Galanthus February 2011

[Paddy Tobin]

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. 

I agree Alan. 

But beyond this purely physical effect, active biochemistry (including in all growing plants) is inevitably exothermic because the chemical reactions involved are not perfectly efficient. 

More intense thermogenesis by e.g. spadix tissue of aroids is due to partial uncoupling of mitochondria, so that efficiency of respiration is lowered in order to dissipate more energy as heat.  This in turn must benefit the plant, e.g. by attracting pollinators directly or perhaps indirectly through increased volatilisation of scent molecules. 

Whether galanthus do something similar is a fascinating question.  Infra-red camera anyone?

Ashley,

I sense this could be set as a worthwhile project for some student!

Paddy

[kentish_lass]

I ordered the hat pattern of Ebay at the weekend , came yesterday ( just need to teach myself how to crochet ) I am going to try and resize them for adults and maybe try to knit something similar to the photoshopped hats    I do like a project 

Emma - brave project.  I will be fascinated to see how they turn out   I am a great little knitter but crochet escapes me.  Will John me your first model?
I want to see a photo
Jennie

[ashley]

I sense this could be set as a worthwhile project for some student!

Too much of a stretch from pharmacology Paddy, but maybe ideal for a Young Scientist ...

Thanks Carolyn; a very interesting article.

[emma T]

I ordered the hat pattern of Ebay at the weekend , came yesterday ( just need to teach myself how to crochet ) I am going to try and resize them for adults and maybe try to knit something similar to the photoshopped hats    I do like a project 

Emma - brave project.  I will be fascinated to see how they turn out   I am a great little knitter but crochet escapes me.  Will John me your first model?
I want to see a photo
Jennie

Give me a week or two and i shall post up a picture of my attempt 

[johnw]

Will John be your first model?

Jennie

At least hair will not get in the way!

johnw

[RichardW]

few more from this pm.

no name for this one, all I know is it originates from Ivy Cottage.
Hambutt's Orchard, another I've had to move several times before it stopped sulking.
Seagull.
Imbolc - very short, really like this plant, not easy to photograph!
Bill Baker's Large, got very battered by four days of strong winds but staking seems to have saved it.

[chasw]

Well I finally managed to spend a few hours in the garden today,and the sun shone brightly,so out with the camersa to share a few drops with you

Benton Magnet
Blewberry Tart
Cedrics Prolific
Diggory
Godfrey Owen
Homersfield

[Brian Ellis]

Seagull.
Imbolc - very short, really like this plant, not easy to photograph!

Hello Richard, I'm disappointed that a prior engagement means we won't be joining you all at Benington Lordship, I am sure you will have a good day.  I really like both these, Seagull is underrated I always think, but my Imbolc are not short this year, like yours are.  Perhaps because I disturbed the clump last year to send off some bulbs and buried the remainder at a different depth.  The snowdrops that you sent have all done well and our two have increased quite rapidly, a very pretty little thing, I shall have to take a photograph.  I had visitors today looking at the snowdrops and should have taken a photo but was far too busy talking!

[Brian Ellis]

Very nice Chas, I really rate that Homersfield, a good drop.

[chasw]

And a few more
Ophelia
Richard Ayres
Sally Pasmore
Trymlet
Wasp

[Gerdk]

This snowdrop species comes from its most southern position in western Europe
(near Valencia - but in the mountains) -
a stout version of Galanthus nivalis

Gerd

[Brian Ellis]

They look really nice Gerd, are they as small as I think they are?  Judging by the pot they could be tiny.

[RichardW]

Hi Brian, think it was our "grumpy" I sent? although I think after the comments here "Livid" might be more appropriate, nice to know they're doing well.

[Paddy Tobin]

A great run of snowdrops posted; great to see them all and it makes me a little uncertain in my thoughts of having enough in the garden already and not to chase after more. Well, I have been quite restrained over the past year or two though, to be honest, circumstances have contributed more than my self-control.

Paddy

[Gerdk]

They look really nice Gerd, are they as small as I think they are?  Judging by the pot they could be tiny.

Thank you Brian! They are about the size of our nivalis - later on they became somewhat larger than it.
The pot has a diameter of 30 cm.

Gerd