Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Bulbs => Crocus => Topic started by: Yann on February 10, 2018, 05:06:37 PM

Title: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Yann on February 10, 2018, 05:06:37 PM
a bit more Crocus this week-end

Crocus cvijicii x 'Rainbow Gold'
Crocus sieberi 'Ronald Ginns' (rescued from a flooded part of the garden!)
Crocus violaceus
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Yann on February 10, 2018, 05:07:21 PM
Crocus thirkeanus, very compact crocus
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Janis Ruksans on February 10, 2018, 06:54:18 PM
Here is winter. Last night was minus 11 C and although following days will be warmer, up to March permanent minuses is offered. Some crocuses under glass-wool sheets started blooming (in tight buds) but much less than in former seasons at the same time. Below cover temperature is between 0 to + 2 C.
I just returned from Karpathos Island in Greece where I went hoping to picture C. ruksansii in the wild and to see its variability. I think I’m unfortunate with Karpathos. My first trip there was 13th of February, 2015. All mountain was covered in snow up to 20+ cm thick, and it was not fresh snow. Next trip there was the same year 13th of April – I found two small spots with Crocus now named C. ruksansii and I think few were collected unnoticed between C. tournefortii. They all were with leaves only. I passed on mountain all day and came back absolutely out of power and in night had serious heart problems, but at least I found the crocus. Next time I was there 2nd of March – found only C. tournefortii. Now I was there 5th of February. Seem that there no winter was at all. Again only C. tournefortii was seen – a lot and everywhere, with prostrate leaves, with erect leaves, and no C. ruksansii at all. The footpass is marked as 1.5 hours long, I was back after 4 hours. Started darkening and it was dangerous to search for it longer.
So I’m confused – when it really blooms in the wild? I have some corms, each has different flower colour, so I want to see its variability in the wild. It is incredible – 4 trips to same place and no results. Too early? Too late this year? Blooming already finished, but leaves not developed? I don’t understand. I’m quite good in spotting of leaves. Next year I will go there twice – in January and again in mid-March (if will not be succesful in January). Now it is principal question for me, or is it worth to use time for this?
Unfortunately it was impossible to pass longer time on Kali Limni. Actually ascend is not too difficult. Pass is stony but not very steep and altitude difference around 400 meters only. We had tickets for Sunday’s evening to be full Monday on Karpathos, but our plain 3 times circled over Island and returned back to Athens due very strong wind. So we reached Karpathos only Monday morning at 12-00. We used all the rest of daylight to reach Kali Limni and to search crocuses on its slopes. Returning flight was on Tuesday morning.
On attached pictures Iris unguicularis blooming there everywhere along our ascend and nice pine tree close to top of Kali Limni.
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Yann on February 10, 2018, 07:47:15 PM
Janis this year the aegean islands are ahead of 4-6 weeks compare to 2017, no snow under 1600m.
My self i'll advance my travels.
Karpathos is warmer than Rhodes, exposed to the east-cretan and libyan streams, i've visited it the first week of march all the geophytes were in bloom. On the Lastos plateau everything was already burnt while in Crete crocus were just in buds.

Keep care, don't climb to high for your heart!


Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Jacek on February 11, 2018, 06:59:48 AM
End March last year in one of my "cone beds".

A bee and a yellow boy - C. thirkeanus??[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Harald-Alex. on February 11, 2018, 01:10:27 PM
the first wildgrown Crocus tommasianus flower in our gardenpark Schurigshof. They spread mostly by seeds.
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 11, 2018, 07:17:41 PM
Goodness me! A wonderful plant of Crocus iridiflorus, I thought!  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Then I remembered that that species is now C. banaticus so the photo must be of an actual iris. A very nice form of unguicularis, so short and perky, beautifully marked. :)

(Sorry Janis.)
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Janis Ruksans on February 13, 2018, 06:53:09 AM
Horrible longtime weather broadcast in Europe for March. For Latvia offered drop of night temperatures down to minus 20 C in the first half of March. Based on last years experience we announced Crocus Days from 1st to 15th of March, but if this prognosis will realise -  all plantings will stay under cover. Some 15-20 years ago minus 20 in March was normal, but we forgot about this in last years.
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Janis Ruksans on February 14, 2018, 07:48:02 AM
According last meteoprognosis - at next weekend (after a week) will start period of permanent frost with temperatures below minus 15 (up to -20) and warming (+ temperatures) will start shortly before mid-March. So crocus days will be delayed for 2 weeks - from 15-30 of March. Sorry.
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Harald-Alex. on February 16, 2018, 09:19:27 PM
the first crocus in the Snowdrop-Garden Döbrichau:
Foto 1: Prins Claus
Foto 2: Zwanenburg Bronce
Foto 3: Blue Pearl
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Yann on February 17, 2018, 07:20:56 PM
Crocus versicolor STILYAGA
Crocus paschei, from Janis
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: tonyg on February 17, 2018, 08:47:02 PM
A (looks like being) short burst of spring-like weather has brought a crocus bonanza here in Norfolk.
One of the yellow sieberi/sublimis/atticus seedling has produced a second flower.
Crocus angustifolius
Crocus raised from seed as biflorus pulchricolor.  I don't recall growing anything quite like these before yet they are from my seed - no idea what we should be calling it!
Crocus cvijicii - one of several seed raisings in flower at present - have pollinated them all so hoping for lots of seed this year.
Crocus malyi - I've had this for over twenty years but it rarely flower well.  What am I doing wrong?
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: tonyg on February 17, 2018, 08:51:36 PM
Crocus nevadensis - from Crocus Group seed labelled 'AW collections' ... Tony Willis I presume.
Crocus paschei
Crocus violaceus as we now call what was Crocus pestalozzae caeruleus.  The white one is still called pestalozzae but what I shall call the very pale seedlings I'm not sure.
Crocus sieberi 'George'
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: tonyg on February 17, 2018, 08:53:03 PM
Crocus sieberi - infinitely variable markings
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: tonyg on February 17, 2018, 08:56:02 PM
Crocus rujanensis - two pots of seedlings.  One fairly uniform, the other variable and seeming to show characteristics of sublimis and/or sieberi
The crocus bonanza in my cold frame
Crocus versicolor
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: tonyg on February 17, 2018, 08:59:42 PM
Four offerings labelled Crocus sublimis.  Not all have pubescent throats so some maybe atticus or nivalis. 
 Those labelled 105-07 and 60-13 (see file names) have very large flowers.
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: tonyg on February 17, 2018, 09:01:16 PM
Two forms of Crocus vernus.
Crocus tommasinianus 'Claret and Cream'
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Maggi Young on February 18, 2018, 05:34:29 PM
At the AGS show at Caerleon yesterday, the Farrer Medal was won by Bob and Rannveig Wallis with this pan of Crocus cvijicii -  here is Paddy Parmee's pic of the plant and Don Peace's pic of  Rannveig and Bob.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

For any who don't know - Bob and Rannveig grow a LOT of great bulbs!
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Yann on February 18, 2018, 05:57:38 PM
both are so gentle and full of knowledge.
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on February 18, 2018, 07:17:27 PM
Wow , great Crocus cvijicii !

Some more modest Crocus ...., Crocus vernus 'Albiflorus'

Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on February 18, 2018, 07:18:55 PM
Crocus biflorus type - ex Bademli Geçidi ....
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on February 18, 2018, 07:19:56 PM
Crocus henrikii
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on February 18, 2018, 07:20:46 PM
Crocus concinnus
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on February 19, 2018, 05:00:37 PM
Crocus concinnus x gembosii  .....
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on February 19, 2018, 05:01:24 PM
Few more pics ...
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Armin on February 20, 2018, 10:41:35 AM
Kris,
wow - a real stunner  :o  8)
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Tony Willis on February 20, 2018, 08:27:20 PM
been away from home for two weeks and got back to some crocuses in flower today

Crocus pelistericus
Crocus atticus from Katara Pass ,Greece
Crocus cvijicii x Crocus atticus my own cross flowering for the first time.
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on February 20, 2018, 09:08:40 PM
Kris,
wow - a real stunner  :o  8)

Thanks Armin !
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on February 20, 2018, 09:09:43 PM
been away from home for two weeks and got back to some crocuses in flower today
Crocus pelistericus
Crocus atticus from Katara Pass ,Greece
Crocus cvijicii x Crocus atticus my own cross flowering for the first time.

Fantastic as always Tony !
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Armin on February 21, 2018, 05:13:50 PM
Hot stuff Tony  ;D 8)

so many beautiful images from adorable crocus species.

First image, my modest breeding successes C. nubigena. Not fully open at +5°C but sunshine today.
Seed was sown likely autuum 2013 or 2014, grown in a cold frame all year outside but with summer rain protection. Label is 80% not readable anymore.
Seed was ex SeedEx Crocus Group. I hope it is the true species.

Second, unkown hybrid in my meadow. Likely from biflorus/chysanthus commerical types.
Third, C. tommasinianus, nice lilac, vigorous form, spreading through seed in my garden.

The weather forecast night temperatures of -10°C for the weekend.
I hope it will not end up again in a black frosts disaster as happend in Feb. 2012 :(
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Tony Willis on February 21, 2018, 05:18:25 PM
Crocus x gotoburgensis (C.scardicus x C.pelistericus)

the first one sown in July 2006 and the second in July 2005.

Although the seedlings are very variable in this case both sowings have produced an almost identical flower. iIhave also shown the inner of each flower.
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Armin on February 21, 2018, 05:20:19 PM
Jesus - so beautiful :o :o 8) Congratulations Tony.
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Diane Whitehead on February 21, 2018, 05:25:27 PM
Tony,

Did you make the C.scardicus x C.pelistericus cross, or did you sow seeds
from a  x gotoburgensis?

Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Tony Willis on February 21, 2018, 07:50:36 PM
Tony,

Did you make the C.scardicus x C.pelistericus cross, or did you sow seeds
from a  x gotoburgensis?

The original cross was made at Gothenburg in 1987.
 
This is my own repeat of it and I started in 2005. The problem at the time was was although I had a good number of C. pelistericus I only had one C. scardicus and they had to flower at the same time. I crossed it both ways and obtained seeds. There is little difference in the off-spring as to which is the seed parent but unlike previously stated there is a lot of variation in the hybrid ( AGS Journal vol 68 No2 ). I am awaiting the flowering of C. scardicus crossed with a white C. pelistericus which may be interestin. I have also made the f2 hybrid which again was produced at Gothenburg and I am waiting for it to flower in the next week or so.
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Maggi Young on February 21, 2018, 08:28:57 PM
Mention of a white flower reminded me of this one from Janis in 2010 ...
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=5270.msg148484#msg148484 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=5270.msg148484#msg148484)
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Tony Willis on February 21, 2018, 08:54:32 PM
Mention of a white flower reminded me of this one from Janis in 2010 ...
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=5270.msg148484#msg148484 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=5270.msg148484#msg148484)

Maggi that is very interesting. My f2 are just about to flower but so are the f1 cross using a white pelistericus
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Maggi Young on February 22, 2018, 12:30:07 PM
Maggi that is very interesting. My f2 are just about to flower but so are the f1 cross using a white pelistericus
It'll be great to see them when they flower, Tony. 

When I first saw  C. x gotoburgensis I wasn't sure I liked the colours - when I saw the f2 from GBG I liked them better and over the years I've come to  love them all, just like other Crocus!
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Matt T on February 22, 2018, 03:16:49 PM
You saw the light, Maggi! I love all the Crocus x gotoburgensis, F1 and F2. The colours and their grading is exquisite. Lovely plants, Tony.
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Maggi Young on February 22, 2018, 04:42:27 PM
I did, Matt!   Looking at them now I cannot say why I didn't take to them at first.  Now I can say I've never seen a crocus I didn't like!
Title: Re: Crocus february 2018
Post by: Janis Ruksans on March 03, 2018, 02:55:39 PM
Crocus x gotoburgensis (C.scardicus x C.pelistericus)

the first one sown in July 2006 and the second in July 2005.

Although the seedlings are very variable in this case both sowings have produced an almost identical flower. I have also shown the inner of each flower.

Excellent hybrids. F-1 must be very similar, great splitting will occur in F-2. Most important will be vegetative multiplying of F-2 hybrids. Some are good, but some extremely lazy...
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