January 2012 in the Northern Hemisphere

[Graham Catlow]

Tim,
I really have no idea why it does so well. Other than it has been undisturbed for over five years. The top 5cm is quite humus rich but below that it is quite heavy not sure of the composition. Lesley seems to refute the idea it could be summer weather related.

Lesley,
I will see what some cuttings produce.

[Tim Ingram]

Thanks Lesley - watering sounds a good possibilty since we do get very dry here and I rarely water unless we have long spells without rain. Gentiana acaulis is such a wonderful plant when flowering well that I think shall I try harder and grow it in a number of different places.

[Lesley Cox]

Graham, why do you dead head the gentian? I know they're a bit tatty to start with but as the seeds swell, they're quite attractive, especially in quantity, and something for the seedlist. Leaving them on seems to make no difference to how many flowers there are next time. Last year I picked nearly half a cupful of seed!

[Roma]

Frosty foliage

[krisderaeymaeker]

Frosty foliage

It looks familiar Roma . Here also some frost but this is  the first frost of this winter  ....
But during day a blue  sky and a lot of sun ....Tomorrow the dream already has to finish  ...again some rain and warmer temperatures..
Some pics of the sunny weekend.
Dionysia aretioides x archibaldii
Dionysia 'Judith Bramley'
Ranunculus calendrinioides in bud
Tristagma sellowianum
Narcissus romieuxii

[Graham Catlow]

Graham, why do you dead head the gentian? I know they're a bit tatty to start with but as the seeds swell, they're quite attractive, especially in quantity, and something for the seedlist. Leaving them on seems to make no difference to how many flowers there are next time. Last year I picked nearly half a cupful of seed!

But Lesley they would make the garden look untidy I know I should collect seed for the seed exchange but I just find it difficult to see things going over and looking untidy. I am happy to let some go over if anyone asks for seed in time

[shelagh]

I took these pictures a couple of days ago and the plants have a lot more flowers now I counted 25 on each.

They are Cyclamen elegans X alpinum and the other IS NOT but is labelled Cyclamen coum albissimum 'Golan Heights' which when I looked it up is white so who knows what this one is.  Sorry the pictures aren't better.

[meanie]

Nice to see what you all have blooming.

The first of the Iris (reticulata?) emerged yesterday.............



Good news is that the flower buds on both of my Clianthus puniceus are unaffected by the recent frosts.

[Hoy]

The spring is more advanced at your place, Melanie!
Here a cold spell has set in with clear but freezing weather. The emerging Crocuses awaits more sun to open their flowers.

[shelagh]

Looks like they still have their overcoats on Hoy.

[Hoy]

Looks like they still have their overcoats on Hoy.

Oh yeah, they need it dearly. Much rain, hail, sleet and almost no sun the last weeks! Seems we get a week with more sun but colder temps too! I can't think of any reason they wanted to leave the safe soil at all

[ChrisB]

Crocus 'Firefly' in by greenhouse & cyclamen coum in the garden.  My first iris has its nose through, but not in bloom yet.  Your cyclamen are lovely, Shelagh.

[Maggi Young]

Cracking coum,Christine 

[ChrisB]

Thanks Maggi.  If only I could do the same in a pot.....  I am so envious of people who can grow them so they show nicely....

[Hoy]

Thanks Maggi.  If only I could do the same in a pot.....  I am so envious of people who can grow them so they show nicely....

I prefere to grow all my hardy plants outside in the garden! I have no wish for more pots! They are reserved tropical and sub tropical plants