Crocus in pots February 2010

[mark smyth]

when I saw them I thought it was very late flower buds emerging

[Hristo]

This is Crocus sieberi "George" - according to Janis, this is a mutant from C. "Hubert Edelsten", itself a cross between C. sieberi ssp sieberi and C. sieberi ssp atticus. 

A very atttractive crocus Luc!

[Janis Ruksans]

This is Crocus sieberi "George" - according to Janis, this is a mutant from C. "Hubert Edelsten", itself a cross between C. sieberi ssp sieberi and C. sieberi ssp atticus. 

A very atttractive crocus Luc!

‘Hubert Edelsten’ is sterile hybrid between C. sieberi from Crete and C. atticus from mainland Greece. The single fault of C. sieberi is limited hardiness. Planted outside here it is very short living and are killed in first less favorable winter. I never managed to keep it longer than 2 – 3 seasons if planted outside. Potted plants in greenhouse never suffered from winter conditions. ‘Hubert Edelsten’ is much hardier although I lost it, too, after very hard winters, but it is easy replaceable from Dutch nurseries. In any case now I plant small stock of it in greenhouse, too. Famous Dutch breeder of crocuses and other small bulbs Willem van Eeden selected a mutation of ‘Hubert Edelsten’ and named it in honor of famous Russian iris specialist George Rodionenko as ‘George’. It is of the same beauty but with larger and more rounded flowers and narrower white zone, flowering few days later. But its greatest advantage is improved hardiness. I lost ‘Hubert Edelsten’ in several cases but it never happens with ‘George’.
Janis

[Janis Ruksans]

Here still deep winter and only place to see crocuses is Forum and pictures of last year. This week I together with helper worked hard cleaning tons of snow from roofs of my polytunnels and shoveling it from sides of greenhouses. At least slept very well in night although sometimes awakened from nightmares continuing shoveling...
So I can add pictures only from previous years. As higher were mentioned one of the very best crocuses from Turkey - Crocus baytopiorum, recently separated from others in its own Series Baytopi, I want to show few pictures of this very unusual and something variable species. The best is LST stock, less spectacular - unknown origin from Dutch nursery (I think that I got this from W. van Eeden many years ago).
Janis

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Thanks for the additional info on C. sieberi "George" Janis - will try it outside when I (hopefully) have some more bulbs in a couple of years !  I find it very attractive anyway !!

Lovely Baytopiorum by the way !! So delicate and short stemmed !!

[art600]

Delighted to find my first Crocus michelsonii.

Can someone please identify the orange crocus

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Won't venture to identify your orange Crocus Art, but your michelsonii seems to be a very nice form indeed.

[Thomas Huber]

Arthur it hard to ID your yellow one without open flowers and corm tunic.
But the broad leaves could point to C. olivieri.

[art600]

Arthur it hard to ID your yellow one without open flowers and corm tunic.
But the broad leaves could point to C. olivieri.

Thomas
You need sun for open flowers     I think you are right to suggest olivieri.  Thanks

[Thomas Huber]

Thomas
You need sun for open flowers     

I have heard it also works with ARTificial lights 

[I.S.]

Thomas you got it right

[TheOnionMan]

Here still deep winter and only place to see crocuses is Forum and pictures of last year. This week I together with helper worked hard cleaning tons of snow from roofs of my polytunnels and shoveling it from sides of greenhouses. At least slept very well in night although sometimes awakened from nightmares continuing shoveling...
So I can add pictures only from previous years. As higher were mentioned one of the very best crocuses from Turkey - Crocus baytopiorum, recently separated from others in its own Series Baytopi, I want to show few pictures of this very unusual and something variable species. The best is LST stock, less spectacular - unknown origin from Dutch nursery (I think that I got this from W. van Eeden many years ago).
Janis

I must say, I would consider C. baytopiorum among the top 10 most beautiful crocus ever.  The image of blue buds emerging from the soil is worthy of framing.  Thanks for sharing these Janis!  Fun to see the variability too.

[mark smyth]

I would agree Mark.

[mark smyth]

Here's a view of my Crocus and other bulbs. The close up is what I got as E.P. Bowles

[Armin]

Mark,
a very nice bud and markings.
I can't say if it is the right cv. "E.P. Bowles". My order of E.P. Bowles turned out to be all Goldilocks. Luit kindly sent me a comparison photo from his Dutch friend. Both resemble strongly. Goldilocks has a bit darker markings and is more yellow.
But I still can't judge properly when comparing with yours.
Maybe Thomas or Janis have better reference photos.

The KAVB gives following (limited) description of E.P. Bowles:
Flowers lemon yellow (HCC 4), bronzy base extending to purplish brown blotch; flowers smaller than chrysanthus 'E.A. Bowles'
E.A. Bowles: Flowers oblong, lemon yellow (HCC 4), bronzy green base with purplish feathered margins; flowers larger than chrysanthus 'E.P. Bowles'.
Both cv.'s were introduced by Tubergen before 1935.
The trouble is there is no 100% guarantee that the original clone is still in cultivation.