Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => Flowers and Foliage Now => Topic started by: Lvandelft on December 01, 2009, 06:57:23 PM

Title: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Lvandelft on December 01, 2009, 06:57:23 PM
This plant is mostly seen in flower during September/October, but since some years I am trying how they flower outside when re potted rather late and just left the watering etc. to nature.
Here is this year's result:
Scilla lingulata  
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: angie on December 01, 2009, 07:34:02 PM
Lovely plant, what a display and to think that you never gave it any pampering to get a display like that.
Angie :)
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: David Nicholson on December 01, 2009, 07:44:14 PM
That is a really nice potfull Luit. Another one for my 'Wants' List ;D
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 01, 2009, 09:27:20 PM
So the super potful at the Lisse flower show was yours Luit? Well done. :D
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Lvandelft on December 01, 2009, 09:32:55 PM
Lovely plant, what a display and to think that you never gave it any pampering to get a display like that.
Angie :)
Angie, I am only good with very easy plants.. :)
I don't like to and have not the time for pampering ....

Quote
That is a really nice potfull Luit. Another one for my 'Wants' List Grin

David, you might try to remember me next summer, when they are ready for harvesting, because my senior brains are improving  ;D ;D

Lesley, the pot I showed was smaller, easier to carry!!) but yes, the same Scilla.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Paul T on December 01, 2009, 10:44:39 PM
Luit,

A beautiful Scilla.  I love the broader, shorter leaves and the fairly dense flowerhead.  Very, very nice species by the look of it.  Thanks for showing us.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: johnw on December 01, 2009, 10:45:01 PM
Luit - Smashing foliage on the Scilla! Oh yes, great flowers too.
johnw
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Sinchets on December 04, 2009, 03:58:09 PM
Amazing you managed to hold it back so late, Luit!
Flowering here now: Armeria trojana
and the autumn colours on Dryas grandis
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: cohan on December 04, 2009, 10:16:11 PM
luit--i agree with john and paul--i really like foliage and flowers on the scilla!

simon, interesting that you show those two as i have seen both that armeria and that dryas on one of the czech lists and was thinking about them, hadnt seen pics..
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Sinchets on December 05, 2009, 09:35:49 AM
luit--i agree with john and paul--i really like foliage and flowers on the scilla!

simon, interesting that you show those two as i have seen both that armeria and that dryas on one of the czech lists and was thinking about them, hadnt seen pics..
It could be the same list I bought them from, in which case I recommend them. The Armeria is about 8months old.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: cohan on December 05, 2009, 09:34:27 PM
simon, i looked at them again, i think the armeria was from a lower altitude than i was remembering, so i might not try it right away--nothing is guaranteed pro or con, but i figure while i have very few things, i might as well start by trying species from the coldest places so as to have the best chance with our winters, once i have more things going, i can be more adventurous...lol
so when i see mountain plants from russia, i am very happy, in the mediterranean i need to go higher...lol
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: johnw on December 05, 2009, 10:12:15 PM
i might as well start by trying species from the coldest places so as to have the best chance with our winters, once i have more things going, i can be more adventurous...lol

Cohan - These Rhododendrons like R. nivale, lepidotum, forrestii and sanguineum from ridiculously high altitudes are not especially hardy.  I'd rate their buds to -17C.  R. nivale might take -20 and be a tad more hardy plant-wise.  The three latter ones are borderline here in Halifax but nivale manages; the lot are okay in Yarmouth in our extreme south.  I guess the snow must protect them in their native haunts but doubt it gets exceedingly cold even up there and perhaps not as protracted as here.  R. rufum and przewalskii from lower down might be worth a try. 

johnw
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on December 05, 2009, 10:32:56 PM
Today in flower in my glasshouse :

Ranunculus calandrinioides ,Ipheion or Nothoscordum dialystemon, Colchicum asteranthum and Asphodelus acaulis
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Maggi Young on December 05, 2009, 10:37:20 PM
Not a bad selection to cheer us  for December, Kris!
(I've moved your post here from ther November page!  ;)   )
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: mark smyth on December 05, 2009, 10:44:30 PM
Asphodelus acaulis  :o green with envy yet again
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Maggi Young on December 05, 2009, 10:47:23 PM
Asphodelus acaulis  :o green with envy yet again

 I KNOW!
 me too! Lovely, isn't it?
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: cohan on December 05, 2009, 10:49:27 PM
i might as well start by trying species from the coldest places so as to have the best chance with our winters, once i have more things going, i can be more adventurous...lol

Cohan - These Rhododendrons like R. nivale, lepidotum, forrestii and sanguineum from ridiculously high altitudes are not especially hardy.  I'd rate their buds to -17C.  R. nivale might take -20 and be a tad more hardy plant-wise.  The three latter ones are borderline here in Halifax but nivale manages; the lot are okay in Yarmouth in our extreme south.  I guess the snow must protect them in their native haunts but doubt it gets exceedingly cold even up there and perhaps not as protracted as here.  R. rufum and przewalskii from lower down might be worth a try. 
johnw

thanks, john, good to know...that's one of the things i wonder about--just how cold is it at those high altitudes /not so high latitudes? and there could be a longer even if cool, growing season..
i've noticed even on the native ledum/rhodo, the snow depth and duration is very important--i've seen plants at higher altitudes than here with presumably shorter growing season, that are taller, which i think is about snow depth- evergreen leaves and dormant buds which are exposed above the snow are very vulnerable to exposure--here the worst time i think is februrary when there can be some melting, but also deep cold, dry winds etc, at a time when the ground is still frozen solid for a long time, so plants cannot recoup lost moisture
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: mark smyth on December 05, 2009, 10:53:01 PM
I always believed these were poisonous. They are actually very nice but remember to spit the seeds.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: johnw on December 05, 2009, 11:23:18 PM
and there could be a longer even if cool, growing season..

I remember Peter Cox saying that when he was up there in late June forrestii was just coming into bloom while emerging from the snow. So I guess the summers are extremely short and cool.  They get a little bored by summer here - after July, then look perky when late September rolls around with the onset of codler night temperatures.  None can tolerate much heat.

It would be interesting to see data on lows and highs as well as snow depths up there. Strange it hasn't been recorded.

I guess we won't be hearing from Mark again after eating those Taxus berries!   ???


johnw - +7c and damp. Rain impending, just what we need after a deluge on Thursday.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: cohan on December 06, 2009, 01:38:24 AM
well, john, this year, at least, that sounds just like our summer! ;)
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: johnw on December 06, 2009, 01:40:39 AM
well, john, this year, at least, that sounds just like our summer! ;)

They loved our cool summer too.  However bud set is thoroughly unremarkable due to the lack of sun.

johnw
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: johnw on December 06, 2009, 01:43:23 AM
I always believed these were poisonous. They are actually very nice but remember to spit the seeds.


We await reports of your complete recovery with lively anticipation. ;D

johnw
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: cohan on December 06, 2009, 02:23:01 AM
well, john, this year, at least, that sounds just like our summer! ;)

They loved our cool summer too.  However bud set is thoroughly unremarkable due to the lack of sun.
johnw

lol--just can't win, huh?
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Sinchets on December 06, 2009, 09:58:20 AM
Asphodelus acaulis  :o green with envy yet again

 I KNOW!
 me too! Lovely, isn't it?
Funnily enough that's what mine looked like when I had it in a pot. It now looks like this in the garden and the flowers are secreted away. I am not sure which growth form is more natural, but hopefully mine does mean lots of plants for sale  ;)
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 06, 2009, 07:35:39 PM
Asphodelus acaulis  :o green with envy yet again

 I KNOW!
 me too! Lovely, isn't it?

Why? It's easy to grow and surely is available in the UK? Admittedly it does like a good warm climate but in a glasshouse it would be fine I should think.Mine flowers very well in the open garden and Dunedin's summer is NOT very warm compared to many.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 06, 2009, 07:40:21 PM
I suspect the Asphodelus likes a really hard soil, gravelly and poor. It flowers well in such a place and the leaves are much less prominent.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: mark smyth on December 06, 2009, 08:17:05 PM
John, I'm still here - for the time being.

Many web sites will tell you yew berry flesh is edible but always spit the seeds.
http://www.countrylovers.co.uk/wfs/wfsberries.htm (http://www.countrylovers.co.uk/wfs/wfsberries.htm)
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Maggi Young on December 06, 2009, 08:48:35 PM
Quote
Why? It's easy to grow and surely is available in the UK?

 Well,yes,  a search of the RHS Plantfinder tells me there are six nurseries stocking it in the UK, four doing mail order.
But..... I hardly buy from mail order and I do not travel around a lot to see nurseries in the flesh. So, if I haven't got seed of a plant then I'm not likely to see the plant to buy and so the chance of my getting it are slim.... so I do drool when I see a nice plant. I know there are plants out there which I could never source, which is a shame, but there are also many plants which, theoretically I could source, but for whatever reason: opportunity, space, money, common sense,  I don't. It's impossible to have everything one wants and even more impossible to pay proper attention to all those plants one would wish to have, so I have found a vestige of common sense and avoid the "it exists: I must have it " mindset.   Doesn't stop me thinking , ooh, that would be nice to have, but when I see the next flower open on whatever plants I do have, the pangs pass!
I'm quite a sensible old bat, really, you see!

 
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 06, 2009, 09:20:18 PM
Maggi, each year I get about 3 seeds from mine. They come in a bulby-like capsule on a short, stiffly down-curled stem and are rather like those of a chunky hosta or zephyranthes. Thicker than those. Next time I have some I'll send them. :)
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Maggi Young on December 06, 2009, 09:27:29 PM
That is very kind of you, Lesley, and would be much appreciated!  :-* :-*
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: angie on December 06, 2009, 09:41:56 PM
 I'm quite a sensible old bat, really, you see!

 Maggi the first time I saw your garden I thought to myself how have they managed to gather all these amazing plants and the amount of treasures that
 you are growing made me drool 8), so I suppose what I am trying to say is why, why would you need any other plants than what you have already have
 in your paradise.
 Angie :)     
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Maggi Young on December 06, 2009, 09:51:55 PM
Thank you, Angie!
 I suppose there is always a wee thochtie of the other man's grass is greener   ::) :-X
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: mark smyth on December 06, 2009, 10:58:37 PM
Maggi you made me go look up the plant  :D
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: cohan on December 06, 2009, 11:54:51 PM
   why would you need any other plants than what you have already have
 in your paradise.
 Angie :)     

because one develops a paradise like that because they love plants, and fall in love with new ones they see, and that doesn't stop when there is no more room. or money. or time.
though it sounds like maggi is more in control than some of us ;)
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Maggi Young on December 06, 2009, 11:58:57 PM
Quote
though it sounds like maggi is more in control than some of us

 Well , I do my best, Cohan, but the Bulb Despot is indeed a Despot!  ::)
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Sinchets on December 07, 2009, 10:16:33 AM
Or maybe because we all express the 'hunter gatherer' in us in different ways. Some people need to buy a new pair of shoes or a dress everytime they go to the shops (hello mum), some people horde and covet chocolate, some people just 'need' to grow everything. Self diagnosis time.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: mark smyth on December 07, 2009, 10:31:32 AM
Maggi when he says "no" you know he means "no". I would say under cover of dark you could sneak out poke a wee hole with your finger, drop something in and walk away whistling to yourself  :D
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 07, 2009, 08:32:01 PM
Roger would like to be a despot and indeed was one, until he met me. If he says "no" I just laugh at him and go my own way so he rarely takes the risk now. He knows it won't work.

Cohan is right, it's the absolute requirement to try to grow something one loves, or at least is taken by. Just as well many of us have learned to live with the barest minimum of new clothes, visits to the hairdresser (I totally forgot my haircut appt yesterday and can't get another before mid Jan) and other things "normal" people take for granted.

I have never in my life spent a cent of anyone's money on plants, except my own, earned by me, so I have no feelings of guilt about what I spend. The bills still get paid on time and there will probably be enough when the time comes for a reasonably simple departure from this earth so what the heck?
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: angie on December 07, 2009, 11:35:30 PM
Lesley I couldn't have put it better myself. We only have one life and if it gives us pleasure why not, who needs fancy cloths when you can buy another plant. I do spend some of my husbands money but I think he has never noticed ::)
Angie :)
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 08, 2009, 02:26:00 AM
If he has never noticed Angie, he must be an exceptional husband. ;D
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Maggi Young on December 08, 2009, 12:41:31 PM
If he has never noticed Angie, he must be an exceptional husband. ;D

 Nah, it means Angela is an exceptional wife!!  ;D ;D :D
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 08, 2009, 07:46:52 PM
Of course. :D
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: angie on December 08, 2009, 11:02:30 PM
Thanks Maggie and Lesley  ::) ::)
Angie  :)
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Darren on December 09, 2009, 03:31:25 PM
Am I the only husband in the world who has to practically force his wife to spend money?

re - Asphodelus acaulis - after seeing a fantastic one at the Blackpool show a few years back (completely prostrate tightly curled foliage and prominent flowers - there is probably a pic on a show report on this forum somewhere) I composted my plant of the lanky leaved /hidden flowered variety. Culture was the same but i think this plant varies tremendously in form. I'll grow it again only if I find a good one!

Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Michael J Campbell on December 09, 2009, 03:50:21 PM
Quote
Am I the only husband in the world who has to practically force his wife to spend money?

Yes. ;D
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Sinchets on December 09, 2009, 05:05:58 PM
re - Asphodelus acaulis - after seeing a fantastic one at the Blackpool show a few years back (completely prostrate tightly curled foliage and prominent flowers - there is probably a pic on a show report on this forum somewhere) I composted my plant of the lanky leaved /hidden flowered variety. Culture was the same but i think this plant varies tremendously in form. I'll grow it again only if I find a good one!
I am sorry, but I have to disagree. Last spring my A.acaulis had only a few leaves and a multitude of flowers, from which it set a good crop of seed. It was almost dormant through the long, dry summer until the rains of autumn when it became a tussock of grasy leaves. It is planted in a poor, free draining soil, but I am sure its long and lusty roots (which never did like being in a pot) have found the water table somewhere down there. All being well I will split it in spring and try it in other even drier locations. We should always appreciate that the form we desire may not be the most natural form for the particular plant. Just like bonsai growers may be trying to form a plant into a shape it is desperately trying to escape from.
Attached is a pic from this spring, which has already been posted on the forum.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Sinchets on December 09, 2009, 05:11:12 PM
By the way anyone else throwing away happy healthy plants ay chance you send 'em my way  ;) :)
Flowering here now- still and posted more to show the deeping (deeper iin real life than in the pic) caused by frosts on the flowers of Aethiopappus pulcherrimus. First pic is from last spring the second from yesterday.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 09, 2009, 07:14:47 PM
I'm sure you're right Simon, for the Asphodelus, the hotter, drier, poorer the better the plant/display will be. Having said that, reasonably frequent division is a good idea as it does tend to get very leafy as time goes by.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Sinchets on December 09, 2009, 07:28:40 PM
That's what I thought, Lesley. My plants have never looked so healthy and although I know they wouldn't win any shows, I know the flowers are still in there and still (touch wood) setting seed.  ;)
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Melvyn Jope on December 09, 2009, 09:33:50 PM
My first Hellebore seedling to flower this season, very much earlier than its siblings which have flower buds only just showing.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: cohan on December 09, 2009, 10:06:23 PM
Flowering here now- still and posted more to show the deeping (deeper iin real life than in the pic) caused by frosts on the flowers of Aethiopappus pulcherrimus. First pic is from last spring the second from yesterday.
nice flower--is this a centaurea relative? nice to have flowers that keep going after frost :)
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Sinchets on December 10, 2009, 11:13:10 AM
Yes, Cohan. I believe it was a Centaurea until recently.  ;)
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Paul T on December 10, 2009, 11:23:12 AM
I have to add to the chorus of joy at the Asphodelus acaulis...... it looks like a great plant.  I've only ever seen tall Asphodelus before, and very, very rarely in real life.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: JPB on December 10, 2009, 03:13:38 PM
Canarina canariensis finally flowering after five years. The only plant remaining from lots of seedlings years ago.

Second picture is Lapiedra martinezii. Collected years ago in the Calpe area, Costa Blanca, Spain. I didn't know what it was until I saw a photograph of it growing in the wild. The leaves are unmistakable. I will be dividing the bulb and grow it to flowering (keeping it dry in summer).
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Maggi Young on December 16, 2009, 06:16:33 PM
It has been foul weather here in Aberdeen and little chance to get out and enjoy the garden so I have been catching up on some browsing of John Richards' Northumberland Diary on the AGS website.
I thought this contribution very interesting... and apt at this time of the various seed exchanges.....
http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/diaries/Northumberland/+November+/240/
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 16, 2009, 08:29:32 PM
John's coments are all common sense really, aren't they? One particular note that I pick up on is that failure to introduce new material means that eventually the whole gardening system will collapse and die (very loosely paraphrased but I think that's what he means.) We are already seeing this in NZ as our bureaucracy has effectively banned the introduction of any new species. Yes, some nurseries are able - at enormous cost - to inroduce new dahlia, rose or iris vars or whatever, but our gardens are becoming more and more of the same old same old and nothing - but NOTHING - of interest that is new or different.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Maggi Young on December 16, 2009, 08:32:45 PM
Yes, John is all reason and commonsense.... but, as we know, that is a horribly rare commodity in governments and those in authority  :P
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on December 16, 2009, 09:11:01 PM
I'm sure you're right Simon, for the Asphodelus, the hotter, drier, poorer the better the plant/display will be. Having said that, reasonably frequent division is a good idea as it does tend to get very leafy as time goes by.

I have missed this one , but I am agree with Lesley .
My Asphodelus acaulis ,showed earlier,thrives very well in my greenhouse.It flowers very well for a long period and stays compact .It get no shade and in this greenhouse I grow also cacti and succulents.
So it is a very dry and hot environment  .......I try to keep it frostfree , but few degrees of frost are sometimes possible.
Next year maybe is a good time for a division , if somebody is interested .........please let me know   
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 16, 2009, 09:49:50 PM
Mine (Asphodelus acaulis) has never had any protection, grown ouside and down to at least -6C most years, if not for more than a few days at a time. Never any sign of frost damage.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Sinchets on December 17, 2009, 11:15:48 AM
Mine (Asphodelus acaulis) has never had any protection, grown ouside and down to at least -6C most years, if not for more than a few days at a time. Never any sign of frost damage.
The same here, Lesley, though possibly down to  -9C with no snow cover. I am hoping we get more snow before the weekend to give the plants its winter blanket. As to 'compact' growth- I do not have the luxury of a greenhouse for garden plants/ alpines here as it would require refrigeration in summer. The one we use for the tomatoes is much too hot for any plants in July and August. So  I have to 'put up' with planting things in the garden and standing back while they grow 'abnormally' and hide their flowers- ah well such is life!
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: shelagh on December 17, 2009, 02:25:40 PM
I know these are not the first Narcissus romieuxii (JCA 805) to be shown but last year the flowers were very sparse so I gave them the Bulb Despot sprinkle of white powder and this is what happened.  The Cyclamen coum BS BEI is from Cyclamen Society seed and has been in flower for a couple of weeks now. With the promise of snow for the weekend it nice to have something cheerful to look at.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: ashley on December 17, 2009, 04:06:38 PM
Both lovely Shelagh 8)
Is this a clone from JCA805 or a mix of seedlings?

Last weekend I found a neat pile of flower buds beside my BSBE1 in the garden :'( 
Either cyclamen scapes are tasty or there's a bank vole with just too much time on its paws :-\
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on December 17, 2009, 09:03:15 PM
ni
Mine (Asphodelus acaulis) has never had any protection, grown ouside and down to at least -6C most years, if not for more than a few days at a time. Never any sign of frost damage.


The same here, Lesley, though possibly down to  -9C with no snow cover. I am hoping we get more snow before the weekend to give the plants its winter blanket. As to 'compact' growth- I do not have the luxury of a greenhouse for garden plants/ alpines here as it would require refrigeration in summer. The one we use for the tomatoes is much too hot for any plants in July and August. So  I have to 'put up' with planting things in the garden and standing back while they grow 'abnormally' and hide their flowers- ah well such is life!
Thank you both ,this give me a reason to try it  outside........Only the winters in Belgium are unreliable,you get few days with plenty of moisture following by frost (naked frost ,no snowcover),again warmer days again some days of cold and so on .....Plants must be strong to withstand this always changing conditions.
But as I say you motivate me to try it.A glasshouse is only a necessary evil ......and if we could eliminate it  .........
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: shelagh on December 18, 2009, 10:06:06 AM
As far as I know it is a clone Ashley.  The pot with just a couple of bulbs was given to us some years ago and has just bulked up since.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Sinchets on December 18, 2009, 02:19:51 PM
ni
Mine (Asphodelus acaulis) has never had any protection, grown ouside and down to at least -6C most years, if not for more than a few days at a time. Never any sign of frost damage.


The same here, Lesley, though possibly down to  -9C with no snow cover. I am hoping we get more snow before the weekend to give the plants its winter blanket. As to 'compact' growth- I do not have the luxury of a greenhouse for garden plants/ alpines here as it would require refrigeration in summer. The one we use for the tomatoes is much too hot for any plants in July and August. So  I have to 'put up' with planting things in the garden and standing back while they grow 'abnormally' and hide their flowers- ah well such is life!
Thank you both ,this give me a reason to try it  outside........Only the winters in Belgium are unreliable,you get few days with plenty of moisture following by frost (naked frost ,no snowcover),again warmer days again some days of cold and so on .....Plants must be strong to withstand this always changing conditions.
But as I say you motivate me to try it.A glasshouse is only a necessary evil ......and if we could eliminate it  .........
It is worth a try outside, Kris. Especially if you are splitting the plant anyway. Remember it is a mountain plant- even if it is the Atlas mountains.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: shelagh on December 18, 2009, 04:29:25 PM
Snow today it didn't wait for the weekend and -5C in the greenhouse overnight.  Brian is out at the moment putting his babies to bed.  The net curtains that shade the greenhouse in summer double up by being laid over the plunges for frost protection in the winter. However nothing to the -20C our friend Krista at Tallinn Botanic is experiencing at the moment.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Onion on December 18, 2009, 06:09:28 PM
Shelagh,

I use a fleece material be used in the vegetable production. When you moisten it the water get frozen at the material surface and cover the plants.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Kristl Walek on December 19, 2009, 01:55:09 PM
A wintery bouquet to you all.....
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: fleurbleue on December 19, 2009, 02:54:10 PM
Thanks Kristl and merry Christmas to you  ;)
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: cohan on December 19, 2009, 06:51:35 PM
lovely bouquet, kristl :)
what are the pinkish berries?
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Kristl Walek on December 19, 2009, 06:56:20 PM
Iris foetidissima and Pernettia (Gaultheria) mucronata.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: cohan on December 19, 2009, 06:59:47 PM
the red are iris? i had no idea there were such things in that genus..
i just looked it up--huh! very cool... love the pink gaultheria too..
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Kristl Walek on December 19, 2009, 07:10:42 PM
it's listed in my catalogue.... i am working on yellow fuits of the iris by growing out the whites.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: cohan on December 19, 2009, 07:42:27 PM
it's listed in my catalogue.... i am working on yellow fuits of the iris by growing out the whites.
neat..i did see some other colour of berries when i did a google image search--of course, assuming it was still the same species--i think they were white-ish..
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Paul T on December 20, 2009, 07:31:32 AM
Kristl,

So you have the white fruited form of foetidissima as well do you?  I've only ever seen the reddy orange ones in person, but have heard of the white and yellow fruited forms.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Hans A. on December 22, 2009, 03:08:18 PM
Not many plants in flower in the garden at the moment - but the few are very welcome actually. :)
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: iann on December 22, 2009, 08:46:26 PM
Saxifrages and Daphnes :)  You can just see D. arbuscula at bottom right where the snow next to the house isn't so deep.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Sinchets on December 24, 2009, 10:27:34 AM
The snow is melting quickly here in unseasonally mild weather. It has revealed Crocus laevigatus and Cyclamen cilicium. Both in flower since November, though they have had 3 lots of snow on them since then and temperatures down to -15C.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on December 24, 2009, 11:12:16 AM
Very brave flowerers Simon !
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Sinchets on December 24, 2009, 12:08:36 PM
It is good to see them again- they are normally hidden from view until late January!
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Geebo on December 24, 2009, 09:29:46 PM

To All our forum friends our best wishes for the Festive season 2010,and a great gardening time.
Thanks so much for all the beautiful pictures and sound info.

From Guy & Maureen
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Gerhard Raschun on December 30, 2009, 07:30:32 PM
unusual Campanulaceae: Canaria canariensis, a climber, first buds are open under glass

very easy in pots, seedlings will flower few months after sowing. Tubers are available in summer for exchange.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Gerdk on December 31, 2009, 11:25:39 AM
unusual Campanulaceae: Canaria canariensis, a climber, first buds are open under glass
very easy in pots, seedlings will flower few months after sowing. Tubers are available in summer for exchange.

Gerhard,
Nice and unusual indeed!
It seems you are an excellent grower. Long ago I sowed some seeds of this magnificent species and managed it once only to receive a flowering plant from summer to Christmas.
Unfortunately this species needs a little bit more warmth than my other plants in the greenhouse - kept around zero (C ) as a minimum and inside they need more light and space than I am able to provide.

Gerd
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Paul T on December 31, 2009, 02:20:08 PM
Gerd,

It should survive if your glasshouse is kept above 0'C.  I grow my plant outside (I grew it from seed a number of years ago).  It flowered this year, and of course we had a hard enough frost then to get to it on my front steps.  I still at least GOT a flower this year.  It has been frosted each year eventually, but keeps on coming back each autumn.  I wish I had somewhere to keep it above freezing properly, but I don't so I live with it and enjoy it briefly while I can.  ;D  I would have thought if you keep your glasshouse above freezing it shouldn't be a problem for it at all.

Great pics Gerhard!  8)
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Roma on December 31, 2009, 03:35:59 PM
I find Canarina canariensis survives with me at about zero.  I have been getting one flower per year  usually late October or early November.  I repotted it in 2007 and it made a lot of growth and had many buds.  Only one flower opened.  The more mature buds aborted because of the cold and the others because the plant enters summer dormancy when the temperature rises in spring.  My greenhouse is not well ventilated so can get quite warm on a sunny day even in February.  It did not grow so well last year and only produced one bud.  I repotted this year and found most of the tuber had rotted away but there were a couple of new shoots with roots beginning so I cut away the dead tissue, shook on some sulphur powder and potted it up. No flower buds this year but the plant looks healthy so far.  I think my plant is about 7 or 8 years old.  I grew a few from seed before I retired when I had access to warmer greenhouses. I only took one home as I was not sure if it would survive.  The ones I left died or were maybe thrown out because Bob(ex boss) did not know about their summer dormancy.
The flowers on my plant are more open than yours, Gerhard.
Pics from Nvember 2007.   
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: angie on December 31, 2009, 07:08:29 PM
Hi Roma, lovely Canarina 8) , never heard of it before now, really lovely colour, what a shame your ex boss didn't know how to look after them.
Hope your cold isn't to bad and you will be able to see the New Year in, I was out your way yesterday it was so pretty, like a picture postcard.

Angie :)
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Diane Whitehead on December 31, 2009, 11:26:13 PM
I bought this Eranthis pinnatifida in a pot in the summer
and have it in a frost-free greenhouse (though barely so).

It's hard to get the whole thing in focus as the days are
so gloomy.

I'm going to save the pollen and see if it will cross with
the common yellows.  I haven't seen any reports of anyone
trying this.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Maggi Young on December 31, 2009, 11:43:42 PM
I bought this Eranthis pinnatifida in a pot in the summer
and have it in a frost-free greenhouse (though barely so).

It's hard to get the whole thing in focus as the days are
so gloomy.

I'm going to save the pollen and see if it will cross with
the common yellows.  I haven't seen any reports of anyone
trying this.

One of our favourites, Diane.... we've tried a cross but nothing yet.
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: annew on December 31, 2009, 11:46:02 PM
Crumbs - I bought one last year. Now WHERE did I put it?? ???
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: Maggi Young on December 31, 2009, 11:54:36 PM
Ours doesn't show till much later than this, Anne... it's probably fast asleep yet!
Title: Re: December 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)
Post by: cohan on January 01, 2010, 12:33:26 AM
I bought this Eranthis pinnatifida in a pot in the summer
and have it in a frost-free greenhouse (though barely so).

It's hard to get the whole thing in focus as the days are
so gloomy.

that's a beauty, diane! yet another genus i know by name and not much else..lol
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