Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
Bulbs => Crocus => Topic started by: Andrew on January 01, 2007, 05:57:17 PM
-
Yesterday I pulled the last flowers of Crocus laevigatus Fontenayi and thought that's it, no crocus flowers for a while now :(
But then I noticed this having a second flowering :)
[attach thumb1]
Crocus laevigatus albus.
(Don't worry the aphids are gone now)
-
Flowering 13 days early this year is my clump of Crocus dalmaticus Petrovac. Last year I took photos on Jan 15th. I saw they earlier this week and went to take photos today only to find slug damage. This is a photo from last year.
-
my first Crocus biflorus this year,
a ssp.nubigena
(attachthumb=1)
Crocus imperati ssp.suaveolens
(attachthumb=2)
Crocus imperati ssp.suaveolens`de Jager`
-
thanks Dirk.
-
Lovely pics!
It will be intersting to see how they look when they are open. Maybe the differnce is bigger between the first two. I can see that they are different but it was not obvious to a novis like me that they are different spieces. All three are very nice and I do not doubt Your name just enjoing that the crocuses are slightly similar and that it needs some skill to tell them apart.
Thanks and keep the pics coming.
Kind regards
Joakim (who just have some foliage up so far)
-
Only the one Crocus daring to push its nose up over the parapet so far, Crocus imperatii sp imperatii.
-
Nice and what a difference between open and closed flower!!!!!
Joakim
-
Decided to check the cold frame today to find Crocus michelsonii 'God's Look' (ex Jānis rukšāns). I had to bring it inside before the flowers would open.
-
Anthony - is the wire mesh to stop squirrels?
John
-
Gasp! what a Crocus.
Anthony why not feed the mice / squirrels with something else that's a nice shade of blue?
-
Mice love crocus corms, hence the mesh. I usually have it under the gravel, but forgot this year. I started with one corm and this year, its third year, I have three flowers on four corms.
-
Thanks for the explanation Anthony - there are no mice in my garden (too many cats around (they think my garden is the local litter tray!)). I shall store your good idea away in my brain for when I move to a larger garden out of the town centre (in my dreams!).
Very unusual colour flower by the way - not sure it is my cup of tea but quite stunning when viewed from above.
cheers
John
-
Although crocuses are coming into their own in the northern hemisphere, I think Thomas may be quiet on the subject for a little while. He phoned me this morning which was lovely, though we had a bad connection, and both he and Tania have some holidays so are doing some trips with their children. Thomas recently received a red merino wool and possum fur hat from this part of the world but he says it's too warm to wear it!
-
Is a Possum hat like a Russian hat but made of Possum?
-
I think Davy Crockett's hat was made of possum, but that would have been an amercian possum and I think they may be different species.
I know that possum and merino mix socks and gloves are really luxurious and incredibly warm!
Hope Thomas and Tania have a super break with the children.
-
I bet thats a first - Possum in a Crocus thread!
Back at the main event - here are some spring crocus urged on by the warm (but dreadful dull) weather.
Two subspecies of Crocus biflorus and one Crocus chrysanthus
The numbers after the names are my reference numbers
-
Crocus x bornmuelleri is a name for a cross between C biflorus and C chrysanthus. This form from wild collected seed is particularly nice from any angle.
-
Also Crocus sieberi atticus and Crocus rujanensis which is thought by some to be only a form of C sieberi - you can probably see why!
-
Didn't Davey Crocket have a 'coon hat - oh, and three ears?
-
Always early flowering this last group demonstrate why I'm into Crocus more than Snowdrops. While the galanthophiles live in the Black and white ... sorry Green and white age, Croconuts live in glorious technicolour ;D
C baytopiorum - unmatched shade of blue
C imperati De Jager - Striped biscuit outers, fantastic lavender inners
C korolkowii Gold Nugget - unique two-tone
C aleppicus - Very small and delicately marked
-
It is the diversity of the off topic notes on this forum that I enjoy most, Tony. I think it is what makes these pages so much like a normal conversation between friends. While out looking to see how the crocus are coming on -- hardly at all, as it happens--- the subject of warm hands and feet are very dear to me! Still just a few tiny noses showing in the garden and there are so many narcissus in the glass house that it is hard to see past them. I am still reeling from Hubi's garden flowers last month---glad to see some crocus life stirring with you again. the photos are so good I can almost smell them.The biflorus nubigena is so photogenic, a real diva. But then see the reverse onthe x bormuelleri..Cor!
Anthony, you're right, I think the titfer in question was a raccoon---I knew it was some form of pesky varmint skin!
-
More beauties, Tony, I'm drooling. This is exactly why I am a croconut and proud of it!
how dainty the aleppicus are next to the imperati.
Anthony --three ears? (I know I'll regret asking him this, I always do)
-
Now we must cut out this talk of rodents - you'll frighten the crocuses >:(
OK here is one for the galanthophiles - a whitish crocus with indistinct markings! Crocus nevadensis often much more highly coloured and marked but like so many crocus, variable.
-
Thanks Maggi - I've never taken part in a 'live debate' before :)
I've split these into different posts to keep the pics with the text. I'll have to look up the attach thumb thingy again but I quite like the file-name with the pic ... and the 'hit counter' too!
Here is a curiosity - Crocus chrysanthus and its yellow allies often fail show their true colour in my digipics. I have to set the camera to 'incandescent light' to get close to the true yellow. I'll post two pics below to illustrate plus one of C sieberi on the incandescent setting to show just what a difference this makes.
The first pic is what the camera does to chrysanthus on the auto white setting that I use for almost all my crocus shots.
-
Lovely pics Tony lure something out of Maggi now that she is hot from the crocus.
Like use the hammer while the iron is worm. Not that Maggi is to be hit by a hammer but maybe she is less iron hard when seeing this buities :-*.
I now regret I did not buy more crocus at the sale :'(
Joakim
-
A left ear; a right ear and a wild front ear............well you did ask! ;D
-
Tony thats an unbelievable collection and a brilliant night cap. Drooling over many including the korolkowii. Is it a cultivar?
-
Yes, Anthony, I DID ask. Will I never learn? You realise that I am now sitting here singing 'Davy, davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier' There are innocent souls trying to sleep in this house, you know.
I am almost as suggestible with songs as I am with food but no, Joakim, I cannot be hammered so easily, though you have reminded me that I have ironing to be done. Too late now, though, it'll wait till tomorrow.
Tony, these photos on other settings are extraordinary aren't they? Makes them so different, you could make a Warhol-like montage with colour effects. That could be an idea for next years greetings card!
Mark, so glad you can enjoy these crocus as much as I can!
Off now to try a little sleep myself, goodnight, friends.
-
As everyone says Tony, truly beautiful crocuses. I think the nubigena is especially nice. I guess these are early for you this year? I saw some TV news the other night saying (and showing) that Americans are jogging with their singlets off and that the peach (they called it cherry) blossom is out in many areas.
Mark, Thomas' hat is of the beanie kind. I hope he might show us a picture later on.
-
What a difference a four hundred miles makes Tony, the only crocus that we have in flower are some Crocus laevigatus, there are buds up on our squinny form of C. alatavicus but nothing else showing yet.
However if we get some warm weather I know that the crocus can go from nothing showing to being in full flower in less than two days.
-
Tony,
Wonderful plants and photos. I am happy to see them.
-
This is the first Crocus that has come up in my meadow this year. I'm looking for an identity for this. Perhaps it is C. sieberi? What think the expert?
-
Lovely pictures as usual Franz
Here are a couple of mine. Crocus Laevigata and Corsicus (Ishould have taken this one again its a bit shaky)
-
Somehow it missed Laevigata. This is a wonerful plant and has been flowering non stop for more than 2 months
-
Franz - always lovely to see my favourite plants growing in a 'natural' setting. I must release more of mine from their pots! Your crocus does indeed look like C sieberi, either ssp atticus or ssp sublimis.
Ian McE - nice laevigatus, that is a good form which ususally flowers late and lasts long :) I think your 'corsicus' may be C imperati. Take a look at the earlier pics in this thread. C imperati is always early while C corsicus is one of the later ones.
Ian Y - A week ago I would have said the same, just a few tatty laevigatus left (var Fontenayi like Ian M) but now with double figure temperatures the norm the poor blighters are rushing up ... and getting blown over too :( Strange how the chrysanthus colour doesn't photograph well.
I have noticed that the pots have far less root activity through the holes this year. I think it may be due to increased watering. I have not covered the spring taxa yet this winter so they have had plenty moisture as Ron Mcbeath would say! What do you think? I don't think its compost problems as the pots under glass are rooting down into the sand but these have had much less water.
-
Tony if it is imperati then it is not what I bought. I will post another shot when or if it opens. Although there are 3/4 bulbs none of the others looks as if they are ready to flower yet so may be these will flower later
-
Tony I think the lack of visable roots is partly due to the plentiful supply of water. Also the fact that they are flowering earlier, due to the high temperatures, so you are lifting them to take pictures possibly a month sooner than previous years. High temperatures will advance the flowering time but does not have the same effect on root activity, it will catch up later as the leaves extend.
All cameras, digital or film, do funny things with certain colours with digital we have more control to get the colour correct to our vision.
-
Just to say how much I am enjoying the wonderful pictures of Tony's Crocuses but not so sure about the Andy Warhol. What next, Jackson Pollock? ;D
-
I was home tonight early enough to have a look at my Crocus. Still the odd autumn flowerer producing flowers. Spring flowerers with flowers are korolkowii, chrysanthus 'Uschak Orange' - I hope and one that even I know is wrong. Crocus corsicus with lovely warm biscuit yellow flowers. It is of course imperati suaveolens. Going to fire off an email to the supplier right now
-
Tony,
I am happy that you have the same opinion about my C. sieberi. Thank you for help.
-
I have another form of Crocus michelsonii out, but won't be able to photograph it until Saturday. :(
-
I'm with Anthony. All of us that work must really look forward to a great sunny weekend to show whats looking good
-
Managed to take a pic under the kitchen's halogen lights tonight. Crocus michelsonii 'Turkmenian Night' purchased from Leonid Bondarenko last year.
-
WOW! Yes please - I want one :)
-
Hj to all, a bit late with this picture of Crocus imperatii which has been showing colour since Christmas but this is the first day with enough sun to open flowers then it was nearly blown away by the 80 mile an hour winds, Ian the Christie kind.
-
We have a pot of Crocus imperatii under glass that is waiting for a warm day to open, nothing showing in the way of a crocus flower in the garden at all.
I will reserve my judgement on Anthony's Crocus michelsonii 'Turkmenian Night' until he shows more pictures.
It looks a bit dark to me it is the contrast of the dark purple against the white that I like in the normal form, if you can ever call this crocus normal.
-
Got driven in mid afternoon by yet more rain squalls and increasing wind speeds again :(. Had a nice clump of Crocus imperati de Jager until the wind battered it...... not worth a photo.
However, in the alpine house is C alatavicus, tightly closed most of the week but open midday today. Cheery along with a few Narcussi as well..... :)
Dave
-
Hi Dave - What a lovely form - really liked the 1st photo.
-
Hi Chris - I like it too. Purchased from a well-known expensive nursery a few years ago, not something I usually resort to...... I don't find it an easy crocus, particularly to flower though. No flowers last year, but must have got more of a baking this summer.
Dave
-
That certainly IS a lovely form of alatavicus. Mine have soft greyish brown shading and I often think that before they open fully, the flowers look rather like slim mice or perhaps some fragile toadstool.
-
Dave, that is simply divine.
Paddy
-
That's an amazing Crocus, I've never seen a black and white flower before.
-
I dont think what I'm about to show can beat that very unusual Crocus alatavicus
In alphabetical order are
C. biflorus isauricus - 2 photos
C. chrysanthus 'Uschak Orange' - nothing special except it's an early flowerer
C. corsicus - as supplied by Potterton's. It is imperati suaveolens
C. dalmaticus - in the garden and now free from slug damage
C. korolkowii - a positive mistake and one I wont complain about. Apricot form
C. reticulatus reticulatus - I hope! two photos
C. reticulatus reticulatus - same source and supposed to be the same
and lastly a Crocus supplied as 'Advance'. Will I ever be able to get this Crocus!?
-
Nice crocus Mark - the pale korolkowii especially. The second (stippled) reticulatus is unusual ... stippling reminiscent of some forms of C biflorus. The corm tunic will be netted fibres if it is reticulatus.
The last one is very similar to some bronze stippled forms of C chrysanthus that I have seen. Thomas may be able to say which cultivar it resembles - he is the top man on these.
Pottertons may get some of their bulbs from suppliers on the continent, they may not have seen them in flower. At least you are still getting value for money .. imperati is as good as corsicus in my book!
-
Crocus hartmannianus
and a botanical sister from crocus,
Iris histrio
-
Tony when I saw the mistake I guessed he got his bulbs elsewhere. After you told me I should take photos of tunics I started to do so. Unfortunately I didnt take that of reticulatus. This is the biflorus tunic that looks like bark
-
Udo that's a very pale Iris compared to my own histrioides. Either way it's a lovely shade of blue
-
Tony if a Crocus has two large noses when bought can it be cut down the middle?
-
Iris histrio is a pale blue iris, whereas I. histrioides is mid- to dark blue Mark. I tried to take a pic of another flower of Crocus michelsonii 'Turkmenian Night' but this weekend has been very dark with no sun when I was at home. Here is a link to Leonid Bondarenko's web site: http://www.litbulbgarden.com/
-
In the absence of Thomas, I'd like to suggest `Zwanenburg Bronze' for Mark's last pic above. I had the true form many years ago direct from Van Tubergen when importing was cheap and easy. The crocuses which are sold under this name now in NZ are all C. chrysanthus `Fusco-tinctus' with clear stripes rather than solid colour. Treasure yours Mark.
-
Thanks to Dirk for showing us Crocus hartmannianus - VERY rare! I do not have it although I do grow the other crocus endemic to Cyprus, C cyprius which is quite similar to the plant you have. Can you post another shot when the flowers open wide? (Also perhaps you could resize your images to no more than 600 pixels across - It is great to see the flowers close-up but tricky when the pic is bigger than the screen :))
Iris histrio is beautiful - I have one in flower which I raised from seed. The markings are 'fantastiche'!
Mark - Cutting Crocus I have not tried, nor have I heard of other people doing it. I would try it with some cheap ones first then if you end up with two dead bits your loss is small ;) If you can keep the pieces from rotting it might work and if it does you'll be a hero!
-
Mark, I'm with Lesely - your Crocus is chrysanthus "Zwanenburg Bronce"
I have tried to chip Crocus last year, but it failed - it was only a cheap chrysanthus cultivar.
Wonderful pictures everyone, will try to post some from my garden later today!
-
Tony you questioned my Corsicus and thought it might be Imperati. Here is another piccy for your verdict. I have to say that in reality the flower is a little more mauvey pink than shown. Who says the camera doesn't lie
-
Here some photos from my garden:
First this one, which is bought as Crocus corsicus, looks like corsicus, but it's much too early
in my opinion. Maybe that slight yellow touch in the throat points for Crocus imperati or a hybrid of both?
[attachthumb=1]
Many flowers of my C. imperati "De Jager" clump were damaged by the heavy rainfalls in the last weeks,
but there are still new flowers emerging and its worth showing:
[attachthumb=2]
Another nice clump, catched in the backlight of sunset - Crocus sieberi "Bowles White":
[attachthumb=3]
A very attractive - and rare - dark form of Crocus versicolor:
[attachthumb=4]
First flowers came in October last year, and after 3 months there are still new flowers - Crocus laevigatus, dark form from TG:
[attachthumb=5]
Another rarity from Turkmenistan / Iran: Crocus michelsonii.
Not as attractive as Tony Darby's "Turkmenian Night" but I love it even so:
[attachthumb=6]
[attachthumb=7]
[attachthumb=8]
In the background you can see Crocus korolkowii "Mountains Glory" - first flower seen in November last year!
Anne W. - what about yours?
This Crocus korolkowii has become dinner for a caterpillar, which I found next night, when I was outside with the pocket lamp,
searching for this predator! Of course it was its last dinner ;D
[attachthumb=9]
-
your bulbs look great coming up through the gravel
-
Really nice photo's Thomas - you will get me interested in growing Crocus if you are not careful!
-
Thomas what great pictures as usual- you seem to have the right conditions for Crocus in your garden. The Bowles white is particularly stunning. Its interesting to see that your plants are all in advance of mine with the Bowles white you sent me barely out of the ground here. Still it is something to look forward to.
-
Great pics everyone, as always.
Mark if your crocus corm has two good shoots there is no need to cut it as it should produce a new corm at the base of each new shoot = two corms.
Crocus corms are compressed stems and so chitting like we do with true bulbs will not be effective.
There is a chance that if you remove the main shoot(s) you could stimulate some side shoots to appear but as you have two I would accept that.
-
Chris, it's unbelievable, that you still don't like these little beauties ??? ;)
I will do my best to change your mind!
Ian, we had lots of rain here in August and it was abnormal cold, I think this has made
the corms starting to grow very early, while in previous years they started their growth
later in September or October.
-
Chris, it's unbelievable, that you still don't like these little beauties ??? ;)
I will do my best to change your mind!
Just teasing Thomas - I like them really but I just happen to like snowdrops more!
I am still on the lookout for some crocus that do not mind growing under the canopy of a Horse Chestnut tree as, if possible, I would like to grow some in amongst my snowdrops (I already grow quite a few other things in this area, like Cyclamen, Eranthis, Helleborus, Trillium, Wind Flower, Geranium, Oxalis, Primula, Colchicum, Sternbergia, Epimedium etc, which add interest & help to prolong the flowering period) - if anyone has any suggestions for Crocus that would thrive in these semi woodland conditions I would be pleased to hear them.
-
Chris, first choice for woodland are tommies, like "Whitwell Purple", "Ruby Giant", "Albus", "Barr's Purple"!
But generally you can plant each Crocus under deciduous trees, as they will get the light they need before
the foliage of the trees appears.
-
Maybe it not the same but we planted a lot of crocus bought as plants the classic yellow and white and blue/pourple at the foot of apple treas almost all the way into the trunk. That is a bit to dry but with a bit of watering they are coming back every year. Maybe not a proper woodland but that shows it is possible. I do not know if those bright colours go well with snowdropps so the tommies might be a prettier and better alternative.
Kind regards
Joakim
-
Thomas - many thanks for your suggestions - I had quite forgotten that I have already planted two of the tommies that you suggest viz 'Whitwell Purple' & 'Ruby Giant', so it seems that I am working on the right lines (and also proves that I am not totally agnostic about growing Crocus ;) )
It sounds as if I should experiment further by planting some other varieties.
-
Hi Joakim - I thought that it might be a bit too dry & that there would not be enough light, but from what both you & Thomas say, it sounds as if Crocus may be okay and it is worth experimenting.
-
Chris, it doesn't matter for the crocusses if they are very dry in summer - in winter they
will get enough moinsture even under big trees and THAT is exactly the time they need it!
Please hold in mind, that your two tommies are sterile and will NOT set any seed!
They will only propagate by corm division. If you're interested I could send you some other
form in summer which will set seed?
-
Thomas - many thanks for clarifying, particularly about the tommies being sterile - I would be very grateful for some crocus that set seed (perhaps I can send you some snowdrops in exchange?)
-
Chris, I will surely have some seed setting forms more for you,
please contact me again in June! But then you have to change your nickname ;D
-
Thanks very much Thomas - I will contact you in June.
As to changing my nickname :o
-
Thomas, here are the 5th, 6th and 7th flowers on the corm of Mountain Glory that you sent me - not bad for one (albeit huge) corm! Also, the first flowers on a pan of C. baytopiorum.
-
Wow, Anne - what a sea of flowers from only one corm.
How many shots do you have on your corm? I see only one!
I found the first blue tips of your baytopiorum last weekend.
Hope they will wait until the frost period is over!
-
Hello Anthony,
Iris histrio is not ever pale blue, see my dark form.
Tony, here Crocus hartmannianus with open flower,
sorry, a have not a better picture
-
There seems to be quite a few C. michelsonii types around, this is mine.
[attach=1]
[attach=2]
Two weeks earlier than last year the same as C. gargaricus gargaricus.
[attach=5]
[attach=6]
Also out is C. sieberi 'Bowles White' and C. baytopiorum, both a month earlier.
Thomas this is what I have as C. corsicus so it is not too early.
[attach=3]
[attach=4]
-
Here is the second of my Crocus michlsonii 'Turkmenian Night' corms opening. Again I have to take its pic in the kitchen at night!
-
What fabulous pics from everyone. It seems that spring has arrived in the north. In January!!!
-
Thomas, only one shoot, but lots of flowers.
-
Dirk, Chris Brickell describes Iris histrio as having "usually solitary, pale blue and white flowers....with deper blue markings on the falls". See http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/files/Iris/Iris_histrio6_JL.jpg Your form is indeed darker than the norm. I. histrio ssp aintabensis is even paler blue. See http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/files/Iris/Iris_histrio_var_aintabensis_JL.jpg
-
Andrew, please have a look in Brian Mathew's Crocus-bible: Crocus corsicus
doesn't have a yellow throat, but imperati has, so I think we both have imperati!
Anthony, your michelsonii "Turkmenian Night" is really the best of all!!!
Anne, what a pity you have only one shot, this means only one corm in summer!
-
Actually, green being greener and all that, I quite like Andrew's michelsonii.
-
But it might be even BIGGER! ;D
-
Likewise Anthony :) alas I only have one at the moment.
-
Michelsonii sure is nice, no matter what form.
I found this link at the alpine garden, has pictures of different species. It does show a picture of corsicus, it has the yellow, hope this helps.
http://www.thealpinegarden.com/thumbnailindexcrocus.htm
-
Anthony, also by I.histrio var. aintabensis, i have a dark form
from wild collected seed near Aintab in Turkey.
-
Gosh, that is a beauty.:o I have few irises and certainly not histrio in any of its forms. I will have to rethink my views on this genus????
-
A fabulous blue.
Paddy
-
I would like to hear Tony G's opinion in the corsicus/imperati question!
-
Thomas your observation is excellent as always. You have picked up on something that I had not noticed namely that one (or more) form of C corsicus that we grow has a yellow throat. At this time I would still call Andrews plant and your 'corsicus' C corsicus. I too have this form (mine was from Pottertons in 1988 - I think they get their stock from Holland). I also grow two other forms which do not have the yellow in the throat. All are illustrated below. Usually the two do not flower at the same time - these are pictures from other years.
In my limited experience the leaves of C imperati are quite different to those of C corsicus. C imperati has more wider leaves that always appear early and tend to curve outwards, not upright. C corsicus has fewer, narrower, upright leaves. Have alook at yours and see what you think. We must reserve judgement for now but it wil be interesting to find out what other experts think.
-
Thomas and Tony the plot thickens my Corsicus which you wondered was Imperati was also purchased from Potterton.
-
Just checked my plants:
Crocus corsicus, originally collected on Corsica has much thinner and fewer leaves
than the one I bought as corsicus in Holland. But no flowers so far, the corms are
still very small, maybe next year.
-
Here is some hope for the future bulb seeds from Tony G and Thomas and from SRGC and AGS all in various stages of germination. There are about 60 pots of Crocus and Narcissus species if I don't kill them. All planted to the bulb despots instructions too. It certainly brightens up your day
-
I been looking over the pictures of Imperati and Corsica.
I see a difference in the feathering of the purple/black veining on each white petal. Corsica has many more veining/feathering out to the outer edge of the petal, Imperati hardly has any.
-
Guff, be carefull,
Don't use the feathering of a plant alone for ID!!!!
All those plants are very variable, you can find imperati without any feathering and also
with a strong feathering like in the plants above if you look in the wild.
The Dutch plants were selected by their beauty in the past and DO NOT represent
typical flowers of their species!!!
-
Here is the first crocus here in Portugal.
It is one from a bunch bought in a gardencenter so I have no clue what it is.
Is it possible to say what it is from these pics?
It had very little brown markings on the outside "throught base" not so well seen on the open flower but better seen on the closed, but then I did not have the camera.
Sorry to put a cat amongst the hermelines (minks).
Kind regards
Joakim
-
Hi Joakim !
It seems the spring is come in everywhere. I think your crocus might be flavus ssp flavus. this should
flower a little bit later ! The experts can tell better!
best wishes.
-
Joakim, if you put a cat among the minks, what do you set among the pigeons?
-
Ibrahim you're right - Joakims Crocus is Crocus flavus, not the wild ssp flavus
but the trade form "Golden Yellow" also called "Yellow Mammoth".
-
Thanks Ibrahim and Thomas.
I thought someting with the name Mammoth would be bigger :)
They are planted very shallow so that might make it come a bit earlier.
I have something called flavus var flavus amongst the hermelines. So I hope to be able to compare later :)
Lesley and all "cat amongst the hermelines" is a Swedish proverb. It is to say "put something simple amongst royalty". "Hermeline" fur is the black and white fur on the royal robe. I do not know the English name.
Lesley what You put amongst the pigeons depend if You want Your mail or not I suppose 8)
Once again thanks
Joakim
-
Joakim, the english name for your royal fur is ermine, which comes from stoats, a small mink relative.
The english phrase, 'to put the cat amongst the pigeons' means something a little different from your swedish one, since it means 'to cause chaos'. There is another english saying 'a cat may look at a king' which seems to be a plea for equality !
If this discussion were taking place in the 'How to stop cats digging' page, I would be commenting that putting the cats amongst the mink would be one solution, mink being very fierce and likely to see off the cat !!
-
A few years ago our neighbours' cat attacked a stoat [Mustela erminea]. The cat killed the stoat, but not until the stoat had latched itself onto the cat's tongue! The vet had to anaesthetise the cat to remove said stoat.
A stoat will change into its white ermine coat each year if the weather is cold and snowy in its first winter. If not it stays brown. In either case, the tip of the tail stays black.
-
Do you know how to tell the difference between a Stoat and a Weasel?
A Weasel is weasily recognised and a Stoat is stoatally different
-
I'm hoping that this is what Tony calls the trade form of C. dalmaticus
-
A stoater Mark ;D
-
Crocus michelsonii, 2 forms
Crocus gargaricus ssp.herbertii
Iris x sophenensis, F2 hybrid from cross between
I. histrioides var.sophenensis with I.danfordiae
-
I've been at work for 11 consecutive days until today - here are a few of the crocus in flower since I last had a chance to share!
Crocus biflorus nubigena - lovely feathering outside and dark anthers inside.
Several different forms of C biflorus, all received as ssp isauricus.
C cyprius - I've had it 16 years and desperately need some new blood. The ones I grow are healthy but as a single clone seed is rare. Increase is slow :(
Crocus fleischeri - narrow petalled but very striking much divided style, a feature not so common in spring taxa.
-
Crocus gargaricus gargaricus and C gargaricus herbertii - the differences are prinipally below ground!
For Mark - here are three forms of C dalmaticus. Two might be in the 'trade' but one certainly is not. I'll leave you to work out which one is the slowest to increase ;)
-
And (gosh is that the time!) finally.
A new hybrid - you'll covet it - C kerndorffiorum x leichtlinii
Crocus nevadensis - a strongly feathered form.
Crocus sieberi sieberi - always nice
Crocus vernus vernus - proof, if it were needed, that the climate is changing. This has not flowered so early here before.
-
Crocus biflorus ssp.isauricus 2 forms
Crocus biflorus ssp.weldenii from Bulgaria
Crocus carpetanus
Crocus alatavicus
-
Wonderful pics Udo and Tony. Me salivating :P
-
How easy (weasy) it is to get distracted. Suddenly a crocus thread is all about cats/ pigeons/ weasels etc. I do like your "how to tell the difference" joke Mark. Anthony, I find that very interesting too, about a cold first winter to induce the white ermine coat. I'd sometimes wondered why we in NZ never see a white stoat - we have lots of them here, and they can devastate native ground dwelling and nesting bird populations - so I suppose it's just because our winters aren't cold enough.
But enough of this nonsense. Back to crocuses. Thanks everyone for such a feast of lovely pictures. If only we could finish our current miserable summer and fast forward to winter/spring.
-
Just a couple of forms from me,
[attach=1]
[attach=2]
C. sieberi 'Hubert Edelsten'
[attach=3]
[attach=4]
and C. korolkowii 'Kiss of Spring'.
-
Crocus abantensis
Crocus chrysanthus, native form from Turkey
Crocus rujanensis from Kosovo
Crocus corsicus, a early form from Sardinien
-
Here is my Crocus Abantensis what a brilliant caerulean blue it reminds me of summer skies. I seem to be getting poetic and that won't do.
-
Andrew, I think your korolkowii is NOT "Kiss of Spring"
the dark outer petals point for "Golden Nugget"!
"Kiss of Spring" has yellow petals and throat!
Dirk, please show the whole plant of your Crocus corsicus!
Does it have small or broad leaves and how much?
Your rujanensis is also present in my garden now!
Wonderful blue on your C. abantensis Ian - hope to see mine soon!
-
Another korolkowii selection from Janis Ruksans - "Yellow Tiger":
[attachthumb=1]
A beautiful clump of dark-anthered biflorus ssp nubigena:
[attachthumb=2]
[attachthumb=3]
Another one from the biflorus group, bought as ssp creweii:
[attachthumb=4]
[attachthumb=5]
And this one from Irmahan Pass in Turkey - bought as isauricus,
but it could be another, maybe it's one of the
new discovered biflorus ssp by Helmut Kerndorff:
[attachthumb=6]
[attachthumb=7]
Next a nice blue Crocus baytopiorum from our beautiful Narcissus-Lady:
[attachthumb=8]
Crocus michelsonii broken by Kyrill last week:
[attachthumb=9]
And the last one , a finding in my lawn, a very dark feathered yellow chrysanthus hybrid:
-
Hah! It's a good job our avatars are so small! Could we maybe see an overall view of your crocus garden, Thomas, as I've always thought it would be nice to be a neighbour and just peek over your fence.
-
Anne, I don't have an current photo but this one from March last year:
-
And this one to complete my 100th posting!
Will try to make a better one this spring, but the plants
are not very showy from the distance.
-
They look wonderful - but what are the round white things on the grass, mushrooms?
-
And Thomas you had some lovely pics last year of your garden with tulips and other things, showing quite big patches.
With so many lovely crocuses out quite early this winter, I hope there will still be plenty left for February/March!
Anne (our beautiful Narcissus lady), I think your baytopiorum is deeper coloured than mine. Sometimes mine looks almost transparent and colourless. Depends on the weather perhaps.
-
If that were my Crocus lawn I would put down some pale stones to mark out no-go areas where crocus are planted ... can't be sure to keep the kids off but it must help!
-
Try these two pages on the old forum for more pix of Hubi's crocus lawn in spring. The second ofthe pages also has a cute pic of Liam, Lesley's little grandson from last April!
http://www.srgc.org.uk/discus/messages/5012/25326.html?1144107431 March 2006
http://www.srgc.org.uk/discus/messages/5012/27878.html?1146083122 April 2006
Lots more great pix on the old forum, of course, of all sorts of plants; if you're new and haven't seen it,
here is the link to the topics list, it is all searchable.
http://www.srgc.org.uk/cgi-bin/discus/discus.cgi?pg=topics
Enjoy!
-
Are you hinting that Chris and Celine may be better behaved than Ruth and Amy, Tony? Surely not!
-
That's it, Tony! The white things are stones, that I placed in the lawn
to mark the path through the crocusses.
And Maggi you're right, too - Chris and Celine are NOT better behaved
than Ruth and Amy. Surely not, because they are MY kids - remember
my photo in the age of 12 ;D
-
A small present, from a small hike. that is the fee of yesterday for whole day walking...
pestalozzae white form. endemic one. I hope to see much more next week.
-
Ibrahim, seems like the frost has still not arrived in Antalya.
I love these tiny white flowers, mine are just a few days away from flowering
but the frost stopped them for a while.
Would be great to see more from next weeks hiking trip!
-
Hi Thomas!
This pics are from Istanbul where I live. I think the frost will not come this winter
at all.
regards..
-
Thomas, how many years have you been working on your sea of crocus? Also how many crocus would you say you have around your yard?
-
Guff, I started in 2000 with only a few garden-center cultivars.
In the next years many more were planted, but it was not
before 2004 that I started collecting wild plants. To plant them
in an adequate place I built the rockgarden in 2005.
I really don't know how many crocus I have, but I'm sure
it's more than 10.000!
-
Thomas, can't wait to see your 2007 pictures. Soon you will have 20K, thats going to be amazing.
Have you seen the Crocus Carpet at Kew Gardens in England.
http://www.kew.org/places/tour/crocus.html
-
From the sublime to the ridiculous. i.e. from 10,000 to 1 :) My Crocus pestalozzae caeruleus, not very caeruleus.
Chloe
-
Chloe
One has to start from something. You have the elephant head to fill with something so who knows who will have the most in a few years time?! 8)
Maybe 10000 crocuses on a balcony would be to much? ::)
It looks nice atleast for a non expert. :)
The ones I have on the glassed balcony has gotten a bit bitten by aphids so they do not look that nice >:(
I will try to post a pic later
Joakim
-
Here is a picture of an ermelin but with flees as an exception to all my cats posted earlier.
It is a crocus tommasinus called Barrs pourple. The aphids and the temperature changes of 30 degrees between warm and cold have it a bit stressed. A glassed balcony gets quite warm in the sun even if it is cold outside.
To get the more or less correct colour, I had to hold it against the window so it is not ideal focus but it was not time for more/better pics :(
Joakim
-
Can someone ID this badly out of focus Crocus bought as C. chrysanthus? Aphids not see while taking the photo are now in aphid heaven.
-
Finally get to see Crocus dalmaticus petrovac open today. After going to and from work in the dark all week, nice to have a bright day for a change.
-
Beautiful shot of a super flower, Mick. We've had a bright day here, too. See my post in Weather moans!
-
Mark - if leaves are wide and 3 or less per corm it could be C olivieri. Otherwise probably a C chrysanthus or hybrid of.
-
5+ narrow leaves per corm
-
lots of tommies out today - 'Roseus' and 'Barr's Purple' but surely this cant be classed as white!? It's not the camera because the eyes see the same colour
C. tomm. 'Alba'
-
After all the cracking Crocus pictures I have seen on this thread I hate to post this but I would welcome some advice. This is my first attempt at Crocus growing and I have started with some easy! species (chrysanthus and tomasinianus). I sought advice on 27 November as my chrysanthus pots, under glass, were showing well above the grit, and Tony G advised getting them out of the greenhouse. This I did, until the weather turned to day after day of driving rain and gales, so I put them back in the greenhouse again.
I am a bit disappointed with the pots of chrysanthus Romance. Firstly the packet described them as a "rich butter yellow" but mine bearly managed an incipid creamy yellow and most didn't open properly (see pretty crummy photo). My questions are: Should I have left them outside regardless of the weather? Given the number of dark and dismal days we have had is it likely that the weather and poor light levels have affected the colour and the opening buds? Disappointed, but not beaten, maybe the tommies will be better. ???
-
David I rarely see colours as described by suppliers. Maybe some exaggeration to help them sell. Yours could be 'Cream Beauty'
-
David, no disrespect to you but that looks like a pretty poor potfull of bulbs. As an experienced gardener but a novice at Crocus I would guess that you went to the local garden centre and bought a bag of their stock. I have never known such a bag only contain five corms and looking at the gaps in the pot I suspect that some have not come up. Also, with first year growth of newly purchased corm I would expect them to flower pretty evenly.
Given good stock to start with it is difficult not to get a display in the first year so I doubt that the problem is with you. It looks to me as if you have been sold a bag of crocus that have not been properly looked after.
-
David, no disrespect to you but that looks like a pretty poor potfull of bulbs. As an experienced gardener but a novice at Crocus I would guess that you went to the local garden centre and bought a bag of their stock. I have never known such a bag only contain five corms and looking at the gaps in the pot I suspect that some have not come up. Also, with first year growth of newly purchased corm I would expect them to flower pretty evenly.
Given good stock to start with it is difficult not to get a display in the first year so I doubt that the problem is with you. It looks to me as if you have been sold a bag of crocus that have not been properly looked after.
David,
Never thought they might be poor stock, it was easier to blame me! I will do a bit of counting tomorrow and get back to you.
-
You haven't said much about your greenhouse David N - is it fully ventilated at all times, or is it possible the temperature has been rather high on the sunny days we've had? This might result in poorly coloured flowers that would flop very quickly. It's generally given that for hardy bulbs like these it's best to grow them 'hard' at least until the buds are about to open. You can then bring them into warmth if you wish, but they won't last long in flower in that case.
Also, they are in a clay pot - this is great but you must be very careful with watering as they dry out very quickly. My clays are plunged to the rim in moist sand which makes watering much easier and less frequent. Maybe this is the reason why the odd one has not come up, but it's also perfectly possible that a couple of them weren't too good to start with.
Don't give up! The tommies should be better - remember to keep them cool! 8)
-
Can anyone identify this crocus I've had it for some time lost the label and the plants I think it might be I can't remember buying - old age probably.
-
Here a couple I have the labels for
Crocus Chrysanthus Uschak Orange and that Corsicus again.
What is interesting is that I have still got flowers on Laevigatus Fontenayi which has been flowering now since the middle of November
-
You haven't said much about your greenhouse David N - is it fully ventilated at all times, or is it possible the temperature has been rather high on the sunny days we've had? This might result in poorly coloured flowers that would flop very quickly. It's generally given that for hardy bulbs like these it's best to grow them 'hard' at least until the buds are about to open. You can then bring them into warmth if you wish, but they won't last long in flower in that case.
Also, they are in a clay pot - this is great but you must be very careful with watering as they dry out very quickly. My clays are plunged to the rim in moist sand which makes watering much easier and less frequent. Maybe this is the reason why the odd one has not come up, but it's also perfectly possible that a couple of them weren't too good to start with.
Don't give up! The tommies should be better - remember to keep them cool! 8)
Hi Anne,
My greenhouse is an 8x6 Aluminium, two top vents open fully all year round, two side vents open fully all year round, two wire mesh panels + one glass in the door, and one wire mesh panel in the end opposite the door. (I grow primulas and auriculas as well!), oh, and the door is open during day time all year round unless very windy. But owing to pressure of space the Crocuses have spent most of their greenhouse time on the "downstairs" shelf of the staging. I do wonder though if I have kept them too dry-I do have a tendancy to worry about keeping plants too wet and perhaps over compensate and keep them on the dry side. First thing tomorrow I shall be down at the greenhouse moisture meter in hand.
-
Ian your mystery crocus is C tommasinianus. As to whether it is a named form I cannot say - its easy and cheap but that dont stop it being beautiful.
I still think your 'that corsicus' looks like imperati. I'd like to handle it (!) so to speak! The picure is lovely but it is always better to connect with the real plant when ID'ing these things.
-
Thanks Tony I thought it was a tommie but can't remember ever putting any in this spot. As to the "Corsicus" it is still nice whatever it is
Attached a piccy of Crocus Etruscus though it is not as blue as in the photo and also because I am too idle to post this in the correct thread is Iris Histriodes Major
-
David, your conditions are 'harder' than mine! I would put the crocuses on top though.
-
mine stay, for this year, underneath until the noses are through. A bulb frame has to be a priority in my garden this spring
-
Mark, your yellow crocus looks like chrysanthus, but I don't know
of any trade form in this colour, so sorry - no name for this one :-[
Ian, your tommie looks like "Barr's Purple" from the flower shape, but
your photo shows its blue very colourful, is that the true colour?
Mine are somewhat paler blue coloured!
-
I know it's not in the same league as most of you, but I have just found my first ever crocus seeds have germinated in the last few days from seed sown this time last year.
I'd be grateful for some more info:-
Is this length of time between sowing and germination usual?
How long can I expect it to take until they flower?
I'm assuming I grow them like any other bulb from seed, keep them in growth for as long as possible, repot the whole potful as one, feed when I water etc etc but is there anything else I should know
thanks for any advice
Sue
PS they are crocus banaticus
-
Hi Sue!
Yes, it's usual to see the first leaves at this time of the year!!
It will take 3 years until you have the first flowers!
Crocus banaticus has to be kept slightly moist, even in summer!!!!
-
Hi Thomas
Thanks for the info, will make sure the pot doesn't dry out
Sue
-
view flowers after one week with frost,
Thomas here is the large form from
Crocus corsicus,
two forms Crocus graveolens,
Crocus biflorus ssp.pseudonubigena
-
From Mark form previous page:lots of tommies out today - 'Roseus' and 'Barr's Purple' but surely this can't be classed as white!? It's not the camera because the eyes see the same colour
C. tomm. 'Alba'
Thomas, Tony, neither of you has commented about Mark's very pretty but not white, so-called C. tomm. albus: can you tell us what you think?
Are they even tommies at all?
-
Thomas
the colour does vary a little on the second picture but is reasonably correct on the group one. I am having some difficulty with the camera seemingly making some plants seem bluer than in reality that happened with Etruscus which is more of a lavender shade. I think they auto white balance sometimes plays tricks. Can't remember buying Barrs purple but I did buy Whitewell purple a million years ago and I may have moved some here as they were not flowering well were they were.
-
David, no disrespect to you but that looks like a pretty poor potfull of bulbs. As an experienced gardener but a novice at Crocus I would guess that you went to the local garden centre and bought a bag of their stock. I have never known such a bag only contain five corms and looking at the gaps in the pot I suspect that some have not come up. Also, with first year growth of newly purchased corm I would expect them to flower pretty evenly.
Given good stock to start with it is difficult not to get a display in the first year so I doubt that the problem is with you. It looks to me as if you have been sold a bag of crocus that have not been properly looked after.
David, I think it was a pack of 15 corms which I split between 2 pots (pots were really a bit on the big side) and an audit today shows 13 have sprouted so I am two down. I really think that I am to blame by being to mean with the water. Next years attempt will be better.
-
David, your conditions are 'harder' than mine! I would put the crocuses on top though.
Anne, I think I have been rather mean with the water (too used to Auriculas requirements). Next years attempt will be better, and as you say the tommies to come might be better anyway.
-
Marks pretty white tommy is a tommy! I have one form with slightly cream outers (Marks is very nice!) and another 'white' form which has purple flecks on the petals.
There you are - sorry it took a swift kick from Maggi to get me on the case! Hope the talk goes/went/ ... actually looking at the time 'is going' well Mark :)
-
Thanks, Tony! Actually, Talk isn't til tomorrow, Snowdrop maniac is kneeling on floor looking at assorted gull prints, at the minute!
-
Tony, we remain uncovinced! Shocking I know, but a glass of wine makes some of us very argumentative! Can you post some shots of your white Tommies, please?
-
:D I thought it was Tuesday .... too much work and no play etc!
Below is the pic you asked for - my memory playing tricks on me the 'two 'forms are infact one and the same.
It looks like a tommy, its the right size and shape for a tommy it IS a tommy.
I have a nice claret form if wine and crocuses do it for you :-*
-
Oh, all right then, since YOU say so ::) :-\ :-\
-
Ian, your tommies are surely NO "Whitwell Purple"!
Please compare here:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/discus/messages/5012/8868.html?1129846074
Sorry Mark - beautiful form of Crocus tommasinianus!!!!
-
So, I will have to admit defeat and accept that Mark's lovely buttercream flowers ARE tommies!
Mark's point is : how can they be called "albus", they're lots of colours but not really white!
-
Crocus biflorus ssp. nubigena, or caricus, or???
Crocus sieheanus
two forms from Crocus nevadensis
-
Hello,
a Crocus carpetanus
-
My pot Crocus don't seem to be as willing to show their heads above the parapets like the rest of you but quite a few outside are, although the weather is too murky for them to open. Masses of tommies though, which I find very cheering.
Th'only wun trying in a pot is C. fleischeri , with apologies for the background card kept under the staging in the greenhouse and not dusted off.