Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Bulbs => Crocus => Topic started by: Thomas Huber on March 01, 2014, 08:14:41 AM

Title: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Thomas Huber on March 01, 2014, 08:14:41 AM
Great photos in the February thread - my own are out for weeks now, but never opened due to lack of sunshine and warmth.
Hope you will forgive me if I can show only 'standard' plants, most of my rarities are in heaven  :-[

First some sights from the lawn and the rockgarden after two days of sunshine:
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Thomas Huber on March 01, 2014, 08:17:58 AM
Some more from the garden:
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Thomas Huber on March 01, 2014, 08:22:58 AM
Some of the surviving goodies:

- Crocus chrysanthus Jeannine, Crocus etruscus from Tuscany and malyi from Croatia
- Crocus versicolor from Southern France
- Crocus fleischeri together with C. angustifolius
- a C. vernus form from Liguria which will be described as a new species this year together with some of the green tipped whites
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Thomas Huber on March 01, 2014, 08:25:17 AM
Some of you may have noticed wonderful hybrids on my lawn.
I have marked them for later replanting and hope to increase them well:
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Thomas Huber on March 01, 2014, 08:27:33 AM
Some more hybrids:
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Leena on March 01, 2014, 09:40:18 AM
I am stunned by the view of your crocus lawn, it is absolutely fantastic!
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on March 01, 2014, 11:08:38 AM
Dear Hubi, thank goodness the sun has come out at last for your wonderful lawn - a sight to gladden our crocohearts!
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Thomas Huber on March 01, 2014, 11:19:02 AM
Thanks Leena and Maggi!
Your flattering words let the sun come out again  :D
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: ashley on March 01, 2014, 03:38:56 PM
What a wonderful sight Thomas, and beautifully photographed 8)
That Ligurian C. (no longer) vernus is very elegant
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: hadacekf on March 01, 2014, 06:36:30 PM
A magnificent sight Thomas and perfectly photographed.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Margaret on March 01, 2014, 07:39:46 PM

A wonderful collection.  H1421 is particularly beautiful.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: annew on March 01, 2014, 08:01:54 PM
It's great to see your garden again Thomas - looking beautiful! Please tell me if I can send you back any that you have lost.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Janis Ruksans on March 02, 2014, 01:07:13 PM
 Tomorrow I'm going to Greece. Fortunately I selected road not through Kiev, but in Aprill my flight to Erevan is just through Kiev. Air space over Ukraina now is closed. I hope that world protests will stop barbarians from East. Now we all are in heart with Ukrainian patriots trying protect their independence.
Others in this and following entry are Crocus sieberi grown from wild collected seeds. Seeds were sent me by Marcus Harvey who collected them on Crete. Note the huge size of white specimen - just as large Dutch so named vernus cultivar.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Janis Ruksans on March 02, 2014, 01:09:21 PM
Other sieberi from Omalos, Crete
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Martin Baxendale on March 02, 2014, 01:44:30 PM
Janis, Crocus sieberi Purple Tip (01.jpg)  is lovely!
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Melvyn Jope on March 02, 2014, 02:05:12 PM
Hello Thomas, fabulous hybrids, thanks for showing us your garden again.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Melvyn Jope on March 02, 2014, 02:12:17 PM
Janis , thanks for showing us the C.sieberi, lovely variation. Have a great time in Greece.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: mark smyth on March 02, 2014, 02:32:28 PM
Janis, Crocus sieberi Purple Tip (01.jpg)  is lovely!

I agree

Thomas

its great to see your Crocus lawn again. The tomm. Eric Smith I got from you look well
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Hans A. on March 02, 2014, 02:34:24 PM
Cannot agree more, it is fantastic to see pictures of your lawn again, Thomas!
Fantastic plants, Janis!
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: mark smyth on March 02, 2014, 02:39:05 PM
Is it just my computer but are masses of photos missing from Thomas' Crocus pages
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=5060.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=5060.0)
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on March 02, 2014, 02:48:16 PM
Is it just my computer but are masses of photos missing from Thomas' Crocus pages
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=5060.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=5060.0)

All fine here, Mark - just went through them all and  they are all there in 'glorious techicolor'
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on March 02, 2014, 02:50:56 PM
Great photos from everyone.

Janis, we will hope for good weather and great flowers for your trip to Greece.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: udo on March 02, 2014, 07:08:03 PM
nice pictures, Thomas and Janis
here some Crocus from this weekend:
Cr.angustifolius 'Bronze'
    corsicus, native forms
    jessoppiae
    olivieri
    veluchensis from Rila Mts.
   
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: grenadier on March 02, 2014, 09:41:58 PM
Fantastic pictures Thomas, something for a Newbie like me to aspire to. They look so beautiful in the setting of the lawn.
grenadier :)
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: YT on March 03, 2014, 04:33:27 AM
Thomas, I want your magic lawn carpet creates a range of chrysanthus hybrids!

Janis, I was really impressed with your beautiful sieberi collection! Especially the purple tip one.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Tony Willis on March 03, 2014, 11:22:12 AM
Thomas really enjoyed the lawn as good as ever and Janis the sieberi are excellent.

A white Crocus pelistericus
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Martin Baxendale on March 03, 2014, 11:42:29 AM
Thomas really enjoyed the lawn as good as ever and Janis the sieberi are excellent.

A white Crocus pelistericus

That looks incredibly ethereal.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Martin Baxendale on March 03, 2014, 11:43:25 AM
Almost like a ghost crocus! Ghost of pelistericus.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: pehe on March 03, 2014, 12:11:29 PM
Lovely crocus, Thomas, Janis, Dirk and Tony!

Here are a few of mine:

1 +2 Crocus sieberi sieberi
3 + 4 Crocus corsicus
5 Crocus cvijicii

Poul
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: pehe on March 03, 2014, 12:19:53 PM
And some more

1 + 2 Crocus minimus
3 + 4 Crocus abantensis from 2 different sources
5. Crocus aerius
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Gerry Webster on March 03, 2014, 12:31:55 PM
Here are a few of mine:

1 +2 Crocus sieberi sieberi
3 + 4 Crocus corsicus
5 Crocus cvijicii

Poul

Nice crocus Poul. I suspect your C. corsicus  may be a hybrid. According to Mathew the throat should be white or lilac.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Mavers on March 03, 2014, 03:18:18 PM
What a marvellous sight Thomas, thanks showing us.

The sun shone here all day on Saturday & the crocus were wide open soaking up the warmth.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: de.da. on March 03, 2014, 06:17:52 PM
Hello at all and thanks for the wonderful pictures.
Now I want to show you some of mine...

(http://666kb.com/i/cmbmbzejgzez6o10b.jpg)
Cr.malyi `Karlobag`
(http://666kb.com/i/cmbmc66gfm22cojkr.jpg)
Cr.sieberi `Tricolor`
(http://666kb.com/i/cmbmc6grbh6s7mf4r.jpg)
Cr.chrysanthus`Romance`(?)
(http://666kb.com/i/cmbme9pozvic3bwnv.jpg)

(http://666kb.com/i/cmbmfzapocq6fpbff.jpg)

(http://666kb.com/i/cmbmfz7emqoymd2qj.jpg)
3x Cr.heuffelianus `Schneeprinzessin`(one corm - 3 flowers!)

(http://666kb.com/i/cmbmhcb361281rt3v.jpg)
Cr."etruscus" 'Zwanenburg'

(http://666kb.com/i/cmbmgak9p0k4cyiaj.jpg)
Cr.etruscus from Toscana

Kind regards- Daniel
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: tonyg on March 03, 2014, 07:23:49 PM
Some more hybrids:
Hi Hubi - Your crocus lawn is maybe the best in the world.  Who needs fussy rarities with a display like yours?  These hybrids, maybe with garden vigour, are worth just as much.  Great to see them in the sunshine  :)
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Cyril L on March 03, 2014, 10:38:10 PM
A white Crocus pelistericus
Absolutely stunning Tony!  It seems there are albino forms of most crocuses.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Thomas Huber on March 04, 2014, 11:48:17 AM
You're completely right, TonyG - I really enjoy these Crocusses as flowers, not as species....

TonyW - what a wonderful white pelistericus, and as always grown perfectly.

Daniel - seems like your trip to Tuscany was successful....great etruscus plants!

Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Tony Willis on March 04, 2014, 01:57:11 PM
Thomas  thank you,the climate helps.

two Crocus pelistericus almost white with slight purple streaks.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Cyril L on March 04, 2014, 10:11:33 PM
Another two striking Crocus pelistericus Tony.

Two not so striking crocus:
Crocus paschei
Crocus chrysanthus Macedonian Ivory
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: pehe on March 05, 2014, 06:58:56 AM
Nice crocus Poul. I suspect your C. corsicus  may be a hybrid. According to Mathew the throat should be white or lilac.

Gerry, you are probably right. They are 'just' commercial ones, but I find them pretty anyway.

Poul
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Thomas Huber on March 05, 2014, 10:28:21 AM
Cyril, how can a Crocus not be striking  ;)

- Rain has damaged most of the chrysanthus flowers in the lawn now, but in a shaded part of the garden they are at their best now
- Cyclamen coum and Galanthus doing well
- Crocus etruscus and suaveolens planted together - not easy to distinguish by flower
- views from the garden with many vernus variants and hybrids with tommasinianus
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Thomas Huber on March 05, 2014, 10:30:37 AM
- Crocus malyi 'Ballerina'
- Crocus x leonidii (angustifolius x reticulatus) Early Gold
- Crocus versicolor and in the background Crocus vernus/exiguus from Croatia
- garden views
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Thomas Huber on March 05, 2014, 10:31:44 AM
and some more hybrids from my lawn....
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on March 05, 2014, 10:58:58 AM
A great come back, Thomas !
Gorgeous Spring views !!  8)
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: David Nicholson on March 05, 2014, 05:31:45 PM
Hey, good to see you posting again Thomas.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Cyril L on March 05, 2014, 10:04:19 PM
and some more hybrids from my lawn....
Fantastic view of your Crocus (and Galanthus and cyclamen) lawn Thomas.  Very uplifting.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Gerdk on March 06, 2014, 08:56:41 AM
Hi Thomas,
Nice to see you here again - your lawn is just overwhelming!

Gerd
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Tony Willis on March 06, 2014, 03:10:55 PM
Thomas just wonderful and superb hybrids.

my final pot of Crocus gotoborgensis
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on March 06, 2014, 06:00:54 PM
 :o :o :o :o :o :o
Really stunning Tony !!!
 :o :o :o :o :o :o
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Tony Willis on March 06, 2014, 07:04:03 PM
Luc

thank you I am pleased with them.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Steve Garvie on March 06, 2014, 08:13:18 PM
Cracking looking crocus Tony!!!

I have a strange compulsion to pull up a chair and warm my hands over them!
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: annew on March 06, 2014, 08:27:15 PM
A rainbow in a pot!
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: de.da. on March 06, 2014, 09:15:44 PM
Tony,very nice plants!
And what a meadow, Thomas!
I hope my meadow will flower well, too.
 ;D
Yes, I am happy about my etruscus.:-)
Greetings Daniel
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Martin Baxendale on March 06, 2014, 10:43:41 PM
my final pot of Crocus gotoborgensis

Stunning, Tony! Have they flowered before or is this the first year any have flowered in this group of seedlings? Looks like, if this isn't first flowering for them all, there's one alpha seedling (the very richly coloured one) that is increasing fast, plus some others. All lovely, but the darker one is especially nice.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Tony Willis on March 07, 2014, 10:51:58 AM
Martin

several in the pot have flowered before but this is it's best display. They are still in the original pot they were sown in ,in July 06. I never repot the pelistericus and their hybrids and the only time they are disturbed is when I get some out to give away. They always seem to be in growth and I do not want to break the roots. Benign neglect seems to suit them. This does not apply to my other crocuses which are repotted every summer.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Martin Baxendale on March 07, 2014, 12:00:50 PM
Martin

several in the pot have flowered before but this is it's best display. They are still in the original pot they were sown in ,in July 06. I never repot the pelistericus and their hybrids and the only time they are disturbed is when I get some out to give away. They always seem to be in growth and I do not want to break the roots. Benign neglect seems to suit them. This does not apply to my other crocuses which are repotted every summer.

That's what I thought, in which case the dark one is almost certainly the alpha seedling and all one clone. Which is good news because it means it's an increaser as well as a stunner  8)
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: ian mcenery on March 07, 2014, 05:27:33 PM


my final pot of Crocus gotoborgensis

Superb Tony. It is amazing how these differ
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: mark smyth on March 07, 2014, 05:34:49 PM
my final pot of Crocus gotoborgensis

wow  :o :o
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on March 07, 2014, 06:02:40 PM
my final pot of Crocus gotoborgensis

 :o :o :o Extremely beautiful Tony ! The best you can get as "croconut " .....
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Cyril L on March 07, 2014, 09:27:10 PM
Thomas just wonderful and superb hybrids.

my final pot of Crocus gotoborgensis
Tony, I agree with everybody about Crocus gotoborgensis.  I think this is your best potful.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: ashley on March 08, 2014, 08:56:26 AM
Tony, I agree with everybody about Crocus gotoborgensis.  I think this is your best potful.

+1
Really splendid Tony; such rich colours and fine venation.
The forum allows us all to enjoy so many amazing plants.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Janis Ruksans on March 08, 2014, 11:06:56 AM
Just returned from Monastery State Athos (Holy Mountain) in Greece where went to check what is mysterious Crocus athous included by Brian Mathew in  synonyms of C. atticus. After 5 hours long ascend by very narrow and steep footpass winding by almost vertical rock we (Professor of Saloniki University, my Czech friend and I) reached pass at altitude 800 m and after that down to 200 m up to Kerasia skiff (small monastery) where we were accepted by Father Theologus. There are no electricity, no mobile, no internet. Light in evenings from candles and oil lamps. As started p-re-Easter time food was was very moderate, but excellent and monks all this (sleeping, food) provide free of charge.
Next day we went up in direction of tip of Mount Athos. And at altitude of 1200 we found searched crocus growing together with other bulbs and crocuses (C. pulchellus, Crocus olivieri - still in flowers, Crocus mazziaricus - between splits of rocks, possibly Crocus chrysanthus, but out of flowers, so could be misidentified). So in short distance at least 4-5 species.
Fortunately we found even 3 flowering specimens of searched Crocus athous. When we returned to warm air of monks cell - flowers opened and it was possible to make good pictures. For 90% I'm certain that it is valid species and must be restored in status (not only by flower but by corm tunics etc., too), but will decide this after comparing with other species from Crocus atticus family.
On pictures - Crocus athous and one of localities where pass along which those crocuses are growing was not very steep (some 100-200 m below Panagea refugee).
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on March 08, 2014, 11:25:47 AM
Very interesting  report, Janis.  Not the easiest plant to find, it seems. 

Quote
So in short distance at least 4-5 species.
Quite unusual to have a place with so many species  closeby ?
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Janis Ruksans on March 08, 2014, 01:40:53 PM
Very interesting  report, Janis.  Not the easiest plant to find, it seems. 
Quite unusual to have a place with so many species  close by ?

It isn't so that they all grow together but 3 species - yes - olivieri, athous and pulchellus. About chrysanthus I'm not so certain, it could be side by side, but may be I regarded as chrysanthus smaller specimens of pulchellus with narrow leaves. Crocus mazziaricus (or some of cancellatus group) were only on real rocky soil - just in splits between calkstone, but habitats there change after few meters both ways.

To reach Athos as such is not easy. There only four non-clericals allowed per day and for four days only and you must obtain "visa" at least two months before. Our greatest luck was just joining of company by Greek professor. Otherwise we couldn't get visas in time. How we could image that office will be open at 6 o'clock in  morning if on doors is written - working hours from 7-30. The ship for S end of peninsula departs on around 7-00 (not mistake - just "around") , but ticket office opens at 8-00. We must reach very end of peninsula, but today ship will not go so far... So we used longer way from Agia Anna Monastery harbour.
There are stone steps up for some distance, I counted up to 4000, but after that stopped...St. Anna (Agia Anna) Monastery is located around 100-150 m over sea level and there is our first stop. Monks serve us with cup of excellent coffee, glass of cold water and small glass of own maid brandy - all this is free of charge. Going up is very steep. Soon steps ends and farther is narrow foot pass with few large stones positioned at side of gorge in  most dangerous spots. Fortunately weather is nice and dry. A day before it was heavy rain and fine raining was still in early morning. I can't image ascending in rain when pass must be slippery.
Going up is not easy for heart and breathing, but all the time I'm thinking about way down on return. It will be very painful exercise for legs. But seeing first crocus leaves on top I forgot any pain, regardless of disappointment that this is not searched Crocus athous but only olivieri. Next one collected at first moment looked as true for reticulate tunic but long fibrous neck - oh, again not true - it is autumn bloomer from cancelletus group. Some hundred meters further I was finally greated with correct one, with searched one for which I came there - most likely Crocus athous, confirmed next day with flowers shown on previous entry.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Janis Ruksans on March 08, 2014, 01:57:37 PM
Kerasias skiff (small monastery) is situated only 600 m over sea level and adjacent sea port, but no one know - will be ship come to this point or not. So we go back by same road to largest Agia Anna. We start in dark and when we reach large croice on pass sun just rise up. Monks told that there are 2-2,5 hours needed for way back, for us it takes 3,5 hours. At Agia Anna we again got coffee, water and brandy. The chief of Monastery open for us around thousand years old church and we are greated with possibility to see one of greatest treasures of Athos - remnants (reliquie) of St. Anna - Mother of St. Maria.
From there we can see how today ship goes further by coast to Kerasia haven. Who could know this...
Still left 200 meters down and we are in port 15 minutes before departing of ship to Daphne (border control and customs) and Ouranopolis (proper Greece). In mountains of Macedonia snow changes to rain and back. From +18 C on Athos we return to winter with +2-4 C. All crocuses are under snow and we go back to Thesalloniki for two days in hotel before flying home.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Olga Bondareva on March 08, 2014, 02:52:57 PM
my final pot of Crocus gotoborgensis
Wow!
+1 to all! Colors are incredible. 
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Anne Repnow on March 08, 2014, 06:33:31 PM
Thank you, Janis, for your wonderful account about your trip to the orthodox republic of Athos. The males of the Greek part of my family told me similar stories of neck-breaking steep paths and uncertainties about the ferry. Ah well - an adventure that we females will never be able to experience...  :'(
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Anne Repnow on March 08, 2014, 07:02:11 PM
Later than 'Zwanenburg': Crocus etruscus 'Rosalind'
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: FrazerHenderson on March 09, 2014, 02:38:09 PM
Crocus korolkowii flowering in a crocus vase

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: udo on March 09, 2014, 07:34:47 PM
Now Crocus malyi is in blossom, the form of Karlobag with narrow pedals and the form of Sveti Roc with broader petals and a little bit more yellow in the throat.

Crocus malyi , Karlobag
     ''        ''     , Sveti Roc  and
     ''     kosaninii           
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: WimB on March 09, 2014, 08:20:29 PM
Some Crocus in flower in my garden today:

Crocus heuffelianus 'Schockwave'
Crocus heuffelianus 'Carpathian Wonder' (Still one of my favourites)
Crocus heuffelianus 'Dark Eyes'
Crocus minimus 'Little Girl'
Crocus tommasinianus 'Pictus'
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: ChrisB on March 09, 2014, 08:26:41 PM
This is obviously a cultivar but it is quite amazing to me such rich colour.  It does however have the politically incorrect name of 'Negro Boy'
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 09, 2014, 11:22:36 PM
Thomas, I have just opened this thread for the first time and am thrilled to see your lawn and the wonderful things growing so well. All are amazing but the hybrids must be a special thrill for you. I'm pleased that your terrible winter didn't mean total devastation of your crocuses.

I am also delighted with your method of marking and isolating the crocus hybrids, for future lifting or maybe for seed. I had never thought of this way and will be saving the tags from my bread and other items at the supermarket from now on.  ;D

Small parcel in the post to you tomorrow. I've been repotting at the weekend and most are well into root now but should be OK in damp paper towel and clingfilm.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: fixpix on March 10, 2014, 12:16:43 PM
I'm more and more amazed at the... diversity!
Another... commercial :)
C. vernus Pickwick?

Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Anne Repnow on March 10, 2014, 05:56:22 PM
The Corcus heuffelianus are stunners!

Here is Crocus karduchorum (I think...)
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Anne Repnow on March 10, 2014, 06:10:11 PM
Well - sorry - that is definitely not C. karduchorum. However, as I lost the label, I'm lost...
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Cyril L on March 10, 2014, 08:57:53 PM
A couple of crocuses on the raised bed today.

Edit to add names:
Crocus heuffelianus Carpathian Wonder
Crocus malyi Sveti Roc
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 10, 2014, 09:37:25 PM
'Carpathian Wonder' is a delight at any time, but en masse like that, is truly amazing. ;D What a gorgeous picture.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Rimmer de Vries on March 10, 2014, 10:39:03 PM
Yesterday, finally the snow melted enough to locate my cold frame, Today the sun came out and several crocuses are already blooming!  A long wait for signs of spring in the cold snowy midwest, but the cold weather is not over, zero F (-20C) predicted again. still have over 12" average snow on the ground.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Rimmer de Vries on March 10, 2014, 10:43:17 PM
is this Crocus laevitates have a virus?
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Janis Ruksans on March 11, 2014, 07:34:15 AM
Can't see any symptoms. I suppose it is healthy. Why you suppose it virused?
Sorry, couldn't enlarge the second picture. It stay on my screen small sized. As I can judge - there shine through petals outside stripes. Check the leaves - if they are plain green - could be OK.
Janis
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: pehe on March 11, 2014, 07:51:13 AM
Cyril, a very nice clump of Carpathian Wonder!

I have only a few in my garden, but I hope I can show a similar picture in a few years.

Crocus heuffelianus 'Carpathian Wonder'
C. veluchensis, cvijicii and pelistericus
C. cvijicii
C. pelistericus
C. sieberi 'Hubert Edelsten'

Poul
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: pehe on March 11, 2014, 08:00:49 AM
A few more crocus from my garden.

Crocus biflorus 'Fairy' ? They are less blue in life.
C. biflorus/chrysanthus cultivar
C. 'Vanguard'
C. vernus hybrid
C. chrysanthus 'Constellation'

Poul
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: pehe on March 11, 2014, 08:21:37 AM
And finally

Crocus minimus
C. korokowii
C. tommasinianus

Poul
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: ChrisB on March 11, 2014, 09:10:28 AM
Lovely selection Poul
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 11, 2014, 10:34:34 AM
I was regretting there are no crocuses in the south yet but yesterday, without warning, pulchelllus albus, kotschyanus, serotinus ssp serotinus, serotinus ssp salzmanii, banaticus albus and vallicola. So from now on it will be non-stop crocuses until October! Yeah ;D

I've not noticed before especially, but do white forms almost always flower before their blue siblings? I know minimus albus flowers a good two months before the coloured forms!
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Stan da Prato on March 11, 2014, 05:21:10 PM
large flowered crocus  are often planted in  mixed colours in public areas but can be effective as single or limited colours - five snaps  from the verges in one East Lothian village.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on March 11, 2014, 05:34:25 PM
lovely showy display, Stan  - they must cheer the spirits of everyone who sees them.
Title: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Matt T on March 11, 2014, 06:52:05 PM
I much prefer these plantings with a limited colour palette to the pick'n'mix you usually see. I think the purple and lilac combination is particularly effective.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Ross Barbour on March 11, 2014, 09:08:53 PM
Hey, great to see so many wonderful Crocus. I have this labelled as Crocus biflorus var. waldsteinii 'Fairy' Can anyone confirm this?
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: tonyg on March 11, 2014, 09:30:29 PM
Hey, great to see so many wonderful Crocus. I have this labelled as Crocus biflorus var. waldsteinii 'Fairy' Can anyone confirm this?
Crocus biflorus ssp weldenii 'Fairy' .... and it looks like the plant I have grown under this name  :)
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Ross Barbour on March 12, 2014, 09:56:52 AM
Crocus biflorus ssp weldenii 'Fairy' .... and it looks like the plant I have grown under this name  :)
Your a star Tony, many thanks.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 12, 2014, 10:17:51 AM
When I had a crocus named as biflorus ssp weldenii 'Fairy' some years ago, from Van Tubergens in Holland, the flowers were white with a greyish tinge on the outside. Those in your picture look pale lilac Ross. Any comment from anyone?

Those mass plantings are really spectacular and so lovely. :)
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Thomas Huber on March 12, 2014, 10:35:12 AM
Lesley, when I received my Fairy from Holland they also were white with some grey,
but in the next year they had the soft blue colour you see on Pehe's and Ross' photo.
I have often noticed this in Dutch plants, maybe its due to their growing method....
perhaps anybody from the 'scene' can tell us more details....

Also the intensity of the blue is variable, darker when the flowers are young
and fading when getting older....
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Rimmer de Vries on March 12, 2014, 04:48:09 PM
Crocus veluchensis JJA 354.002 woodland ex Serbia, Kosovo,
first time blooming from 10 seeds started in January 2008- only one to make it this far.
it has been in a deep cool cold frame for 6 years.

is this identified correctly?
it does not look like the forms on Tony's Crocus Pages
is this C. vernus?
or a hybrid of veluchensis x vernus ?

Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Ross Barbour on March 12, 2014, 06:06:20 PM
some more I have grown that I hope are named correctly
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 12, 2014, 07:27:35 PM
Thanks for that Thomas. I haven't had it for a long time but I always remember it as greyish rather than the soft lavender shade. I think it stayed that colour. I would have imported it way back in the late 1960s probably.

The C. olivieri ssp balansae 'Zwanenburg' is lovely and that is one I had from Marcus a few years ago. It is still with me, happily. But Ross, do you have this one? I am conscious of some responsibility, as my friend Otto who phoned from Australia last night, says the few people there who had it, have now lost it. Mine's doing well and has increased from 1 to abut 10 in all. Marcus had it from Alan Edwards who had it from Primrose Warburg who had it from Bowles' own garden.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Ross Barbour on March 13, 2014, 09:53:04 PM
Lesley,

Love the 'Chocolate Soldier', amazing.

My C. olivieri ssp balansae 'Zwanenburg' came from a Dutch man, as have quite a few of my new bulbs, so I am very interested to see if they are what they are suppose to be. Do you think my C. olivieri ssp balansae 'Zwanenburg' looks correct?
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on March 13, 2014, 10:05:27 PM
Ross,  have a look at the plant  shown in the Connoiseur Collection - http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=1331.msg33333#msg33333 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=1331.msg33333#msg33333)   and the Crocus Pages, of course:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/genera/logdir/2010Mar281269808828Crocus_olivieri_balansae.pdf (http://www.srgc.org.uk/genera/logdir/2010Mar281269808828Crocus_olivieri_balansae.pdf)  and  earlier in this thread, Rimmer has a pic of his plants : http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=11493.msg298481#msg298481 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=11493.msg298481#msg298481) - you'll see that yours looks just fine.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Ross Barbour on March 13, 2014, 10:31:42 PM
oooo, just the job, many thanks Maggi  :)
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Rimmer de Vries on March 14, 2014, 08:53:27 PM
Crocus veluchensis JJA 354.002 woodland ex Serbia, Kosovo,
is this identified correctly?

Patience grasshopper!
with the tepals open it looks ok, i think?
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Rimmer de Vries on March 14, 2014, 08:57:04 PM
Crocus biflorus isauricus JJA 034.1250
seed started Jan 2008
this is a very variable seed lot
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: pehe on March 14, 2014, 09:39:49 PM
Lesley, when I received my Fairy from Holland they also were white with some grey,
but in the next year they had the soft blue colour you see on Pehe's and Ross' photo.
I have often noticed this in Dutch plants, maybe its due to their growing method....
perhaps anybody from the 'scene' can tell us more details....

Also the intensity of the blue is variable, darker when the flowers are young
and fading when getting older....

I have had the same experience. When I received a few bulbs about 12 years ago they were more grey than blue, but have gradually turned more blue. Because of that I was in doubt that it was biflorus weldenii Fairy. But after Thomas' explanation I am quite sure that it is Fairy.
It is a very good garden crocus.

Poul
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Janis Ruksans on March 15, 2014, 06:27:45 AM
Patience grasshopper!
with the tepals open it looks ok, i think?
Quite doubtful. Confused by "v" mark on top of petals. No one of mine acquisitions of veluchensis has such - just checked pictures made wild in Macedonia last summer - no one has such mark. It is more characteristic to some forms of vernus/heuffelianus/scepusiensis. I really have one stock got as veluchensis from Jim looking as this one pictured by you, but I put large "?" mark at its name.
Janis
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Rimmer de Vries on March 15, 2014, 12:48:06 PM
Quite doubtful. Confused by "v" mark on top of petals. No one of mine acquisitions of veluchensis has such - just checked pictures made wild in Macedonia last summer - no one has such mark. It is more characteristic to some forms of vernus/heuffelianus/scepusiensis. I really have one stock got as veluchensis from Jim looking as this one pictured by you, but I put large "?" mark at its name.
Janis

Thanks, i should have stuck with my initial impressions of a vernus type.

with 2 days above freezing in a row the snow is rapidly melting and things are popping up quickly!
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Tony Willis on March 15, 2014, 07:50:15 PM
Rimmer

as you know I thought it was a vernus but here is a Crocus sieberi  with a 'v' shaped marking from Mt Parnassus where it is a very mixed population of sieberi/veluchensis
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Rimmer de Vries on March 15, 2014, 07:55:21 PM
Rimmer

as you know I thought it was a vernus but here is a Crocus sieberi  with a 'v' shaped marking from Mt Parnassus where it is a very mixed population of sieberi/veluchensis

Hi Tony
 yours is a very nice coloration!
how did you determine it was Crocus sieberi?
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Tony Willis on March 16, 2014, 10:05:52 AM
Rimmer

collected it on Parnassus where sieberi grows,slight yellow in throat to distinguish it from veluchensis.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: David Nicholson on March 16, 2014, 06:44:30 PM
What's the correct pronunciation of sieberi please? I've heard 'seeberi'; 'sybeeri' and 'syberi'
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: uvularia on March 16, 2014, 07:00:49 PM
Slovenia is covered in Crocus vernus ssp. vernus and Crocus vernus ssp. albiflorus at the moment!
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Tony Willis on March 16, 2014, 07:31:09 PM
What's the correct pronunciation of sieberi please? I've heard 'seeberi'; 'sybeeri' and 'syberi'

My answer is how you feel comfortable pronouncing it !
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: David Nicholson on March 16, 2014, 08:20:00 PM
Well that'll do me Tony.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: tonyg on March 16, 2014, 08:47:20 PM
What's the correct pronunciation of sieberi please? I've heard 'seeberi'; 'sybeeri' and 'syberi'
Tony W is right of course!
I say seeberi.
Next lesson: How to pronounce cvijicii  ;)
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: David Nicholson on March 16, 2014, 09:08:42 PM
Thanks Tonyg, I like that pronunciation best, I shall adopt it :)
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: tonyg on March 17, 2014, 08:50:40 PM
Thanks Tonyg, I like that pronunciation best, I shall adopt it :)
But you did not rise to the svee-each-e-i challenge .....darn, I gave it away!
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: David Nicholson on March 17, 2014, 08:58:19 PM
It's a sneeze isn't it? ;D
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Gerry Webster on March 17, 2014, 09:13:59 PM
But you did not rise to the svee-each-e-i challenge .....darn, I gave it away!
Can we stay away from Bowles, that  upper class English twit? Despite Brian Mathew, his comments are  not at all amusing. They reflect a  crass & lazy English mentality which regards all things foreign as funny. So a paeony has to be  "Molly the Witch - hilarious!
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Janis Ruksans on March 18, 2014, 03:27:49 PM
Tony W is right of course!
I say seeberi.
Next lesson: How to pronounce cvijicii  ;)
Regarding cvijicii - play on violin...  (recommendation by E.A. Bowles)

On mainland Greece are growing only atticus, sublimis, nivalis and athous
Crocus sieberi grow only on Crete.
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: tonyg on March 19, 2014, 08:52:11 AM
Can we stay away from Bowles, that  upper class English twit? Despite Brian Mathew, his comments are  not at all amusing. They reflect a  crass & lazy English mentality which regards all things foreign as funny. So a paeony has to be  "Molly the Witch - hilarious!
I'm sure that other countries have more than a few laughs at the expense of our language with it's inconsistencies and idiosyncrasies.  Indeed playing with words is at the root of much great English comedy  :)
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 19, 2014, 09:32:29 PM
Regarding cvijicii - play on violin...  (recommendation by E.A. Bowles)


In that case I'd have to agree with Gerry. NOT amusing!
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Janis Ruksans on March 20, 2014, 08:07:23 AM
In that case I'd have to agree with Gerry. NOT amusing!

I'm always reeding Bowles with greatest pleasure - so beautiful comparings, specific English proverbs. Need a little thinking to understand what will be the Latvian equivalent and then you find how same things can be explained in various nations. It is very interesting and enlarges your world. No one is thinking that it is bad or abusive. So I can't understand why you feel so... What is bad in "cvijicii" plaid on violin? I use same comparing when I'm making lectures in Latvia, too, of course citing Bowles as author. It is fantastic and shows how intelligent and educated was E. A. Bowles.
Janis
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Gerry Webster on March 20, 2014, 10:17:59 AM
English  'humour' -

Crocus cvijicii

The seemingly unpronounceable specific name of this Balkan Crocus  commemorates Professor Jovan Cvijicic a Yugoslavian  geologist noted for his particular knowledge of Macedonia. The nearest equivalent sound seems to be ‘shveeyeech-e-e’, and the amusing comment by E. A. Bowles, that it might be best to imitate  a sneeze  or play it on the violin, it seems sound advice!”

B. Mathew The Crocus (p 61)


Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Anthony Darby on March 21, 2014, 09:43:31 AM
.....but is it meant to be sound effect advice?
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 24, 2014, 11:14:14 PM
Janis, I was assuming, perhaps wrongly, that the comment from Bowles was disparaging of the violin which I happen to love very much indeed. :)
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: udo on March 25, 2014, 08:35:17 PM
with the last Crocus this spring,
Crocus exiguus from Croatia
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: udo on March 30, 2014, 08:03:15 PM
and more,
Crocus minimus from Col de Bavella, Corsica
   ``          ``    'Little Girl', the Crocus with the shortes stem?
Title: Re: Crocus March 2014
Post by: Jacek on March 31, 2014, 04:48:08 AM
I wanted to have fertile Crocus flavus in my garden and hopefully I have it. There are two reasons:

1. The only crocus that reliably survived winters and my local conditions is Golden Yellow, but it is sterile. C. chrysanthus cultivars tend to die due to frost injury. Crocus korolkowii and angustifolus - are not growing well.

2. When I was a student I was skiing in Pamporovo, Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria. Except skiing I wanted to do some mountain walks, but because the resort is located close to Greek border and it was still the communist time - soldiers stopped me. Then instead of going up I decided to go down into w wild valley and there I saw yellow crocuses. It had to be C. flavus.


OK, so I bought some corms. Because Janis says in his book that they like to grow deep in soil - I did it. Playing like a child in the sandpit or rather like a mole, using different tools including a table spoon - I managed to plant them DEEP. Down to 40 cm.

And now I have the result - the latest crocus in my garden.

[attach=1]

Next time I will plant deeper - may be they will show up in Australia??  ;D
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