Galanthus November

[Tony Willis]

Galanthus reginae olgae 'Sofia' from Melvyn ,a beautiful plant.

[Hagen Engelmann]

Yes Tony, SOFIA is fantastic. The bulb here brings two flowerscapes!!!

[steve owen]

First roll-call of the season shows 48 varieties through the ground compared with 80 at this point last year, equating to a 50% reduction. Flowering times are also noticeably later. Still too early to see if the bulk-up and flowering rates have been affected.

All the usual suspects are now showing plus some unexpected ones.

The jury will have to stay out for a while on whether the intensified hygiene campaign over the recent spring and early summer has had a real effect on bulb health.

My pot-grown snowdrops grown outside rather than in a greenhouse or in frames are very slow indeed, in contrast to some of the appetising pics currently being posted. 

However the native nivalis planted in the verge outside are coming through - and the autumn colours in the garden are really quite magnificent this year.

The current score in the squirrel war is Steve 7 squirrels 0. My wife is egging me on to acquire some heavy artillery but I'm not sure whether she has the squirrels in mind or the person who removed my Carolyn Elwes.

[KentGardener]

My wife is egging me on to acquire some heavy artillery but I'm not sure whether she has the squirrels in mind or the person who removed my Carolyn Elwes.

Have I missed something over the Summer months Steve = have you had a theft?   

[Martin Baxendale]

Have I missed something over the Summer months Steve = have you had a theft?   

I was going to ask the same thing. Did it go walkies during an open day?

[Paddy Tobin]

Horrible if that is the case.

I was in the Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin, recently and was told that a lot of snowdrops had been taken from the garden.

It really is a  most unpleasant aspect of the snowdrop hobby.

Paddy

[steve owen]

Have I missed something over the Summer months Steve = have you had a theft?   

John
Yes, afraid so, CE + two other scarce ones gone during an open day. I'm going to continue with open days but I have relocated some of the rarer bulbs to a daughter's garden and put in CCTV. Sad to have to do it. 80% of my drops (and 100% of the rare ones) are in plastic mesh pots now so that should slow up extraction sufficiently to deter a would-be thief.
Steve

[Lina Hesseling]

Steve, this is so sad. People doing things like that.
It is great, you are continuing with your open days, and that you have taken measures.

Lina.

[Martin Baxendale]

John
Yes, afraid so, CE + two other scarce ones gone during an open day. I'm going to continue with open days but I have relocated some of the rarer bulbs to a daughter's garden and put in CCTV. Sad to have to do it. 80% of my drops (and 100% of the rare ones) are in plastic mesh pots now so that should slow up extraction sufficiently to deter a would-be thief.
Steve

Sorry to hear that. But glad you're persevering with the open days.   

[Anthony Darby]

Calls for a "who dunnit" Martin?

[KentGardener]

I'm angry for you Steve!     Having people visit the garden is always a happy time for me - but I can only imagine the feeling to wander round afterwards to find things stolen.  The CCTV sounds a good investment.

[Alan_b]

Not again, Steve.  I remember you told me this had happened to you in 2011 and that was before your last garden openings.  No wonder you keep a close eye on what turns up on eBay!

[Paddy Tobin]

Good lord, Steve, this is outrageous. I would be very upset by this and don't think I would allow people into the garden again. I have had it with people taking cuttings etc but nothing precious or important but it was still annoying and so disappointing after inviting people into the garden.

[emma T]

wow i cant imagine who would do such a thing    some people are scum . "Carolyn Elwes "does seem to get stolen quite a bit  .

[Brian Ellis]

This is dreadful Steve, it's obviously someone who knows what they want.  Richard Hobbs labels all his snowdrops with numbered sheeptags (the left ear one has a hole in it if I remember rightly) stuck into the clump by a long piece of wire (from old coathangers).  The only disadvantage is that if he doesn't remember which particular snowdrop it is he has to consult the book.  It may be a good way to go.