August 2012 in the Southern Hemisphere

[Paul T]

Not one I've heard of or seen around here, but I'm no officionado.  What is the flower like?  I have about 40 or so Camellias, so a reasonable but by no means extensive collection.

[Maggi Young]

Camellia japonica Keith Ballard. It was created by Dr Bob Withers who I believe was well known in various garden clubs here in Melbourne.

I did not know this camellia, but I found this link:
http://www.camellia.org.au/coppermine/displayimage.php?album=1&pos=179

What a beauty!

[Mini bulb lover]

It's a semi double, very pale pink. It's a bit more pink than the picture in that link, but that's the one. I'm not an aficionado of camellias either. I have over 60 in my garden but I only know the name of about 5 of them. I must get one of the camellia society members to come over one day and see if I can find out some more names! I know that my father created 3 hybrids but he never registered them.

[Mini bulb lover]

Has anyone collected seeds from colchicums? I have some colchicum zahnii (syn psaridis) that are seeding at the moment. I don't know whether I have to cover them to stop birds taking the seeds or whether the seeds are dispersed in another manner? I've never collected the seed before but now I've joined SRGC I thought they might be good for the exchange. I'm usually so preoccupied with my winter/ spring bulbs that I haven't noticed c. zahnii seeding in the past. The seeds are slowly rising. I assume they are ripe when they come away easily? Any pointers would be appreciated. You can see the seed pods in the centre of the plant in the image below.

[ArnoldT]

John:

You have to watch them closely.  The pods will extend and turn brown. I think that the biggest problem may be ants  who  will grab the seeds for the sugary covering that some of the Colchicum have.

Getting them to germinate is an altogether different problem.

Arnold

[Mini bulb lover]

Thanks Arnold. I'm growing them in pots so I'll have to see if I can ant-proof the area (I don't like my chances).

As for getting them to germinate - that can be the challenge of whoever gets them in the seed exchange  (as long as the seeds are ready by then). Do you know how long the seeds remain viable?

[Paul T]

Jon,

The Camellia is lovely.  I'll keep an eye out for it if I'm at a nursery.  Not that I NEED any more camellias.    Addiction, they name is Paul.

[Mini bulb lover]

Oh, I hear you Paul. I went to Lambley Nursery (www.lambley.com.au) today to see their garden full of Iris reticulatas (see image below) & Crocus vernus. I was only planning on buying one plant. I came away with six...

I have no idea where I'll fit them all. My garden is already overflowing with pots because I have no room (and horrible clay soil).

I was able to confirm with one of the staff at Lambley that some of my Iris reticulatas have a virus in them (see my previous post for a photo http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=9264.msg252525#msg252525). I must read more about the virus (if I can find information about it online). I've never had this issue before . I've pulled out the two affected plants and disposed of them. Fingers crossed that's the end of it. I'd hate it to go through my whole crop.

[ArnoldT]

Not sure about viability of Colchicum seeds.  I posted a germination paper on Colchicum a while back.  You may find it by doing a search.  If not let me know by PM and I'll find it and send to you.

[David Nicholson]

If it is any consolation Jon many of the reticulatas on sale in the UK are virused too.

[Maggi Young]

Not sure about viability of Colchicum seeds.  I posted a germination paper on Colchicum a while back.  You may find it by doing a search.  If not let me know by PM and I'll find it and send to you.

I think you just posted a note about having the paper, Arnold :
Re: Colchicum
« Reply #5 on: January 16, 2010, 01:44:47 AM »
I have an update on germinating Colchicum seeds.  I found an abstract in a journal " Propagation of Ornamental Plants'  The abstract is titled Effects of stratification, temperature and light on seed germination of Colchicum Macrophyllum B.L. Burtt.  I emailed the author and received a copy of the original article.  The seeds that germinated best were kept warm 20+/- 5 C for 8 weeks and incubated at 15 C (76%) or 10 C (67%) in darkness.  The rationale being that the embryo is not fully developed at the time of seed dispersal and a higher temperature for the pretreatment benefits its growth.

[Rogan]

I was thrilled recently by the appearance of this little flower - for the first time ever (for me!). It has taken five years from a packet of JJA seeds to reach flowering size - a second seedling is also starting to produce a bud, and hopeully some seed (when I pollinate it with pollen from the first) - a heat-tolerant strain of N. cyclamineus would be a welcome addition to my collection:

[fermi de Sousa]

That's a sweet little daff, Rogan, congratulations!
My Narcissus cyclamenius aren't in bloom yet, but some of the hybrids are out;
this is a new one from Keira Bulbs: KB-M-20-2002
And the first flowering of DBI 'Wanganui Gem'
cheers
fermi

[fermi de Sousa]

The retic iris continue! This one is 'Clairette' which is similar to 'Springtime'
cheers
fermi

[Rogan]

"That's a sweet little daff"

Yes, they certainly are, Fermi, and something I've wanted to flower for a very long time indeed.

I also have a few petuniod N. cantabricus (also ex. JJA seeds) making an appearance before the heat of spring sends them under! A few more miscellaneous Daffs are not far behind - something more to look forward to.