Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Bulbs => Galanthus => Topic started by: mark smyth on November 21, 2006, 07:24:06 PM

Title: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on November 21, 2006, 07:24:06 PM
I think it's time to start putting the Galanthus with each other

Galanthus elwesii Hiemalis Group

Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: annew on November 22, 2006, 09:04:34 AM
Is that in flower now, Mark? By the way, my G. reginae-olgae 'Tilebarn Jamie' is now in flower.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Valentin Wijnen on November 23, 2006, 10:40:28 PM
Mark...somehow unreal to read you being a 'newbie'. anyway, this is also a test to see if I am doing right in posting....
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on November 25, 2006, 02:17:26 PM
yes you are doing OK
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Valentin Wijnen on November 25, 2006, 04:49:20 PM
Seems it is going to be an incredibly weird snowdropseason. Although, no -one knows about the consequences in time, global warming is doing its job. Here in the garden is an amazing range of Galanthus up. It is quite normal that G.  corcyrensis is flowering, as is 'Peter Gatehouse, reginae-olgae forma Calabria, reginae-olgae 'Christine' (in bud)elwesii 'Hiemalis', 'Barnes'... It is not so frequent (NE part of Belgium) that the next snowies are up already that soon: plicatus 'Colossus, G.gracilis, G nivalis (some early forms), G. elwesii 'Fred's Giant', elwesii 'Haydn', 'Benhall Beauty,' 'Three Ships', 'Merlin' even shows 4-5 cm sprouts.... This is not only a temporarily feature for this year, it seems to be normal that the snowdropseason is going 'backwards'. Un unconvenient truth? Global warming??
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on November 25, 2006, 06:38:07 PM
I was having a look around my collection today and have too many up above ground.

Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on November 30, 2006, 12:07:17 AM
For all those who missed it last time in 2002 or are new converts the Snowdrop book is back out again this week. It has an updated list of suppliers and a new a-z index for quick reference instead of thinking of what species it is.

£45 + £5 P&P from Griffen Press Publishing, 4 Colesbourne, Cheltenham. Glos GL53 9NP
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: KentGardener on November 30, 2006, 12:50:30 PM
Hi Mark

do you know if there are any new pictures?

I was looking on www.usedbooksearch.co.uk yesterday and the original was on there for £95 (I paid £80 last year for it...)

John
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on November 30, 2006, 04:12:36 PM
I was wise when the book came out and bought two. I sold one the year after for £70. I might buy two again this year. John Grimshaw mentioned a new Galanthus G. nivalis 'Green Ibis' in the mailshot on page ? of the book but it isnt in the old book. Some excellent goodies on the sales list that goes live tomorrow including elwesii 'Deer Slot' and elwesii 'Rosemary Burnham'
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Valentin Wijnen on December 01, 2006, 12:04:24 AM
Past Autumn, I have been chipping some (new) Galanthus. Some are extremely succesfull and showed already (big) bulbils when I planted them up. In the following pic you see the chips of Galanthus 'Diggory', to me a good to chip one.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: SueG on December 01, 2006, 08:56:57 AM
OK I give in I can't stand this talking in code ::)
What snowdrop book and what sales list - it is not fair to talk about them and not give us outsiders a bit of a clue!!

Sue
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 01, 2006, 10:03:04 AM
The book is
"Snowdrops - A monograph of Cultivated Galanthus

Matt Bishop, Aaron Davis, John Grimshaw

Reprint of the 2002 classic - the essential guide to the genus.  Updated with revised list of snowdrop gardens and suppliers, and an additional easy-to-use index, alphabetical by cultivar.  Describes all species and over 500 cultivars, with cultivation guide and historical information.  Illustrated in full colour throughout.

ISBN 0 9541916 0 9, 344pp.

info@griffinpress.co.uk"

No I have not got shares in it but I have had my copy on order for a couple of months and am awaiting delivery with great excitement!!

Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: SueG on December 01, 2006, 10:24:50 AM
Thanks Brian
Sounds like thats my Christmas present sorted then!
Sue
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Maggi Young on December 01, 2006, 11:12:07 AM
Valentin, 21 from 1 'Diggory' bulb... that is a good result indeed!
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 01, 2006, 12:08:12 PM
Brian well done about the description.

I'm envious of the chips/twinscales. I tried it this year and failed. Out of 30 that I chipped, including many rarities not in circulation, I only have 11 successes. Many are just one ot two survivors. Thats the end of chipping for me. The only sucess was Narcissus 'Navarre' that produced 4 bulbils from each chip. Although I have the list of bulbs chipped I refuse to total the loss.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 01, 2006, 01:41:39 PM
Mark,

Please advise on the snowdrop list which you say is 'going live' today.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 01, 2006, 02:28:24 PM
I don't take any credit for the description.  The Cottage Garden Society Snowdrop Group leaflet arrived today with a flyer for the book.  It also mentions Orchids of the British Isles - Michael Foley, Sidney Clarke for the same price although you can purchase both volumes and save £10 - which you could, of course, put towards Galanthus Wasp!

 ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 01, 2006, 03:43:20 PM
http://www.snowdrop.org.uk/Sales.htm (http://www.snowdrop.org.uk/Sales.htm)

Those in bold red  will make a great collection of snowdrops that are easily recognised

G. elwesii var. elwesii 'Mandarin' a classic G. elwesii with two marks, vigorous and reliable £8.50
G. elwesii var. elwesii 'Rosemary Burnham' fabulous virescent G. elwesii from Vancouver, very few, 1 per customer SOLD OUT  - waiting list
G. elwesii var. monostictus an excellent clone with good glaucous leaves, forming big clumps here £5.00
G. elwesii var. monostictus 'Comet'   generally regarded as being in the 'top ten', great plant, vigorous and reliable £10.00
G. elwesii var. monostictus 'Deer Slot' finally a very few to spare of this beauty with one split marking on one inner segment, max 1 SOLD OUT  - waiting list
G. elwesii var. monostictus Hiemalis Group very early-flowering in Nov/Dec, from the self-sowing colony here so slightly variable £6.50
G. elwesii var. monostictus 'Long 'drop' unusual, elongated flowers that can be very large when well-grown, few, 1 per customer £20.00
G. elwesii var. monostictus 'Mrs McNamara'   exceptional early-flowering selection with real elegance, few SOLD OUT - waiting list
G. nivalis 'Blewbury Tart'   the upright-facing green double from Blewbury in Oxon. few, 1 per customer £15.00
G. nivalis 'Elfin' tiny but vigorous, green-tipped outer segments, few, 1 per customer £10.00
G. nivalis 'Green Ibis' new name for the lovely dark green nearly virescent clone illustrated on p.21 of the book. max 1 SOLD OUT - waiting list
G. nivalis 'Greenish'   lightly virescent, small plant, very charming £10.00
G. nivalis 'Lady Elphinstone'   double yellow, always extremely popular. May temporarily revert to green. £7.50
G. nivalis 'Pusey Green Tips'   the double snowdrop with green tips on the outer segments, always popular £3.50
G. nivalis 'Tiny Tim' petite selection of G. nivalis, flowering later than most £7.50
G. peshmenii   dainty autumn-flowering snowdrop from Turkey, for sheltered place or under glass, few £10.00
G. plicatus from the freely-self-sowing colonies here, not selected so variable in size, markings etc £3.50
G. plicatus 'Colossus' [/color] huge, early snowdrop, rapidly forming big clumps, found at Colesbourne £10.00
G. plicatus 'Diggory'   highly-sought after for its large beautifully-shaped flowers, very few to spare, 1 per customer £25.00
G. reginae-olgae 'Cambridge'   excellent clone of the Greek autumn-flowering snowdrop, few, 1 per customer SOLD OUT - waiting list
     
HYBRIDS     
     
G. 'Bertram Anderson' prosperous-looking large snowdrop, named for former Gloucestershire gardener £12.50
G. 'Hippolyta' one of the Greatorex doubles, fully double, well marked inside, vigorous grower £7.50
G. 'Galatea' a large elegant snowdrop, flower hangs on long pedicel, early in the season £5.00
G. 'George Elwes'   discovered at Colesbourne, one of the finest, deep green inside, vigorous £20.00
G. 'Ginn's Imperati' later than most, strongly scented, highly regarded by cognoscenti £8.50
G. 'James Backhouse' robust plant excellent for naturalising, long flowers sometimes do fun freaky things £2.50
G. 'John Grey'   big, beautifully marked flowers early in the season £10.00
G. 'Ketton' a lovely vigorous plant with a neat crisp mark and bright white flowers £12.00
G. 'Lady Beatrix Stanley'   vigorous double, soon forming a good clump and lasting in flower for a long time £5.00
G. 'Lord Lieutenant'   a magnificent and distinctive snowdrop from Colesbourne £25.00
G. 'Merlin' old cultivar famous for its solid green marking, robust plant £7.50
G. 'Ophelia' a vigorous Greatorex double with abundant but somewhat irregular flowers £7.50
G. 'Robin Hood'   elegant old cultivar with pointed segments and scissors-shaped mark £8.50
G. 'S. Arnott'   our flagship snowdrop, classic proportions, wonderful scent - a must have £3.00
G. 'St Anne's'   elegant flowers with good markings, one of the latest and therefore very useful in the garden £12.00
G. 'Straffan' Irish clone reliably producing two flowers per bulb after mid-season £5.50
G. 'Titania' lovely Greatorex Double, regular flowers, bulks-up well £7.50
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 02, 2006, 10:57:26 AM
The first main season snowdrop, elwesii 'Haydn' is out. It's not spectactular but is a very useful addition to extend the snowdrop season back to pre-Christmas
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: KentGardener on December 02, 2006, 11:04:31 AM
thanks Mark - and so it begins again.....

I think Yvonne Hay is going to be the start of the 'season' in my garden this year - and that is at least 2 or 3 weeks away by the looks of things.

Keep the pics coming - helps me to cope with the waiting for mine to show their faces in earnest.

cheers

John

Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 02, 2006, 12:27:47 PM
John do you attend the Galanthus Gala? I do, for the last 4 years, as do a few of the lurkers on here. My 'Yvonne Hay' didnt flower until the end of January this year.

Slugs have eaten the flowers off my 'Three Ships'. Time to get the pellets out
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 02, 2006, 02:14:27 PM
Here is an unusual elwesii var. elwesii flowering now. It's usually elwesii var. monostictus - one mark - flowering first. Speaking to Janet - Judy's Snowdrops - recently she thinks some of these may have G. gracilis in their genes due to slightly curved leaves. This one does have curved leaves. The leaves of Galanthus elwesii are very distinctive with the hood on the leaf tips
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 02, 2006, 11:31:29 PM
Mark,

Many thanks for the list, some excellent snowdrops on offer. I realise the most up to date of desirables will be quickly sold out but there are still plenty of interesting plants available for the novice such as myself.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 02, 2006, 11:37:27 PM
a beginner doesnt need to buy the most expensive snowdrops to have an interesting and easily recognisable collection. I'll edit the above post to highlight a good collection that doesnt need the book to know what it is

A group of snowdrops are having a conversation when some Galanthophiles came walking past. One snowdrop said to the other "did you hear that! They called us common!"
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paul T on December 03, 2006, 01:58:46 AM
Mark,

The galanthophiles wouldn't be saying that if they were in Australia!!  ;D

Only 4 and a bit months until the first of the autumn Galanthus start here!! LOL
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 03, 2006, 08:15:54 AM
that I know. To start getting your own good seedlings you should buy in bulk, if possible, elwesii, plicatus, gracilis and nivalis. Grow them almost side by side and you will start getting hybrids.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paul T on December 03, 2006, 11:33:22 AM
Mark,

Yeah, I'm getting there.  Not much chance of buying any Galanthus "in bulk" here in Aus, not unless you want to mortgage the house!!  8)  I'm starting to get a few seedlings about the place (including a handful of seedlings up this year around 'Sibbertoft Manor', which is my favourite Galanthus variety at this stage.  I have to get in there soon and find the little ones around the edge of the main clump.  They were all far enough from the parents that they'll be obvious as the seedlings instead of the parent offsets.  I don't want to mis seedlings in with the named variety of course.  I also have some seed from Thomas which he sent this year.  They were nivalis and elwesii from his plants, so there could be variations within those as well.  I do want to get seed from various collections, just to get the chance of variation, and I still want to find seed from 'Trym' to have the off chance of actually getting something that looks like the parent amongst the seedlings.

So many Galanthus, not enough patience... and so little money!! LOL
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 03, 2006, 12:00:05 PM
Paul the right way is to be patient but there are too many Galanthus bullies out there who want to go staright to the top of the pile and have the most of everything that they can get theirs hands on. They bully their way at Galanthus events and hog everything. I'll try and remember to take photos at next years Gala
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paul T on December 04, 2006, 12:56:54 AM
Mark,

While I am never likely to get to a Galanthus "event" in this country, I do understand what you mean.  We have a big grower and breeder of Helleborus here in Canberra, and the sales every couple of years are absolutely dreadful.  I doubt I will go again, as there is no point because you can't get anything decent because of the idiots who push and shove and generally make it unpleasant.  NOT fun.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Johan Mens on December 04, 2006, 08:20:30 AM
Paul,
if you like, remember me in may - june to look into my seeds of handpollinated Hellebores and into the Galanthus (if the pollinators have done their work well) to see what I can send you. Just grow your own from seeds of some excellent plants. This will be fun.
The first to flower now is a nice veined one. Will try to pollinate if you like.

Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paul T on December 04, 2006, 11:02:34 AM
Johan,

Nice combination of colours in that one.  I have a similar one in my garden as well, although not as much veining as yours has.  That strong star in the middle is rather striking isn't it?  I do grow a lot of Hellebores, so the hellebore sale I mentioned becomes a real chore as there are very very few there that I actually want to purchase.  Finding those in the middle of the morass of people wrestling for everything is just no longer worth it.  I grow a lot from seed (both voluntarily and involunatarily (i.e they come up everywhere in the garden! :)) but don't have the space to grow many to maturity for flowering unfortunately. 

I am currently particularly partial to nice doubles, and aspire one day to acquire a nice double black as I have seen on some of the UK websites for sale (which we unfortunately can't bring into Australia due to our quarantine), plus I am hoping to grow apricots and good yellows as I can find them.  Now if I had a couple of acres of land instead of my small corner block in the suburbs..... I could grow more of everything I like.  But then of course I would just fill that up and then lament not having enough space!!  So goes the curse of my gardening addiction!!  ;D

Now the Galanthus on the other hand are much harder to acquire here and I would be very interested in seed.  I really must get out with a paintbrush myself next winter and try hybridising my own.  I just never seem to get around to it when they are in flower.  I go out and look at them and then completely forget what I was intending to do re crossing them.  They sort of tend to have that affect on me! <sigh>
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 04, 2006, 09:33:49 PM
Mark,

Many thanks for you highlighting work on the list above. Those priced at £25, or thereabouts, strike me as very expensive. I am glad to see G. 'Straffan' listed - a good Irish snowdrop.

Paul,

I am not too sure of this idea of letting snowdrops seed about - fine with the species, or groups of species mixed especially for this purpose but a bad practice, I think, for your named cultivars as they may become mixed up in a group of mixed seedlings.

Now, if we could find some way of delivering some snowdrops to you I'm sure you would have a nice collection in no time. These international regulations are so inconsiderate of us gardeners but, I suppose, we must live by them for the greater good.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paul T on December 05, 2006, 12:41:13 AM
Paddy,

I agree, it is definitely dangerous letting the Galanthus seed around.  Thankfully in most cases the seedpods fall outwards from the clump which helps somewhat!  :)  I am trying to keep an eye on them, but there is always the risk of something getting in amongst them.  I have removed the pods on many of them but never get the chance to get ALL of them it seems.

The quarantine we have here in Aus has saved us from a lot of rather nasty beasties finding their way to our shores.  I firmly believe in our quarantine and would never bypass it.  I think anyone who DOES is a complete idiot and obviously has no real love of gardening or they wouldn't want to take the chance of introducing something to their collection.  It is truly heartbreaking to have to turn down offers of bulbs (in a couple of cases from some of my wonderful friends up here on the SRGC forums) when I do so  want to grow that particular variety.  :(  But, it is fun from seed in so many cases, and who knows WHAT you'll end up with!!  ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: KentGardener on December 05, 2006, 10:45:55 AM
Hi Mark

I have not been to a galanthus event - and it seems that I shall be out of the country for next Feb's one.  I am not sure I would like one if it entails jossling and elbowing - I garden to relax and even find the monthly RHS shows in london a bit traumatic with the mad scramble for the plant sales tables.

I think I shall stick to the snowdrop catalogues and swapping with friends - a lot more relaxing than a rugby scrum for plants.  No doubt I shall be missing out on the latest offerings at good prices but will avoid an elbow in the ribs.  ;D

John

Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: KentGardener on December 05, 2006, 10:48:03 AM
Hi all,

a couple of questions:

1)  If anyone gets the reprint of the snowdrop book could they let me know if it has new pictures - I may end up getting a second copy if there is enough new stuff.

2)  when are the snowdrop company and north green catalogues out?  I can't remember.

thanks

John


Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 05, 2006, 01:15:28 PM
1. I've asked but no reply

2. January

John by attending the Gala you dont need to shove. There are still lots of bargains left after the mad rush
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Johan Mens on December 05, 2006, 01:37:54 PM
Paul,
I'll stick to Galanthus seeds then and hope I can put in some seed from very special ones.
Sadly there are no yellow Hellebores flowering yet for some time, a cross from yellow with the one shown has very good chance on apricot with red centre.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 05, 2006, 10:41:40 PM
Paul,

One of the delights of this forum is the international variety of its contributors. It is such a pleasure to see plants in flower from the other side of the globe.

Many thanks for the pleasure.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 05, 2006, 10:51:43 PM
Paddy I spoke to Hester tonight and she hopes to come snowdropping with the Northern 3 next February. She also tells me Avon Bulbs, Chris and Allan, are coming to Cork in the Spring
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 06, 2006, 04:33:26 PM
The Book - just a wee ad for some friends
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: KentGardener on December 06, 2006, 05:50:25 PM
Hi Mark

have you received it already?  Or is that an advert?  I have looked at my copy of the first edition and see the same ISBN but a different cover. 

cheers

John

Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 06, 2006, 06:17:30 PM
John I havent has any official replies to me emails other than to apologise for no reply due to the demand for snowdrops
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: KentGardener on December 06, 2006, 06:25:59 PM
thanks Mark - hopefully someone will know something soon - I only have 18 days to add it to my Christmas list!...

cheers

John

Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paul T on December 07, 2006, 12:29:40 AM
I have to chuckle a little at the advert.... "Reprint of the 2002 classic"..... since when does a 4 year old book become a "classic"?  :o

I also have a copy of the original.  Just love it.  By the sound of it there isn't much by way of addition to the first copy, so i am guessing that I shouldn't rush out and get the new version!!?  :-\
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: KentGardener on December 07, 2006, 05:33:34 AM
Hi Paul

I hope that they mean 'classic' in the "Serving as the established model or standard" kind of way rather than the "Characteristic of the literature, art, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome" meaning... ;)

I must admit that this book is never far from my side and is definately the 'established standard' for me.

cheers

John
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: KentGardener on December 07, 2006, 04:27:26 PM
me again!

thought I would mention that the Harverys garden plants galanthus list went live today.

not sure I shall be ordering anything though....

John

Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 07, 2006, 05:06:55 PM
John I notice that the NCCPG Plant exchange list is also on the website and some enterprising person has asked for Wasp (wish I'd have thought of that) ... was it you by any chance ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 07, 2006, 06:37:52 PM
re Harvey's I wouldnt buy mail order but go and see what you are buying

just edited this as it read wrong
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: KentGardener on December 08, 2006, 06:46:20 AM
Hi Brian

It isn't me, honest guv.  The 2006 NCCPG list had a request for wasp on it too - it was 'not found'.

cheers

John

 

Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 08, 2006, 09:41:13 AM
Hello John

Perhaps we should ask next year?  The Snowdrop book has not arrived yet and, as the lady next door is a bookseller, I would imagine it has not hit the shops.  When it does I'll send you a scan of the list of illustrations, but I would imagine from the blurb that it is probably the same.  As a newbie to white fever I missed out on the book first time round.

Brian
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: KentGardener on December 08, 2006, 07:29:19 PM
Brian

Let us see if the NCCPG request is filled in 2007 - I have a feeling it will not be.  I think we shall have to wait a few years for the price to become more affordable - I remember the same thing happening with Allium Globemaster - it was £35 when I first considered buying it - now it is less than a fiver a bulb (but can I wait 15 years for Galanthus wasp ....)


Mark,

I was laying in bed earlier and you popped into my mind (well one of your snowdrop threads from the old forum did actually!!)

Whatever happened to your contact who was trying to micropropegate G wendy's gold?  Or are we still waiting for any to get to flowering size so that we can see if it was reliable?  If it is anything like when hostas are mass produced we may find that something exciting crops up unexpectedly...

I know that some people frowned upon this subject last time and I hope it is not too taboo - but do please keep us informed about the outcomes.

thanks

John

Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Diane Whitehead on December 08, 2006, 08:32:17 PM
Paul is hoping for seed of Trym. 

It's offered in the Alpine Garden Society list this year.


Diane Whitehead
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 08, 2006, 09:01:45 PM
yes but what is the bumble bees got there first? It may look nothing like Trym after a 3 to 5 year wait

John great to read I was in your thoughts today as you were in mine! LOL I need to get back to see the guy again. The micropropped Wendy's have kind of failed. The tiniest bits that clustered around the main bulbils have died off. The largest bulbils have been potted
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Diane Whitehead on December 08, 2006, 11:10:03 PM
That's OK.  He was wanting something different to add to his mix. 
I've ordered it and hope I may get something Trym-like in the second generation.

I have some funny-looking seedlings that have come up Y-shaped, with the
seed on one of the arms of the Y.  There's one seedling each so far from two
lots of seed I bought from Dr. Pilous in 2005.  One is G. artjushenkiae,
the other lagodechianus.

I have grown snowdrops before, but only the common species, and
have not noticed this before.   
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 08, 2006, 11:20:31 PM
oooh artjuschenkoae. A little beaut. I dont quite follow what you mean when you say I have some funny-looking seedlings that have come up Y-shaped, with the seed on one of the arms of the Y. Have you go photos? G. plicatus can have an inverted Y

I hope the 830 viewers are learning about snowdrops as this page develops. If only one or two would pop in and say 'Hi!'
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Diane Whitehead on December 08, 2006, 11:27:08 PM
No, these are just-germinated seedlings.
I'll try for a picture.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 08, 2006, 11:29:37 PM
ahhh, so the the leaf has a kink in it as if it is trapped inside the seed coat?

Just in from Matt Bishop
The snowdrop book is in the birthing chamber as we speak.  There is a new index by cultivar name which will make it alot more user friendly than the first printing and there is also a completely updated sources/ suppliers and places to see snowdrops chapter.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Diane Whitehead on December 08, 2006, 11:46:55 PM
No kink.  Sorry the picture is not well-focussed, and it's too dim to take another. 
I'll post it anyway.

I chose a jpg but it doesn't appear on the preview.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Diane Whitehead on December 08, 2006, 11:50:09 PM
The picture did appear after all.

It shows two seedlings:  the one on the left is artjushenkiae,
and it looks like something nipped the top of one leaf.

The one on the right is lagodechianus.

The white bumps are perlite, not bulbs.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: annew on December 10, 2006, 09:45:51 AM
Hi Mark et al - I'm lurking but too busy to do much else, and HURRAY for the new index in the snowdrop book. What a shame we can't get an addendum (is that the right word?) for the first issue.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paul T on December 11, 2006, 07:22:40 AM
yes but what is the bumble bees got there first? It may look nothing like Trym after a 3 to 5 year wait

Mark,

Yeah, but it could be fun to try.  Apparently there have been similar seedlings from it, and unless I start importing I think it is the only chance I am going to get to have anything like Trym.  ;D  Thanks for the "heads up" Diane, but I am not a member of the AGS.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Thomas Huber on December 12, 2006, 02:34:26 PM
Seems like you've beaten me, Hans.
Mine are still a few days away from flowering!
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: snowdropman on December 12, 2006, 03:00:31 PM
Me too Thomas - mine came into flower today!

Great photo Hans - this early flowering form of rizehensis is a valuable addition to the snowdrops flowering at this time.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Thomas Huber on December 12, 2006, 03:03:15 PM
Hey Chris - what a surprise to have you here!!!
Welcome on board.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: snowdropman on December 12, 2006, 04:06:46 PM
Hi Diane and Mark !

Here some informations to Gal. artjuschenkoae:
The bulbs they Pilous sell as G. artjuschenkoae  are not this species!!!
I have bought it from him before some years and thats are G. transcaucasicus .
Pilous has collect this plants is Azerbaijan - and there grows not any G. artjuschenkoae.

Hans

Thank you for posting this information, which made me go back and check all of the information about g. artjuschenkoae, including the interesting article by E. Gabrielian. I bought some seeds of g. artjuschenkoae from Dr Pilous, and am waiting to see if these germinate - as a result of your posting, I will clearly need to look very critically at any resulting snowdrops.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: snowdropman on December 12, 2006, 07:41:13 PM

when are the snowdrop company and north green catalogues out?  I can't remember.

thanks

John

John

Ronald Mackenzie usually sends his catalogue out in the first week in January, John Morley is always 2 or 3 days before the Galanthus Gala in February (provided of course that you are already on their distribution lists).
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: snowdropman on December 12, 2006, 07:54:24 PM

Only 4 and a bit months until the first of the autumn Galanthus start here!! LOL

Paul

I hope that we can rely on you to post pics of your Australian cultivars of snowdrops to the Forum in '4 and a bit months' - there really are some very nice Australian cultivars which have been found/bred by the likes of Otto Fauser, Eric Genet & Don Schofield.

I remain uncertain about those named by Norm Collins, as several people have cast doubt to me on whether or not they are just re-named imports from the UK - if anyone on the Forum has any input on their attribution, I would be very interested to hear (I should stress that I have no axe to grind either way!).
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: snowdropman on December 12, 2006, 07:58:24 PM
re Harvey's I wouldnt buy mail order but go and see what you are buying

Mark

Would you care to elaborate on this, either publicly, or privately?
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 13, 2006, 02:32:18 AM
Diane, your galanthus seedling has produced the cotyledon (germinating leaf) with the seed attached and at the same time, a true leaf. Be grateful as this often means a year less to flowering time, as usually the first "true" leaf doesn't come up until the year after germination. It frequently happens with juno irises as well, even the very rare species.

There has been no notification of any posting in any thread in my inbox for a couple of days even though I have everything tagged "notify." So I went direct to the Forum index and find that this thread is labelled "New Zealand Snowdrops." I'm wondering why, as it's not the actual thread name and in any case, I don't see any mention at all of snowdrops in New Zealand. While Marion Saxton has selected a few seedlings over the years, I'm not aware that anyone has deliberately bred any at all so there really are NO NZ snowdrops as such, just plenty growing in our gardens - thank God!
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 13, 2006, 02:35:20 AM
Oi, where did that cake-maker-in-chief come from? As if I didn't know. If that's a hint, it lacks subtlety. Could produce a result though.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Diane Whitehead on December 14, 2006, 04:36:32 AM
Does anyone know of a source for seed of G. koenenianus?  I like the look of the furrowed
leaves, and will remember not to pick the flowers since they smell of urine.  It's a good
thing my winters are not sunny enough to waft the scent about the garden if I ever manage
to have a clump of them.

Oh, might as well ask for krasnovii too.

Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 15, 2006, 04:18:22 PM
Diane I have koenenianus. If it sets seed I'll keep you in mind

This has been flowering for a couple of weeks now. There have been no sunny days when I've been off to get a good photo. This is just an early elwesii bought as a dry bulb.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Maggi Young on December 15, 2006, 06:38:32 PM
Mark, that greentipped elwesii looks a lot like Jessie Anne  which you posted elsewhere, doesn't it?

Lesley: it took you a while to find your new title... I know it isn't subtle... when I DO DO subtle you won't even notice it!!
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 16, 2006, 12:29:02 AM
never noticed so here it is for comparison
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 16, 2006, 12:14:37 PM
just love sunny days when I'm off.

Here is the green tipped elwesii again and elwesii 'Haydn' below it
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 16, 2006, 01:29:40 PM
After some warmer windowsill treatment here is elwesii 'Haydn' open. It's nothing spectactular but it extends the Galanthus season to pre-Christmas and can be above ground in late November.

Also flowering on this side of Christmas is elwesii 'Broadleigh form' again nothing special but useful to extend the season.


Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 16, 2006, 02:22:53 PM
last snowdrop for today as the sun dips too low for good light is simply elwesii Hiemalis Group. This group is all the early flowering elwesii
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: KentGardener on December 16, 2006, 02:26:44 PM
Hi Mark

thanks for the pictures - now time for you to go indoors and continue with the important work of updating your website!

Please

John
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 16, 2006, 02:52:15 PM
"The computer says nooo!"

Make hay while the sun shines. Weeding finished - for now. Crocus seeds to plant. Lift some R. ficaria that cats dispersed during the summer. Pot some Trilliums and then ... after dark mess wiff da 'puter.

So I'm a Hopeless Galanthophile? Must be Dog's Body up to no good while 'Despot' sleeps. hehe
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 18, 2006, 11:44:44 AM
Mark,

The Galanthus elwesii hiemalis group is very attractive - I find those cultivars with long slim outer segments are very attractive, are reasonably distinctive and make a fine display in the garden, rather than the many not-too-easy-to-distinguish cultivars for which one needs an eye-piece before identifying. Were it not for good labelling I imagine most galanthus lovers would be quite lost in their attempts to identify many cultivars from each other.

These more distinctive cultivars are of far more value, I believe, than the many almost identical cultivars which are needlessly named and hawked as new.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 18, 2006, 01:31:24 PM
John

Still waiting for the re-issue of the Snowdrop book, my book-seller next door says that they keep putting it back a week and she'll chase them up again today.  Frustrating!

Brian
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 18, 2006, 03:11:04 PM
Brian place an order with Griffen Press so you are able to get a copy a day or two after it's release.

If enough people want it I can post about 12 distinct Galanthus that are available that dont need a label or hand lens to tell them apart. It just takes a while to recognise the differences. It's like knowing how to tell the Corvids (Crows) apart - Raven, Rook, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Chough. The Magpie, Jay and Hooded Crow are very easy
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Diane Whitehead on December 18, 2006, 05:01:30 PM
Mark,

I think it would be very useful for ordinary gardeners if you put a list of distinctive snowdrops
on your website.  They could be of ones that have been sold widely, and would benefit people
who have lost the label, or have moved into an established garden with clumps of snowdrops
already in place.

However, perhaps there have been too many named snowdrops widely available in the U.K.
for this to be useful.

Diane
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: KentGardener on December 18, 2006, 06:04:44 PM
Hi All

I have just received a phone call from my aunt (another snowdrop fanatic).  She has just taken possession of her new copy of 'the snowdrop book' (rather late in the day for deliveries I know (5.30pm  -  but it is Christmas week)).

She has roughly flicked through and compared this with her present first edition and up to page 343 everything seems the same.

This new release is a great opportunity for people that have missed out on the first edition of such a wonderful book (a second hand copy set me back £80!), but personally, I shall wait to see the third edition in the hope that it will be possible to include some new photographs.

Regards

John
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 18, 2006, 06:15:48 PM
Have I witnessed some common sense entering this forum? It really will have to be nipped in the bud.

John very sensibilly suggests he is going to wait until the snowdrop book comes out in its third edition with something new and worthwhile before spending his hard-earned on it. (Actually, he also had a comment about having set himself a limit on what he would spend on an individual bulb - John, you are soaring in my estimation)

And Diane has suggested that there is an oversupply of 'named' snowdrops on the market in the UK. Ah, Diane, you know the old saying 'a fool and his money are soon parted'. Well, for every fool there is someone who is waiting to part him/her from her money and these are the people who are so quick to name another snowdrop - isn't there one now called 'Bend-in-the-wind', apparently it bends over when the wind blows, very distinctive, apparently.

So nice to read the postings of two soulmates on the forum.

Paddy 
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 18, 2006, 10:40:47 PM
Hello all

Obviously today was D-Day as my neighbour knocked on the door earlier this evening with my present of the book.  It was delivered to the book shop late this afternoon.  I shall now retire with a good book having missed it the first time round!

Mark I think the list would be a great idea for any newbies like me please.

Brian

I think your 'easy to know' list would be a great idea, Mark. Maggi
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 18, 2006, 10:50:11 PM
The survey said ....

A couple of years ago Plantsman magazine carried out a survey of people who grow Galanthus. This is the top 20 favourites. Cue TOTP theme tune

  1.   'S. Arnott'
=2.   elwesii 'Comet'
=2.   'Magnet'
  4.   plicatus 'Three Ships'
=5.   'Atkinsii'
=5.   'Bertram Anderson'
=5.   plicatus 'Wendy's Gold'
=8.   'John Gray'
=8.   'Mrs McNamara
=10. plicatus 'Augustus'
=10. 'Bill Bishop'
=12. gracilis
=12. plicatus 'Trym'
=14. ikariae
=14. 'Cicely Hall'
=14. nivalis 'Lady Elphinstone'
=17. elwesii
=17. 'Galatea'
=17. plicatus 'Gerard Parker'

just outside the top 20 are

=17. 'Hippolyta'
=17. 'Mighty Atom'
=17. nivalis
=17. nivalis Sandersii Group
=17. rizehensis
=17. 'Spindlestone Surprise'
=17. nivalis 'Viridapice'
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Maggi Young on December 18, 2006, 10:53:09 PM
Okay, Mark, but what is the list OF? Is it the most popular or most easily recognisable? I think we are hoping for pix of those you reckon are identifiable by anyone, without recourse to DNA testing!!!
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 19, 2006, 07:46:11 AM
most popular. I have photos of them all.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 19, 2006, 10:33:25 AM
Thanks for the list Mark.  I first got really interested when we went to Rod Leeds Suffolk garden to look at his fritillaries this year.  Of course as it was a late Spring down here in the East of England very few were even in evidence, let alone flowering.  Instead we were treated to Hepaticas in one glasshouse, Narcissus in another, wonderful cake (oops that shows why I visit gardens) and a marvellous display of snowdrops in all their varying forms and colours.  I won't drone on but I was taken by surprise by huge clumps of Anne of Geirstein, Primrose Warburg and Spindelstone Surprise and pots of South Hayes.  Having already been to John Morleys some years ago I don't know why I was not afflicted then, but certainly this year was the killer.  We also went to Anglesey Abbey and Richard Ayres own garden nearby.  Real treats for the galanthophile.  Anyway what got to me most was the variety of size and form (above the difference in markings), hence I am on the lookout for things like Trymlet, Wasp and Mandarin so that I have a small (but rapidly growing) collection of visually easily distinguishable 'drops.  Not being able to travel large distances easily makes visiting Snowdrop Galas unpracticable so Mail order is my main method of enlarging the collection. 

I know I have said it before but, having not had "The Book" before, I am indebted to yourself and Janet Lecore for your great websites which have been, and continue to be, very edifying.

regards
Brian
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 19, 2006, 04:42:11 PM
I'm having problems with my newer, legitimate, version of Frontpage. When it is sorted I'll get to work on the web site and add a top 20 page.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 21, 2006, 04:02:11 PM
Anne Wright asked recently about deformed Narcissus leaves. I said it could be Stagonora curtsii. As I cant find her photos I'll show here on one of my bulbs before it gets dosed tomorrow with a systemic fungicide.

Anne's post is here: http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=78.msg1742;boardseen#new    Maggi

This an early season plicatus

Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 21, 2006, 04:04:37 PM
I hate cats! Every year a cat dumps a deposit on my clump of 'Castlegar'. This year is no different. It's only just recovering from a major attack a few years ago when all the leaves were damaged
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 21, 2006, 04:06:08 PM
On a happier note I received this Galanthus collage Christmas card

Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Maggi Young on December 21, 2006, 04:11:57 PM
Great Card, Mark. 
Perhaps you should make little mesh covers to keep the cats off your flowers... has to be worth a try, or you're going to get damage all the time. then there's water pistols, but I know you have to go out to work and can't sit in ambush all day and night!

Re the Stagno wotsits.... Yeuch! I don't think we get anything quite like that... thank goodness! 
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 21, 2006, 04:18:40 PM
Maggie it isnt nice and can spreads at all Amaryllids. I'll dispose of the bulb tomorrow and soak the whole pot including flowers in fungicide
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: snowdropcollector on December 24, 2006, 05:26:38 PM
Finally I found my way back to this forum. Sorry for disappearing. Because of my work ( Cymbidiums, cultivated) i was not on the internet for a while. Our company sells these flowers all over the world, specially with Christmas. And in the mean time the forum was moved, renewed.
Today I took a quick look at my collection, and 'Mrs McNamara is already flowering. Some more earlier flowerings ?

Wish everybody a Merry Christmas !!
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 24, 2006, 05:38:40 PM
Richard 'Mrs McNamara' always flowers now

here is a photo that shows the affect of Stag in leaves. This leaf is badly affected
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 24, 2006, 05:40:43 PM
Flowering now but nothing special is an early flowering Galanthus plicatus. A useful addition to a collection for those who want a species collection or to extend the season
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: snowdropcollector on December 24, 2006, 05:55:29 PM
Than last year was special for my 'Mrs McNamara, the first time I had it. It did flower at the end of febr. than.
Thanks for answer mark.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: snowdropcollector on December 24, 2006, 05:59:09 PM
I will have a good look at my collection tomorrow and see if anymore are flowering.
Will inform you in this forum about it.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 24, 2006, 06:08:45 PM
Richard a good collection, not saying yours isnt, will have some flowering now and some over.

Here are some leaf types for thse unfamiliar with Galanthus
1. The leaves grow with their upper surface facing each other, Applanate, as in G. nivalis
2. The leaves have the edges folded back.  They flatten with age. Explicate as in G. plicatus
3. One leaf wraps around the other until they seperate, Supervolute, like G. elwesii. Hooded on leaf tips
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 25, 2006, 10:52:25 PM
Richard,

I am delighted to read of Mrs. McNamara's thoughtfulness in flowering at this early season for you. It's always a pleasure when these plants we treasure come into flower for our delight. Like yourself, I look forward to the flowering of those which especially interest me year after year. Those which have come to me from a friend's garden are the ones I especially watch for each year. Another area of interest for me in snowdrops are those which originated in Ireland and these are especially important to me and are again carefully watched. Of these, Galanthus 'Castlegar' is now in flower for here. I haven't a photograph from this year but will, if memory still serves me well, post one in the next few days.

Looking forward to further postings from you keeping us updated on the progress of flowering within your collection. As you are a little distant from us in the Netherlands, it is interesting to compare the flowering times of mutually held cultivars.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 26, 2006, 12:23:59 AM
One (probably more) of my local garden centres (OK, I'll name and shame - it's Dobbies) is selling dozens of pots of snowdrops labelled "Galanthus nivalis", but they are all G. elwesii. Is this ignorance or deception, and if the latter, who is being deceived: the customer or the seller?
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Andrew on December 26, 2006, 09:44:34 AM
I said it could be Stagonora curtsii. As I cant find her photos I'll show here on one of my bulbs before it gets dosed tomorrow with a systemic fungicide.

Mark, what fungicide do you use ?

Anybody, is there such a thing as a solid systemic insecticide (sorry Anthony  :)) which can be mixed in the compost when repotting ?
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 26, 2006, 11:00:03 AM
I'm not sure about solid insecticides, but I use the one sold for vine weevil to get rid of red spiders (and general insect pests) and it works well, especially on my Plumaria sp. (Frangipani).
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 26, 2006, 12:10:24 PM
Andrew I use Benlate.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: David Nicholson on December 26, 2006, 12:37:52 PM
You are lucky to have some Benlate left (I finished mine last year) it hasn't been manufactured now for some years. I still think it was the best fungicide made.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: admin on December 26, 2006, 04:19:49 PM
Here are some leaf types for thse unfamiliar with Galanthus
1. The leaves grow with their upper surface facing each other, Applanate, as in G. nivalis
2. The leaves have the edges folded back.  They flatten with age. Explicate as in G. plicatus
3. One leaf wraps around the other until they seperate, Supervolute, like G. elwesii. Hooded on leaf tips

Some excellent information there Mark. Very useful for we who are unfamiliar with Galanthus other than the common nivalis
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: snowdropcollector on December 26, 2006, 07:21:47 PM
Mark, for me it is all new and have to experience when all different species will flower. I have a small collection for only four years now. It is hard to find different species overhere in the Netherlands. So all help is welcome !
I took a look at my collection yesterday, Sickle and Wendy's Gold are also almost flowering. Wendy's Gold doesn't look to well, leaves are a little pale/yellow. Maybe to wet for them ?
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 26, 2006, 08:48:39 PM
Richard a good collection, not saying yours isnt, will have some flowering now and some over.

Here are some leaf types for thse unfamiliar with Galanthus
1. The leaves grow with their upper surface facing each other, Applanate, as in G. nivalis
2. The leaves have the edges folded back.  They flatten with age. Explicate as in G. plicatus
3. One leaf wraps around the other until they seperate, Supervolute, like G. elwesii. Hooded on leaf tips


Ah no, Ian, I cannot agree when you say 'Some excellent information there mark. Very useful for we who are unfamiliar with Galanthus other than the common nivalis.'  This is basic stuff, unrequested information and available in any reference book on snowdrops.The post referred to was, in fact, made by Admin, our Webmaster.

Mark, please spare us the lessons.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 26, 2006, 09:02:21 PM
Richard,

I went to the garden with my camera today with more hope than belief that the weather would allow a photograph of that snowdrop I mentioned yesterday. It was a miserable day here, very dark, with constant light drizzle though not cold. I did not expect any snowdrops to be open but this little fellow defied the conditions.

This is Galanthus 'Castlegar'

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: vanhouttewim on December 26, 2006, 09:05:14 PM
I agree that mark has given us excellent information and interesting to read! good pictures too. Wim >:(
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Joakim B on December 26, 2006, 09:06:29 PM
Paddy
I knew the above information partly through Marks webpage and I still had no problem being informed again.
There are a lot of people that do not know this since not every one here have acces to reference books on snowdrops.
It is a lot of people reading ths with out writing and they might not know this.
If You do not like a post do not read it! There is no need to reply in rude way unless it is rude. I DO have a problem with comments that are rude without any reason!  So if anyone should spare us anything it people that have rude comments without reason.

Kind regards
Joakim
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 26, 2006, 10:08:09 PM
Joakim & Wim,

As a member of several garden clubs/societies for many years one aspect of these clubs, also evident in television garden programmes and most gardening magazines, is that they seldom move away from the basics and don't take into account that after several years members are interested in more detailed and more advanced information. The result is that these organisations fail to develop beyond a continuous cycle of beginners as more long term members leave out of boredom.

You would be incorrect to assume from my comments above that I am an expert gardener. Far from it, in fact, but I do wish to continue learning more and more and absolutely love reading of the experiences of other gardeners and seeing photographs of what they have growing in their gardens. It is for these aspects of the forum that I visit. Ian Young has an excellent 'Bulb Log' which is, I believe,  the proper and correct place for instructional material. Unrequested 'instructional' material posted in one of the general forums is out of place in my opinion. I find the presumption of the poster that the other readers/visitors to the forums are in need of his instruction unpalatable. Should this information have been requested by any previous poster then, I think, it would be perfectly in order that it be posted as a reply but it came without request. Why?

Paddy

 
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 26, 2006, 10:43:31 PM
I wont be drawn into an argument, thanks for the positive feedback, but would like to say soon 2000 people will have viewed the snowdrop pages and many more when the season gets into full swing. I write to educate those on the sidelines too. Many people into snowdrops dont know about leaf types and how hybrids affect leaf types. Should I only show photos of rarities? Should I bother to show the top 20 on this web site?
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: vanhouttewim on December 26, 2006, 11:37:52 PM
hi ,

It's good to see all the different galanthus on clear photos here , especially the very rare and new types, which can not be seen in books.
Could you post more pictures from your garden- overview? the greatest places of your garden....
Do you grow the Galanthus under other shrubs or in full sun?
Photos from galanthus in woods or near rivers... seedlings...

Wim


Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 26, 2006, 11:54:13 PM
hey Wim my front garden is very small. I cant remember the exact measurements so maybe I should measure it again tomorrow. Here is it is winter and summer. The summer photo is looking south and the winter one is looking west. Just added a few extra. Observant people will notice slight changes but the photos are in sequence

Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Maggi Young on December 27, 2006, 12:13:36 AM
It is clearly the wider opinion that Mark's quoted post was considered helpful. I thought so:  the damn things are just all white to me and I need all the help I can get to distinguish them!!
I felt that the search for information had been expressed and that Mark, as with other forumists all over this site, was adding some info that he felt would be useful. If it seems some further details are warranted, we are all free to make such points, that's what the forum is here for. If I only spoke/wrote when actually asked a specific question I might as well be a Trappist.....I aim to anticipate what further info might be required and add it when I can... I urge you all to do the same.
We might all post something daft at times and when we do, rest assured it WILL be removed since, while friendly banter and joking is all grist to the mill of conversation, even electronically, The Web Team prefers to avoid having to referee in interpersonal spats and we would appreciate if no further remarks were made on the matter brought up by Paddy.
There, the fat woman may not have sung, but it IS over!
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: vanhouttewim on December 27, 2006, 12:15:22 AM
Thank you!

You must have a great time when the snowdrops are flowering. You can see your plants when you're looking through the window...
We have very dark days the last 2 weeks and i will take a photo when the sun comes back.
I will plant my snowdrops next to my new wisteria arbor and the slow growing boxwoods.

Wim
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Maggi Young on December 27, 2006, 12:24:44 AM
Paddy, glad to see your photo of G. 'Castlegar'... it looks like one I could actually recognise... that is a more distinct marking, to my eye, than the average snowdrop! I thought we might not get a good shot of Mark's ones,since the cat got to them !

Joakim: I love your ID photo, please post a bigger version in the Let me Introduce myself page.. is this you wife and baby or do you just spend a lot of time with Mrs Santa Claus and the baby Claus! Such a nice family photo and great for this time of year!

I am going to make a new year's resolution this year to learn to tell at least a dozen snowdrops apart. :P
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 27, 2006, 01:56:04 AM
'Castlegar' is a lovely fat form. Very nice. Maggi, oh that we here HAD a dozen forms available to tell apart. I am green (and white) with envy that so many are around in the UK and Europe. A brand new catalogue from Marcus Harvey in Tasmania lists several and I'll have a go at those, but have to arrange CITES certs in order to import them. Crazy really, as these are long time nursery stock. Not the slightest possibility that they are collected from the wild.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: admin on December 27, 2006, 12:29:16 PM
Unrequested 'instructional' material posted in one of the general forums is out of place in my opinion. I find the presumption of the poster that the other readers/visitors to the forums are in need of his instruction unpalatable.

I find it excellent that members are prepared to make the effort  posting such material without having to be hounded for it. Many organisations   running  forums, both plant oriented and otherwise, would give their  eye teeth for such levels or participation and enthusiasm. The bottom line is if we  don't like it we can ignore it, but let us  not discourage those who are prepared to make the effort. The forum would be a much poorer place if we went down that road.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 27, 2006, 03:26:35 PM
Re my comments on Mark's postings:

There can be no doubt that I have been too forceful in expressing my opinions on Mark's postings and have, in the process, annoyed, hurt perhaps or at least bothered some fellow posters. For this, I wish to express  my sincerest apologies.

Mark, in an effort to retrace my steps somewhat and pour oil on troubled water, let me say without hesitation that your postings are a valuable and important contribution to the various forums. The regularity and frequency of your postings keeps interest alive in many topics and encourages others to contribute, something which makes the SRGC a particularly excellent site for alpine, general plant and garden lovers. Your regular photographs also are a valuable contribution, one I particularly enjoy myself, I must say.

Your website is excellent, though I haven't visited for a while but will renew acquaintance shortly. Your website is an excellent location for basic information on snowdrops as well as for your extensive collection of photographs and, perhaps, you, or the administrator, could show a link to connect to your site so that those who require this information can access it with ease. This would also spare you the bother of posting it repeatedly. Your website would be valuable resource for the forum members.

Yes Mark, unfortunately, I do find the tone of some of your postings irritating, a little bit of 'blowing your own trumpet' as you have said yourself in one of your postings - your number of postings, your number of photographs and such like. I suppose I should have the common sense and maturity to smile at such foibles rather than being annoyed by them but with advancing years I am more and more grumpy.

I earlier attributed a posting on this subject to Ian as I thought Ian was the administrator. My apologies Ian.

Now, to conclude, She Who Must Be Obeyed has spoken - Maggi, I couldn't possibly use your phrase of the corpulent lady singing - and  will in future desist from comments such as I have posted over the past few days. There is plenty on the site that is tremendously enjoyable and I shall continue to enjoy it and allow others to do likewise.

A contrite Paddy 
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 27, 2006, 03:49:49 PM
'Castlegar' is a great addition to any building collection. Although it looks like a typical snowdrop it's its early arrival that makes it useful. In some parts of England they can be in flower from mid November.


I see numbers of photos, posts etc like birthdays.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Ian Y on December 27, 2006, 03:56:17 PM
Quote
perhaps, you, or the administrator, could show a link to connect to your site so that those who require this information can access it with ease.
Please note that all forumists are at liberty to post a link to their own website  ( or another of interest) in the LINKS pages or to include same in their signature bar or in the specific area for websites in their profiles: these will then be displayed in all their posts. Any forumist showing a little globe/planet earth symbol in the icons beneath their name/photo by the left of each post has activated such a link and (one) of their websites can be reached via that, or by clicking on the link in a signature bar.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 27, 2006, 03:56:59 PM
Galanthus 'Castlegar'

I have grown this snowdrop for the past three years and would  like to see it bulk up some more to make a judgement on it as a garden  plant. To date it seems to be a good grower. The photograph shows the development from one bulb in the clump; it now has three flowers and so it promises to bulk up reasonably with passing years.

The flower is nicely marked and has a distinctive deep sinus and is large in proportion to the size of the plant. The photograph could be better - the outer petals lift more when fully open but the sun has not shone here for over a week and so I must wait longer to see it at its best.

Because of its Irish connections this snowdrop is one I especially treasure. The original clump was found in Co. Galway and introduced by Dr. Keith Lamb, which gives it an extra significance for me. Keith is one of the gentlemen of Irish gardening, has introduced several very interesting plants and has a garden full of interest and hospitality.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Maggi Young on December 27, 2006, 04:07:39 PM
Paddy, nice to hear a bit more about Castlegar....Lesley, I like it 'cos it is fat! When snowdrops open very widely I think they look as if they are straining to take off!

It gives an extra dimension to one's appreciation of a plant to know about its history, I think and when one has a particular personal connection in mind with that history, then so much the better. I am thinking of how many of us will treasure a plant in our gardens because of its association with someone special... that plant often becoming referred to as "Joan's dianthus" or "Dr Wallis' primula"; it all goes to make history and memories, doesn't it?
And where would we be without the old gardeners and plant hunters and breeders who have found or grown the plants we hold dear?
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 27, 2006, 04:08:34 PM
Mark: Your reaction to my comments stands to your credit. My compliments.


G. 'Castlegar' and others of Irish connection are especially interesting to me. The additional connection with Keith Lamb enhances  my enjoyment.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 27, 2006, 04:11:40 PM
Maggi,

These plants with 'connections' are certainly the ones to be treasured. Like yourself, we have plants which always have a person's name attached to them - 'Helen's Good One' for a nice snowdrop, for example. History and connections makes it all the more enjoyable.

Why, even 'Mark's Tall' is to be treasured for its connections.
Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 27, 2006, 04:43:51 PM
A long long time ago - maybe yesterday, but it seems longer, someone said they had 'Wendy's Gold' almost out? I've checked mine and no sign above the ground yet. The only snowdrop I have in bloom at the moment is Galanthus elwesii 'Hiemalis'. Looks very like Dobbies' 'nivalis' but who am I to inform the experts who run these garden centres.

Actually, ignorance usually works in my favour with many a bargain wrongly priced due to mislabelling. My last 'bargain' came from a batch of euphobias  labelled 'Salvia officinalis Purple'. The labels had not been switched as they were stapled to the pots. What's more there was a coloured photograph on every label, and there was a similar number of identical, correctly labelled, euphorbias (Euphorbia amyg[daloides] 'Purpurea') right next to them!
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: snowdropcollector on December 27, 2006, 05:15:42 PM
Paddy, great picture !! Lovely species also this Castlegar, misses this one in my collection. The weather is very poor here also, dark and a little foggy.

Anthony,  I was the one that informd you that Wendy's Gold is almost flowering in my collection. I did order these bulbs this summer, and so they flower for the first time in my collection. If they are named wrong, I can nothing do about it.
I will try make a picture this week.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 27, 2006, 05:21:13 PM
Anthony the 'nivalis' in the garden centre are probably wild dug. It's a major problem even though some Turkish farmers are now farming snowdrops. Garden centres would be better with a real plants person but it's all money, money, money. I would go back and search the bulbs for specials like all green, fat flowers or yellows. Below are two great finds from a garden centre over here. They have been twinscaled so fingers crossed!

My 'Wendy's Gold's are up maybe about an inch
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Maggi Young on December 27, 2006, 05:34:39 PM
Quite like those, Mark ! Couldn't understand at first why two such different flowers were both labelled "bushmills" on their files then realised that Bushmill, as well as being a brand of intoxicating liquor is also probably a Garden Centre... is that right?

Richard, you also mentioned that you thought the foliage of your Wendy's Gold was looking a bit yellow?
I do not grow Wendy's Gold, but I have often found with other yellow variants of plants that they can show this symptom quite a lot. perhaps it is a usual thing for it? In the same way, some plants with unusual white variations can often bee rather weak and less strong and prone to yellow leaves, too.
Anybody else noticed this or am I the world's worst grower?
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 27, 2006, 06:02:28 PM
Bushmills - a very nice whiskey indeed and the snowdrops aren't too bad either.

Mark, you have given them the same name but, I wonder, are they a bit different? The first pictured has more green on both the  outer and the inner segments, no gap at all between the green on the inner segments and the ovary. Also the ovary of the first one is considerably longer than that of the second.

You mentioned twin scaling - has one been propagated from the other?  Or are they two individual snowdrops you came upon?

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 27, 2006, 08:16:41 PM
I only gave them that name for the purpose of my records and their origin. Four different ones were found and have been twinscaled by the finder
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 28, 2006, 01:19:37 AM
Maggi, I'm all in favour of "Joan's  dianthus" or "Dr Wallis' primula" but the problems really start when these, without warning become Dianthus `Joan' or Primula `Dr Wallis' or, indeed, Galanthus `Bushmills' (of which there could soon be four plants around, all distinct). Your are right in that the plant's history and personal connections all go to make it a more treasured thing, but we MUST be careful to avoid attaching names which are not true or appropriate. But are we?

Here endeth the first, and I hope only lesson.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: David Nicholson on December 28, 2006, 11:54:40 AM
I'm with Lesley on this one, plant naming is a problem and results in a large number of named hybrids many of which are poorer plants than their parents, or are simply not sufficiently dissimilar. I can't speak for other Societies but certainly in the National Auricula and Primula Society all seedlings (which of course do not "come true") are shown in seedling classes. The breeders of those attracting the attention of the judges and obtaining a winning card are then invited to give their plant a name. This at least ensures that "quality and similarity" are taken into account.

As Mark as done, most growers give their plants an "unofficial" name for ease of their own record keeping. Much easier to remember than breeding codes. Still, after all, that it's a problem without solution. :-\
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Maggi Young on December 28, 2006, 03:28:54 PM
Yes, the "naming of parts" has always been a tricky business. I think it would be almost impossible not to make connections with plants you got from a particular source though i agree that these names are better kept to oneself, for all the reasons given above. I am also very wary of the naming of EVERY variation found in any given plant; in some genera this seems a real irritation for me and I suspect, others (oops! I'm writing this in the galanthus page... well, if the cap fits.....I was thinking too of Pleiones and Primula allionii and Dionysia hybrids... so many of these seem altogether TOO similar to me to warrant naming BUT, and this is a BIG BUT ( no personal comments here, please) there is a distinct problem, if you'll forgive the pun, of ensuring that when one distributes UN-NAMED but very promising, young plants that may well be distinct enough then there is a danger that different people will end up giving different names to the SAME plant, and there lies a lot more confusion !
Not easy, is it?  ??? ::) :P
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: snowdropcollector on December 28, 2006, 05:42:56 PM
Maggi, I do not know how that is about the little bit pale/yellow looking leaves with Wendy's Gold and other yellow flowering species with snowdrops. It is the first time that I will have a yellow flowering species in my small collection. I did try to make some pics today, but they are all of poor quality. Will try to show you one, do not exactly know how to show you in this forum. Will see if I can manage to do it.



Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: snowdropcollector on December 28, 2006, 05:45:39 PM
Ok, it did work. Sorry for the bad quality. But these are the Wendy's Gold which are almost flowering in my collection at the moment. See picture in above topic.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 28, 2006, 05:52:36 PM
they look OK to me
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 28, 2006, 09:04:02 PM
Lesley & David,

Re naming of plants: I believe that Maggi and I were on the same wavelength re the naming of plants - we name plants AT HOME  after the people who give them to us, so we will have 'Helen's snowdrop', 'Bob's uvularia' etc. However, we  didn't for a moment mean that we would pass these plants on with those names. Of course we might say to the recipients of these plants that 'this is one I got from Helen or Bob' and I'm sure that information might make the plant that little bit more enjoyable and interesting to them.

Accuracy in naming plants is of the utmost importance and especially so when we put names in writing here in the forum as we are likely to start a misnomer or continue a previous mistake.

I could not agree more with Maggi re the naming of plants - far too many plants are given names without meriting such a distinction. Snowdrop enthusiasts may be among the more common offenders.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 28, 2006, 09:06:26 PM
What a difference a day makes. Yesterday I posted a photograph of Galanthus 'Castlegar', an Irish snowdrop cultivar. When I went around the garden today I found that the blasted slugs had visited overnight.

Paddy

Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Maggi Young on December 28, 2006, 09:25:52 PM
'Struth, Paddy, it seems we were not the only ones who found Castlegar "tasty" !!I don't know what you have had in the way of frost, but we have had enough here in Aberdeen to have frozen the slimy pests... or so you would hope! Seems your slugs are still mobile and hungry... what's  the betting they come back tonight to eat the rest of the flowers? I have been horrified by the amount of caterpillar damage we were still seeing happen outside only a week or so ago. Is there no stopping these beasts?
It's bad enough when things are being eaten in the full season, when the damage, though annoying, feels less serious because there is so much in growth but at this time when the pleasure of flowers is thinner on the ground it seems MUCH worse.

PS, that was what I meant about the "pet names" for flowers.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 28, 2006, 09:34:08 PM
Maggi,

Surely, you must compliment me on my moderate use of language in my last posting. You can easily imagine what I really want to say about those slugs.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Maggi Young on December 28, 2006, 10:23:39 PM
Too ******* ***** I do, Paddy! Thanks indeed!
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 28, 2006, 10:24:49 PM
I found emerging snowdrops eaten today, again, so out I went with their favourite food. You know the one! The blue one.

Paddy were you saying a few posts ago you liked 'Mark's Tall'?
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 29, 2006, 11:23:55 AM
Galanthus 'Mark's Tall'

Mark, as I said, it is to be treasured for its connections. I, like yourself I believe, would take a particular interest in plants with an Irish connection and like to have them if at all possible. Then it is possible to build up a stock and spread them around so that they will last in cultivation. Of course, there are many many that I haven't got but if I had them sure all the interest would be gone out of them. It is a great thrill to get a plant that one has wanted for some time, better than having them all on the same day, so to speak.

Top of my list at the moment are those connected to the Halls in Lucan. They appear from photographs to be such elegantly-held flowers and, of course, the connection with the Halls who have been so active in snowdrop growing and collecting for so many  years would make it especially to be treasured. Of course, there are many more that I could mention but listing them would only put the longing on me.

Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: KentGardener on December 30, 2006, 09:02:09 AM
Hi All

I hope everyone had a good Christmas and that you are sufficiently recovered for late night drinking tomorrow.  There has not been a lot of time to read the forum pages in the last week and I have spent this morning catching up on all that has been happening in the threads!...

A bit of input from me:

1)  Mark's bushmills do not have the same name - one is bushmillsA and the other bushmillsD (I presume the remaining 2 from the 4 found are B and C).  As Lesley asked - is Bushmills a garden centre?

2)  I am going to put down some slug bait today as I have noticed an increasing number of the tiny little ones in the last few days.  I don't want to experience the same upsetting discoveries as Paddy and Mark have.

3)  Mark - when is the new 2007 web page going to be ready?  Could we have it 'go live' even before every link is ready please.  I really want to see a good quality picture of Carolyn Elwes.

4)  are bark chipping detrimental to snowdrops?  I have been using them for a few years but someone recently told me that they thought they would damage the emerging snowies...

regards

John
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 30, 2006, 10:52:56 AM
The 'Bushmills' snowdrops were only named that for me to remember where they came from and what they are. They weren't found by me, green with envy and red glazed eyes. They were found by Derrick, hello Derrick!, who works in a garden centre. Yes there are four of them.

It's the small black slugs that are doung the damage. The weather is too warm to keep 'em away.

Web site - I'm having probelms with the links. I'll upload later and see what happens

A friend uses fine composted bark. I worry when she puts it down at th e wrong time of year - usually now. Many are attacked by moulds. I would guess putting it down in the summer and letting the bulbs push through normally their sheaths will protect them which lets them emerge above the level of the bark. I use a very nice grit sand but the cats like it too. I would guess the cats would like the composted bark too.

Maybe this can tempt Janet out of the darkness? Huh?
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 30, 2006, 11:30:57 AM
It always amazes me when I look at the stats of my web sites and see how many people have had a look. This is the tally for the snowdrop site for this year

Jan 2006 - 39,445
Feb 2006 - 41,444 
Mar 2006 - 28,384
Apr 2006 - 10,042
May 2006 - 4,855
Jun 2006 - 5,855
Jul 2006 - 4,054
Aug 2006 - 6,626
Sep 2006  -6,766 
Oct 2006 - 9,764
Nov 2006 - 11,480
Dec 2006 - 13,405

Total 182120
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Maggi Young on December 30, 2006, 11:41:04 AM
Good grief, Mark, who'd have thought these white jobs were so interesting!!

John, AKA SRGC 00Agent : we used chipped bark from a sawmill  for many years (though nowadays we don't need to buy it because we shred all our own prunings and hedge-cuttings) and we never had any trouble with it.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 30, 2006, 11:44:07 AM
Maggi you do realise that some white stuff is going your way in January?
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 30, 2006, 11:48:07 AM
links are now sorted but now my web site has blocked me out.

You do realise that it's a lovely sunny day outside and I've been sitting here for two hours.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Maggi Young on December 30, 2006, 11:58:53 AM
Yes, Mark, I will just have to be brave in January when you come to infect the Aberdeeshire Group with white fever. It is for the Group that I make these sacrifices!
Besides, on Wednesday 3rd I'm giving them a fabulous selection of Rhodos and other Ericaceaous and assorted glorious Liliaceae... it is a moving tale of Eric and Lil ,a match made in heaven!!
I'll be sneaking in the odd other genus that look good with my adored rhodos but while there will be plenty fab white flowers, there will be no snowdrops!
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: KentGardener on December 30, 2006, 01:20:13 PM
Hi Guys

thanks for the picture of carolyn elwes - I must admit that I am rather disapointed at the 'yellow' colour.  Not up to the standard of Primrose, Wendy and Bill.

Interesting statistics Mark, you can certainly tell which months are the most popular for interest in snowdrops - thanks for sharing them.

cheers

John

Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 30, 2006, 01:46:51 PM
here's a timely reminder to get out the insecticide. Do you see it? I didnt until I edited the photo just now
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 30, 2006, 02:31:56 PM
Here is my loose clump of elwesii 'Haydn' doing very well with 33 flowering bulbs and part of my 'Castlegar' group showing flowers in various stages of growth. Adding plicatus 'Colossus' and elwesii 'Maidwell L'. 'Maidwell L' wasnt in flower until February 1st in 2006 but this year it's four weeks early
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: David Nicholson on December 30, 2006, 03:08:14 PM
Mark- don't boast about the sunshine. The second low reached Devon about 1130, black as night and pouring down. It's a little brighter now but still pouring down. IT's ON ITS WAY.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 30, 2006, 03:44:17 PM
Bark, chipped: I have chipped bark on one bed which has galanthus and it has had no ill effects at all. I haven't topped it up and won't for another year or more. It was on the bed which was planted with cyc. coum and the snowdrops were added later.

Mark, I am surprised that snowdrops are so far ahead in your garden as you are so far north of me and the same snowdrops are not at all as advanced here. Local microclimate, I suppose.

Website statistics: In deference to Maggi et alia I will not go there. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 30, 2006, 04:07:41 PM
I really dont know why any of my plants perform so early. Just been out with a compass. The garden has light from southeast to northwest 140 to 320 degrees what ever that is.

Whats not out with you, Paddy?
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: vanhouttewim on December 30, 2006, 04:41:06 PM
Hi Galanthophiles !

my father baught a lot of Galanthus elwesii bulbs , at different times , from different locations , imported from turkey.

he planted these only a month ago , much too late , i know.

1 part started flowering more than 2 weeks ago , and with the temperatures now , a lot of these will flower next week.
he allready found 3 plants with totally green inner segments , is that interesting or just normal?
1 other plant has leaves which are not Galanthus elwesii leaves , it's another species with smaller leaves.

his second part of bulbs , 500 or so , also elwesii , are still under the ground.

is his first part Galanthus elwesii var hiemalis ? the leaves are very small (5cm) when the plants are allready flowering.

i don't know  and your comments could be very helpful .
Thanks , Wim



Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 30, 2006, 04:54:53 PM
elwesii with all green inners is normal. If you find one with all green outers get slightly excited. Mark it properly and wait to next year. If it is green again jump up and down but watch where you jump. You will have to wait to next year to see if it is in the Heimalis Group but it could be. It's a very mixed up seaon.

I wouldnt worry if the bulbs are still underground.

The plant that is different I would need to see the leaves and flower to know what it is.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: vanhouttewim on December 30, 2006, 05:10:13 PM
Thank You Mark !

Can you give it a name?
Wim
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 30, 2006, 05:15:47 PM
just now no. Maybe when the flower opens. I can tell you it's not an elwesii like you have already said nor ikariae, fosteri or woronowii. These come above ground with one leaf wrapped around the other like elwesii. I dont think the leaves are folded back like a plicatus. Are the leaves grey or shiny green?

Is it in a  potted in a peat based compost? It looks very wet
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: vanhouttewim on December 30, 2006, 05:21:00 PM
The leaves are shiny green, not grey or glaucous like nivalis
and not at all folded back.
they are fine , not like an ikariae or woronowii.


it's wet because it has just rained .
he uses Geranium peat .
i tell him all the time that it's not good , but he don't want to listen.
He even use it for the expensive snowdrops .

i allways prefer to plant them out in the garden , with my own compost.
for all this reasons i keep a collection for my own , he keeps it all in P9 and then everything is frozen  :(
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 30, 2006, 05:27:06 PM
Some nivalis have non glaucous leaves. We'll have to wait. I edited my post above.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 30, 2006, 09:34:20 PM
Mark,

As a general rule I plant my snowdrops where they are in shade during the summer but have plenty of light at this time of year, under deciduous trees, for example. One bed with snowdrops is completely out in the open as the tree which is to provide summer shade is still very small and severely delayed by being struck by a football last year when the leader was severed. It will come in time and make a fine tree - the Kentucky Coffee-bean tree.  Even the snowdrops in this open bed are not yet in flower - G. 'Paradise Giant' and G. 'Fred's Giant' are nearest to opening here.

Elsewhere in the garden, G. caucasicus (yes, I know it has been renamed years ago but that was the name with which I started, so...) and G. fosteri are nearest to opening. Otherwise, I am waiting and waiting.  Next month should bring lots of others in flower.

The garden slopes gently to the north; it is at the bottom of sloping ground and wet because of the run down of drainage from highter ground; it is close to the river bank where fog and frost are common and perhaps this gives a later season than a garden with a more southerly and open aspect. 

On the positive side, the soil is a good rich loam, wet in winter but drains and dries well in spring; it is slightly acidic and rhododendrons and its likes grow well here.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 30, 2006, 09:55:05 PM
caucasicus may be brought back at some stage but who now has a real one? Janis Ruksans and ?Chris Brickell say they should be seperate. I'll ask both in February and report back

All those eagerly waiting for the new photo pages on the web site will be happy to know I've just this minute naming all the snowdrop photos, adding a nice background and a no right click programme. My eyes and fingers hurt!
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: KentGardener on December 31, 2006, 05:53:23 AM
Hi All

my garden doesn't get a single ray of sun at this time of the year - next door has a large garage creating a lot of shade, and the one next door to them have a high leyland cyprus - the sun is so low in the sky that it never quite reaches the soil of my small walled garden :(   I have considered fixing some mirrors to reflect light onto certain patches of ground if any plant really does sulk - but it hasn't been necessary so far....)

Yet in full flower for the last week are Elwesii Comet, Elwesii Yvonne Hay and Caucasicus green tips (the later two are pretty well slug munched!).

Some others have white showing above ground but are a way from flowering (Lady Beatrix Stanley, Colossus, Lyn).  Everything else is either just breaking through the ground or they are still hiding under the surface.

with my kind regards

John


(showing my garden walls taken on 18 March 2006)
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: snowdropman on December 31, 2006, 10:21:09 AM
Janis Ruksans and ?Chris Brickell say they should be seperate. I'll ask both in February and report back

I hope that Janis is fully recovered by then - he tells me that had a fall on Christmas Eve and broke his left hand
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: snowdropman on December 31, 2006, 01:34:06 PM

As a general rule I plant my snowdrops where they are in shade during the summer but have plenty of light at this time of year, under deciduous trees ..................

Paddy - thanks for your stimulating posts on this subject. I too have long been interested in the great variation in flowering times etc noted on the Forum (I am in the south of England).

Clearly there are quite a number of factors at play here viz geographical location, aspect, soil type, shade/light, year round climate, feeding regime and of course how all of these factors in turn compare with the natural habitat of the snowdrops that we are trying to grow.

I have been trying to mimic at least some of the conditions in their natural habitat so, for instance, I grow the autumn flowering g. reginae-olgae out in the open, so that they will get the full benefit of the Autumn/Winter sun (the same with g.peshmenii, which seem to need this extra warmth to really survive in the garden, as opposed to being grown in cold frames) - the downside to this of course is that because of the more exposed aspect they can be more prone to damage from Autumn storms but so far, on balance, I get better results this way, particularly with the peshmenii (which only push up leaves elsewhere in the garden).

Some species, like g. krasnovii, are a bit more challenging! In his book, 'The genus Galanthus', Aaron Davis pictures g. krasnovii in full flower on the edge of melting snow! Here in the south of England we do not see much of this particular white stuff, so I have planted out bulbs in several different parts of the garden, looking for a position that is cool & wet/retains the wet during the flowering period, but is dry in the summer, and will be carefully monitoring results.

Many of the yellow nivalis sandersii group have been found growing on large Estates in Northumberland & Scotland where the soil is mainly peat & very wet, so I am experimenting with growing some of them both directly in my peat bed and also in lattice baskets containing my standard 'mix' which in turn are plunged in the peat bed.  I have also created a small bed to which I have added peat to the natural sandy soil & lastly I am growing some forms, including 'Ray Cobb' (but not exclusively yellows), directly below my Camellia 'hedge' (to which I regularly add peat & feed with sequestrated iron). I am only in the 3rd year of this experiment, so it is too early to tell whether there are any noticeable differences, either in colour, flowering times, rate of increase in bulbs etc, but at least I can report that all of the snowdrops are still alive and well!

I have long since run out of room for g. nivalis forms, under the canopy of my Horse Chestnut/my neighbours Holm Oak, which seem to prefer shadier/damper conditions - I am now planting them in a more open north facing bed, at the foot of a hedge (of native species) and they seem to be thriving, with a good rate of increase noted.

With elwesii, plicatus & hybrids it seems to be more a question of moving them around the garden and finding where they thrive best - to this end I am indebted to Janet Lecore, of Judy's Snowdrops, who introduced me to planting snowdrops in lattice (aquatic) baskets. These baskets make it so much easier to lift the bulbs, greatly reducing the risks of, damaging roots, not replanting properly, the inevitable set back caused by disturbance etc.

Just to add my three penny worth on what is flowering, I have the following forms flowering in my garden at the moment, with many more not far behind

- reginae-olgae ssp reginae-olgae 'Mette'
- reginae-olgae ssp reginae-olgae 'Maria'
- reginae-olgae 'Christine'
- elwesii hiemalis group ex Broadleigh Gardens
- 'Faringdon Double'
- elwesii 'Mrs McNamara'
- elwesii 'Kyre Park'
- 'Bess'
- 'Ding Dong'
- elwesii green tips
- elwesii 'Sickle'
- elwesii 'Fieldgate Prelude'
- elwesii 'Spring Greens'
- elwesii 'Amberglow'
- plicatus 'Three Ships'
- elwesii 'Yvonne Hay'
- elwesii 'Fenstead End'
- elwesii var. monostictus 'Sir Edward Elgar'
- cilicicus
- elwesii ex Dumlugoze
- reginae-olgae ssp vernalis JRM 1239
- rizehensis
- fosterii
- elwesii 'X files'
- plicatus 'Colossus'
- plicatus 'Florence Baker'
- elwesii var. monostictus 'J. Haydn'
- elwesii var. monostictus 'G. Handel'
- 'Castlegar'
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: snowdropman on December 31, 2006, 01:47:17 PM
thanks for the picture of carolyn elwes - I must admit that I am rather disapointed at the 'yellow' colour. 

Hi John - do not give up on 'Carolyn Elwes' - as a result of being twin scaled, this classic seems to have been re-invigorated & mine certainly exhibited the very characteristic yellow colouring both of the upper spathe and the marks on the inner segment.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 31, 2006, 09:14:37 PM
Chris,

Many thanks for a very comprehensive account of your trials in growing snowdrops. Leaving aside the details, I am especially pleased to read of someone who is set on growing all snowdrops out of doors. This is an approach I particularly admire and to which I aspire. The only snowdrop I grow inside is G. fosteri and this only because I have only a few bulbs at present. When it bulks up I will put some out and keep one or two as a safeguard.

When I came to this garden 20 years ago it had not been gardened previously. I planted trees and shrubs as soon as possible and wished to fill in under these with perennials. These I grew from seed and this allowed me to try each of the perennials in various locations around the garden and thus see which situation most favoured them. Having plenty of plants meant I could discard those which were not doing so well.

I don't suggest or imagine for one moment you are discarding those snowdrops which are not doing quite as well as hoped for in a particular location. Snowdrops are rather expensive plants and not to be condemned to the compost heap too easily.

Your comments on the yellow snowdrops are particularly interesting and, of reflection, make perfect sense. I'd be delighted, as I'm sure would the other members of the forum, to hear of your results from these trials.


As regards your 'three penny worth' list of what is flowering in your garden I must say that 'three penny worth' hardly does you justice. What a great list of snowdrops you have. I am deeply jealous and wish I had the half of them. Snowdrop interest here started with  my wife who began buying a few new snowdrops each year. These were added to by the generosity of some gardening friends so that we now have enough to give us an interest in snowdrops and we add to our selection each year with a few more cultivars.

Your comments on G. nivalis and its cultivars is very accurate, indeed accurate of very many of the cultivars available. These can be very expensive to purchase - supply and demand sets the price - but quickly bulk up in the garden.

The lattice basket idea is a very good one. I have used it with particularly treasured narcissus in the garden, the smaller ones in particular. What I found most successful about them is that when you went to lift a clump for division you were sure you had them all and were not leaving  the odd one behind. They also prevent the mixing of bulbs of different cultivars when these are planted closely together. Altogether a good idea.   

Looking forward to further reports.

Paddy
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: mark smyth on December 31, 2006, 10:54:41 PM
I have to disagree with no root damage when planting in lattice pots. The roots go through the holes in the base and sides and over the top. Lifting a pot at any time except over the summer breaks the roots. The only difference is you're still left with a lot of roots in the pot.

The Galanthus Gallery is now open for business http://www.snowdropinfo.com/gallery2007.htm (http://www.snowdropinfo.com/gallery2007.htm). I have added  photos of the garden during the last four years http://www.snowdropinfo.com/garden_make_over.htm (http://www.snowdropinfo.com/garden_make_over.htm)
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 31, 2006, 11:34:13 PM
I notice a lot of bark in the garden John. That would destroy snowdrops in my garden as they definitely do not like it. Bark, snowdrops and high rainfall do not mix.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: vanhouttewim on January 01, 2007, 12:51:19 AM
Mark , the pictures on your website are very impressive! great!
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 01, 2007, 01:52:58 AM
Mark, on your website, in the My Collections section, there's no underline to click on for the two lists. Is that right?
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: KentGardener on January 01, 2007, 07:40:49 AM
do not give up on 'Carolyn Elwes' - as a result of being twin scaled, this classic seems to have been re-invigorated & mine certainly exhibited the very characteristic yellow colouring both of the upper spathe and the marks on the inner segment.

Hi Chris

thank you for the info - can I just check - do you mean that the twin scaling (and subsequent heavy feeding no doubt) has caused the green colouring?

Is it the case that your Carolyn Elwes is a bit older so that it has had time to settle down more naturally to the yellow colour or do you think the opposite, in that the good yellow colouring is as a result of recent twin scaling?

With many thanks for your thoughts.

cheers

John
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: snowdropman on January 01, 2007, 11:37:52 AM
John - the bulbs of 'Carolyn Elwes' that are being released by Colesbourne are twin scaled bulbs - these twin scaled bulbs are showing good yellow colouring.
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: KentGardener on January 01, 2007, 11:55:45 AM
thanks for the further info Chris.

If any member could take a picture of Carolyn Elwes showing the yellow colour I would be very interested to see (the Galanthus - not the person!).

with kind regards

John

Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: snowdropman on January 01, 2007, 09:14:57 PM
John - I have no experience of growing snowdrops through a chipped bark mulch but, just as with putting it around shrubs etc, I would imagine that one has to be very careful - my main worry would be that the chipped bark provides a breeding ground for the dreaded slug!
Title: Re: Galanthus 2006
Post by: KentGardener on January 04, 2007, 03:03:53 AM
Hi all

thanks for the replies regarding chipped bark.  As my garden is not just for snowdrops - and the fact that the ferns, miniature hostas, hardy orchids and anemones all seem to love the bark, I wanted to continue using it.  With the info provided and having chatted with other gardening contacts I think it is OK for me to use the chipped bark but:

1)  I must not replenish the bark whilst the snowdrops are above ground.  As long as the sheath has grown through the bark this should be protecting the leaves.  If I were to add bark now I would be in danger of the leaves rotting off.  (good thing I asked as I was getting ready to do just the wrong thing this week!)

2)  I must be prepared to keep on the lookout for slugs.  This is something I have always done to keep the miniature hostas looking good.  I am aware of 8 toads that live in my garden (they all get together once a year for .......!  The garden has a wall all around so they have no escape).  I also use the little blue pellets in small quantities around anything special.

3)  Be prepared to put up with every cat for miles around to use the bark as a litter tray (but that happens with most top dressings - doesn't it?)

I shall report back if I have any complete failures with the snowies this year that I can put down to the bark chippings.

thank you for all your advice.

with my best wishes

John
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