Hybridizing Snowdrops 2012

[johnw]

I just noticed that the cross of Trym (not) x elwesii Rosemary Burnham has taken very well.  In fact I have never had such a big seed pod over all the years. This cross was done repeatedly as 99% of all crosses fail for me in the greenhouse.  It appears the reverse has taken as well.  Also Green Brush x elwesii Rosemary Burnham has taken outdoors, adn strongly too (must have been the 2 hot days that did it).

I am still waiting for nivalis Tatiana to flower in the greenhouse.  It's about a week away I'd say and this is a month or more after Baxendale's Late.  (I wonder just how late it will be when planted outdoors.)  I have pollen of RB stored for the occasion.

johnw -  +4c and sunny, good to have to cool temps to hold things back.

[Brian Ellis]

Very exciting John, you should get some lovely snowdrops like Hagen's

[johnw]

Very exciting John, you should get some lovely snowdrops like Hagen's

That's a very tall order Brian and I'm only 5' 8.5", so highly doubtful. 

Hagen has very big shoes.

johnw

[KentGardener]

Well done John.

I have noticed less seed pods here this year than usual.  But the ones on Trimmer are massive!

[steve owen]

John, my Tatiana is in full flower right now.

[johnw]

John, my Tatiana is in full flower right now.

Steve  - Thanks for the report.  Yesterday we were just commenting on how incredibly late it is here. Still a week or off and it has been in the greenhouse the entire winter. 

johnw

[steve owen]

I also have my late double and an un-named virescent in flower but they are the last until September.

[Rick Goodenough]

Hello John,

An interesting cross of your Trym (not) x elwesii Rosemary Burnham, as well as your 'Green Brush' cross with 'Rosemary Burnham'. I am curious if you were able to get germination and viable seedlings from either or both?

Thanks, Rick

[johnw]

Rick  - The germination and vigour of the seedlings  - at least in my care - is remarkable.  These parents are amongst my best seeders both outdoors & under glass.  I don't have many Galanthus that set seed and why this should be is puzzling especially outdoors.

johnw

[Rick Goodenough]

Excellent. I will be making efforts this winter/spring with hybridizing when anything interesting blooms. I have saved pollen from this winter from 'Primrose Warburg' and hope to use it. I froze it in an aluminum packet, and hope it remains viable.

John, thanks for your update. Rick

[johnw]

Rick  - I wonder if 'Wendy's Gold' might not be a better parent for yellow.  I suppose it's time to ask here if 'Primrose Warburg' has produced any significant yellows as a parent.  I know Anne has had some lovely yellows come out of her 'Wendy's Gold' crosses.

johnw 

[Rick Goodenough]

Thanks for the follow-up note John. I have a few different yellows I will be attempting to cross including 'Wendy's Gold', so I would also love to get a sense of which are particularly good to work with and which are on the stingy side.  Rick

[johnw]

The first seeds of the season have sprouted, elwesii 'Rosemary Burnham'.

johnw  - +8c and awaiting a nor'easter with upwards of 50mm of rain & wind.  We'll pass that right along to the Hebrides.

[Rick Goodenough]

Hello John and all,

That nor'easter glanced by here and we got a couple of inches of snow during the night and thankfully it did not stick to the roads. Hope you fare as well. Great news on the new G. 'Rosemary Burnham' seedlings...that is terrific. I do not grow that one yet, but noticed in a photo or two the very wide leaves...fun to see. Good luck growing them on.  Rick

[johnw]

Rick - You must be a bit inland from the east coast as we missed the snow and wind.  New Brunswick, about 100km due north of here got walloped with both and passed on to the Hebrides.

Went to -2c last night and barely holding 0c presently.

johnw