Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Bulbs => Galanthus => Topic started by: Katherine J on January 30, 2008, 09:23:51 AM

Title: Galanthus flowers not opening
Post by: Katherine J on January 30, 2008, 09:23:51 AM
Hello dear all,
I have some Galanthus (I think nivalis, I was told "with extra large flowers") in a pot. They have been in 15°C for about 10 days, and they have been looking like this for about a week now. Is it normal???
Crocuses and Iris reticulata are almost overblown in this time.
Title: Re: Galanthus flowers not opening
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 30, 2008, 09:27:47 AM
That is normal Katherine. I have a huge clump of 'Viridapices' and they have looked like this for weeks. I might add that if they have been moved or dried out, the bud may abort?
Title: Re: Galanthus flowers not opening
Post by: Katherine J on January 30, 2008, 09:45:23 AM
Thanks, Anthony, it is good news. They haven't been dried out, but... moved? Well, yes, in the meantime I moved the pot in a place where there is more light and cooler (this is the 15°C, before it vas about 18).
Title: Re: Galanthus flowers not opening
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 30, 2008, 10:01:55 AM
Kathrine, high temperatures (eg keeping pot-grown snowdrops in a hot room indoors) can cause buds to abort. It's best to keep them as cool as possible.
Title: Re: Galanthus flowers not opening
Post by: Katherine J on January 30, 2008, 10:03:15 AM
there is more light and cooler
:D :D I mean COLDER
Title: Re: Galanthus flowers not opening
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 30, 2008, 10:07:21 AM
Kathrine, I think what Anthony meant was buds can abort if the bulbs have been dug up and the roots disturbed, like if you move them to another part of the garden. Moving the pot to a cooler place will not be a problem (cooler or colder, both are okay and correct to say  :)
Title: Re: Galanthus flowers not opening
Post by: mark smyth on January 30, 2008, 10:08:05 AM
I also have some snowdrops taking a very long time to break free of the spathe.
Title: Re: Galanthus flowers not opening
Post by: Katherine J on January 30, 2008, 10:36:51 AM
Thank you ver very much! I can work more leisurely now!  ;D
Title: Re: Galanthus flowers not opening
Post by: Alan_b on January 30, 2008, 05:35:53 PM
I almost always get a small fraction of my snowdrop bulbs that put up a bud that never manages to open.  But as it happens on plants that have been undisturbed in the garden, usually several in the same location, I have always assumed it was down to adverse conditions earlier in the season.
Title: Re: Galanthus flowers not opening
Post by: mark smyth on January 30, 2008, 06:52:19 PM
if the unopened flower turns brown and watery, I have been told, Stag may have caused it
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal