Crocus February 2012

[rob krejzl]

Being from Western Australia he probably doesn't have much of an interest in crocus

Does have an interest in science though - check out his appearance on The Infinite Monkey Cage in December (http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/timc).

[ronm]

Janis, I called my friend today and he said the istanbulensis came from a contact at one of the Botanic Gardens, but he didnt want to say who. I think I have about a dozen now. Perhaps I could send you one later in the year and you could check it out for me?

[ronm]

C. reticulatus
Not quite there yet but not sure if we'll see much sun over the next few days.

[Armin]

Ron,
nice photo of C. reticulatus. But I have some doubts it true.
Looks more C. imperati by image...

[ronm]

Is imperati scented?

[ronm]

hmmmm ...... beginning to think you're correct Armin. Strange how the camera highlights things the eye misses.

[Armin]

Ron,
I have only cv. 'De Jager' growing in my meadow.
Never checked if it is scented. Don't know.

Best is to check corm tunics
imperati: parallel fibrous corm tunics
reticulatus: Corm tunic coarsely netted fibres

[ronm]

Thanks anyway Armin for following up with me. This is why I find this SRGC forum so fantastic! I was given this two years ago, planted it with the name it was given to me under, and never ever questioned it. It even grows amongst other pots of reticulatus, but I havent looked close enough to see differences ( the other pots aren't even showing hardly at all yet). I intend to invetigate this thoroughly but am having serious doubts at the moment. Thanks again Armin 

[Armin]

Ron,
it is me a pleasure to help. This is exactly one of the reasons why we all love this forum!

Check the corm tunics, modified my previous reply for the time being.

[ronm]

Thanks again Armin. I will recheck when repotting. Have made a note to repost here with my findings at that time. 

[Gerry Webster]

Consulting  Brian Mathew suggests to me that this is more likely to be C. reticulatus,  though I'm not all that familiar with Spring crocus & identification from photos is difficult. Both this & C. imperatii subsp. suaveolens are scented (hence the name of the latter).  I daresay Janis will pronounce sooner or later.

[ronm]

Changed my mind again! After some sun today, depite freezing temperatures its opened more and I am pretty sure it must be C.reticulatus. Seems an identical plant is shown on plate 260 of Janis's Crocus book.

[ronm]

C.herbertii
poor lonely, skinny little thing. Hope it can get some stolons going and have some company in the future.

[Armin]

Changed my mind again! After some sun today, depite freezing temperatures its opened more and I am pretty sure it must be C.reticulatus. Seems an identical plant is shown on plate 260 of Janis's Crocus book.

I have Janis book too. Both species (+subsp.) variants resemble by outer appearance very much.
My own C. reticulatus have more starry shaped flowers compared yours, are smaller in size compared to C. imperati 'De Jager', and flowering period is always much later. You mentioned your other reticulatus pots show no sign of growth yet...
I would check corm tunics when dormant.

[ronm]

I certainly will Armin. Thanks for following up on this for me.