February Narcissus 2011

[Maggi Young]

There may some faults with the site but each clumps is  different, and perfect. This is wonderful to see. Rafa, Teo,  a thousand thanks!

[Michael J Campbell]

Narcissus obvallaris, from seed
Narcissus mite
Narcissus Douglasbank, trying to escape
Narcissus pseudonarcissus Eugene, from seed

[annew]

Rafa, they are beautiful indeed. The last clump look like some we grow as N. cantabricus laciniatus.

[Miriam]

Great finding Rafa 

[Rafa]

In the first place, there is so much genetical variability (like in most of localities) that you can find all that names, but in my oppinion it is the normal variability of the species. I only support one Narcissus cantabricus in Penínusla Iberica, and probably in North Africa is the same species.

[tonyg]

Rafa, they are beautiful indeed. The last clump look like some we grow as N. cantabricus laciniatus.

Oh so wonderful Rafa!!!
The name 'laciniatus' is likely invalid.  Mike Salmon distributed this as var laciniatus, I guess one of his collections from years ago.  It does look like the plants Rafa shows.  Perhaps we should simply call it 'laciniate form' to distinguish it from the more usual forms.

[Gerry Webster]

Rafa, they are beautiful indeed. The last clump look like some we grow as N. cantabricus laciniatus.

Oh so wonderful Rafa!!!
The name 'laciniatus' is likely invalid.  Mike Salmon distributed this as var laciniatus, I guess one of his collections from years ago.  It does look like the plants Rafa shows.  Perhaps we should simply call it 'laciniate form' to distinguish it from the more usual forms.

RBG does not even recognise the name let alone accept it. Tony - your suggestion sounds sensible since the plant seems horticulturally distinct.

[Tony Willis]

Rafa they are wonderful and good to see in clumps.I expect you have seen them at Filabres where they all appear to be singles.

Two of mine in flower today
Narcissus bulbocodium
Narcissus hedreanthus

[ArnoldT]

I've enjoyed the Narcissus show tremendously.

Rafa has me planning a trip to Spain for a bit of Rioja and Narcissus watching.

Question I have is what type of summer conditions do forumists provide for their resting Narcissus.  My greenhouse will probably get up to 100 F during the summer months.

[annew]

I have 50% shading on my greenhouses, and the sand plunge dries out completely for most species.

[David Nicholson]

From the greenhouse today:-

Narcissus 'Candlepower'. I have only one bulb so it stays in the greenhouse for as long as it takes to bulk up sufficiently to plant out.

Narcissus bulbocodium ssp. bulbocodium var. nivalis

[annew]

I like your cheeky little nivalis, David.

[David Nicholson]

Anne, this is one I got from Brian Duncan,If I have a spare at re-potting I'll send you one. I've made a note.

[Rafa]

Beautiful display! This little N. bulbocodium is he species that I call N. nivalis Graells. In Flora Iberica you will see it as N. bulbocodium L. but I am not agree, I think it is a separated species from it, like N. graellsii Graells, as well.

Tony you are right, the only different N. cantabricus in Spain grows in Sierra de los Filabres, but I don't know if they have any constant different character (anatomical) in the whole locality to consider it as subsp. from N. cantabricus.

Most of narcissi needs a dry dormancy in summer but in a pot the bulb could be dehydrated, so the better is to put them in the shadow during summer, out of the green house... but here there are many expert growers than me who can explain better how to grow them  

[Gerry Webster]

Question I have is what type of summer conditions do forumists provide for their resting Narcissus.  My greenhouse will probably get up to 100 F during the summer months.

I keep NN. asturiensis, cyclamineus & watieri outside, in an open & shaded plunge so they remain slightly damp. Most of the others are kept completely dry & covered in semi-shade in a temperature of about 70-80 F (max). Jonquils seem to benefit from a somewhat higher temperature; they are kept dry in a covered but unshaded S-facing plunge. I think one has to experiment.