Early January 2007

[Paddy Tobin]

David and Maggi,

It really was one of those special days, the beautiful day in the middle of a series of dreadfuls ones; the sun shone; the wind didn't blow; it didn't rain and the flowers took advantage and blossomed at their best. Despite the dreadfully dull, windy and wet weather here it has been very mild with daytime temperatures above 10 celcius and nightime temperatures 5, so no frosts since before Christmas. As a result there has been a surge in growth. The downside is that the grass is growing apace but the ground is far too soft to go on it with a lawnmower.

Paddy

[Geebo]

Yes Maggy,its amazing how many Hellebores are coming in to flower right now,last year the were much later,Wondering is the long hot summer resposiblle for all this unusual behavior,last year all the seed were starting to germinate early october,this time the are just starting now with a few exeptions.Yesterday i found this Borage in flower with at least a hundered buts
Oh Maggy of course there are the Belgium connections,it must be 15 years now when I got my first Helleborus,from there it was easy to get hooked,it was not difficult to find Chris in my native land and was eager to meet this special man,with his special plants,Chris has been very generous to me true the years,and has always time for a warm welcom,if it was not for Chris I would not have the collection now.
Keep you posted,
Cheers,Geebo

P.S.  I joined the SRGC before New Year

[ian mcenery]

Here is one of may favourite Hellebores H Niger. I have several young plants which all seem to be doing well (fingers crossed). Am I doing something wrong?

[annew]

Definitely, Ian. I need to give you instruction on how to kill them in short order, as I have many year's experience in this field.

[John Forrest]

Me too Anne   

[ian mcenery]

Oh Anne and John please don't tell the plants your secrets 

[John Forrest]

My secret will stay so Ian.

[Geebo]

Hi Ian,
Please post me a few tips what you are doing wrong with the H. Niger,I shure wil give it a serious try,why are the always going into a sulk with me ??  and then slowly disapering,leaving me with a bunch of black roots.
Cheers,
Geebo.

[Paddy Tobin]

A lovely bright sunny afternoon here today. At this stage of the evening it is raining heavily and there is a gale blowing. However, such conditions are suitable for reviewing photographs and posting to the forum.

Hope you enjoy, Paddy

[Paddy Tobin]

And a few more. Paddy

[mark smyth]

Is the Ranunculus really that yellow?

[Paddy Tobin]

Some other photographs of Ranunculus creticus today though these might have been a little in the shade and so not as bright as the one in better light.

Paddy


Actually, looking again at picture three below I see it is the same flower as the one posted above. In this shot it doesn't look as bright. But, yes the flowers are this yellow.

Paddy

[Lesley Cox]

Lovely to see an "Irish" aciphylla Paddy, obviously very happy. I like the ranunculus too. It was one I applied for from AGS seed list this year but was removed from the packet by MAF as not being on our "permitted" list. My mistake anyway as I'd intended to apply for the number above, R. crenatus, a little white which I've had but lost. How tall is R. creticus? In my mind, it was a smallish white too. But the brain isn't working too well just now it seems.

[mark smyth]

Lesley have you received my last few emails and personal messages?

[Paddy Tobin]

Lesley,

At last I remembered to photograph that aciphylla - I had intended to do so for quite a while. Can you suggest an identification?

The ranunculus is about 4 - 6 high and, perhaps, 10 inches wide. It is dark here now but, weather permitting, I will take a photograph tomorrow of the full plant and post it for you. It is a delightful plant, no trouble and reliable.

Paddy