding it.  Then the extra heat it radiates back will cause the surrounding snow to melt faster.  I'm betting a plastic snowdrop would do the same as the real snowdrop in the picture.  You would have to run the test in the dark to prove whether snowdrops are thermogenic. 

[Paddy Tobin]

Lovely shots, Ian. Great to have some sunshine to open the flowers. Your two yellows look fabulous in the sun and 'Rosemary Burnham' is looking well.

Paddy

[ian mcenery]

Lovely shots, Ian. Great to have some sunshine to open the flowers. Your two yellows look fabulous in the sun and 'Rosemary Burnham' is looking well.

Paddy

Thanks Paddy its amazing how quickly they are all coming out now

[RichardW]

lovely clump of Primrose Warburg, am yellow with envy, wish it would grow for me 

[Gerdk]

Your season is catching up on us, Gerd.

Good healthy snowdrops, looking well.

Paddy

Thank you Paddy - they are in their first season in the new garden!

Gerd

[kentish_lass]

I was browsing on ebay last night and saw this snowdrop hat for a child.
It made me smile imagining galanthophiles roaming gardens or at the gala in one of these

I have photoshopped a couple for variation!  Wish they were knitting instead of crochet - I would have made one.
Also a Victorian Snowdrop Mourning Locket for a mere £387

Jennie

[Lesley Cox]

Maggi,

The DUS question is used by breeders, introducers, PBR offices, etc, and stands for : A new introductions should be Distinct, Uniform and Stable.

Regards,
Wim

And quite rightly so, but (in my opinion) the distinct part is often disregarded.

[Carolyn Walker]

Thank you, Richard.  Here is my photo of 'Beth Chatto':

[Carolyn Walker]

I see what you are saying, Alan.  However, there are plenty of other green plants under the snow, evergreen ferns for example, and the snow doesn't melt over them.  In the following photos, the Galanthus elwesii is actually growing in evergreen Japanese holly fern (Crytomium), but the snow only melts where the snowdrops are blooming.  The snow in question is deep, covered with ice, and blankets the entire garden.