Fritillaria 2012

[ronm]

Maybe the form Lesley., Don't know. As I said my original bulbs were rubbish at reflowering, but now my own selfed seedlings are really good. I know they aren't hybrids, but maybe the weaker ones are selected against during the seed maturation process. Was your original stock from seed?

[Gerry Webster]

I'm not sure how variable cultivated plants of F. kotschyana actually are. All the plants I have seen have been very similar, the only obvious  difference being  in the length of the bell; Mike's plants seem to have a relatively short bell.  Rix [Kew Bull. 29 (4), 1974] refers to an uncommon form without fascia  collected by Paul Furse; I have never seen this. In passing, I might note that  Rix regards F. grandiflora (no fascia & known only from the vicinity of Lerik)  as a subspecies of F. kotschyana. This position was adopted by Bob Wallis a few years ago but I have no idea whether he still thinks this.

[ronm]

Someone just PM 'd me and said maybe your plants were too happy Lesley. Maybe you are too good to them? More stress?

[ronm]

For them obviously !!

[Lesley Cox]

Mine are from seed Ron, yes. They in turn have never set seed. They are well dried over summer and the bulbs are always plump and good-looking but maybe they need a little more moisture while dormant?

[ronm]

I would try it Lesley, maybe just on a  couple of bulbs?

[ronm]

May I ask Ian ( Young ) about F.involucrata please.
I am trying to put together some comparative type work on the bulbs of Fritillaria, and am currently gathering information together on this species. I came across today in Bulb Log 33 - 13th August 08, a picture of F.involucrata with 'antlers' on the bulb. Did this turn out to be F.pontica ? Thanks in advance.

[mark smyth]

While at Loughborough I had an urge - to start collecting Frits

[Maggi Young]

May I ask Ian ( Young ) about F.involucrata please.
I am trying to put together some comparative type work on the bulbs of Fritillaria, and am currently gathering information together on this species. I came across today in Bulb Log 33 - 13th August 08, a picture of F.involucrata with 'antlers' on the bulb. Did this turn out to be F.pontica ? Thanks in advance.

Ian is away recording a radio programme, Ron..... but I've had a search around the frit house and yes, that pot is now ID'd as pontica.

[ronm]

Thought it would be Maggi, but really had to ask. Thank you.

[ronm]

F.stribrnyi

Outside of the Americans, I think this is my favourite Frit. I recognise that it is one that only a true 'Frit Fancier' will get excited about. I have found it impossible to capture the grace and elegance of this plant, so apologies for the poor pictures! . It is also one of the few Frits to have a pleasant sweet honey like smell.
This ( and two youngsters in the same pot ) are all that is left from plants that arose from Bulgarian seed over 15 years ago. I managed to get this 5 years ago from the friends who had sowed the seed. They have since lost all of their plants, . It is one of the first plants to show a 'nose' in the winter, but grows really slowly, weaving about as it does so. Last year it had started to grow under the soil when the pot froze, and remained frozen for weeks. Nothing showed after the thaw so I removed the top of the soil, to find a tangle of pale green / yellow mush on a short stalk. I didn't replace the top soil, but the plant didn't do much after that and eventually dried out. The remaining bulb was tiny, with two minuscule white balls attached which I removed and moved away in the same pot. I hoped for at least a juvenile leaf again this year. I needn't have worried. For me it is amazing. As good as ever this year. Just shows that where there is a vestige of life, never give up. .

[Sinchets]

Hi Ron- would it be possible to take a picture looking up into the flower?

[ronm]

LOL, I can try. But I dont think I'll get enough definition for what you are looking for, very smooth slender style etc. I dont have a very good camera, prefer to spend on plants

Edit - Its not even my camera ..... I bought it for Nora for Christmas ...

[Sinchets]

Yes, I appreciate it is not the best shape of flower to take an up-skirt [or should that be up-kilt  ] shot of, but I was interested to see how it compares to some other Frits we know here in Bulgaria.

[Maggi Young]

You could always try a mirror:  place below the flower, at a slight angle, so you can photograph the reflection of the interior of the flower........