Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
Bulbs => NARCISSUS => Topic started by: Matt T on December 03, 2015, 10:33:02 AM
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Fellow Narcissus-nuts maybe interested to read about a forthcoming research project here: http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=13807.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=13807.0)
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An interesting and valid project, in my opinion. I commend Matt's initiative.
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Matt,
I tried to make a donation using Paypal. I got to the last step when I noticed that the system stated it had the right to take direct debit payments in the future. I wanted to make a one-off donation but couldn't switch it to one-off so backed out of the transaction. Any thoughts?
Jack
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Hi Jack,
Thanks for your interest in my project and sharing your concerns.
This is my first time at using Crowdfunder, so I can only tell what I've read when setting up my project, although I have donated to other projects a couple of times. I believe you got the message about DDs in future because your pledge is not paid on the date you make it, with monies collected via Paypal only once the fundraising deadline has passed. So in this case, you'll authorise a payment with Paypal now, but the transaction will not be processed until 28 Jan.
On Friday, I received a Paypal transaction notification for a project I pledged to 3 weeks previously, which fits with my understanding of the timescales.
I hope this helps?
M
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That is absolutely our reading of the paypal notice. Because the payment is not taken at the time of pledging the agreement is for a DD - but only a single payment, at the time the project is activated.
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Thanks Matt and Maggie,
I'll have another go to-day.
My wife and I are off on the Greentours trip to Iberia next Feb/March. I'm hoping to see if there are many versions of N. minor ssp asturiensis or just one as described in JB's book. This is our first such tour.
Thanks again
Jack
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Thank you, Jack. You interest and support are much appreciated.
Looks like you'll have a great trip too, and a little earlier than mine so I look forward to hearing how you get on in terms of how far on the season/flowers are etc. I see that Oron Peri is one of the trip leaders, well known to us Forumists. Looking at your itinerary I'm not sure if you will see N.minor / asturiensis, which mainly occur further north than the regions you're visiting. You may get lucky in the Serre de Estrela - the attached map is not mine, I can't remember whose / where I found it. Another trip to N. Spain would be no chore I'm sure once you're bitten by the exploring bug.
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Matt,
Dunnit.
Jack
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Matt is in Spain - he is reluctantly almost at the end of his Narcissus Trail - he's sent this photo of Narcissus rupicola to show he's been finding the daffs!
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Superb project, I am delighted to have more news
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Looking forward to hearing about his travels.
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Matt has already agreed to write up his project for the SRGC Journal and perhaps the IRG, where more pictures are possible - you'll all see that, as well as the groups for whom Matt has arranged talks. 8) 8)
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The trip was a great success with mixed results for the Narcissus populations. Covering 2,379 km in eight days I managed to locate most of John Blanchard's sites and I found a total of 14 Narcissus species and natural hybrids. Some were quite tricky to find, others growing just by the roadside and I found some sites under my own steam.
I was blessed with good weather, clear skies meant plant hunting from dawn until dusk was possible every day and temperatures ranged from 3oC (ice on the outside of my tent one morning!) up to 25oC on sunny afternoons in the south.
I'm already starting to work my way through the field notes and photographs. The results will be shared through various routes, so I'll not post too many photos here just yet. There'll be an article in The Rock Gardener, which I'm starting on already and a supplement in the International Rock Gardener. Crowdfunder supporters will receive a detailed report. There will also be a series of talks to Local Groups in the autumn, and details will follow once they are all finalised.
In the meantime, here are a few photos:
- Narcissus hedraeanthus in Cazorla
- Crocus nevadensis in the Sierra Nevada
- Muscari neglectum in the Sierra de Alcaraz
- Fritillaria lusitanica in the Parque Natural de Andújar
- The elusive Iberian lynx is doing well in some areas
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Just one more pic to share, this is a plant from the Narcissus hedraeanthus population in the Sierra de Alcaraz. John Blanchard found N. hedraeanthus (which he suggested should be regarded as ssp. luteolentus) and a range of hybrids. He does not suggest what the other parent might be, and neither he nor I found any other Narcissus growing in the immediate vicinity but I'd suspect N. cantabricus to be most likely. To my eye this population is now a hybrid swarm, with no plant showing any characteristics of pure N. hedraeanthus, but a wide range of variable individuals. This photo shows one that is almost petunioid with a rolled back rim to the corona, which I suspect a few of you may take a fancy to.
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Matt - I am not a Narcissus connoisseur, but I know how exciting it is to travel and explore a new territory! I am glad your trip was successful and I am sure that many will be very interested about your findings and of course, waiting to see the pictures you gather in your travels :)
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Good to know that you've already came back to your home in safe, Matt :) Looking forward to hearing about this exciting field trip ;)
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I want to share a few more pictures from the Fritillaria lusitanica population I found in P.N. de Andújar, because the plants showed much variation in the colour and patterning of the flowers. One thing that also struck me was their size, with field guides stating 'up to 30cm' but many of these were at least 18' / 45cm and very impressive. Enjoy.
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More of those lovely Frits.
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My Fritillaria lusitanica looks like this.
Thorkild. DK.
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Those who are expecting to receive the report from my study trip to Spain following in the footsteps of John W. Blanchard, 'Spanish Diary 1986 revisited' do not have long to wait. I'm just waiting to receive the colour plates from the printer and they will be despatched. Four articles have also been written for various gardening society journals and will be published in due course. Will keep you all posted on when / where you can read them. In the meantime, here are a few pictures to whet your appetites. LOTS more can be seen in the talks I will be giving on 4 Oct in Perth, 5 Oct in Dunblane and 29 Nov in Aberdeen. Details are in the Perth, Angus and Aberdeen local group programmes here (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=14621.0).
Species shown in the photos are:
Narcissus cantabricus
Narcissus gaditanus
Narcissus longispathus
Narcissus cuatrecasasii var. segimonensis
Narcissus triandrus var. cernuus
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:) :) heaven.
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Finally, the report from my trip John W. Blanchard's 'Spanish Diary 1986' revisited is ready to go! Crowdfunder supporters will be receiving their copies through the post in a few days.
However, I can also announce a SPECIAL OFFER where anyone can receive by email an electronic copy of the full technical report from my trip (including field notes, which will help you plan your own similar trip) in return for a £10 donation to the Scottish Rock Garden Club Exploration Fund.
You can send your donations to me by cash (at your own risk), cheque or Paypal and I will pass on 100% of the amount collected to the SRGC. Please email me on: mtopsfield@icloud.com for full details.
The SRGC Exploration Fund provides small grants to research projects and trips across the world, that increase our understanding of rock garden plants in their habitats and with an emphasis on sharing the results widely.
Thanks for your support.
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Photograph: Narcissus cuatrecasasii var. segimonensis on the slopes of El Almadén
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It's a fascinating read and made me want to book my flight out straight away!
Does the electronic copy contain any more photos, Matt?
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Glad you enjoyed it, Anne. The electronic version of the report is the same as the paper copy you have. However, there will be more photographs in an article that should appear in The Rock Garden in January 2017 as well as a photo-essay supplement in the International Rock Gardener at the same time.
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I'll look forward to those.
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I received your report on Tuesday, Matt :) Wonderful :) :) :)
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Matt’s article on some of the plants other than narcissus which he saw during his trip were published in the IRG 81 (International Rock Gardener e-magazine (http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/index.php?log=international)) HERE (http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2016Sep291475167835IRG_81.pdf)
In the January 2017 issue of the SRGC‘s printed journal, The Rock Garden #138 his report on the trip in relation to Blanchard’s findings will be printed. In the online IRG #85 of January 2017, a photo essay supplement will be included. That issue will go online on the last Friday of the month.