April Crocus 2017

[Janis Ruksans]

Here C. malyi - very late bloomer, but excellent grower with me and belongs to hardiest species.
Crocus scardicus originally collected in Macedonia
Then Crocus pestalozzae - typical form
Last two pictures show most likely new species from W Turkey. I got them as present from my friend in UK when he shortened his collection. Unfortunately I know only approximate locality for it, but it resembles two mine gatherings from same region sensu lato, although quite far to West from mine localities. It belongs to annulate crocuses ("biflorus").

[Yann]

some lovely crocus shown here.

[Janis Ruksans]

And last entry in lilac shades
Crocus suaveolens from Thomas - excellent plant collected in W Italy
Crocus veluchensis from Republic of Macedonia - something old flowers, pictured in last moment
Crocus versicolor belongs to my European favourites
and last - Crocus violaceus, earlier regarded as lilac form of pestalozzae

[Janis Ruksans]

Everyone who follows Crocus forum know that I'm growing very unique crocus - the single one crocus in the world with really pink flowers. It is really pure pink form of Crocus alatavicus found in wild. Now I have 3 corms of it. And I came to very difficult for me decision. I decided to sell one corm on some kind of auction. There are two reasons - in two gardens (collections) it will be more safe and protected, and the second reason is some financial problems with printing of book and with replacing of my collections to my wife's place - it became too difficult every day drive 15 km there and back to home for working with plants in my former place. So I was forced to build up new polytunnels and this is not cheap.
So I am open to your offers up to 1st of May when I will select winner, who will receive this really unique crocus. There are no other of such colour!
On pictures - on the first both pink and white alatavicus side by side, for you can compare colours, then 2 pictures with pink at different development and on the last you can see my all stock of this plant.

[kris]

With me the hardiest species were C. heuffelianus, C. malyi, C. fleischeri, a little less - C. korolkowii - they all alive after very mild January, when crocuses were in full bloom and followed 2 weeks with black frost (no snow at all) and temperatures around minus 30 C. When real spring started - they continued growth and I got even normal corm crop

Thanks Janis.
I will try to get the crocus you have experience in growing at the extreme cold.
In Saskatoon,Canada most crocus won't grow and even if grown deplete after a year or two. I like all your beautiful crocus flowers.

[Jupiter]

Can the croconuts please suggest possible IDs for this uncertain bulb flowering in my bulb bed at the moment?

[Otto Fauser]

Jamus maybe a dark form of C. salzmannii . I am sure Janis our "Crocus King" will give you the correct name . Janis your pink C. alatavicus is very beautiful !!!

[Janis Ruksans]

The last crocuses of this spring
C. minimus Bavella in greenhouse
and C. tommasinianus in garden

[Otto Fauser]

a sunny ,warm autumn day yesterday ideal to take some photos in my garden . A favorite of mine is C. banaticus so happy in my garden and self seeding in many spots . Janis if you read this have I got the correct name on C. xantholaimos x pulchellus  , I think a hybrid with pulchellus due to the white stamens . '?
Also C puringii : In 1973 I received seed labelled C speciosus  coll. Mt. Demertschi , Crimea , from Freimut Claus ( see Iris clausii ) , a collector in the former East German Rep. It is identical to C. puringii in your superb new book

[Otto Fauser]

and a few more ,

[Janis Ruksans]

a sunny ,warm autumn day yesterday ideal to take some photos in my garden . A favorite of mine is C. banaticus so happy in my garden and self seeding in many spots . Janis if you read this have I got the correct name on C. xantholaimos x pulchellus  , I think a hybrid with pulchellus due to the white stamens . '?
Also C puringii : In 1973 I received seed labelled C speciosus  coll. Mt. Demertschi , Crimea , from Freimut Claus ( see Iris clausii ) , a collector in the former East German Rep. It is identical to C. puringii in your superb new book

C. xantholaimos x pulchellus - correct
C. puringii - correct, nothing else is in Crimea - puringii and typical pallasii in autumn and tauricus and angustifolius in spring.
Janis

[Jupiter]

Fabulous photos Otto and beautiful to see such happy plants. C. serotinus ssp. salzmannii  looks quite a good match for my mislabeled one, and you have it there so it's a contender. Your C. xantholaimos x pulchellus is absolutely beautiful with the pronounced striping on the petals. I have quite a few nice Crocus species sown this year (from Goteborg BG) and am anxiously awaiting signs of germination.

[Tony Willis]

Crocus sieberi on Mt Ida Crete. In the third picture the beetle is eating the stigma and stamens. There were many beetles and I saw numerous flowers with the centre eaten out

[Jupiter]

Janis I've fallen in love with Crocus minimus. I must look out for seed.

Here are some from my garden yesterday.

[Jupiter]

I moved my Crocus laevigatus out of a pot and into the garden this year and spread it out a little. I just love the markings on the backs of the tepals.