Crocus March 2007

[mark smyth]

I googled malyi 'Ballerina' and found last year's post. Is the purple streak variable from one year to the next?

[Andrew]

Crocus versicolor JMH 8215

[Armin]

Last night and most of the day were just awful in Germany - windy & wet. Many crocus species did fall over But ~10.00AM this morning the sun suddenly break through for an hour and the little beauties did show their best...and I became wet and dirty knees creeping on the lawn to take the best possible shots.

Also a species appeared which I can't identify...Please investigate.
Noteable: the "Romance" with 12 petals...
C.versicolor, which I hope has no virus...
Lastly, I hope this is "E.P. Bowles" now, wasn't in flower last time...

[Armin]

more pics

[Armin]

Today I got an outburst of enthusiasm when looking into my garden this morning. Overnight clouds and rain were gone, replaced by a very sunny late winter day. Temperatures peaked up to +14°C. All crocus opened their pedals widly, bees and flys appeared in masses helping me to polinate my crocuses. The best day since weeks of cold rain, mist and darkness!

Some more snapshots...
C.unknown - fully open today
C.biflorus - 1st time in flower, very tiny, just ~3cm in height
C.biflorus - top view
C.dalmaticus Petrovac - small bunch
C.versicolor - open
C.versicolor Picturatus

[Armin]

C.biflorus tiny top view - now attached

[mark smyth]

Armin tiny is lovely

[Armin]

Thanks Mark.
Do you have an idea what could be the "unknown"?
Maybe a Tommy?

[mark smyth]

The style looks right but you'll have to wait for Tony or Thomas to come online

[johanneshoeller]

Some seedlings and Crocus malyi

Hans
from Austria

[Armin]

Hans, like your vernus hybrid seedlings. Fist pic looks like "Pickwick".

[tonyg]

Hans - nice vernus seedlings. 
Armin - I think your mystery crocus is C tommasinianus.  It is great to see the flowers in a lawn - when my two girls are older I shall grow many of my bulbs this way.  I don't know how Thomas keeps his flowers out of trouble

[Diane Clement]

A few crocus
1.  Crocus biflorus tauri
2.  Found this in the sand plunge, presumably moved by mice.  I think it is Crocus biflorus weldenii possibly "Fairy"?  Any thoughts?
3.  Crocus x reticulatus "Janis Ruksans"
4.  same, close

[tonyg]

Hi Diane - You have done very well to get so many flowers on that C biflorus taurii which is a notoriously shy flowering beast.  Whats the secret ... and how about a shot of them wide open if the sun ever shines again!The volunteer from the sand is indeed C b weldenii 'Fairy'
Do you grow 'Ego' from same cross as Janis Ruksans?  I find Ego more vigorous ... watch this space while I go off and dig out a pic

[tonyg]

Almost the final fling for crocus here. 
Crocus malyi - seed raised and a CEH collection which looks like Marks 'Ballerina' with a purple mark at the tips
Crocus minimus Bavella - 2nd pic shows why it is so coveted.
Crocus x reticulatus 'Ego'
Crocus biflorus ?pulchricolor - tiny first flower from seed.  That pink slug behind it is my finger.