Galanthus November and December 2007

[mark smyth]

just as I thought

Here is one of my small clumps, again, showing that the extended pedicel cant guarantee that it is 'Castlegar'. I've emailed Matt and Alan Street to get their opinions but none have bothered to reply. I know there is a lot of pooh poohing when a snowdrop is not found by the inner circle.

So John Morley is going for an auction again this year that will exclude the ordinary person like you and me in favour of those with big wallets

[David Quinton]

Just out of interest....whose catalogues have arrived?

[mark smyth]

North Green and Snowdrop Company

[David Quinton]

Bloody hell....that was a quick reply. I have sent my orders off today for the Snowdrop Company and North Green yesterday. There are so many to choose from and so little cash to go around! I just hope that my orders are one of the first to arrive. I was disappointed earlier this year so hopefully I have got in quick enough this year. That's assuming that the lists haven't already been sent out to others a few days earlier of course and all of the choice ones snapped up.

I see what you are saying with regards to the aution. I can see both sides of the argument unfortunately. Afterall John Morely is running a business but for the like of us it will not be possible to compete with those with large wallets. I will just have to look at the photos in the book!

[mark smyth]

John mailed his on Christmas Eve so some people got their's yesterday and most got it today

Arne I'm sure you will get yours. I was told European customers have their catalogues sent a few days ahead of us. I also know the Snowdrop Company adds further snowdrops to the catalogue by hand for those of you in Europe - or maybe a select few

[ArneM]

That would be very nice, although I cannot order many, money is very little at the moment. 

[Maggi Young]

Your "I can't believe it's not butterCastlegar" snowie clump is lovely, Mark. Perfect shape to the drops, in my opinion

[mark smyth]

Do you/Ian grow any early snowdrops?

[mark smyth]

I forgot this from earlier today
'Ding Dong', Avon calling - for those of us old enough to remember

[Paddy Tobin]

G. 'Castlegar' is in flower here. Several blooms were blown off in gales yesterday and today but two are still bravely holding their own at the moment.

Paddy

[Martin Baxendale]

You can't rely on pedicel length alone as an identifying feature. The pedicel often elongates as the flower ages, starting shorter than the spathe and ending up longer. I'd seen it in the garden with various snowdrops and used to grit my teeth as people trotted out that old rubbish about S. Arnott and Brenda Troyle being distinguishable purely by pedicel length - until the snowdrop book finally put paid to that daft theory.

[mark smyth]

Paddy do you have a photo of yours?

[Maggi Young]

Do you/Ian grow any early snowdrops?

No, Mark, we don't. We have had various form of G. regina olgae over the years, but they never persist in the garden for any length of time. There's the odd, sad, lonely flower here and there, very disappointing.
It is interesting to see that some of the snowies flowering around this time look much more robust, though your climate is rather kinder than ours, I think 

[mark smyth]

well that will be sorted in March or April but like I tell everyone else you have to remind me. Lots of people complain about broken promises

[loes]

for next year I`ll have to send for their catalogues I understand.
those companies have the best/priciest?
till now I ordered from companies with websites and online ordering,just did it again,because they sell nice drops I do not have but that won`t  be good enough in future years.
just wondering,do they send dormant bulbs or in the green?and what is best according to you?

my first G.nivalis is in flower in the greenhouse and almost in flower outside.not the regular nivalis,that`s weeks? behind.