Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
Bulbs => Ian Young's Bulb Log - Feedback Forum => Topic started by: Katherine J on November 15, 2007, 01:36:35 PM
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Hello Everybody! I am a new member on the forum. I am Hungarian and I live in Budapest. So far from you regarding the distance but so close regarding our interests. Please, forgive my bad english. :-\
Until now I was just reading Ian's fantastic Bulblog and your letters on the forum Now I decided to log in. I was interested mostly in alpines but since I have found this Bulblog (about a year ago) I am interested in bulbs too. :D Badly, here, in Hungary are available very little number of species. Now I am trying the seed sowing.
And here it is my first question to you! A few weeks ago I have received Crocus cartwrightianus seeds (!!!). This must be something else isn't it? I have read in one of the logs that this is a sterile species, just like C. sativus, isn't it? Anyway, I sowed it, we'll see what it was. I am very sorry that I haven't take a photo of them, maybe somebody knows what it is.
There is snowing now in Budapest. This autumn was very cold and moist, not usual at all in here.
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Hello and a warm welcome to you Kathrine! :-*
Generally Crocus cartwrightianus is NOT sterile if we talk about seeds from wild plants.
You might have heard about the trade form of cartwrightianus Albus which does not
often set seeds - in my experience it needs pollen from other plants.
In every case it's the best to sow them and wait until the first flowers appear.
Then you will know what it is 8)
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Welcome Katherine. We're glad to have you joining us in the forums. There is always something new to learn--and the people here are wonderful. We'll look forward to hearing about your experiences in Hungary.
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Yes indeed, I think I misunderstood something. Should I leave outside this seed pot in winter? Here, in Hungary the winters could be rather frosty.
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Hard frost could kill the young seedlings, and winter wetness is not good for them.
If you have a frostfree room you should store the pot there. Do you have a well
drained soil mix? Crocus seedlings don't like it too wet, so please take care, to
water only slightly!
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Yes, I know that, and I think I have a well drained soil mix, but there are no seedlings yet, but only the seeds sown. Could the frost damage them too? I can place the pots in the staircase, which is frost free and unheated.
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hi Katherine!
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Yes, the fresh shots can also be killed in the soil by hard frost!
Placing in the staircase sounds good - so good luck with your seeds!
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Thanks!
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A very warm welcome Kathrine.
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Hello, Kathrine, welcome to the Forum! Great to have you join us!
Ian is away at the moment but I will be sure to show him your messages when he returns... he will be very pleased to hear that you have been reading the Bulb Log and have become interested in growing bulbs.... you have come to the right place to ask your questions... as with Crocus, where Thomas and others have very good experience with growing these beautiful plants.
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Hello and a warm welcome to you Kathrine! :-*
In every case it's the best to sow them (Crocus cartwrightianus) and wait until the first flowers appear.
Then you will know what it is 8)
I sowed some of the above mid September and noticed I have three shoots up this week :).
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Kathrine I also give you a big welcome to the forum. A bit late as I have been away for three days talking about bulbs as always.
It is very good to learn that you are becoming interested in growing bulbs and raising them from seed is the best way.
I still get very excited when ever bulb seeds germinate and even more excited when they flower.
The seed raised plants will be much more vigorous and healthy than old bulbs.
Thomas has already answered your question regarding your Crocus cartwrightianus but we look forward to hearing more from you and sharing your experiences.
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That is a lovely seedling in the log, Ian. I was also excited to see my first C matthewii seedlings germinating from seed kindly donated by Thomas. I'll be interested to see how quickly yours and mine get to flowering, since I am rather lazy with feeding them. Race you! ;)
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Thanks Ian, it's so nice to meet you. I have written a larger introducing myself at Mark Smyth's topic. And I will be back from time to time. :)