Galanthus March 2008

[Maggi Young]

I won't say what I did or didn't get in case others did or didn't get what I did or didn't, if you see what I mean.   

Quite so, Martin: there are things that you mean but might not know that you mean, then the things you don't mean but don't know that you don't mean, do'nt mean but think you do mean.......... yup, we're right with you on this one ( Your middle name isn't Rumsfeld, is it?)

[Brian Ellis]

The leaves all look like they've been sprayed with fungicide as a preventative measure

Yes I seem to remember this from last year too Martin, better safe than sorry .  My bulbs were all A1 condition John, disappointing that yours were not up to his normal standard.

[Martin Baxendale]

( Your middle name isn't Rumsfeld, is it?)

I don't know. Or maybe I just don't know that I know.

[mark smyth]

Nothing for me either but I dont mind as I got plenty from other sources this year. I never heard from Foxgrove either

[Martin Baxendale]

Nothing for me either but I dont mind as I got plenty from other sources this year. I never heard from Foxgrove either

It'll probably arrive tomorrow. How's the back? You still laid up at home?

[mark smyth]

yes still at home propped up with cushions and making good use of my laptop and wireless connection. Fly to Australis later for a free consultation with Fermi! I managed to go into the greenhouse today for some photos and also took some of the Narcissus on a display table at the front door

[Brian Ellis]

Just to let you know my friend Heather tells me that they are packing North Green Snowdrops from the beginning of this week so they should be arriving soon too.  I expect you'll both get them on the same day!

[mark smyth]

I didnt order from North Green this year

[Martin Baxendale]

My bulbs from Ron were okay but, as every year, I really do wish it was possible to buy dormant bulbs from all the snowdrop suppliers in late Summer rather than in the green.

No matter how carefully they're packed (and Ron's packing is good) they really can't benefit from being lifted in leaf, completely bare-rooted and sent through the post. It's one thing to lift a couple of bulbs for a friend with some soil still on the roots, carefully wrapped in a plastic bag, and pop them in a jiffy bag for the post. But when you're packing large quantities for many orders, the roots of some are always going to get dried out, leaves squashed or bent, etc. You simply wouldn't treat any other bulbs that way. Can you imagine wanting to buy a lily and being told "I'll lift it in growth, bare-root it, wrap the roots in some moist (or possibly almost dry) moss, bend it to fit into a box and post it to you." ? Or an erythonium, a daff, etc?

A couple of the bulbs I got yesterday were naturally small (yellow nivalis types, so always small) with thin roots which were partially dried out. That's pretty much inevitable, but could be avoided by buying in the Summer.

Most bulbs will recover and survive the treatment, but all must suffer at least some setback and go back down in size as a result. Often they won't flower the next year.

Lifting in leaf to rogue your stocks, move bulbs around within your garden or lift some for a friend, followed by quick replanting, is all okay and what snowdrop growers have always done, but to transfer that treatment to large-scale production, lifting and dispatch on a nursery scale doesn't seem the best idea in the world to me.

[Brian Ellis]

 Yes Martin I have to agree with you there, although my bulbs were healthy, a good size etc the trauma of travelling through the post, and sliding up and down a box with no padding, meant that a couple had quite bent and bashed leaves.  Newspaper padding out the box would have helped, fingers crossed they will recover

[Anthony Darby]

What about Monksilver. I suspect I'll just get a returned cheque? My computer needs the wire brush and Detol treatment. The display on my screan just flashes on and then stays blank. Need to get it repair, or find a Jedi!

Yes Martin I have to agree with you there, although my bulbs were healthy, a good size etc the trauma of travelling through the post, and sliding up and down a box with no padding, meant that a couple had quite bent and bashed leaves.  Newspaper padding out the box would have helped, fingers crossed they will recover

I find sticking the bags down with Sellotape works too.

[KentGardener]

Northgreen parcel has just arrived.

John

[mark smyth]

Still nothing for me which in a way is good and bad. Good for the bank and bad for the collection

[KentGardener]

Hi All

could I ask for you opinion on whether this leaf is showing signs of virus?



It is on Trymlet and I am not sure if it is safe to plant in the garden with everything else.  I hope that I am just being over cautious and that you will tell me that the leaves often look like that at this time of year.

many thanks

John

[Brian Ellis]

Northgreen parcel has just arrived.

Yes mine too John