Crocus August 2007

[Maggi Young]

All way ahead of us here in Aberdeen, Mark.

[mark smyth]

The two Crocus are the only two so far

[Rogan]

Perhaps someone would be able to point out some Crocus spp to me that may do well in my climate (or might be worth trying!) - hot and humid summers (when they should be dormant?) and dry mild winters where the temperature seldom falls much below 0 deg Centigrade (freezing) for any length of time. Because of my summer rainfall I would tend to grow them in pots.

Thanks a lot! 

[mark smyth]

I would guess those in Australia and NZ might have the answer.

Rod and Rachel Saunders are in Ireland next month for 3 lectures. They might come north for an extra one 'SA Iridaceae'

[Paul T]

Rogan,

I can't unfortunately help.  I'm a wetter winter, dry hot summer type climate with minimums in winter down to -8'C.  Most Crocus do well for me here.   I'd imagine that the species that require all-year watering might suit your climate (Crocus cvijicii for example, but I know others have mentioned further species) but I don't know their minimum termperature requirements.

[Thomas Huber]

Hi Rogan!

My guess is, that all the autumn flowering crocus flowering with leaves should do
well in South Africa. These are for example: goulimyi, niveus, ochroleucus, cancellatus,
hadriaticus, boryi, laevigatus, tournefortii, sativus to name only the ones that are easy
to obtain.

Always worth a try are the without-leaves flowerer: speciosus, kotschyanus and pulchellus
which are (in Germany) the cheapest of all!

Spring flowering species you could try are: All the chrysanthus/biflorus cultivars available
in trade (Cream Beauty, Ard Schenk, Miss Vain, Goldilocks..... and many more), + sieberi-,
tommasinianus- and etruscus cultivars.

I can generally not recommend all the species that come from high mountain areas like
vernus ssp albiflorus, abantensis, biflorus ssp pulchricolor, aerius, scardicus, pelistericus,
veluchensis and (sorry Paul) cvijicii from the spring species and banaticus, nudiflorus,
vallicola and scharojanii from the autumn-fraction. These prefer cool conditions and
moisture during summer and will surely not survive in your garden!

Hope this helps - don't hesitate to ask if you have special questions!

[ashley]

I understand (and unfortunately recently experienced) that C. medius from commercial sources is often virus-infected.  Why this species in particular, or is it simply that in this case the infection doesn't reduce vegetative vigour and hence ease of propagation?  Would growing from seed avoid the problem?

Mark, where/when are the Saunders' Irish lectures to take place?

[mark smyth]

Mid September, Ashley. They will be in Cork, Dublin and somewhere I cant remember

Crocus medius ex Oliver Wyatt isnt virused. I meant to buy more at the recent bulb sale but forgot

[Thomas Huber]

Hi Ashley!

You're right - nearly all the trade forms of Crocus medius from Holland are virused.
This virused plants still increase very well, but only by corm dividing NOT by seed.
I've never had any seed set on my plants  

The trade form called "Millesimo" seems to be virus free. Also the plants bought
ten or more years ago in the gardens of some SRGC members don't carry any
virus. Last year I found one good plant in my stock and separated it for "healthy"
increasing, but this will surely need some more years to get reasonable numbers.

From time to time I found some other virused species, but only occaisonally. The
only other plant always carrying a virus is chrysanthus "Ladykiller".

[ashley]

Very interesting Thomas.  So is the risk of virus transfer to healthy stock low, that you continue to grow these forms?

Thanks very much Mark; I'll look out for the Cork event.

[mark smyth]

The AGS Dublin Group web site now has their winter programme online. From it
Thursday 20th September, 8.00pm National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin.
Rod Saunders - 'Cape Bulbs'

They must be in Cork around this time

[Thomas Huber]

Ashley, I would not dare to say the risk is low!!
In fact: I don't know. For that reason I've removed
all the virused medius from my garden this year.

[fermi de Sousa]

Hi Rogan
The crocus that does well in Melbourne, (which sounds a similar climate to yours) is C. serotinus ssp salzmannii.
You could always try the South African crocus "mimic" Syringodea, but I don't know where you'd find them! If you find a source of seed please let me know!
cheers
fermi

[ashley]

Hi Fermi,

B&T World Seeds list Syringodea longituba (#83359).

[Lesley Cox]

Who are B & T World seeds and is there an address or email address for them please?