Hello, so glad I've found you all :)

[Gerry Webster]

The advice I received  from Anne Wright last year (who kindly gave me some) is 5ml per 'large watering can' (I assume this  = 1gal.) This was for use on potted Narcissus. It's too early in the season to tell whether it has been effective in  preventing  Stag.

[Maggi Young]

Gerry, our watering cans are 2 gallons....... and not particularly large.....

[Maggi Young]

I don't suppose anyone has a copy of this please?

Not yet........

[Gerry Webster]

Gerry, our watering cans are 2 gallons....... and not particularly large.....

Sorry, a senile typo. My can is also 2 gals.

[ChrisD]

Jennie, I recently revisited the issue of Trichoderma availability here http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=6697.msg263138#msg263138 .  Perhaps if you contacted one of the suppliers they could tell you the shelf life?  It's a good question.  I'll try to find my information on the dilution you should use and post back.

The nice thing about these biological controls is that it is almost impossible to do the plants harm with them. My guess is that the preparation is spores so will probably not deteriorate too quickly with storage. (Think the fungal equivalent of seeds, yes some seeds are only viable for short periods, as are some spores, but the vast majority retain most of their viability over many years). I would use some now on the basis that it cant do any harm and then add a second dose during a warmer spell late Feb or early march.
The not so good aspect is that it will take us ages before we have an idea if this is an effective prevention/treatment.

Chris

[Alan_b]

On the basis that spores are like seeds and you would not sow seeds in sub-zero temperatures, I would hold off with the Trichoderma at least until we have another warm spell.

My Canna Aktrivator says dissolve 1g per litre of water to treat 30 plants whereas my new Dragonfli Grow Boost says mix 5g with 8l of water to treat 7.5 m².  It also says apply outdoors from March

[kentish_lass]

Thanks Alan....I will wait.  As I am always keen to try a new product I just looked up your Dragonfli Grow Boost and was impressed with the price £3.49 for a sachet to treat 40 litres of compost.  Then I proceeded to pay for it and they want a whopping £4.99 to post it making it £8.49!!  Surely the sachet cannot be that heavy.  However, if it works well it would be cheap on the grand scale of things compared to the price of the snowdrops.

[Alan_b]

I paid £4.95 for the sachet and £3 p&p, which is marginally less expensive in total http://www.harrodhorticultural.com/grow-boost-organic-plant-strengthener-pid8451.html

[Bronwyn Parrott]

Like you I am new to collecting Snowdrops and completely addicted. I started in 2009 and quickly purchased as many as I could. I thought finding and buying them was the tricky bit but having lost:- Gracillis, Sandersii, Green bush,Warei, Sharlockii, Ketton, Lady Elphinstone and Blonde Inge !!!  I think the good advice here from Mike Mavers could have saved me a lot of money and disappointment.

I think your garden sounds lovely and hope we both develop our collections over the next few years with the help of all these lovely people here on the forum.

Bronwyn

[Maggi Young]

Hello Bronwyn !
A shame that you have lost those 'drops but at least you're learning and, you know what they say - a trouble shared is a trouble halved.... 

[RichardW]

Bronwyn no wonder you were disappointed, I take it personally when a new acquisition doesn't grow  & that 2nd winter after planting is always a nervous time when I start looking for things poking through.

Although it's no guarantee I still plant nivalis in new areas before introducing specials, and if the specials don't grow in certain places I resort to lattice pots, is useful here to establish certain plants where I want them.

If anyone wants single or doubles in the green to plant clumps in new ground I'm happy to supply them, all i would ask is the cost of postage if you can't collect, will be lifting a lot in the next 3- 4 weeks.

[KentGardener]

Welcome Bronwyn.

I'm always nervous each year when you have just one bulb of something, and sometimes that is a very small bulb, I think everyone  on here will admit to things disappearing never to be seen again.  I am most sad when the bulb was a gift from kind gardening friends.  I am most annoyed when I paid good money for it! 

[Bronwyn Parrott]

Planting Nivalis first, what an interesting suggestion. Why does planting a new bulb in a lattice pot help it establish better? I read earlier postings about lattice pots. Would you keep a new single bulb in a lattice pot set in sand rather than planting it in the ground?

I am learning from you all already ! Many thanks for your help.

[steve owen]

Like you I am new to collecting Snowdrops and completely addicted. I started in 2009 and quickly purchased as many as I could. I thought finding and buying them was the tricky bit but having lost:- Gracillis, Sandersii, Green bush,Warei, Sharlockii, Ketton, Lady Elphinstone and Blonde Inge !!!  I think the good advice here from Mike Mavers could have saved me a lot of money and disappointment.

I think your garden sounds lovely and hope we both develop our collections over the next few years with the help of all these lovely people here on the forum.

Bronwyn

Bronwen

You mentioned eight named varieties and I originally had trouble with every one (and a few more besides). Don't despair, but when/if you get replacements, plant them differently to the way you did the first time (another expensive mistake I made).

[KentGardener]

Planting Nivalis first, what an interesting suggestion. Why does planting a new bulb in a lattice pot help it establish better? I read earlier postings about lattice pots. Would you keep a new single bulb in a lattice pot set in sand rather than planting it in the ground?

I am learning from you all already ! Many thanks for your help.

It works for me - I think mainly because it is using sterilised 'shop brought' soil - with added grit/sand - and a layer of grit around the bulb itself - just about the best you could do to pamper the new acquisition.  And lattice pots are very free draining.   

Like anything in a pot - it relies on you to look after it as nature alone will not be enough.