Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Specific Families and Genera => Meconopsis => Topic started by: Maggi Young on February 17, 2014, 09:09:51 PM

Title: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on February 17, 2014, 09:09:51 PM
Not one we see very often  - Meconopsis tibetica,  described by  C. Grey Wilson  Alpine Gardener 74(2): 222 (-225; figs.). 2006 [Jun 2006]
Distribution: Tibet (China, Asia-Temperate)
Collector(s): Birks & Birks s.n.      Locality:  Between Dumba and Tsho Shau, near the latter
Collection Date: 2005-7-19   

[attachimg=1]   
photo  from/Summerdale Garden Plants (http://www.summerdalegardenplants.co.uk) 

Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on February 17, 2014, 09:25:31 PM
We were sent this photo by Margaret and David Thorne in 2005 - they were on the same trip with the Birks, if I remember correctly.

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: ranunculus on February 17, 2014, 10:41:10 PM
Magnificent.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: fixpix on February 18, 2014, 08:53:17 AM
Yes, indeed!
Very nice.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Carlo on March 10, 2014, 10:42:28 PM
A stunner indeed, and no doubt just as difficult (for many of us) to grow as its relatives....
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: ichristie on April 30, 2014, 04:28:09 PM
Hello all despite the very wet and cold weather ( we did have a day with some sunshine) the first Meconopsis are flowering this week it has been a very wet winter so have lost a lot of my stock plants will divide up what we have left later, cheers Ian the Christie kind
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: alanelliott on May 03, 2014, 03:44:16 PM
Everything is still in bud with me but after painting the shed and bower i'm having a Meconopsis cupcake made by my other half.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/03/yry3ynen.jpg)
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on May 03, 2014, 04:01:30 PM
That's as good as the real thing - and tastier!
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: alanelliott on May 03, 2014, 04:10:28 PM
Aye I can confirm it was very tasty. Also first outing of mobile app.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Claire Cockcroft on May 03, 2014, 08:51:20 PM
Meconopsis are just starting here.  M. delavayi, from seed sown in 2010, and one of the fertile blues.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Roma on May 03, 2014, 10:07:56 PM
Meconopsis flowering here
Meconopsis punicea
Meconopsis x cookei 'Old Rose'
Meconopsis which I used to know as x sheldonii 'Cruickshank' but  now believed to be the same as 'Bobby Masterton'
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Margaret on May 03, 2014, 11:39:38 PM

Lovely Meconopsis, Roma. I'm so envious. I've just bought M. cookei with two healthy buds from Edrom. Do you think I'd be safest to keep it in a pot rather than making to compete in very crowded borders? :-\
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Irm on May 04, 2014, 03:18:46 PM
oh yes, it's very very very small  ;D  (but I'm not a pot gardener).
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Roma on May 04, 2014, 07:50:35 PM
Not sure about growing Meconopsis x cookei long term in a pot, Margaret.   I have found it to increase fast and need dividing frequently.  I lost a number of plants because of the dry weather we had last summer.  I divided the two survivors in February or March (it starts growing early).  I replanted about 9 pieces and potted up about the same for plant sales.  They have grown very well in pots and in the ground.  If you are prepared to repot often and keep well watered I would keep it in a pot initially and plant out a bit when it gets big enough to divide which could be late summer or late winter. 
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Margaret on May 05, 2014, 08:25:10 AM
That's good advice, Roma, thank you. I'm amazed that they are so vigorous with you that you can divide them. I must concentrate on keeping them alive!
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: ichristie on May 05, 2014, 06:06:07 PM
Super picture of Meconopsis delavayi well done to get so many flowers as for M. x cookie I would plant it out get the roots into the ground, a few more flowering here with my M. delavayi only one flower, cheers Ian the Christie kind
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: ichristie on May 07, 2014, 07:20:40 PM
A few more Meconopsis showing buds and flowers just interesting we have a supposed M. betonicifolia from wild seed that is different to the other form known now as M, baileyi, cheers Ian the Christie kind
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: ichristie on May 09, 2014, 08:04:29 AM
Another group of pictures taken this morning the weather has been cold and wet some flowers are more purple than others really getting good now, cheers Ian the Christie kind.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: ichristie on May 09, 2014, 08:10:22 AM
A few more, Ian
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Steve Garvie on May 09, 2014, 09:03:24 AM
Very nice Ian!!!

As Mec. Sichuan Silk is a named form -is this a perennial type of M. punicea?
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Margaret on May 09, 2014, 10:23:12 AM

Lovely Meconopsis, Ian. Such a pleasure to see.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: arisaema on May 09, 2014, 12:52:12 PM
As Mec. Sichuan Silk is a named form -is this a perennial type of M. punicea?

Is it the same as the 1/8th hybrid, or a different cross?
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: ichristie on May 09, 2014, 05:29:06 PM
Hello sorry should have said that M. punicea Sichuan silk is the perennial form flowering here since 2005 had some friends from Sweden this week and they tell me that big clumps of this form now grow in their garden it is superb here, cheers Ian the Christie kind
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: ichristie on May 09, 2014, 05:32:57 PM
Hello again as far as I know this form is not a hybrid sets viable seed although not all offspring are perennial I have never crossed this with anything and all plants we sell are divisions from the original collection from 2003 did not flower till 2005, cheers Ian
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Steve Garvie on May 09, 2014, 06:25:35 PM
Hello sorry should have said that M. punicea Sichuan silk is the perennial form flowering here since 2005 had some friends from Sweden this week and they tell me that big clumps of this form now grow in their garden it is superb here, cheers Ian the Christie kind

Thanks Ian!
Good to hear that there's a perennial form.
Even better to hear that you have got it!  ;)
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: arisaema on May 09, 2014, 06:53:06 PM
Hello again as far as I know this form is not a hybrid sets viable seed although not all offspring are perennial I have never crossed this with anything and all plants we sell are divisions from the original collection from 2003 did not flower till 2005, cheers Ian

Thank you from Sichuan as well! James Cobb once sent me pictures of one of his ([cookei x punicea] x punicea) hybrid, nicknamed "1/8th", and I wasn't sure if this was the same plant. Did your 'Sichuan Silk' originate from a 2003 wild collection, or from garden seeds?
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: alanelliott on May 12, 2014, 07:26:04 PM
Home to find Meconopsis quintuplinerva out and M. punicea Sichuan Silk with a big bud.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/13/yde3abyr.jpg)

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/13/5ebyha9e.jpg)
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: johnw on May 12, 2014, 08:22:44 PM
 Alan  - Wonderful to see those Meconopsis rarities.  That's an impressive array of chimney pots on your potting shed.

johnw
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: alanelliott on May 12, 2014, 08:30:15 PM
Alan  - Wonderful to see those Meconopsis rarities.  That's an impressive array of chimney pots on your potting shed.

johnw

Thanks John. Ha I hadn't noticed the chimneys. I actually put a new living roof on the shed Couple of weekends ago. The seeds are currently germinating merrily. Will post pictures when it's in full swing.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: johnw on May 13, 2014, 05:35:32 PM
Thanks John. Ha I hadn't noticed the chimneys. I actually put a new living roof on the shed Couple of weekends ago. The sreds are currently terminating merrily. Will post pictures when it's in full swing.

I thought erphaps you had bottom heat in there.  ;)
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: ichristie on May 14, 2014, 04:58:31 PM
hello, I am going to post pictures of Meconopsis x sheldonii this cross was made recently by Les Drummond in Forfar and I know some people will not accept this as so many discussions have been heard about IS THIS the original collection  NO but any hybrid between M. grandis and M, baileyi can have this name and I recognise the time effort and dedication that Les has made to produce this plant, I have grown it for 3 years first time flowering a superb colour and is going to be soundly perennial.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Brian Ellis on May 14, 2014, 04:59:40 PM
What a wonderful depth of colour, well done Les Drummond.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: ichristie on May 14, 2014, 05:05:10 PM
I am also growing M. baileyi just beginning to flower alongside the recently collected 'TRUE' M. betonicifolia not quite flowering will post both pictures later once the plants are open, I wonder how long will it be before these two get up to mischief and cross pollinate not only with each other but with anything else. I look forward to the Joint Rock meeting in Edinburgh when several RHS members from the south will be in attendance, cheers Ian the Christie kind.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: ichristie on May 15, 2014, 07:39:51 AM
Another two pictures of Meconopsis Mop Head the flowers are almost 8inches across some more flowers come out each week for me stunning cheers Ian the Christie kind.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: ichristie on May 17, 2014, 08:17:18 AM
A new Meconopsis found in a local garden now the last thing we need is more names (almost as bad as snowdrops) but this is a stunner such a deep rich blue big flowers on strong stems beats by far some of the other already named forms, cheers Ian the Christie kind.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on May 17, 2014, 01:03:09 PM
Ian:

A real blue.  Can you take an image with something to show scale.  I can't grow them here and only the Welsh poppy, Meconopsis cambrica does well.

Thanks,
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: latestart on May 17, 2014, 01:50:52 PM
That is a beautiful meconopsis. I have had difficulty getting them to grow but since joining SRGC I have started to learn more about them. I have waited at least three years to see this meconopsis. I think it is from wysiwyg seeds bought at an Edinburgh SRGC Show (before I became a member). I was expecting pink but I'm delighted with it. Can anyone can tell me what it is exactly and how I propagate it. The evergreen leaves have been a delight but since I noticed it looked as if there was a flower bud coming it seemed to take forever to flower. I have been taking photos regularly.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: ashley on May 17, 2014, 07:29:00 PM
I'd suggest M. paniculata.  If so then it's monocarpic so be sure to save (& sow ;)) seeds. 
It has a magnificent rosette, doesn't it?
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: ichristie on May 18, 2014, 08:04:04 AM
Hello Arnold, the Meconopsis picture shows some canes to help hold up the flowers these are 6ft pushed into the ground so plants are around 4ft plus, cheers Ian the Christie kind
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on May 18, 2014, 01:32:11 PM
Ian:

thanks bigger than I thought.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: hwscot on May 18, 2014, 11:39:31 PM
Meconopsis Lingholm from Susan at Pitcairn, trying some details today.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: latestart on May 20, 2014, 10:33:27 AM
Hi Ashley, sorry for not getting back to you more quicky but I am having computer problems. I have checked out Meconopsis paniculata and it does seem to be that one. It has a spectacular rosette. It is 44" across and the stem is 39" high. I was interested to read that the one in Ian Christies photos is staked. I think it might be wise to do the same with mine. Thank you for your help. 
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: ichristie on May 21, 2014, 08:05:33 AM
I now have the Meconopsis betonicifolia flowering much later than the M. baileyi the M. betonicifolia is over 5ft tall with flower buds all the way up the stem has rounded petals  a really nice Blue with M. baileyi more open flowers and a pale blue just over 4 ft high will post more pictures one the rest of the flowers are open , cheers Ian the Christie kind
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: angie on May 21, 2014, 08:30:01 AM
You just can't beat this plant  8). There are so many plants on this forum that I would love to grow but can't but this we can aren't we so lucky. Ian thanks for sharing you're lovely Meconopsis.

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: ichristie on May 21, 2014, 06:55:37 PM
Hello again we have had a scorching hot day so more flowers have opened on the new Mec. betonicifolia please note the new flowers have only 4 petals the first flowers can often look double this is caused by so much energy within the flower spike the first flowers have extra petals super blue, cheers Ian the Christie kind
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Steve Garvie on May 21, 2014, 08:38:20 PM
The real betonicifolia looks to be a real beauty Ian!!!
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: ichristie on May 22, 2014, 07:23:48 AM
Morning Steve, the new M. betonicifolia is stoloniferous have divided it up so plants soon, cheers Ian the Christie kind
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on May 29, 2014, 02:17:53 PM
Tweeted by John Mitchell from RBGE -
Meconopsis dhwojii
[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Margaret on May 29, 2014, 09:16:54 PM

I grew this from SRGC seed. My label says M. horridula but an internet search says it should be blue. Anyone know what I've got and whether or not it is monocarpic? It's the first Meconopsis I've managed to grow from seed to flowering and so I'm feeing quite proud though it's nothing compared to the wonderful blue plants on the forum.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on May 29, 2014, 10:15:23 PM
That is a beauty, Margaret -  Meconopsis napaulensis ( of hort. rather than the wild species - these hybrids come in all sorts of lovely colours - see these photos on James Cobb's site :
http://meconopsisworld.blogspot.co.uk/2005/02/meconopsis-napaulensis-photos-in-garden.html (http://meconopsisworld.blogspot.co.uk/2005/02/meconopsis-napaulensis-photos-in-garden.html) )

I'm afraid it will be monocarpic - but tickle the flowers and  you should get seed.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Margaret on May 29, 2014, 10:39:52 PM

Thank you, Maggi. James Cobbs' site has lovely photos. I'm drooling!
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: alanelliott on May 30, 2014, 06:36:46 PM
I grew this from SRGC seed. My label says M. horridula but an internet search says it should be blue. Anyone know what I've got and whether or not it is monocarpic? It's the first Meconopsis I've managed to grow from seed to flowering and so I'm feeing quite proud though it's nothing compared to the wonderful blue plants on the forum.

Yes definately a M. napaulensis of hort. as Maggie said - with a good bit of M. staintonii in its parentage from the looks of it.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Margaret on May 30, 2014, 07:49:26 PM

Thank you, Alan. Another plant is going to flower in a week or two. Will post a photo if it shows different traits.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: ichristie on June 04, 2014, 07:37:38 AM
We have managed to get all our plants back in the garden from the SRGC display, had a shower of rain yesterday which was great. I am posting the latest picture of Meconopsis betonicifolia which was recently collected it is now 5ft 6inches tall loads of flowers very nice dark colour have made  some divisions as I am sure it will hybridise with others maybe get seed later, also a picture of Meconopsis punicea Sichuan Silk the perennial form which has been stunning this year,  cheers Ian the Christie kind
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Steve Garvie on June 04, 2014, 07:46:51 AM
Stunning Mecs Ian!!!
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: ichristie on June 04, 2014, 06:43:08 PM
Another really heavy downpour here today just great for the plants had time to take more pictures M. punicea Sichuan silk showing the extra petals and M. Jimmy Bayne showing colour variations due to weather changes, cheers Ian the Christie kind
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: ichristie on June 09, 2014, 06:07:05 PM
Hello we have re-planted all the Meconopsis from the SRGC stand in Edinburgh have had a real good thunderstorm yesterday with so much rain more again today but the Meconopsis love that anyway a few more flowering last week, cheers Ian the Christie kind.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on June 09, 2014, 07:11:50 PM
Almost hopeless trying to grow them here in our sub-Mediterranean climate, but I must try again sometime.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: TC on June 09, 2014, 07:17:36 PM
Great pictures Ian.  We had sudden monsoon downpours at the weekend which ripped the flower heads of several of my exposed Meconopsis.  It was if someone had fired a shotgun through them. However there were several left in bud which should be flowering soon
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Graham Catlow on June 09, 2014, 08:27:55 PM
One of mine from a few days ago and the same one today but I have no idea what it is.

Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: alanelliott on June 10, 2014, 06:36:53 AM
One of mine from a few days ago and the same one today but I have no idea what it is.

M. baileyi most probably from the looks of it.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on June 10, 2014, 09:11:11 AM
M. baileyi most probably from the looks of it.

 Very likely - but whatever it is , it's a bosker! I count at least 14 flowers   :o 8)
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on June 10, 2014, 04:34:19 PM
Susan  at Pitcairn Alpines has meconopsis,  primula and omphalogramma plug plants for sale - http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=11615.msg307024#msg307024 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=11615.msg307024#msg307024)
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Graham Catlow on June 10, 2014, 06:18:16 PM
Very likely - but whatever it is , it's a bosker! I count at least 14 flowers   :o 8)

Thanks Maggi,
15 actually with two more to open. Unfortunately today's downpour has removed most so the photos were taken on the right day. I can't believe some of the downpours we have had over the past few weeks. This is the best stem Ive ever had from this one.



Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: ichristie on June 11, 2014, 05:17:41 PM
I agree with Meconopsis baileyi a good form as well, yet more thunderstorms last nigh very wet thank goodness no hail but nearly, cheers Ian the Christie kind
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Graham Catlow on June 11, 2014, 06:06:54 PM
Thanks Alan and Ian.
Always nice to have an ID.

Graham
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on June 16, 2014, 12:25:38 PM
SRGC member Robin Hill and his wife  Edwina garden at the north edge of Dartmoor. They often open their garden for charity and have a lovely Twitter page which features their flowers - many of which seem to have been sourced from Macplants (http://t.co/NuUqXot96G)!
Do take a look at their tweets to see what plants are doing well in their garden in Belstone.
Here are two shots of Meconopsis 'Willie Duncan'  - the first from May 22nd and the next from June 13th, showing the changing colours of this lovely perennial poppy.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]
Edwina and Robin's photos  can be seen here (https://twitter.com/edwinarobinhill)

[attachimg=4]

Meconopsis 'Willie Duncan' is named for one of Scotland's most knowledgeable  and friendly horticulturists.  Many will have  enjoyed Willie's no-nonsense talks and advice  on the Beechgrove Potting Shed  radio programme in the past.   He has an immenseknowledge  about a  huge range of plants ( - and other things -  for example poultry!)  and is a terrific communicator of that experience.  One of nature's true gentleman, Willie and his partner Barbara live in Fife.

Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on June 16, 2014, 04:36:11 PM
A lovely meconopsis today at the Explorer's garden in Pitlochry

[attachimg=1]

 - don't miss  Panayoti Kelaidis short video from the Explorers Garden on another thread  :D
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: johnw on June 17, 2014, 02:49:24 AM
I was at friends' garden today and their Meconopsis were in flower.   They believe they have but one cultivar and I think it might be 'Jimmy Bayne'.  Not that I could describe JB but only because the original source grew JB and propagated it frequently.  They are not certain if it sets viable seed.  Any thoughts?

johnw
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on June 17, 2014, 10:31:24 AM
'Jimmy Bayne' has been named in some nursery sites as being  one of the "fertile blue group" but the Meconopsis Group disagrees......
here's a link to a Mec.org  article: http://www.meconopsis.org/miscdocs/FS03_JBayneBarneyB.pdf (http://www.meconopsis.org/miscdocs/FS03_JBayneBarneyB.pdf)

Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: johnw on June 17, 2014, 03:08:33 PM
Thanks Maggi.  The jury I reckon will be out until seed ripening time.

Isn't it wonderful to have pictures of those for whom the plants are named!

johnw
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Steve Garvie on June 29, 2014, 10:12:18 AM
Meconopsis punicea flowering at the beginning of this month.
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2928/14346124247_4208f88b53_o.jpg)

It's heartbreaking that this species is almost exclusively monocarpic. The one exception is Ian Christie's wonderful "Sichuan Silk" which I now have a plant of -many thanks Ian!
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Roma on July 03, 2014, 12:56:35 PM
Beautiful picture, Steve.

One of mine flowering now
Meconopsis chelidonifolia, a pity it falls over and has to be staked.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Roma on September 03, 2014, 08:22:56 PM
Meconopsis horridula sown  in 2013 and planted out this Spring.   The dry weather early on meant they did not grow much till late summer and this one decided to flower now.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on September 03, 2014, 08:32:40 PM
 What a pleasant surprise for this time of year- it's well flowered isn't it?  8)
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Lars S on September 03, 2014, 08:55:26 PM
I have had the same experience with two plants of Meconopsis aff. impedita (from Björnar Olsen) which have several flower buds now. We have had a very warm and dry summer.
Title: Re: Meconopsis 2014
Post by: Roma on October 20, 2014, 06:27:21 PM
Trying to flower now
Meconopsis horridula (or is it prattii) a white form.  Pity it's so late, it is unlikely to set seed.
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