Eranthis 2015

[Maggi Young]

So, 'Andenken an Johannes Raschke' is still a rare Eranthis?

 http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2014Jan291391022895IRG49.pdf - has a super photo from Hagen of this double green flower, illustrating Wim Boen's article.

(Of course, this article has  been published since then  in  The Plantsman and also originally  in the Journal of the VRV , but only the IRG is free online 

[Alan_b]

I think Joe Sharman likes to have the odd high-priced item as a publicity stunt.  If he actually sells the thing then its win-win.  Personally I don't find 'Andenken ...' very attractive. 

[Brian Ellis]

I actually picked it up, then I saw the price and put it back

[Leena]

Do voles like to eat Eranthis?

[Brian Ellis]

Unfortunately an old patch of Eranthis hyemalis have succumbed to Smut.  I have removed and disposed of them and my question really concerns any seedlings that might come through.  Are they similarly likely to be infected, in which case should I get rid of them at first sight?

Fortunately they are all well away from the part of the garden which has the 'specials' - sigh of relief!

[johnstephen29]

I have recently recieved some E. Longistipitata bulbils from Vlastimil Pilous, I looked on Google to read up on them, while I was on there I noticed that E.cilicica which is widely available over here is also from Asia, how come that species is so we'll know and available and none of the other Asian species aren't? All I can say is thanks goodness for Vlastimil and Janis for making these superb plants available to us.

[WimB]

Unfortunately an old patch of Eranthis hyemalis have succumbed to Smut.  I have removed and disposed of them and my question really concerns any seedlings that might come through.  Are they similarly likely to be infected, in which case should I get rid of them at first sight?

Fortunately they are all well away from the part of the garden which has the 'specials' - sigh of relief!

Seedlings that come through will very likely be infected too, Brian. The fungal-spores stay in the soil for 7 - 10 years. You did the right thing by throwing them away.

[WimB]

I have recently recieved some E. Longistipitata bulbils from Vlastimil Pilous, I looked on Google to read up on them, while I was on there I noticed that E.cilicica which is widely available over here is also from Asia, how come that species is so we'll know and available and none of the other Asian species aren't? All I can say is thanks goodness for Vlastimil and Janis for making these superb plants available to us.

The other Asian species come from either Central-Asia (E. longistipitata) or from the Far East (all the white flowering species) and didn't reach us as easily as E. cilicica which grows in Turkey. Also they are a bit more trickier in cultivation and don't multiply that fast vegetatively.

[Maggi Young]

Seedlings that come through will very likely be infected too, Brian. The fungal-spores stay in the soil for 7 - 10 years. You did the right thing by throwing them away.

Would you suggest any method for disinfecting the soil, Wim, or is there nothing available to private gardeners?

[Brian Ellis]

Well if there is nothing available I shall just have to keep digging the seedlings up and disposing of them.  What a trial

[WimB]

Would you suggest any method for disinfecting the soil, Wim, or is there nothing available to private gardeners?

Not really, I haven't heard anything that might disinfect the soil properly for this fungus It might be possible though, maybe something that is used for Trillium-smut since those two Urocystis species are closely related (never heard of anything against that either...)

Some say that treating the plants twice a year (when they just emerge and when the flowers fade) with a systemic fungicide works, but I've never tried that (thank God I've only ever once had Eranthis-smut). I just make sure no Eranthis grow on that place anymore... 

Well if there is nothing available I shall just have to keep digging the seedlings up and disposing of them.  What a trial

Brian, I guess it would be best to remove the seedlings or grow something that crowds them out and isn't susceptible to Urocystis.

[Maggi Young]

Just to remind you all of this previous thread : http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=11609.0

[johnstephen29]

Hi wim thanks for your answer, from what you have said it makes sense to why the two easiest species were brough into distribution first.

[WimB]

Got this recipe to prevent + heal smut on Trillium from John Lonsdale, I guess it would work on Eranthis too:

100% preventative + previously infected plants are clean using this treatment.
 
Prosaro

Prothioconazole  19.00% by weight
Tebuconazole    19.00% by weight
1.76 lbs/gal of prothioconazole plus 1.76 lbs/gal of tebuconazole in a liquid suspension
30-40ml/1.0-1.35 fl. oz.  per 4 gallon spray tank

Daconil Ultrex

Chlorothalonil    82.5% by weight
Water-dispersible granules
1.8oz per 4 gallon spray tank

Cleary 3336 F

Thiophanate-methyl      41.25% by weight
Liquid suspension
24ml/0.8 fl. oz. per 4 gallon spray tank

Combine all three in a single tank mix and spray 2-3 times at 2 week intervals between leaf emergence and flower opening. No soil drench necessary.

[Maggi Young]

Good grief - I know all fungicides etc can be dangerous in some circumstances, to some degree, but the detail sheets for these scare me :
Prosaro    http://www.cdms.net/ldat/mp8M9001.pdf

Daconil Ultrex http://www.syngentacropprotection.com/pdf/labels/daconil_ultrex_28354_en_pamphlet.pdf

Cleary 3336 F    http://greenhouse.ucdavis.edu/pest/labels/3336%20F%20label.PDF

If they are so dangerous on their own, goodness only knows how toxic they may be  mixed together.    These are seriously toxic chemicals that need to be used VERY carefully with all possible attention to safety- and not by untrained persons near to human habitation.

The consequences of misuse may not only makre you, or your family,  ill - they might kill you.