Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Bulbs => Galanthus => Topic started by: KentGardener on December 14, 2008, 07:00:17 PM

Title: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: KentGardener on December 14, 2008, 07:00:17 PM
I wonder how the prices will be this year with the economic downturn?.....

Grumpy (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Galanthus-elwesii-Grumpy-rare-and-unusual-snowdrop_W0QQitemZ130275653992QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_HomeGarden_Garden_PlantsSeedsBulbs_JN?hash=item130275653992&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318)

What was the record ebay price last year?  I am sure it was more than £100 for a single Galanthus bulb - Brian, do you remember?

John
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Maggi Young on December 14, 2008, 07:22:03 PM
So, it's started... already??!!  In spite of myself, that 'Grumpy' is cute  :-\
I think for most of us, though, the choice between flowers and food and shelter is not such a very tough choice.... after all, if WE'RE homeless, what would happen to the plants?  I imagine most will be sticking with the mortgage payments  :-X
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Diane Clement on December 14, 2008, 08:09:30 PM
What was the record ebay price last year? 

Was it £274 for Ecusson D'or?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 14, 2008, 08:19:48 PM
Ecusson D'Or was £131.98 whilst Floccon de Niege (now where have I heard that name before?) was £266.

Top price for Grumpy was £30.89 !!!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on December 14, 2008, 08:35:53 PM
let`s wait for new results ;)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 14, 2008, 08:37:15 PM
Yes Hagen, it will be interesting to see whether they are as crazy as last year.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on December 14, 2008, 08:42:42 PM
Sometimes when I stay on a petrol station I debate with myself, whereof I have more fun, full tank or a fine galanthus. Now I often go by bicycle.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: mark smyth on December 14, 2008, 08:43:45 PM
ohh very exciting
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on December 14, 2008, 08:48:46 PM
Mark, I can tell the story also with other words.
If you pay 20€ for a drop, then you are crazy.
But if you pay 80€ for a full tank, because you car is so big, that is normal.
You can see, I mean only cental europeans! ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Gerard Oud on December 14, 2008, 09:07:58 PM
There is some SNOWDROP CREAM for sale at the moment and a bottle with snowdrop mineral water all on ebay.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on December 14, 2008, 09:10:22 PM
Gerard, I would like a cream coloured Snowdrop. And I have seen also such a plant! Real
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Gerard Oud on December 14, 2008, 09:11:44 PM
Forgot your camera?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Gerry Webster on December 14, 2008, 11:28:44 PM
So, it's started... already??!!  In spite of myself, that 'Grumpy' is cute  :-\
I think for most of us, though, the choice between flowers and food and shelter is not such a very tough choice.... after all, if WE'RE homeless, what would happen to the plants?  I imagine most will be sticking with the mortgage payments  :-X
Well, I'm no expert, but 'Grumpy' does look like a snowdrop  rather than a painting by Titian. I'm obviously  growing the wrong plants - those E-Bay prices would pay my gas bills for the next quarter (if I economise). Is there a teeny-weeny bit of one-upmanship going on here?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Gerard Oud on December 15, 2008, 04:38:00 AM
Hagen i would like to have that snowdrop with red stripes  which must be growing somewhere in France and this is not a joke!
I am on its tail but waiting to flower this spring.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on December 15, 2008, 06:16:20 AM
Gerard, here is a pic of my cream dream. I will say , it is possible what I`m looking for.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Gerard Oud on December 15, 2008, 07:34:37 PM
Indeed its ivorycreamish.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: David Shaw on December 16, 2008, 08:32:45 AM
'that 'Grumpy' is cute'
We bought 'Grumpy' last year from a show at much less than the prices quoted here - but only because it must have been named after me! Grumpy by name, grumpy by nature and I am still practising ;D.
I am obliged to Maggie for the quotation ;)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 16, 2008, 09:00:54 AM
Me too, and I like sunflowers and beer! ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: johnw on December 19, 2008, 05:29:14 PM
Now I often go by bicycle.

Hagen

Next year roller skates?

johnw
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: mark smyth on December 20, 2008, 04:03:35 PM
Is no-one bidding on Ebay for 'Barnes' or 'Grumpy'?
£10.50 for Barnes is maybe a little too much. I dont know if £16.23 is a good price for Grumpy.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 20, 2008, 04:22:02 PM
Well obviously GrumpySteve was as he got Grumpy for a not too unreasonable price of £16.23
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: mark smyth on December 20, 2008, 04:23:40 PM
I looked at his history and see he's heavily in to Madonna memorabilia
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on December 22, 2008, 08:50:09 PM
John W, here is my way to new galanthus ;) May be it`s easier you would help me?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: johnw on December 22, 2008, 10:02:08 PM
John W, here is my way to new galanthus ;) May be it`s easier you would help me?

Hagen - Have you been ordering on eBay again?

johnw
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Maggi Young on December 22, 2008, 10:08:00 PM
Looks to me like the whole Engelmann family got their presents early this year  ::) I guess the fuel prices  for their car were just TOO much  :o
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 22, 2008, 10:29:43 PM
I think Hagen is saying, that you need to get your skates on if you want a rare snawdrop from a supplier?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 23, 2008, 01:42:57 PM
...but all too easy to push the prices up on ebay if you bid as soon as you see it, which encourages someone else to top you, someone else to bid etc etc.

And there's always another year, especially if you are trying to get Deerslot :'( :'(
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: mark smyth on December 23, 2008, 02:00:19 PM
'Deerslot' in the book is perfect but in real life it's very variable and can be a bit disappointing. Mine always have a join between the two hoof prints
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 23, 2008, 02:41:16 PM
Yes Mark I have heard that from others...but it would be nice to try!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: KentGardener on December 23, 2008, 04:24:00 PM
'Deerslot' in the book is perfect but in real life it's very variable and can be a bit disappointing. Mine always have a join between the two hoof prints

I concur.

I have seen 3 truly large clumps of it in my life and in each clump I only saw a few that had that perfect mark Mark  ::)

I would say that out of 20 flowers in a clump only about 4 have the perfect deerslot - that then looks wonderful, but in my little patch it doesn´t perform consistently enough to get a place.

My two pennies worth.

John  (wearing a t-shirt, sitting in an internet cafe, drinking a beer, in Madeira).

 ;D 8)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Maggi Young on December 23, 2008, 04:27:44 PM
Quote
John  (wearing a t-shirt, sitting in an internet cafe, drinking a beer, in Madeira).



Happy holiday, John!!  :-*
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on December 23, 2008, 04:31:16 PM
Mmmmm not a very bad situation to be in John...
 8)
Have lots of fun !!!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: mark smyth on December 23, 2008, 04:47:45 PM
Are you staying away for Christmas or coming home?

This is how they should be and as I've lost all my Colesbourne photos I cant show you how variable it is.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: mark smyth on December 23, 2008, 04:56:54 PM
Available now on Ebay
Faringdon Double
Three Ships
elwesii Heimalis Group
elwesii Peter Gatehouse
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 23, 2008, 06:51:09 PM
John Finch,

You lucky dog!!!

Have a great time, take lots of photographs, continue on the regular beer diet and tell us all about it on your return.

Any snowdrops?

Paddy
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: steve owen on December 23, 2008, 06:55:45 PM
I have a nice Scilla Madeirensis throwing up a flower spike in the alpine house. Pic to follow if it actually produces.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: mark smyth on December 28, 2008, 01:40:15 PM
plicatus 'Wendy's Gold' and 'Trym' and nivalis 'Blewbury Tart and 'Sandhill Gate are on Ebay with high starting prices. Someone is making sure his/her bulbs dont sell too cheaply
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 28, 2008, 02:09:23 PM
Quote
plicatus 'Wendy's Gold' and 'Trym' and nivalis 'Blewbury Tart and 'Sandhill Gate are on Ebay with high starting prices. Someone is making sure his/her bulbs dont sell too cheaply

Not only that, they are not even flowering size for this year!  Still I am sure they will do a roaring trade :-X
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: mark smyth on December 28, 2008, 03:33:48 PM
Brian I didnt notice. They must be small bulbs.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: loes on December 28, 2008, 03:44:14 PM
it`s a Hollander selling those....

 :-[ such high prices,I`m ashamed
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: mark smyth on December 28, 2008, 03:46:57 PM
Loes, even more so for a bulb that is not guaranteed to flower. I hope no-one from the forum will be tempted
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Tony Willis on December 28, 2008, 03:58:28 PM
I must do the odd thing right,a couple of years ago I got a couple of Wendys Gold for a bit of asarum.Now I have several it seems to multiply up easily.

 Sometimes perhaps its better not to know the value.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: David Quinton on December 28, 2008, 04:08:28 PM
What planet is this person on? The starting prices are ridiculous and for bulbs that will not flower this year. At least they are honest but I can't see how they can expect to sell at these prices. Such a pity as I would love to own Sandhill Gate but not at these prices for an immature bulb.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Maggi Young on December 28, 2008, 04:09:37 PM
it`s a Hollander selling those....

 :-[ such high prices,I`m ashamed


 Well, everyone has a bills to pay and a family to feed.... business is business.... no-one  NEED pay the price  ::)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 28, 2008, 07:32:39 PM
I am rather surprised when the seller says 'Trym' is in flower now. :o Mine is not visible above the ground yet.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: loes on December 28, 2008, 08:47:23 PM
glad to see on e-bay another seller,selling the real ikariae!,and reginae-olgae at low start prices.
(and that ikariae is tempting because all I got is always woronowii  >:( )

my Trym,bought last year,is also not showing yet
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: loes on December 28, 2008, 09:08:17 PM
Mark,

no I won`t.
I have bought ikariae a few times now but all I get is woronowii so I now buy it only when I see it in flesh.
thought that ikariae flowers more to the end of the season anyway.
there are a lot of desirable galanthus for sale on ebay now but I think I`ll just look and enjoy myself and only buy from the nurseries or enthousiasts.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 28, 2008, 09:18:10 PM
Too early and the leaves are wrong to be ikariae.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Hans J on December 28, 2008, 09:33:10 PM
Loes ,

you can have from me true G.ikariae  ;)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Gerard Oud on December 28, 2008, 09:50:44 PM
My Trym is showing its sprouts and Platyphyllus too!

Loes the name "Hollander" is for a small rabbit they breed here in Holland!

I have never seen any snowdrop sold by a rabbit ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 28, 2008, 09:57:29 PM
Yep, that's like my pet (Dutch) rabbit I had in the early 60s. Needless to say, he was called Thumper. ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Paul T on December 29, 2008, 06:42:22 AM
Howdy All,

While we're discussing them.... can people please post pics of what they grow as ikariae and woronowii please?  I have heard so many different things about them, yet what we have here (as i know I have mentioned before) are totally different to each other.  My ikariae is a much larger, more elongated flower, with darker green leaves.  I can probably rustle up pics of both of mine.  Or should I put this into a separate topic for us to post in?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: mark smyth on December 29, 2008, 08:28:13 AM
Paul they are different. The mark is very different also. woronowii is usually a B but can be quite small in size. I havent seen many forms but what I have the mark isnt dark. The mark of ikariae usually takes up 2/3 of the inner. When I get home I'll post some photos but I'm sure in the mean time a serach of SRGC will show some
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Paul T on December 29, 2008, 09:57:39 AM
Mark,

Thanks for the response.  I look forward to your pics.  I've given up on the search function as it never seems to work well for me.  ::)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 29, 2008, 10:16:49 AM
Here are pics of 'Trym', krasnovii and ikariae taken in my garden in March 2007.

...and  woronowii from Feb 2007.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: mark smyth on December 29, 2008, 11:44:47 AM
Anthony shows clearly the difference between ikariae and woronowii
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 29, 2008, 01:12:59 PM
Thanks to Maggi for tidying up my posts and putting them on one page. :)

Anthony shows clearly the difference between ikariae and woronowii

The colour of the leaves is different too.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: loes on December 29, 2008, 01:25:33 PM
Hans J,

 :) so Santa really exicts,it`s you! :)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Maggi Young on December 29, 2008, 01:29:22 PM
Mark,

Thanks for the response.  I look forward to your pics.  I've given up on the search function as it never seems to work well for me.  ::)
from the search results for ikariae.....
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=163.msg3573#msg3573
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2068.msg51236;topicseen#msg51236
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=1444.msg34906;topicseen#msg34906
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=1599.msg39916;topicseen#msg39916
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=300.msg7441;topicseen#msg7441


 woronowii......http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=1652.msg42064;topicseen#msg42064   etc etc!!
these all from the New Forum.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: mark smyth on December 29, 2008, 04:56:58 PM
The other way

Matt says
ikariae is medium to dark green
woronowii light to medium green
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 29, 2008, 05:15:39 PM
I agree. In fact, I would say my woronowii leaves are almost apple-green and quite shiny.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Hans J on December 29, 2008, 05:21:49 PM
Anthony ,

the leaves of ssp. snogerupii are also apple green !

please look :

http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=1599.0

But there is a methode to see clear what is what :

....there is a really simply method to see the difference between the species of G.ikariae and woronowii :
take a leaf and cut it - on the ikariae leaves you will see cells ( big enough to see it with the eye ) -woronowii has this sign not !

this works also if you have no flowers !
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 29, 2008, 06:06:59 PM
Anthony ,

the leaves of ssp. snogerupii are also apple green !


The leaves of my snogerupii seedlings (just one per seedling) fit this description and are quite shiny too.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Hans J on December 29, 2008, 06:15:58 PM
rob : i think the snowdrop friends would it prefer when the seller cut a leaf of g. woronowii .....before again comes wrong ikariae comes to them .....
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Paul T on December 29, 2008, 11:23:29 PM
Thanks for all the info.  I'll have a good look when I see mine in flower again in around July.  Seems SO far away..... still months even until the autumn species.  :o  I'm in withdrawal.  :'(
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: mark smyth on January 04, 2009, 06:48:24 PM
I see on Ebay there are no takers for the Galanthus bulbils. Other snowdrops about to end look like they are going for normal value. Time will tell as the last minute goes
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 04, 2009, 09:01:31 PM
look again Mark - someone has put in a bid for the Sandhill Gate ???
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Jo on January 04, 2009, 09:04:04 PM
The other way

Matt says
ikariae is medium to dark green
woronowii light to medium green

I just noticed this thread and thought you may be interested in pics of my ikariae ssp ikariae.  I had the seed of this from the AGS years ago
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: mark smyth on January 04, 2009, 09:08:53 PM
That is the best group if ikariae I have ever seen
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Maggi Young on January 04, 2009, 09:23:33 PM
Super photos, Jo. They do look good with the Cyclamen, don't they  :D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 04, 2009, 09:39:34 PM
Lovely clump, Jo.

Paddy
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Jo on January 04, 2009, 10:07:03 PM
Haha Maggi,

looking good with cyclamen will come back to haunt me  ;D 

Lovely clump sounds like a galanthus compliment so thanks Toby.

mmmmm lovely clumppppp, sorry I think thats Simpson influence there. :)

Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Jo on January 04, 2009, 10:08:15 PM
sorry, Paddy, I think I'm dislecccc ??? as well !!! :o
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: maggiepie on January 04, 2009, 10:47:26 PM
They are exquisite Jo.
Can you tell me how long they take to flower from seed?

Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 04, 2009, 10:50:33 PM
The cyclamen certainly show them off well Jo, well done.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Paul T on January 05, 2009, 06:16:27 AM
Jo,

That is exactly what my ikariae look like, much greener leaves tha Anthony's pic, and longer petals.  Quite distinct really.  So that would mean that the "ikariae" we have here is actually ikariae ssp ikariae then?  I must dig up a pic of my woronowii as well.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Jo on January 05, 2009, 10:45:00 AM
They are exquisite Jo.
Can you tell me how long they take to flower from seed?



My notes say I sowed them in 1989 from AGS seed exchange seed. Then as far as I remember they stayed in the pot till 1991 when I planted them where you see them. I also remember being very excited when they finally flowered 5 years after sowing.  I can't believe now that it really was that long, but thats how I remember it.

They self seed around very well and I've put them in a number of places in the garden. They do seem happy in the original location which is a south facing 'Devon bank' in light woodland edge
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: maggiepie on January 05, 2009, 12:38:44 PM
Thanks Jo, 5 years seems to be the going rate for a lot of choice plants, I wonder if there is a way to hurry them up.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Jo on January 05, 2009, 12:53:40 PM
I sometimes wonder if keeping the seedlings going in a pot and feeding, treating like a commercial crop, might speed things up. I just don't want to keep too many pots on the go.

Its like the 'watched pot' saying. I keep sowing new things each season and one day look back and that old pot is finally boiling.  :)

 
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: maggiepie on January 05, 2009, 01:32:20 PM
Jo, I guess it's the first five years that hurt, after that you have something happening each year. ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Hans J on January 05, 2009, 01:36:54 PM
Hi Jo ,

is there a chance to find out from where this AGS seeds of your G. ikariae orginally comes ?
( Maggi could you help please ? )

Your plants looks exactly like the plants in the book "Bulbs" from Phillips & Rix ( page 17 ).
There is written :
G. ikariae ( Baker )
the form shown here was collectet on Andros .....

really interesting !
Hans
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Hans J on January 05, 2009, 01:52:15 PM
Paul ,

If this plant from Jo comes orginal from Andros so is no wonder that it looks different to the pics from Anthony and mine - my plants comes from Pilous ( 1999 ) and they are orginal collect on Ikaria .

I confess - it is all confusing !
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Jo on January 05, 2009, 02:14:23 PM
Hi Hans,

I don't keep the old AGS seed lists for more than a year or two so I can't help you there.

I also don't remember whether the seed was from the wild collected or the garden collected section.

Certainly it is a late flowerer, in March as some of the others go past their best. Jo
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Hans J on January 05, 2009, 02:47:15 PM
Hi Jo ,

thank you for your answer .
I have in the meantime written to Maggi ...

It is a good advice from you that plants flowers in March !
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Maggi Young on January 05, 2009, 04:09:50 PM
Jo, yes, I think that is the answer... if the seedlings had been kept potted and grown on en masse it would allow for more feeding and perhaps they would have flowered a little sooner.... but, as you say, that would have given you more work with pots to tend!
Main point to be gleaned here is, I think, that it is ALWAYS a GREAT IDEA to grow stuff from SEED! For a start, those seedlings which survive and grow on are already predisposed to like your conditions and are likely to settle down to be good do-ers in your garden and then there is the magical pleasure to be had from enjoying them as one's OWN babies when they are growing and glowing like Jo's ikariae!!

As Jo says, if you sow every year, then after a little while there is always something coming into flower to cheer you and give you strength for the next batch....and there are also those obliging subjects ( witness some gorgeous gladiolus shown recently in the Forum) which will flower practically within the year and so give a real boost to the "expectant" gardener ......
Yeh, seed rules!!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Diane Clement on January 05, 2009, 05:33:53 PM
Hi Hans,  I don't keep the old AGS seed lists for more than a year or two so I can't help you there.
I also don't remember whether the seed was from the wild collected or the garden collected section.
Certainly it is a late flowerer, in March as some of the others go past their best. Jo 

I haven't got the old seed lists going back that far, but I'll look into it, give me a little time.
Diane
(Assistant Director, AGS Seed Exchange)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Hans J on January 05, 2009, 05:43:08 PM
Hi Diane ,

Thank you for your help !

Hans
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Maggi Young on January 05, 2009, 06:03:09 PM
Quote
I haven't got the old seed lists going back that far, but I'll look into it, give me a little time.
Well, of course you haven't... you are far too young.... your Grannie would had to have left them to you! ;D

Terrific offer from you to try to track this down, Diane! Much appreciated
 [attach=1]
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: maggiepie on January 05, 2009, 09:05:46 PM
Cute little ani Maggi, I've adopted it  ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Maggi Young on January 05, 2009, 09:30:11 PM
Cute little ani Maggi, I've adopted it  ;D
I collect them, Helen, I can't resist 'em!
 I've got a special just for you...... you'll lovethis.....

[attach=1]
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: maggiepie on January 05, 2009, 09:38:43 PM
Awwww, looks like I'll have to snitch that one too  ;D

Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 05, 2009, 11:15:40 PM
Hi Hans,

I don't keep the old AGS seed lists for more than a year or two so I can't help you there.

I also don't remember whether the seed was from the wild collected or the garden collected section.

Certainly it is a late flowerer, in March as some of the others go past their best. Jo

Would be interesting to see the two forms side-by-side. ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Rob Potterton on January 05, 2009, 11:31:31 PM
This image was taken last spring of a clump of Galanthus ikariae which has grown unmolested in the nursery for more than 20 years.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......and Galanthus ikariae photos
Post by: Maggi Young on January 05, 2009, 11:44:18 PM
Here we go.... a collection of these pix gathered together.....
first the scan of the photo from Philips and Rix' book.

[attach =1]

next the first of Jo's pix....

[attach =2]

then Jo's close-up......

[attach =3]

and here is Rob's "unmolested"   8) clump.....
[attach =4]

Title: ikariae and .....woronowii .........
Post by: Maggi Young on January 05, 2009, 11:53:54 PM
And here is Ashley's woronowii, thrown in for good measure..... ( earlier ID'd as thisrather than ikariae )
[attach=1]

 and here is Anthony Darby's woronowii....
[attach=2]


Title: ikariae and woronowii.....
Post by: Maggi Young on January 05, 2009, 11:56:55 PM
Here are two pix from Hans J of his two forms of Galanthus ikariae.....
[attach=1]

[attach=2]
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 06, 2009, 09:52:04 AM
Aw shuks Maggi. I meant side-by-side in my garden. ;D ::)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 06, 2009, 10:12:01 AM
What do you want to grow side by side? woronowii and ikariae or ikariae? From what I've seen there isnt much variation in ikariae - yet!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins.......
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 06, 2009, 10:26:52 AM
Hi Hans,

I don't keep the old AGS seed lists for more than a year or two so I can't help you there.

I also don't remember whether the seed was from the wild collected or the garden collected section.

Certainly it is a late flowerer, in March as some of the others go past their best. Jo

Would be interesting to see the two forms side-by-side. ;D

The two forms of ikariae Mark with the different coloured leaves.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 06, 2009, 10:30:35 AM
Thanks for putting them altogether Maggi ;)  Anyone would think you have a little corner of your heart in the Galanthus cupboard :-*
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 06, 2009, 12:43:27 PM
Joe Sharman told me there is little variation in G. ikariae
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: loes on January 07, 2009, 04:41:45 PM
Trym is sold   39,99

Sandhill Gate  29,99
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 07, 2009, 04:53:04 PM
I cant believe people bought them. A fool and his money are easily parted
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 07, 2009, 04:57:21 PM
I continually find it odd that people who are interested in snowdrops don't know where to buy them! :-\
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 07, 2009, 05:21:09 PM
I continually find it odd that people who are interested in snowdrops don't know where to buy them! :-\

I tend to think that it is the fault of those newspapaer articles which speak of the fever and passion for snowdrops, making comparisons to Tulipomania in times past and generally whipping up folk into a frenzy of acquisitiveness...these folk are probably not even really keen gardeners, they just have the desire to acquire built up and find the object of this desire in the place that folk turn to nowadays to buy things... anything.... Ebay ....find the starting price is quite modest ( remember, they don't know what YOU know) and whoosh.... before you know it auction frenzy hits.

In the same way at these Galas and special auction events..... there are folk there who will be able to get these white gems by swapping or knowing who to know etc., but there will also be those who are able to gain access to theseevents but who are outside the "inner circle" and so,once more, the stage is set for this feeding frenzy of buy buy buy..... Daft? Of course it is... it ALL is... but I think that's how it happens.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 07, 2009, 06:33:14 PM
Well said, Maggi.

Personally, I have found contacts made through the SRGC forum have brought me many treasured snowdrops; treasured not alone for their intrinsic value but also for the added value that they came from friends.

Exchanges arranged through the forum have brought great fun and pleasure. And what do these exchanges cost me? Zero! It is always a matter of swapping some snowdrop bulbs that I have to spare for some treasure to add to my garden. And, it's amazing how the snowdrop which cost, perhaps, €30 does not seem quite as expensive or valuable when it has clumped up to five or six bulbs even. At that stage, a bulb can always be spared for a friend with no thought of cost or value; it is simply a spare bulb.

Long live free trade!

Paddy
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 07, 2009, 10:06:27 PM
Yes, sadly I am sure you are right Maggi.  I have to agree with Paddy that some of the most treasured snowdrops are those that have been given or swapped because everytime you see them you think of the kindness of the people they came from...and I am sure this forum is one of the best 'market places' for them.  It is still strange however, that people don't bother to find out where they can be bought at a more sensible price than eBay!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: art600 on January 07, 2009, 10:30:12 PM
A friend gave me 2 bulbs of 'Three Ships' - both have flowered.

On EBay a single bulb has just sold for £51.99  :o :o :o
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 07, 2009, 11:41:59 PM
A friend gave me 2 bulbs of 'Three Ships' - both have flowered.

On EBay a single bulb has just sold for £51.99  :o :o :o
Hope your pal gets an extra special cake when they next visit for afternoon tea, Arthur..... it's what they deserve!


Quote
Brian Ellis: It is still strange however, that people don't bother to find out where they can be bought at a more sensible price than eBay!

Not really Brian... this is Ebay, after all, where Cherie Blair buys shoes ... or was it sells shoes? and you can bid on a cornflake with the face of Fidel Castro on it........ why would any of the Ebay snowdrop madness surprise you in the light of that? !!  ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: art600 on January 08, 2009, 12:32:28 AM
EBay is not all bad, it provides a site for selling unwanted household items, unwanted presents, old collectables no longer required etc. etc.  I know someone who has recently sold things gathering dust in a cupboard and made a tidy penny or two.

When I am decluttered by my sister, prior to decorating, the unwanted items will be sold on EBay.  Any money obtained will be a bonus.   ;D

I did sell ordinary snowdrops - reginae-olgae, peshmenii and 'Lady Beatrix Stanley' on EBay last year, and generated a tidy sum.  I did, however, send them several bulbs rather than the single bulb I advertised - I think to salve my conscience for the price I received.  It also helped to generate very positive Feedback, which is required to assure sales  ;) 
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: johnw on January 08, 2009, 12:35:07 AM
Hope your pal gets an extra special cake when they next visit for afternoon tea, Arthur..... it's what they deserve!

And of a fitting size.

Translation - "Three Ships Thank-You Cake"

johnw
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 08, 2009, 12:49:16 AM
Quote
EBay is not all bad.....

Good grief, of course not... it's a marvelous place.... I love it!  Ian has sold old postcards and railway memorabilia ( the latter I was particularly pleased to see the back of) which has found a good new home in the USA...... we have bought all manner of stuff, from little silver flower brooches, through banjo parts to stained glass panels..... yes indeed, a marvelous place  8)

We are very fond of stained glass and have quite a collection, sourced from all over the country and europe and we've had a couple of pieces from Ebay. Lots of stained glass is of a religious nature and comes on to the market as churches are de-commissioned. Neither Ian nor I have a religious faith, though someone looking at out glass collection might be mistaken for thinking we were zealots......
 this is Ian's latest purchase, a case in point  about the subject matter since it depicts the crucified Christ being taken down from the cross .... it is not very large , about 40 cms wide by 52 cms high....1950s ..... very beautiful....

                   [attach=1]
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 08, 2009, 12:55:08 AM
Oh my word, John, I did not see your post before I made mine......now THAT IS A CAKE!!!

Poor Arthur would put his back out trying to get a cake that size out of the oven!

 It would be most fitting as the Three Ships Thank You Cake though, that's for sure!

 I hope it's well cooked and that young lady isn't going to fall INTO it, as opposed to bursting out of it?  ::)

That cake has the look of a Scottish "Black Bun" type, (as described elswhere in the Forum as the traditional New Year gift)  though decorated with Eastern imagery......perhaps the cake,  like our stained glass, has a religioussignificance?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Gerard Oud on January 08, 2009, 05:38:25 AM
I noticed that even well respected growers like Beth Chatto do sell on ebay!
At least the quality is garanteed this way a bit.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 08, 2009, 06:25:05 AM
But not everyone on Ebay knows their snowdrops and/or is willing to rip people off like what happened last year to a forum member
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 08, 2009, 10:13:14 AM
Quote
Quote
Brian Ellis: It is still strange however, that people don't bother to find out where they can be bought at a more sensible price than eBay!

Not really Brian... this is Ebay, after all, where Cherie Blair buys shoes ... or was it sells shoes? and you can bid on a cornflake with the face of Fidel Castro on it........ why would any of the Ebay snowdrop madness surprise you in the light of that? !!

I don't knock eBay per se, it's the people who are interested in snowdrops and don't do their research, in the back of the Bishop et al Monograph there is a comprehensive list of sellers of snowdrops, having said that if you see one you want the Fever takes hold and you bid hundreds for one with the face of Fidel Castro 8)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on January 08, 2009, 11:07:23 AM
Ebay seems funny this year with all those ads for half someones garden being dug up and listed for 21 days, not really inviting  :-\
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 08, 2009, 11:10:58 AM
He owns a huge acreage of snowdrops. I met him last year at a snowdrop event
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on January 08, 2009, 11:29:57 AM
So just a little corner of the garden missing then  :D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 08, 2009, 11:42:02 AM
They grow like weeds in woods not far from me.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on January 08, 2009, 11:49:36 AM
Haha, snowdrops could never grow like weeds !,   like bluebells maybe ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on January 08, 2009, 11:58:47 AM
More seriously though, its because they set seed that they give the bluebell effect.

 S Arnott and Magnet make huge clumps here but because they don't set seed they maintain a clump

appearance and have to be divided and spread to give a 'seeding around' effect.

The snowdrops that seed around for me are plicatus, ikariae and the common nivalis. I'm hoping that gracilis

 will one day take off like they have at Highdown and I keep putting likely combinations together. :)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 08, 2009, 01:42:53 PM
Is it not the case that, in addition to natural spread by seeding, that some of the fabulous snowdrop woods one sees are actually more the product of many hours work over the years by the gardeners of old estates who worked year on year to spread the snowies about to achieve tha glorious scenes we so enjoy today?

 Nowadays, when some of these woods are no longer managed in that way  I think we are inclined to see such a sight and assume that it is all natural, when, in fact, therehas been a lot of human intervention to achieve it .....I am speaking of woods in the UK.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 08, 2009, 01:47:57 PM
Or pigs as in Catherine Cambo's woods
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 08, 2009, 01:52:05 PM
Or b***** blackbirds in my garden!!!   >:(
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Hans A. on January 08, 2009, 02:21:52 PM
...having said that if you see one you want the Fever takes hold and you bid hundreds for one with the face of Fidel Castro 8)

Any offer?  8) ;)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 08, 2009, 02:29:55 PM
Hans is stable? If it is I'll take it, arrange twinscaling and in 4 years we'll be rich, rich, rich
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Hans A. on January 08, 2009, 02:59:04 PM
 :-\ - not really - last year it resembled Abraham Lincoln.  ;)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 08, 2009, 03:16:20 PM
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 08, 2009, 03:32:31 PM
:-\ - not really - last year it resembled Abraham Lincoln.  ;)

So it's more healthy as the inner petals are broader. ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 08, 2009, 03:49:02 PM
              [attach=1]

                  [attach=2]

Hans, your photo of Galanthus 'Fidel ' and your follow up comment about Abraham Lincoln are just the funniest things we've seen for AGES!

               Just  [attach=3]     ....... thank you!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Hans A. on January 08, 2009, 10:16:34 PM
Thanks  :D - but I think it was a good example for a Norfolk-Northern Ireland-Majorcan-Coproduction  ;) ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 08, 2009, 10:21:39 PM
Thanks  :D - but I think it was a good example for a Norfolk-Northern Ireland-Majorcan-Coproduction  ;) ;D
OH! An intercontinental hybrid ! ;D   Even better!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Paul T on January 09, 2009, 09:12:44 AM
What was that Maggi... and incontinent hybrid?  Ewwwwwww!  :P
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Gerdk on January 09, 2009, 04:38:46 PM
What was that Maggi... and incontinent hybrid?  Ewwwwwww!  :P

Paul,
That must be a cross with Galanthus koenenianus, famous to smell of urine ;D ;D ;D

Gerd
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: ArneM on January 09, 2009, 06:53:05 PM
That must be a cross with Galanthus koenenianus, famous to smell of urine ;D ;D ;D

I knew it all along, snowdrop breeders would do those silly things one day.  ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: ranunculus on January 09, 2009, 08:11:48 PM
What was that Maggi... and incontinent hybrid?  Ewwwwwww!  :P

Paul,
That must be a cross with Galanthus koenenianus, famous to smell of urine ;D ;D ;D

Gerd

Is that one of the wee ones?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 09, 2009, 08:15:43 PM
Are you taking the..... ::)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 09, 2009, 08:16:35 PM
To use skiing parlance, I think this topic has gone a little off piste? ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Gerdk on January 09, 2009, 09:04:28 PM
It wasn't me - Paul gave the wrong cue!!!  :-[

Gerd
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Paul T on January 09, 2009, 09:42:13 PM
Nope, blame Maggi.  Her word started ME off.  ;)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 09, 2009, 10:05:11 PM
Nope, blame Maggi.  Her word started ME off.  ;)
Who, ME?  ::)    [attach=1]

I don't think so........ [attach=2]

I'm just doing my job here.......[attach=3]

it must have been.........

[attach=4]

you , Paul  :P

 



 

 
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 09, 2009, 11:24:33 PM
Have y'all seen Galanthus 'David Baker' is listed on Ebay? This has to be this year's triple figure seller.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 09, 2009, 11:28:06 PM
So you think this will go high, then , Mark?  There isn't even a photo of the flippin' thing!  :P



 Though I see we have one on the Forum, here: http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=947.msg29021
 Re: Galanthus January 2008
« Reply #841 on: January 27, 2008, 05:24:03 PM »  from John  "the Kent Gardener"
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Paul T on January 09, 2009, 11:29:59 PM
Maggi,

Welll if you've got enough time ot put in all those little pictures.... obviously you have got enough to do in you "job here".  ;)

I particularly like the 4th attachment, pointing out the guilty figure.  Very well done.  :P
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 09, 2009, 11:38:08 PM
Maggi,

Welll if you've got enough time to put in all those little pictures.... obviously you have not got enough to do in you "job here".  ;)

I particularly like the 4th attachment, pointing out the guilty figure.  Very well done.  :P

 Well, Paul, I need to keep active in between sorting out your mixups, so I collect gifs and other little animations to make my point clearly in any language.........
like this........
[attach=1]

[attach=2]

[attach=3]


Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 09, 2009, 11:38:17 PM
Not a good example in that photo. It's much nicer in the book.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 09, 2009, 11:46:40 PM
Not a good example in that photo. It's much nicer in the book.

 John says it's not a great photo but a great 'drop !
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 10, 2009, 12:00:39 AM
Doesn't really grab me. Apart from the obvious one (that is beyond my reach) in that post, I like 'Ballerina'.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 10, 2009, 10:34:44 AM
I'll look for Ballerina at the Gala for you
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on January 10, 2009, 11:02:00 AM
Nope, blame Maggi.  Her word started ME off.  ;)

At risk of continuing silliness here is a beautiful example of hoare frost on Merlin this morning
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 10, 2009, 12:21:56 PM
Nope, blame Maggi.  Her word started ME off.  ;)

At risk of continuing silliness here is a beautiful example of hoare frost on Merlin this morning
You're a brave woman, Jo  ;)

Somehow the photos of the frosting on these young shoots elicits sympathy that the shots of the fabulous sugar frosted coatings on overwintering stems and trees, shown to such acclaim in other threads, does not. With those shots I really am moved just by the aesthetic qualities of the scene, but here I find myself more inclined  to fear for the health of those frozen shoots. I hasten to add that this is NOT a particular depth of feeling engendered for the snowdrops alone... I would feel the same concern for any wee shoot.
I am  not suffering now, nor have I ever suffered, from White Fever.  ;D

Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 10, 2009, 12:31:55 PM
Doesn't really grab me. Apart from the obvious one (that is beyond my reach) in that post, I like 'Ballerina'.

Just checked the book. It looks much more better and in the cold light of day I can say I have changed my mind. :)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on January 10, 2009, 02:06:27 PM
You have even more sympathy for this one Maggi, Cyclamen cilicium sneaking in.  :D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 10, 2009, 02:07:00 PM
That's a relief Anthony, I wondered what had happened when you said it wasn't up to much ;)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 10, 2009, 02:32:11 PM
You have even more sympathy for this one Maggi, Cyclamen cilicium sneaking in.  :D
Oh, poor little things! Off now to Ebay to check two things.... availability of hot water bottles and Cyclamen! ::)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 10, 2009, 02:59:45 PM
That was interesting ..... Ebay is still a slow as it was over the holiday period... I'd hoped it would have speeded up again by now.
 First thing in appear cyclamen search was CGW's book, The genus Cyclamen, found his Poppies book too, as well as other editions of Cyclamen title.

I have found that Ebay is a rich vein to be mined for Cyclamen lovers, as well as Galanthophiles... for instance, I am thinking of bidding on this fabulous specimen... a brand new colour break for the genus which I think is very exciing.... I am sure that it is not mentioned in even the newest editions of CGW books  ::)
[attach=1]
 
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 10, 2009, 03:17:38 PM
it's fugly
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 10, 2009, 03:23:19 PM
I take it this one ranks as a form of vitreous humour?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on January 10, 2009, 03:46:44 PM
Fanplastically ugly  :o
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 10, 2009, 04:04:12 PM
Dear me, this is not the enthusiastic reception I think the seller had anticipated for his discovery..... ah well, I suppose the unusual is often spurned at first.... fear of the unknown etc   ::)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 10, 2009, 04:48:07 PM
Are you sure it's not an erythronium? (sits back and waits for the wrath of Maggi to strike).  ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 10, 2009, 04:56:33 PM
An ERYTHRONIUM?   

[attach=1]

[attach=2]
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Diane Whitehead on January 10, 2009, 07:28:56 PM
Jo's ikariae ssp ikariae seed from the AGS list 36 1988 was garden-collected.

It was a good year - corcyrensis was also offered, and I don't think I've seen
it listed any other time.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 10, 2009, 07:43:07 PM
Jo's ikariae ssp ikariae seed from the AGS list 36 1988 was garden-collected.

It was a good year - corcyrensis was also offered, and I don't think I've seen
it listed any other time.

Well done, Diane, that's great to find that out.   I gues either 1) you are the donor, or 2) you never throw anything away??       whatever,  Thank you!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Diane Whitehead on January 10, 2009, 07:53:57 PM
Maggi,  (2) is right.  I have a special shelf for all my old seedlists.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on January 10, 2009, 10:02:06 PM
Thanks Diane, amazing to look back like that. I wonder who the donor was  !!, perhaps they look in on this forum.  Does anyone donate galanthus seed ?   I've just sown seed of reginae - olgae from this year's distribution. I hope its as successful and maybe flowers sooner  :)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 11, 2009, 08:26:06 PM
Beth made a killing tonight with her snowdrops. All sold for well over normal value. What is amazing is many can be bought from her web site for less. The biggest seller was Britten's Kite that sold for £78.

I fear that more and more suppliers will go to Ebay leaving nothing available for us sensible people.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 11, 2009, 09:16:31 PM
Speaking as one living on savings and with interest rates falling at speed, I can be pretty sure that if I HAD any of these flippin' 'drops, I'd be off to Ebay like the proverbial rat up a drainpipe...... ::)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 11, 2009, 09:23:42 PM
I feel like selling all mine? I can then re buy a collection at normal price and have a load of money for myself.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: loes on January 11, 2009, 09:54:18 PM
...or you sell for very low prices to forummembers and feel very good ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 11, 2009, 10:14:17 PM
Quote
The biggest seller was Britten's Kite that sold for £78.
palepink struck again! :-\
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 11, 2009, 10:33:32 PM
Palepink bought many last year and bought a few tonight

Maggi nice new pic but why is there a camera stuck to your ear?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 11, 2009, 10:36:47 PM
The good thing is that the plant manager at Beth Chatto Gardens said that once they had sold ten they would be allowed to sell as "Buy it Now".  Well they have sold ten nowso it will be interesting to see if they do hold to this promise.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: maggiepie on January 11, 2009, 10:54:53 PM
Maggi, where is your blue cloak?
Can I have it? ;D ;D ;D


Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 11, 2009, 11:03:51 PM
Quote
Maggi nice new pic but why is there a camera stuck to your ear?
Mark, look again, I just knew someone was goin gto say that, so I changed it again.... must have been doing that as you posted!!

Quote
Maggi, where is your blue cloak?
Can I have it?   
  Helen, it's hanging up behind the door, I still use it in the summer  ;D

I'd love to know who "palepink" is... if I knew I'd send a begging letter to ask for a fiver. :-X
That name "palepink"  makes me think of pleiones and Pinkepank  :-\ Don't know why, it an odd association. :-\
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 11, 2009, 11:11:36 PM
I wonder if 'Palepink' is watching us? :o
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 11, 2009, 11:27:50 PM
I wonder if 'Palepink' is watching us? :o
Are you speaking about that dodgy website again, Antony?  ???
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 12, 2009, 06:49:11 AM
Quote
I wonder if 'Palepink' is watching us?

Probably. When I go to snowdrop events many people know about the forum and the bulb log. They always say the feel they have nothing to say
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Diane Whitehead on January 13, 2009, 01:57:55 AM
Just posted on the PBS (Pacific Bulb Society) list:

Another comment on eBay in general. We have discovered that illegally
imported material is sometimes offered. Fish and Wildlife has actually
brought us material they got off eBay to help identify. Some is likely
smuggled CITES material, especially with succulents. I suggest  checking
with known sources before relying  on eBay.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: art600 on January 13, 2009, 09:46:14 AM
Mark

If Beth Chatto sells on EBay, I have not found her.  Does she operate under another name?

Also, since most bidders are PRIVATE 1, 2 etc, how do you know that Palepink was the successful buyer.   ??? ???

I would love to know more about Ombersley Plants (Excellent bulbs and generous) & MROHowes (Tempted but have not bought yet as prices generally too rich for my pocket).  Are you able to supply some details, even if it is by PM.


.

I
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 13, 2009, 09:49:26 AM
Art, Beth Chatto Gardens had over ten different snowdrops for sale.  They have not yet put any more on, although they said they will be doing so on a "Buy it Now" basis Hooray!

To answer your second question, if you have only put in a sensible bid you are allowed to see the highest bidder at the end of the auction.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: art600 on January 13, 2009, 09:55:52 AM
Brian

Thanks for answering a couple of my questions.

I must have missed the Beth Chatto lisitings, although I started watching EBay snowdrops some time ago.
If she lists as Beth Chatto, I will make her a favourite and then I get an email when new snowdrops are listed.

Do you know who is behind the other two names?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 13, 2009, 10:20:55 AM
see PM Art ;)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 13, 2009, 10:29:59 AM
see PM Art ;)
So Gordon Brown knows? :D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 13, 2009, 10:31:22 AM
...'bout the only thing he does :P
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: art600 on January 13, 2009, 10:59:08 AM
see PM Art ;)
So Gordon Brown knows? :D

He has not got time for frivolous things like Snowdrops - he's 'saving the world'   ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 13, 2009, 11:31:55 AM
Quote
Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
« Reply #196 on: Today at 10:59:08 AM »   Quote

Quote from: Anthony Darby on Today at 10:29:59 AM
Quote from: Brian Ellis on Today at 10:20:55 AM
see PM Art
So Gordon Brown knows?

He has not got time for frivolous things like Snowdrops - he's 'saving the world'   

Ah, that's alright then :-X
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Diane Clement on January 13, 2009, 12:54:48 PM
To answer your second question, if you have only put in a sensible bid you are allowed to see the highest bidder at the end of the auction. 

You can see the final bidder if you are logged in, you don't need to be a bidder.  Private sales don't show the bidder even then.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 13, 2009, 01:05:47 PM
Private sales do show the winning bidder. Keep the list open and use another window to watch what's going on. Click on the snowdrop once bidding is over and the winner comes up.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 13, 2009, 01:27:21 PM
What a devious lot we are :o
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 13, 2009, 02:20:33 PM
Just posted on the PBS (Pacific Bulb Society) list:

Another comment on eBay in general. We have discovered that illegally
imported material is sometimes offered. Fish and Wildlife has actually
brought us material they got off eBay to help identify. Some is likely
smuggled CITES material, especially with succulents. I suggest  checking
with known sources before relying  on eBay.

A worrying report, indeed,  Diane. 

We have had details in the papers here recently of the case of a wife of a retired policeman who has been in court for selling counterfeit items of designer clothing on Ebay, from her home in rural Aberdeenshire.....
makes you wonder if honesty is actually valued at all nowadays ? ???
I know this makes me sound like a grumpy old woman.... which., of course, I AM.... but it's a valid point, nontheless!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 13, 2009, 02:59:02 PM
What a devious lot we are :o
Speak for yourselves.... I' m not devious, just sneaky... :P ;)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Michael J Campbell on January 13, 2009, 03:31:40 PM
With all the silly things that are happening on Ebay I thought this might be appropriate.

Subject: The sad passing of Common Sense .................



>
>
> An Obituary printed in the London Times........ interesting and sadly rather
> true.
>
> Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has
> been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his
> birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be
> remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
> * Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
> * Why the early bird gets the worm;
> * Life isn't always fair;
> * and maybe it was my fault.
> Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more
> than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in
> charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but
> overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy
> charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from
> school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding
> an unruly student, only worsened his condition. Common Sense lost ground
> when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had
> failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further
> when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion
> or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student
> became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Common Sense lost the will
> to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better
> treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't
> defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue
> you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a
> woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a
> little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense
> was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust his wife, Discretion
> his daughter, Responsibility his son, Reason. He is survived by his 4
> stepbrothers;
> * I Know My Rights
> * I Want It Now
> * Someone Else Is To Blame
> * I'm A Victim
> Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 13, 2009, 06:08:43 PM
'Clovis' is on Ebay and is already at £26 with 4 days to go. 'David Baker' is already just short of £50.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: David Nicholson on January 13, 2009, 06:30:03 PM
Michael, that sums up the world really well.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on January 13, 2009, 06:46:28 PM
So how many of us have bought snowdrops on ebay ?????

I have once, Galanthus nivalis 'Virescens', I was offered it at the price I dropped out at so I went ahead. I'm really pleased with it, it flowered the following year and looks to have more tips this year. ;)

Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 13, 2009, 06:57:42 PM
Guilty but at a time before the madness took hold - on Ebay!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 13, 2009, 07:01:33 PM
Both hands up, but mainly things that are not on anyones lists, only one this year for the princely sum of a fiver.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on January 13, 2009, 07:40:22 PM
That was a bargain Brian ;D

I wish the ones I haven't got went for a fiver  :(
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 13, 2009, 08:27:41 PM
I think my elwesii hybrid cost £1 each. It wasnt listed as a hybrid but wasnt pure once I saw it
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 14, 2009, 07:58:52 PM
Clovis was for sale a few years ago at the Gala.

Wurzelwurm bought L'lo n Green for £68. I see he also bought from the Dutch man who was selling bulbils. He's also been buying up Pleiones.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 14, 2009, 08:02:48 PM
He's from Germany.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Paul Ravenhill on January 14, 2009, 08:08:02 PM
He's also just paid  £75.99 for David Barker
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Hans J on January 14, 2009, 08:10:48 PM
Maybe Arne :o :o :o ?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 14, 2009, 08:11:39 PM
Hans I can imagine all you guys pointing the finger at each other  ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Hans J on January 14, 2009, 08:27:10 PM
Mark ,

....we have only to wait for next year who will send pics from this plants .... ::)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on January 14, 2009, 08:42:56 PM
for my pics you can wait a long long time ;)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Hans J on January 14, 2009, 08:49:31 PM
Hagen ,

willst Du erst twinscaling machen ?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 14, 2009, 09:06:14 PM
Quote
quote author =Hagen .....for my pics you can wait a long long time
Hagen ,

willst Du erst twinscaling machen ?

 ;D ;D ;D ;D 8)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 14, 2009, 09:10:43 PM
I'm not sure that this Wurzelwurm wants to grow the  snowies... I think he may want to eat them......
Wurzelwurm translates as   root-worm...which I suppose is an eelworm or nematode.... those expensive snowies could be in for a horrible death.....or a good life in the garden of a collector with a sense of humour!  ::)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Hans J on January 14, 2009, 09:21:04 PM
Maggi ,

I hope there is not "Nomen est Omen" ....with Wurzelwurm ....
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 14, 2009, 09:27:27 PM
Amen to that.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 14, 2009, 11:55:07 PM
Or when it comes to snowdrops "sulum sumptus parco est", if I can help it.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: steve owen on January 15, 2009, 01:05:18 AM
I have Clovis, obtained from Joe Sharman. Correction; I am waiting for Clovis to put in an appearance.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 15, 2009, 01:24:58 AM
Or when it comes to snowdrops "sulum sumptus parco est", if I can help it.
"Sumptus censum ne superet" , Anthony..... always good advice........ perhapswe should send it to the ebayer buying all those snowdrops at great expense?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 15, 2009, 01:31:03 AM
I have Clovis, obtained from Joe Sharman. Correction; I am waiting for Clovis to put in an appearance.
Are you worried yet that your 'Clovis' is not showing, Steve? Up here in Aberdeen we have hardly any drops through the soil at all so far , so I won't be anxious about any "missing" for quite some time yet.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: steve owen on January 15, 2009, 07:43:09 AM
Maggie
85% of my varieties are through. I'm relaxed about the 15% because the cold snap kept everything back, and because one variety has to be first and one last. But among the 15% are some that cost a certain amount of money and one doesn't cheerfully contemplate spending again if a replacement proves necessary.
Other contributors have talked about losing certain varieties and trying unsuccessfully to grow them again.  I tell myself that I won't have that problem but that's probably the optimism of youth. The one I most wanted to see peeping above ground is "Trumps" and thank heavens it's back.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 15, 2009, 09:46:51 AM
I have to agree Steve, I have been waiting with baited breath to see 'Wasp' emerge, thankfully it put in an appearance yesterday, as Ann Borrill had just told me hers was in flower ten minutes down the road!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 15, 2009, 10:28:01 AM
Ah 'Wasp'. I think I'm on a promise for that one. :)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: David Nicholson on January 15, 2009, 12:38:40 PM
I see :P
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: ArneM on January 15, 2009, 02:33:26 PM
Maybe Arne :o :o :o ?


What do you say about me?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Hans J on January 15, 2009, 03:39:32 PM
Arne :

 ::) are you not Wurzelwurm ? ::) 

:P
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 15, 2009, 03:46:18 PM
Quote
So how many of us have bought snowdrops on ebay ??
Were there only the three of us putting up our hands?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: ArneM on January 15, 2009, 03:46:59 PM
Arne :

 ::) are you not Wurzelwurm ? ::) 

:P

No, I am not as I would not buy any of those snowdrops for such high prices (especially not for bulbils...). I am not stupid. :P ;)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: art600 on January 15, 2009, 05:38:57 PM
Quote
So how many of us have bought snowdrops on ebay ??
Were there only the three of us putting up our hands?

I have bought snowdrops successfully on EBay - this means good drops at reasonable prices.  :)   I have also sold drops on EBay - not made my fortune yet.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Diane Clement on January 15, 2009, 05:59:48 PM
I have bought snowdrops successfully on EBay - this means good drops at reasonable prices.  :)   I have also sold drops on EBay - not made my fortune yet. 

So have I (both good and reasonable price)  ;)
I think I got quite a good deal  8)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 15, 2009, 06:13:19 PM
Must declare my interest here, I suppose, spirit of openness and all that.... yes, I have bought snowdrops from ebay.  :o... I showed them before, can't remember when but I'll do so again now, I've found the photo.....
 [attach=1]
I  must say I'm very pleased with them and while they are showing no signs of vegetative increase, they are sturdy and I like them a lot.
  8)


Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: loes on January 15, 2009, 06:22:01 PM
I did too.3 times and only 'cheap' ones.and I am looking at ebay now....
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: art600 on January 15, 2009, 11:31:07 PM
I have no hesitation in recommending 'farmhouse500' on EBay for excellent value.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on January 16, 2009, 08:18:47 AM
I've been buying and bidding for some Pleione on e-bay - there's some very relyable sellers out there and some others...
Some chap in the Netherlands has probably bought 1 Kg of P. Forrestii from Chen Yi and is now selling them by 3's...  ::)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 16, 2009, 12:22:11 PM
I have no hesitation in recommending 'farmhouse500' on EBay for excellent value.
I've bought from him. :)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Diane Clement on January 17, 2009, 09:19:11 PM
has anyone been watching Clovis ::)  over 100 pounds now.  half hour to go, i didn't have a chance ;D  rob

grumpysteve did it again £133.50   is that the highest this year so far?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 18, 2009, 11:17:04 AM
Yes, and Clovis isn't known to show its characterstics every year!  You are right Diane, the most expensive ...so far, followed by Brittens Kite at £78 and David Baker at 75.99  ::) (I bought mine for about a quarter of that price last year)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 18, 2009, 11:26:41 AM
I can't help feeling that if the people buying these high-priced 'drops are members of this Forum, then all the negative comments are hardly conducive to them "coming out"   ::)

I am so grateful that none of you folks are privy to my shoe bills in the bygone days  when I had a social life.... :o ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 18, 2009, 11:35:43 AM
The money spent on snowdrops is nothing if you can afford it!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: steve owen on January 18, 2009, 11:44:50 AM

grumpysteve did it again £133.50   is that the highest this year so far?
[/quote]

Couldn't be Steve Owen (Biggles) could it?????????
[/quote]

(My first try at posting this comment has disappeared into space).

This is getting silly. Whilst trying not to sound too abrasive, can I make four points?

1. Ebay bidders are entitled to anonymity if they wish, for perfectly good reasons that five minutes thought over a cup of coffee will provide. Whilst I am no lawyer, I suspect they also have the support of the Data Protection Act.

2. Ebay prices are a demonstration of the simple law of market supply and demand. No crimes are being committed. There is no evidence that those who bid on Ebay are somehow not such good snowdrop lovers as the SRGC galacticos - indeed, many recent posters acknowledge that they have used Ebay. So why are some contributors trying to start a witch-hunt?

3. Several weeks ago I posted a comment (which no-one replied to) concerning the concern expressed on these threads about Ebay prices. I said (and repeat) that there are two antidotes;

a) for snowdrop enthusiasts who have good stocks of various varieties making them available to those wishing to grow them, instead of leavijng it to the very limited numbers of commercial suppliers on Ebay. For example, the poster who three days ago mentioned his clumps of Wendy's Gold could, together with others, knock the bottom out of the Ebay price for Wendy's Gold overnight by making increased numbers of plants available.  Some of those protesting most loudly have the solution in their own hands (and forks).

Indeed, the SRGC could even take an initiative here! I have already agreed privately to provide other SRGC members with drops they want. Why not an SRGC snowdrop exchange register?

b) be patient. Prices will come down. For example, prices for 11 varieties of snowdrop auctioned twice on Ebay since 1 January 2009 show a reduction averaging almost 40% on the second-time price.

4. If you have read this far, this may sound defensive and self-interested. So let me assure David that no, I am NOT "grumpysteve" , and yes, I have bid for ONE snowdrop on Ebay this year; and no, I am not going to divulge my Ebay bissing identity. Call me old-fashioned, but I was taught to mind my own business. So , I hope you will drop this sterile pointing of fingers (and I'm not the only one its happened to this week).

Now I'm going out in the sunshine to look at small white plants that don't give me hassle.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: steve owen on January 18, 2009, 11:47:16 AM
Sorry folks, indignation doesn't make for accurate word-processing. "Bissing" in my last post is of course "bidding".
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 18, 2009, 11:59:35 AM
First I will address the  question : "Why not an SRGC snowdrop exchange register? "

No need for such a thing....because this is  EXACTLY what Forumists are already organising amongst themselves on an informal basis ....as is the case for a thousand other plant types which are being freely swapped amongst members. 8)

I do know that the "whodunnit" comments are made in good faith and with humour by Forumists but it is clear that offence can be, and is, being taken.
 
Please consider the effect of any personal comment made: I know that many of us know each other pretty well, through years of Forum chat, and it would be a shame if banter between us were restrited.... just give extra thought about your posts, please.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 18, 2009, 12:06:37 PM
Sorry folks, indignation doesn't make for accurate word-processing. "Bissing" in my last post is of course "bidding"..
 
I think you have entered a new word into the English language Steve: 'bisser' - an anonymous bidder on EBay

I get disheartened by the high prices and am drawn more to the exchange system.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: loes on January 18, 2009, 12:22:44 PM
good comments Steve,I agree

and about the exchange register:
for the forumists that only grow snowdrops for a few years it is no option to exchange.
at first one buy`s the 'common'snowdrops like Merlin,Atkinsii,Lady Elphinstone etc.In a few years they have multiplied but you all grow them so no exchange is possible.In the meantime one buy`s more exclusive drops but most of you got those too.so no exchange.
Why not selling snowdrops,at reasonable prices?good for the ones who start a collection and for the sellers money to buy a new one.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: steve owen on January 18, 2009, 12:24:57 PM
Anthony
You made me smile for the first time this morning.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on January 18, 2009, 02:01:27 PM
Wonderfully entertaining bit of forum today,  thanks Steve et al.  The best thing about ebay is that the plants don't arrive with a price ticket on them.   Just think how fast I usually have to move to disguise (from my husband ) the price of plants bought from the Wisley plant centre etc, then compare that to prices on ebay  :o :o :o I'd have to move faster than the speed of light in case he caught a glimpse !!!

I like the club system of the plant name on one label and price and seller on the second. I just need to remove one label. Then there are the ones you can cut the top bit off.  :D   

I've stopped just removing the label altogether cos I kept forgetting the name of the thing I'd bought.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 18, 2009, 02:05:54 PM
Quote
Then there are the ones you can cut the top bit off.

 Oh, yes, done that, too!

Quote
Just think how fast I usually have to move to disguise (from my husband ) the price of plants bought

 Too true:  the ripost used for new frocks ..."What? This old thing? Had it for years"  ...doesn't really work for  plants, does it?  ::) :P :-[ :-X :-\


Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on January 18, 2009, 02:09:18 PM
Haha, no, specially not a snowdrop.   ::)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 18, 2009, 03:04:46 PM
Diane i think your idea of a snowdrop exchange sounds great.

yes it is allready done 'behind the scenes' but i very much enjoy exchanging snowdrops, it saves you money and helps others obtain that snowdrops they have been after, and you get something you have wanted.
its also a nice way to increase your Friends in the snowdrop world.

so perhaps if something is set up like this it will help out us growers who just want to collect snowdrops without going bankrupt ::)

perhaps i can make a example by listing all my spares when they have all have emerged, if others can do this in a thread or something then that would help.

rob

Rob, I have already answered this point about a snow drop exchange.
I repeat, for the avoidance of doubt, there is already a great deal of swapping or simple gifting, going on behind the scenes.  You, and others, already state quite clearly in various threads, what plants you seek. There is no need for anything further in the way of a snowdrop or any other formal exchange.... neither will there be.


Those buying and selling on Ebay are at perfect liberty so to do and while it may be amusing to discuss what are considered extraordinary prices for wee bulbs, it is unfair to suggest that anyone choosing to buy or sell in such a manner is acting selfishly or unfairly by their actions.
Put this another way, I will give an example which I hope will illustrate the weakness of some points made...... If I walk into a Ferrari show-room and fall in love with a TestaRossa and say to the salesman," I cannot afford that car, I have only ten pounds,  but I love it, I want it ...you have a show room full of them.... give me one for ten pounds"
....at the very least the salesman will laugh me out of the show-room...  :P  Why should a plant seller be any different? To argue for such "charity" is to offend, I would think, those generous and selfless growers who  already are so kind as to help others.



Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 18, 2009, 03:18:20 PM
I think one has to be a Galanthus magnate to be able to keep up with Ebay prices. 8)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: johnw on January 18, 2009, 03:30:15 PM
I think one has to be a Galanthus magnate to be able to keep up with Ebay prices. 8)

How true, some are worth a blonde ingot.

johnw
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 18, 2009, 03:53:03 PM
I think one has to be a Galanthus magnate to be able to keep up with Ebay prices. 8)

How true, some are worth a blonde ingot.

johnw
Now there's a name for a snowdrop. 8)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 19, 2009, 12:46:17 AM
Can I be the only one on the forum who doesn't know how to bid on ebay?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: johnw on January 19, 2009, 03:53:26 AM
Martin - You're not alone. I went to the UK ebay site for the first time yesterday. Haven't a clue how to proceed beyond what's for sale and don't intend to find out.

Stay pure.

johnw
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: steve owen on January 19, 2009, 07:51:47 AM
 ;D
Where else could you buy a fully-working Magic Roundabout in its original box?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 19, 2009, 09:08:30 AM
Can I be the only one on the forum who doesn't know how to bid on ebay?
I take it you've got past the www.ebay.co.uk and then searched for "Galanthus" bit? Click on the item you fancy, fill in your bid. and place bid. It then asks you to fill in ID (your made up unique identity) and password. If you are not registered you follow the procedure outlined on the page.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 19, 2009, 10:53:51 AM
Quote
I take it you've got past the www.ebay.co.uk and then searched for "Galanthus" bit? Click on the item you fancy, fill in your bid. and place bid. It then asks you to fill in ID (your made up unique identity) and password. If you are not registered you follow the procedure outlined on the page.

Don't encourage Martin on to the slippery slope....unless he intends to sell his seedlings ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 19, 2009, 11:55:06 AM
;D
Where else could you buy a fully-working Magic Roundabout in its original box?

Damn! I missed that! :'(

Hard to resist that sort of temptation . I love Ermintrude  :-X
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: David Nicholson on January 19, 2009, 12:31:22 PM
;D
Where else could you buy a fully-working Magic Roundabout in its original box?

Damn! I missed that! :'(

Hard to resist that sort of temptation . I love Ermintrude  :-X

Was there an English atlas as well Maggi? :P
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 19, 2009, 12:54:29 PM
;D
Where else could you buy a fully-working Magic Roundabout in its original box?

Damn! I missed that! :'(

Hard to resist that sort of temptation . I love Ermintrude  :-X

Was there an English atlas as well Maggi? :P



 Cheeky, David, if well deserved! Yes, I know I should be looking for a good atlas... but, in truth, I have access to a pretty good atlas, it is just that it is a National Geographic one.... it's nearly as big as I am..... handy for quick reference it is not!

We refer to it  jokingly as the "Pocket Atlas".... it is so large that if I dropped it on Lily dog I could squash her flat as a pancake  :-X
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 19, 2009, 05:09:15 PM
Here's a word of warning about another online bidding web site. I just saw an ad on Amazon for a very cheap Canon 450D that went for under £50.
http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/swoopocouk-real-deal-24819.aspx (http://www.moneysupermarket.com/community/forums/t/swoopocouk-real-deal-24819.aspx)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: maggiepie on January 19, 2009, 06:56:14 PM
Can I be the only one on the forum who doesn't know how to bid on ebay?

Nope, the only time I tried to register it kept sending me around in circles, just as well from what I am reading ;)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 19, 2009, 07:17:53 PM
Helen you have to think of a name, to register, that no-one else has thought of. There is someone registered called handsoffitsmine
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: maggiepie on January 19, 2009, 07:41:07 PM
Helen you have to think of a name, to register, that no-one else has thought of. There is someone registered called handsoffitsmine

Bummer, I would have liked that name  ;D
I'll have to give it another go.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 21, 2009, 12:10:43 AM
Well folks, 'Flocon de Neige' and 'Ecusson d'Or' are on Ebay. Now the fun starts. ::)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: KentGardener on January 21, 2009, 09:50:38 AM
So I see!  £70 + already with 4 days to go.  Will be interesting to see if they beat last years record.  I wonder if 'E A Bowles' will make it onto ebay this season?

John
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Michael J Campbell on January 21, 2009, 10:21:04 AM
Can someone give me a link to these drops on Ebay I can only find the Beth Chatto plants and a few others,the search facility in not finding them. Don't worry I am not going to bid,
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: KentGardener on January 21, 2009, 10:29:53 AM
Hi Michael

I went to www.ebay.co.uk (not the .com version)  and then simply searhed for one word 'galanthus'  - it returned about 100 different items.

Hope this helps.

John
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Michael J Campbell on January 21, 2009, 10:42:14 AM
Thanks John,found it. Some people obviously have more money than sense.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 21, 2009, 03:32:22 PM
Looking at the pic of 'Ecusson d'Or' on ebay, the markings look more pale green than yellow to me. And in the description it says that the yellow colour varies according to soil type and that the marks on the outers may not appear every year. Can't help wondering if this snowdrop has been a tad over-hyped. Will be interesting to see what Mark's looks like when fully open.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 21, 2009, 03:39:55 PM
I just used the forum search facility to look for Mark's pic of 'Ecusson d'Or' not yet open and I mis-spelled it as Galanthus 'Eccuson d'Or'.

The search engine came back with "Did you mean Galanthus accusing 'd'Or' ?"  Which I thought was quite appropriate given my last post.   ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: ranunculus on January 21, 2009, 03:44:18 PM
Can't help wondering if this snowdrop has been a tad over-hyped.

Only THIS one, Martin?   :D :D :D :D    Roll on 'alpine' time!   ;D    Back into hibernation, I suppose?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: KentGardener on January 21, 2009, 03:47:04 PM
The search engine came back with "Did you mean Galanthus accusing 'd'Or' ?"  Which I thought was quite appropriate given my last post.   ;D

 ;D   ::) ;D

I too was thinking the 'yellow' in the picture was not what I would describe as yellow.  It is a very nice colour though - but lime green, not yellow.  I found the same with 'Elwesii Carolyn Elwes' when I saw it in the flesh - not as yellow as I was expecting.

Regards

John
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 21, 2009, 04:49:35 PM
'd'Or' needs acid soil to show the best colour. When I first saw it a few years ago at one of the Gala the yellow was really good. Nine in bud was green tipped. It's now more yellow but not as deep as I remember.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on January 21, 2009, 05:43:04 PM
Anyone fancy trying it in my acid soil ?? I could make space  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Michael J Campbell on January 21, 2009, 06:11:04 PM
 ‘Flocon de Neige' is now £102-00
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: KentGardener on January 21, 2009, 06:55:59 PM
‘Flocon de Neige' is now £102-00
:o :o :o

I so wish I was rich.

(then again.... after my mothers up-bringing, I still don't think I could bring myself to spend that much on a single bulb!)

John
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Michael on January 22, 2009, 11:25:45 PM
I so wish I was rich.
(then again.... after my mothers up-bringing, I still don't think I could bring myself to spend that much on a single bulb!)
John

£102-00 just for one bulb? What has that plant of so special to be that expensive?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 23, 2009, 09:27:16 AM
Michael,

It needs plenty of hype, a shortage in supply and an avid buying public.


On the question of price/value of bulbs: do other members find that an expensive bulb, after a few years when it has bulked up in the garden, simply becomes another bulb that you can swap for something which you would like to have and this without any consideration of original price?

Paddy
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 23, 2009, 09:43:50 AM
Quote
On the question of price/value of bulbs: do other members find that an expensive bulb, after a few years when it has bulked up in the garden, simply become another bulb that you can swap for something which you would like to have and this without any consideration of original price?

Absolutely Paddy, I think it comes under the definition of a plantsman ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 23, 2009, 10:03:31 AM
Yes, Brian, Just so and thankfully there are many of such people about.

I have just done a search on this forum for G. 'David Baker' and noticed Mark made a comment on January 9th that G. 'David Baker' was listed on e-bay and imagined that it would be this year's three digit snowdrop. I don't visit e-bay and haven't seen if it reached such a high price but I purchased a bulb last night from Wol Staines of Glen Chantry Gardens: three bulbs, G. 'David Baker', G. 'Three Ships' and G. 'Primrose Warburg' (this with a flower and two good offsets) for a total cost of €80. Now, in light of reading Marks's comments, I feel I have had a bargain.

Paddy
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 23, 2009, 10:11:53 AM
You'll be pleased to know you got a bargain Paddy, it sold on eBay for £75.99  :o
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Michael on January 23, 2009, 10:41:30 AM
I just made a search this morning, and i got really disapointed :(

That Galanthus nivalis "Flocon de Neige" is double  :-\

Most double flowers look horrible to me (exceptions are the composites, and the rose, of course).
In the case of a Galanthus, just found a good picture of a double one
(http://www.floralimages.co.uk/images/galanthus_nivalis_15c5.jpg)

Just look at that thing, a total mess, it does not have a definite number of whorls, the inner tepals are mostly distorted and randomly overlapped, even the stamens are hediously fused with some tepals and dont look nice at all.

In my opinion, any regular Galanthus would beat that one by far. And the guy on the ebay mentions that it slow to increase, no wonder, he is trying to fight against Nature's laws by creating and trying to maintain that wierd thing  :-X

They say that symetry is beauty... and this one has none. I am really curious to understand why there are people that would pay a fortune for such an aberration. I mean, they could still grow and like double flowers (it depends on the tastes of each person) but paying such high prices for a single bulb is a bit too far.  :o

I guess i would only pay that high for a galanthus, if the flower was blood red :D :D, or any other special feature that instantly make it distinct from the rest. But one thing that it always had to have is a nice symmetry :D

Otherwise i would spare the money to buy some other interesting, hard to find bulbs as well.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 23, 2009, 10:57:29 AM
But, Michael, even people - the human body - for example, is not symmetrical and yet most examples are considered, by and large, beautiful. Also, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think you are just a very particular person, Michael!!!!!!!!


I have to agree that there are many snowdrops, those with very abberant parts, which are an abomination. So, I agree with you to some extent.

Paddy
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Michael on January 23, 2009, 11:25:26 AM
Yes Paddy, you are right, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That definition is even better than mine :D

But I still think that only a blood red Galanthus would worth that price :D

I guess the only plants that should be expensive are those wich are extremely hard to propagate, their growth is extremey slow or they are difficult to grow due to specific conditions. I dont think a Galanthus would take 17 years from seed to blooming or from tissue culture to blooming...
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 23, 2009, 11:32:47 AM
Michael,

You must try Galanthus 'Hill Poe' - Irish, perfectly formed and symmetrical.

Paddy
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Michael on January 23, 2009, 12:41:37 PM
Michael,
You must try Galanthus 'Hill Poe' - Irish, perfectly formed and symmetrical.
Paddy

Paddy, i like all regular galanthus  ;D, they do not need to be perfectly formed to look nice. They are really special plants, no matter the amount of differences there are between varieties or species. As long as they follow the overall rule 3+3 tepals and 6 stamens, i willl always like them :)

I also wish i could grow them with the same success you grow on Europe, but i am afraid that is not possible :(
But i will keep trying! John brought me G. woronowii and G. reginae-olgae to try for the first time ever! So far they are doing nice, but its stil too early to sing victory! Having a carpet of flowering Galanthus here in my climate is a real challenge!

Yeah, i know we cannot have everything, but my stubborness and obcession regarding these wont let me give up :D :D

'flocon de neige' reached over 250 pounds last year y'know ;D
rob

omg, i think that is insane, but at the same time it is good because it means there are people that are really enthusiastic about these kind of plants. If all human beings were that enthusiastic, the world would be much better :)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: ichristie on January 23, 2009, 01:27:59 PM
Hi I have been reading this thread for some time and would like to question the info given by Mark about yellow Galanthus plicatus he suggests acid soil, well Galanthus plicatus grows in woodlands  in nature where Beech and Chestnut grow and this leafmould contains lime, ( not all bulbs)I use beech and Chestnut leafmould also scatter some crushed tufa as a trial and all my G plicatus grow well with good yellow colour. other G nivalis yellows are the same. cheers Ian the Christie kind.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 23, 2009, 01:48:02 PM
I only repeated how I was told to grow this snowdrop. Have you found yellow plicatus in 'your' woods?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: ichristie on January 23, 2009, 03:52:14 PM
Hi Mark, yes I found one small clums some time ago looks like G plicatus Wendys gold but I will look at it again when it flowers this year. I visited the Castle last week and found quite a few G. plicatus and some definate Hybrids beween G plicatus and G nivalis. I send a picture of one which I call Ramsay 1 this is just a holding name. I am sure that we all have different gardens and for me Galanthus plicatus will not grow in a wet peaty area whilst G nivalis grows in running water I saw this at brechin this week, cheers Ian.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: jamouatt on January 23, 2009, 04:17:26 PM
The Cambridgeshire yellow plicatus originated on a chalk sub soil which is no way acidic.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 23, 2009, 04:24:01 PM
Ian your find looks very like 'Robin Hood' and 'Little John' both are plicatus hybrids.

This is 'Little John'
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on January 23, 2009, 06:19:55 PM
Could it be Ian found LADY MARIAN?? ;) I mean it`s a nice one with a short and round ovarium.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 23, 2009, 06:34:28 PM
'Maid Marian' is already a named snowdrop
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: KentGardener on January 23, 2009, 06:39:29 PM
Could it be Ian found LADY MARIAN?? ;) I mean it`s a nice one with a short and round ovarium.
 

 ;D ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on January 23, 2009, 06:54:05 PM
Mark, yes you have the advantage of the language, but.....
Maid Marian is only a synonym of your LITTLE JOHN, it means the name is free ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: ichristie on January 23, 2009, 07:12:44 PM
Hi all, I thank you for your suggested name but as I have just found this hybrid it is only correct to watch it for the next couple of years, one thing for sure I intend to go back to this site where I have seen other snowdrops which are flowering and look very interesting to me. I do have to consider what we have around already but these hybrid snowdrops should not go un-noticed so to speak all have had no input from man and have a great history which I intend to write up sometime. I will post some more pictures when possible,  cheers Ian the Christie kind.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 23, 2009, 07:21:08 PM
Hagan there is an green tipped elwesii called 'Maid Marian'
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 23, 2009, 07:42:12 PM
What I don't think many of you may realise is that, whereas the snowdrops in other parts of the country, Republic of Irleand etc. may be getting into their Spring Swing, so to speak.... up here in Scotland the season is  very much just beginning..... thus the 'drops Ian is seeing now are, for us, quite different because they are so early.
 
The more I hear about these so-called "special" snowdrops, whether or not they are going for a fortune on Ebay, or are desperately tended by loving and experienced growers, for whom they still weaken and die at a rate of knots, the more I think the whole thing of galanthophilia is the daftest of fashions.

I would rather have a snowdrop which had the constitution of an ox and would grow in any soil and make a thousand gardeners happy than one of these unstable, irregular, weakly, miffy "rareties .....especally given the number that seem to be wrongly named, supposing one does obtain them.
Ah, and the naming....... yes, that's an other craziness.....
this plant is named 'Bloggs', we're told
.....oh, but it looks wrong
... I have 'Bloggs' from Bloggs himself
.... so do I but it is different
..... then a plant, generally acclaimed as looking like 'Bloggs' appears.
.... oh,it must be 'Bloggs'
...... but it can't be 'Bloggs' there is no provenance of that
..... then it just looks like 'Bloggs' then, and is thus not worthy of a name
- but if there is so much trouble about 'Bloggs' and if Bloogs lookalikes are rife, then why was 'Bloggs' ever a good subject for naming in the first place?
The whole thing is lunacy, I tell you.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 23, 2009, 07:52:14 PM
I've got the stake, the rope and the wood. Who's got the matches? ;)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: ichristie on January 23, 2009, 07:58:16 PM
Dear Maggie, you are totally right we are indeed all as mad as hatters ( the hats with snowdrops on them) but this is what keeps us sane on a cold driech day to see these wee white flowers with geen bits in the middle opening their delicate bells it is just fantastic. I am happy to be as mad as you (dare I say) and all the rest of the people who post on this wonderful forum more more please,  cheers Ian the Christie kind.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 23, 2009, 08:10:07 PM
Point taken Maggi. An early flowering Scottish snowdrop could be a November or December flowerer here or in southern England. Bulbs should be sent to gardens around the country to find out when it flowers elsewhere. If it does flower in the autumn it cant be confused with  a lookalike snowdrop that flowers much later much the same as 'Castlegar' wouldnt be special if it flowered in the main season. It would be dismissed as just another snowdrop. With up to 1000 named snowdrops a new find has to be very special - virescent, striped, yellow, orange, palest pink, flushed green. Some of the well known lurkers sould join in for a change. Maybe they can explain much better
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 23, 2009, 08:19:55 PM
Mark, it'd have to be some red hot story to convince me that it is worth getting hysterical over a plant with the constitution of a dying duck..... even if they are different, if they have  no strength to survive, even in the care of experts, what's the point?  And it seems that so many of these "special snowies2 have just this problem. Why not just go out into the woods and just enjoy the pretty little flowers??... which President Ian, to a large extent, does...he's just out enjoying the variety that nature brings... I'd bet a weekly chocolate allowance, however, that you will never see President Ian introduce a sickly plant!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on January 23, 2009, 08:34:52 PM
Now Maggie, you have to admit this one looks different. It is early, plicate, it has long pedicels,it has 2 marks on the inner, it 2 marks on the outer, it has chunky, puckered outers, its large and vigorous, it doesn't look like most the other sort   :) :D ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on January 23, 2009, 08:36:01 PM
OOOPppsss
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 23, 2009, 08:37:04 PM
Jo has this been posted already on the forum?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on January 23, 2009, 08:39:22 PM
Sorry Mark, is there a limit ?

It was the one that made me join the forum to see if anyone knew what it was.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 23, 2009, 08:43:56 PM
Did it occur in your garden?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on January 23, 2009, 08:45:37 PM
No, given to me by a friend. It is a new photo though, taken today.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on January 23, 2009, 08:47:44 PM
And the photo has a name as you explained how to do. 

It was in flower on Christmas day, it has 2 scapes per bulb and as it ages the petals reflex
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 23, 2009, 08:50:58 PM
It must have some 'South Hayes' genes.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 23, 2009, 08:53:39 PM
Quote
Now Maggie, you have to admit this one looks different. It is early, plicate, it has long pedicels,it has 2 marks on the inner, it 2 marks on the outer, it has chunky, puckered outers, its large and vigorous, it doesn't look like most the other sort


 Yes, Jo, it is distinctive  :P  I do approve of the "vigorous bit !!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on January 23, 2009, 09:00:55 PM
Quote
Now Maggie, you have to admit this one looks different. It is early, plicate, it has long pedicels,it has 2 marks on the inner, it 2 marks on the outer, it has chunky, puckered outers, its large and vigorous, it doesn't look like most the other sort


 Yes, Jo, it is distinctive  :P  I do approve of the "vigorous bit !!

In my friends garden it competes with couch grass, I'm hoping not to kill it with kindness.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on January 23, 2009, 09:03:30 PM
Sorry Mark,  I've never seen Southhayes in real life. It would be interesting to compare.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on January 23, 2009, 09:04:01 PM
Maggi,
You're really brave or should I say reckless making all these statements right in the middle of "Galantophalia" ...... :o ;)

I've got the stake, the rope and the wood. Who's got the matches? ;)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 23, 2009, 09:18:19 PM
'South Hayes'
http://www.snowdropinfo.com/south-hayes.html (http://www.snowdropinfo.com/south-hayes.html)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 23, 2009, 09:20:31 PM
Maggi,
You're really brave or should I say reckless making all these statements right in the middle of "Galantophalia" ...... :o ;)

I've got the stake, the rope and the wood. Who's got the matches? ;)

Luc, there are some things that just NEED to be said!  ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on January 23, 2009, 09:22:26 PM
You have my deepest admiration Maggi ... ::)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 23, 2009, 09:46:08 PM
I would rather have a snowdrop which had the constitution of an ox and would grow in any soil and make a thousand gardeners happy

Exactly what I'm trying to breed, Maggi, or at least one of the main aims of my breeding programme.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 23, 2009, 10:12:59 PM
I'll sort Maggi out. She's coming to Dunblane 4 weeks tomorrow. ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 23, 2009, 10:16:22 PM
Changing the subject back to Ebay I see a forumist, Alan_b gets a mention as the finder of a drop .
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 23, 2009, 10:32:17 PM
I'll sort Maggi out. She's coming to Dunblane 4 weeks tomorrow. ;D
Indeed I am... and coming mob-handed, Anthony, there will be a bus-load of us!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 23, 2009, 10:35:12 PM
Maggi, how many bus loads will be leaving Dunblane?


Oooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhh!




Paddy
(Just joking, Maggi)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: steve owen on January 23, 2009, 11:00:40 PM
The whole thing is lunacy, I tell you.
Maggie
You didn't quite say the whole galanthus thing was doomed to go the same way as Dutch tulip fever, but does anyone know how the tulip thing eventually imploded and collapsed? How about crocus fever, or a narcissus romieuxii craze?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 23, 2009, 11:12:29 PM
The whole thing is lunacy, I tell you.
Maggie
You didn't quite say the whole galanthus thing was doomed to go the same way as Dutch tulip fever, but does anyone know how the tulip thing eventually imploded and collapsed? How about crocus fever, or a narcissus romieuxii craze?
I was thinking about Tulipomania, Steve ;D 

I think we croconuts and daffydillers are too sensible to get carried away .... we embrace variety with joy but not hysteria.... ;) ::) ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: KentGardener on January 24, 2009, 02:25:05 AM
Now Maggie, you have to admit this one looks different. It is early, plicate, it has long pedicels,it has 2 marks on the inner, it 2 marks on the outer, it has chunky, puckered outers, its large and vigorous, it doesn't look like most the other sort   :) :D ;D

Hi Jo

what a funny looking thing.  I kind of like it - and then again I kind of hate it.  If it can give Elytrigia repens a run for its money it gets my vote.  Just a shame the petals are quite so irregular in the way they stick out all over the place.  A good doer - hmmm - perhaps one for Martin to add to his cauldron?

John

Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: KentGardener on January 24, 2009, 02:27:18 AM
I would rather have a snowdrop which had the constitution of an ox and would grow in any soil and make a thousand gardeners happy

Exactly what I'm trying to breed, Maggi, or at least one of the main aims of my breeding programme.

That is the first thing I thought when I read Maggi's comment.  I think the first one your produce should be called Galanthus "Maggi's pleasure"  ;)

John
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Alan_b on January 24, 2009, 05:32:58 AM

Indeed, I have had an Ebay "credit"  -  I am otherwise engaged this week so have not been taking an active part in the forum, just doing the occasional lurk!  I am quite new to snowdrop growing and not at all expert at it but I have found several interesting ones  Last year when Joe Sharman released "Green Light" as a new snowdrop in his catalogue I gave an account on the forum of how I came to find it and collect it with Joe's help.

I can confirm that "Green Light" is quite a vigorous snowdrop, at least for me.  It has been bulking up nicely in my garden since I found it (during which time I have managed to kill-off Anglesey Abbey, another supposedly vigorous green-leaved snowdrop).
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Alan_b on January 24, 2009, 05:44:44 AM
Now Maggie, you have to admit this one looks different. It is early, plicate, it has long pedicels,it has 2 marks on the inner, it 2 marks on the outer, it has chunky, puckered outers, its large and vigorous, it doesn't look like most the other sort   :) :D ;D

Whilst I do have a few minutes to post, can I just say that I am very impressed by Jo's snowdrop.  I'm not sure I find it entirely beautiful but it is something interesting and different and I for one would be very happy to grow it in my little collection.

On the other hand, I saw a specimen of ecusson d'or last year and was completely under-whelmed!  The markings did not seem all that strong and an iffy sort of yellow.   
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Diane Whitehead on January 24, 2009, 05:58:17 AM
daffydillers are too sensible to get carried away .... we embrace variety with joy but not hysteria.... ;) ::) ;D

Daffodils are generally bred deliberately and released at a very high price
which gradually comes down as stocks increase.  I remember there was
one (was it a white one?) which cost about $200 way back in the 1950s.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 24, 2009, 09:49:41 AM
Alan when I first saw d'Or at the Gala clutched tightly in the hands of ? it was a really good yellow like nivalis 'Sandersii'.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 24, 2009, 11:29:57 AM
daffydillers are too sensible to get carried away .... we embrace variety with joy but not hysteria.... ;) ::) ;D

Daffodils are generally bred deliberately and released at a very high price
which gradually comes down as stocks increase.  I remember there was
one (was it a white one?) which cost about $200 way back in the 1950s.

Hmm... well, yes, Diane, I managed to overlook the breeders and buyers of those fancy jobs .......I was thinking fondly of those growing and loving the more natural types,  the species and the occasional hybrid ( often of the type that occurs in the wild).....  8)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: art600 on January 26, 2009, 03:19:02 PM
Decided to buy  from Beth Chatto on EBay.  There was a starter pack of  21 unusual Snowdrops for £45 plus £4 postage.

I was shocked  :o :o when the parcel arrived - it was huge.  I was totally blown away when I opened the parcel.

I know that some might regard the snowdrops as not that unusual, and I do have some already, but I thought that 21 named snowdrops for £49 was too good to miss.

In the parcel were:-
Cedric's Prolific - instead of 5 (as advertised) there were at least 19, all with flower   ;D ;D ;D
Washfield Warham - instead of 3 there were at least 13 bulbs, all in flower  ;D ;D ;D
S Arnott - instead of 3 there were 6, all in flower  ;D  ;D
Hippolyta - instead of there were 17, all in flower  ;D  ;D  ;D
James Backhouse - instead of there were 19, all in flower  ;D  ;D  ;D

I think you would agree this is outstanding value.  Without EBay I would not have known of this offer.

There were 2 other offers, one less expensive and one more expenive.  Each offer had several opportunities.
 
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 26, 2009, 03:28:15 PM
Nice to know there are bargains to be had from eBay Art, I should think you are "well chuffed"
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: johnw on January 26, 2009, 05:10:30 PM
Arthur - Maybe you got Brian's order by mistake. ;D

johnw
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 26, 2009, 05:15:53 PM
Well, Art, that is a very satisfying result..... demonstrating two of my favourite four letter words..... GOOD DEAL!!!  8)  I imagine the Feedback you leave will be suitably glowing  :D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: loes on January 26, 2009, 08:00:51 PM
Arthur,

Great Deal!
very tempting to buy a starter pack myself!(if there is anything left!)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 26, 2009, 08:13:51 PM
Great deals are to be had at the nursery if you can get to it.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: loes on January 26, 2009, 08:21:23 PM
well,that`s no option for me  :'(

instead I`ll go to the Dutch keeper of the national galanthus collection

Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: art600 on January 26, 2009, 10:09:18 PM
Arthur,

Great Deal!
very tempting to buy a starter pack myself!(if there is anything left!)


I am sure there are still some left - remember there were 3 different levels of starter pack.

Good luck if you decide to go for it.

Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 26, 2009, 10:13:04 PM
Arthur,

Great Deal!
very tempting to buy a starter pack myself!(if there is anything left!)


I am sure there are still some left - remember there were 3 different levels of starter pack.

Good luck if you decide to go for it.

There seem to be quite a few available still.......I wonder what the BD would say if I.................. ::) :o
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: maggiepie on January 26, 2009, 10:31:47 PM

There seem to be quite a few available still.......I wonder what the BD would say if I.................. ::) :o

Maybe he would say 'go for it' ;D  or maybe call for the men in white coats??? ::)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: David Quinton on January 26, 2009, 10:48:45 PM

There seem to be quite a few available still.......I wonder what the BD would say if I.................. ::) :o

Maybe he would say 'go for it' ;D  or maybe call for the men in white coats??? ::)


Maggie,

The men in white coats could be butchers, lab technicians or doctors. You have to be careful, those white coats all look the same to me  ::)

David
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 26, 2009, 10:49:16 PM
Arthur,

Your experience is one I have had with Beth Chatto. She has always been most generous with her bulbs, always that bit more than was expected.

Paddy
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: loes on January 26, 2009, 10:51:04 PM
Maggi,

.....I`m buying....one pack less to go
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 26, 2009, 11:07:58 PM
Well done, Loes, I'm sure you won't regret it :D

David, one of our best friends is a butcher, and he's one of the few I know strong enough to even think of carting me away.....but the shock of me buying snowies might be too much for HIM, too.... couldn't risk the BD AND our Chum in shock!!
Hard to resist a good deal, though ! :-\
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: art600 on January 26, 2009, 11:22:03 PM
Arthur,

Your experience is one I have had with Beth Chatto. She has always been most generous with her bulbs, always that bit more than was expected.

Paddy

A friend bought 10 off Cedric's Prolific and received 25   ;D  ;D  ;D

We are sometimes coy at naming bad suppliers - even after giving them a chance to rectify a situation - but I think we have an obligation to tell everyone of an excellent deal.  :)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 26, 2009, 11:31:12 PM
Arthur,

Have you visited her garden? It is an absolute treasure, no attempts to be structural, architectural, feature-laden or gimmicky just simple good design using the lay of the land, good bones provided by trees and shrubs, great planting and excellent upkeep. It was one of the few gardens that we walked into and swooned into love with it immediately. If I had the skills to copy it, it would be the style I would have in my own garden.

Paddy

Post scriptum: One quibble: I have found G. 'Beth Chatto' very slow to increase! Never happy!
On the other hand, G. 'Cedric's Prolific' lives up to its name. P.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Alan_b on January 28, 2009, 07:27:18 AM
Changing the subject back to Ebay I see a forumist, Alan_b gets a mention as the finder of a drop .


The drop in question was galanthus nivalis "Green Light".  I gave an account of how I found it on the forum in 2008.  And it looks as if it sold for £66.  Wow!!!  Is there a way to find out the nickname of the winning bidder once the auction has closed?

I could not find this snowdrop on Joe Sharman's list this year, although the description remains (he listed it for the first time last year).  Did I miss it or did he temporarily exhaust his stock?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 28, 2009, 07:46:09 AM
The winners name comes up after the item is won

How did Ecusson end up? Big Money?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Alan_b on January 28, 2009, 08:08:05 AM

How did Ecusson end up? Big Money?

£92.91

By the way, is Ecusson d'Or a find in a 'wild' population, an accidental hybrid in somebody's snowdrop collection or a result of a deliberate attempt at hybridization?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: art600 on January 28, 2009, 10:06:30 AM
Arthur,

Have you visited her garden?

Paddy
I have and agree with everything you say.

Different and possibly better is Glen Chantry (Wol & Sue Staines).  It will be open this year for the last time as they are 'retiring'.  I am visiting on Feb 7th to see the snowdrops - other forumists going on Feb 6th - and weather permitting will post photos.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 28, 2009, 10:26:36 AM
The winners name comes up after the item is won

How did Ecusson end up? Big Money?

Whereas David Baker ended up at £104.50  which makes £20 look like a distinct bargain ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 28, 2009, 10:56:46 AM
Arthur see you there!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 28, 2009, 11:56:51 AM
Quote
I could not find this snowdrop on Joe Sharman's list this year, although the description remains (he listed it for the first time last year).  Did I miss it or did he temporarily exhaust his stock?

Alan there seem to be a few that have descriptions on the list but do not appear for sale. :-\
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 28, 2009, 12:42:02 PM
Arthur,

I haven't visited Glen Chantry, just seen photographs when Wol came on two occasions to speak in Cork and it certainly looked very nice though, perhaps, hasn't the skill of Beth Chatto where the gardener's hand is not obvious - everything perfect with Beth Chatto's garden but, at the same time, it looks as if a hand was never laid on it, very natural.

Brian,

Seeing that price for a bulb of G. 'David Baker' I am happy that I certainly did get a bargain - from Wol Staines as we are just talking of his gardens. It appears that he prices his snowdrops very reasonably.

Paddy
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: art600 on January 28, 2009, 01:34:59 PM
Brian

We know from last year's Snowdrop day at Glen Chantry that Wol & Sue's prices are reasonable.  He assured me during a recent chat that the same applies this year.  :) :) :)

Tried to switch to Friday, but not possible.  Any Forumists visiting Glen Chantry on Feb 7th?  See you there
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Lvandelft on January 28, 2009, 07:12:27 PM
Brian

We know from last year's Snowdrop day at Glen Chantry that Wol & Sue's prices are reasonable.  He assured me during a recent chat that the same applies this year.  :) :) :)

Tried to switch to Friday, but not possible.  Any Forumists visiting Glen Chantry on Feb 7th?  See you there
On this site some pictures of overviews and plants of the Glen Chantry garden (Summer)
Pictures of a Dutch Garden Trip (I was not there) :(

http://www.tuinenzo.nl/images/Tuinreis%202008%20East%20Anglia/Glen_chantry_2008_website/index.htm
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: art600 on January 28, 2009, 10:13:21 PM
Luit

Thank you for the link for Glen Chantry.  I have visited many times, but not high Summer.

Will try to capture the garden at Snowdrop time soon.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 28, 2009, 10:42:35 PM
Alan I think Ecusson was a wild find
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 30, 2009, 03:09:25 PM
Does anyone else think the photo of 'Flocon de Neige' now being offered on ebay looks like a normal double nivalis? It's being offered by someone in Edinburgh and is the only snowdrop they're selling. A very expensive one.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 30, 2009, 03:25:55 PM
and s/hes also using one of my photos. He is offering to email more photos so I asked for some
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 30, 2009, 03:37:25 PM
Mark, so that's a photo of a real Flocon de Neige? In early stages? Does it change a lot as it matures? If you enlarge the pic on ebay you'll see a choice of three pics. One of which looks like Flocon, and which I seem to recognise from the forum, and the pics of the flower in a hand, which look rather less like the real thing. The seller doesn't seem to normally sell snowdrops, from his/her history. 
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 30, 2009, 03:43:18 PM
Only one photo is real and that's mine aquired from the forum or Ollie Howes.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: KentGardener on January 30, 2009, 03:49:08 PM
looks like something ordinary he has dug up from the garden to me!  Someone has already bid £25 for it!   ::)  From the wording he seems to have more he can dig up too...

Would it be worth changing the name of your photo Mark?  So that it says flocon imposter or something....

John
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 30, 2009, 03:51:48 PM
Mark, so your photo is the wide open one taken from the side that actually looks like Flocon? The ones helf in the hand that don't look much like it are presumably his?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 30, 2009, 04:02:58 PM
Yes Martin. The photo above shows a flowers with only 3 outers.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 30, 2009, 04:06:37 PM
Yes Martin. The photo above shows a flowers with only 3 outers.

That's what I thought. I was just a bit confused when you wrote that he'd used your photo, along with that pic from ebay. I think John's right. It might be best to repost that pic with a different caption, such as 'Not Flocon de Neige'
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Alan_b on January 30, 2009, 04:43:54 PM
Yes Martin. The photo above shows a flowers with only 3 outers.

That's what I thought. I was just a bit confused when you wrote that he'd used your photo, along with that pic from ebay. I think John's right. It might be best to repost that pic with a different caption, such as 'Not Flocon de Neige'

Is anybody going to report this to ebay?  It looks as if somebody is trying to pass off a perfectly ordinary double nivalis as a rare and valuable one, with the aid of Mark's picture!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 30, 2009, 05:06:46 PM
Ebay is a pain in the rear when trying to contact them. No phone number is available unless you are a power seller. Here is Ebay's list of possibilities but I cant find a good one to get started
http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/index/A.html (http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/index/A.html)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 30, 2009, 05:16:24 PM
Maybe an email to the seller saying 'Oi, you nicked my photo' and pointing out that to try to sell something you know isn't what you say it is can get you in trouble - even if you think you've covered yourself by putting right and wrong pics. Trouble is, if someone buys and it isn't right, they can be told well there was a pic on ebay, so you saw what you were getting.

Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Alan_b on January 30, 2009, 05:22:13 PM
Ebay is a pain in the rear when trying to contact them. No phone number is available unless you are a power seller. Here is Ebay's list of possibilities but I cant find a good one to get started
http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/index/A.html (http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/index/A.html)


If you go to the page where the item is listed then right at the bottom under Other Options is "Report this item".  You are given a list of options, of which "Counterfeits and breach of copyright" would seem most appropriate.  Even if ebay totally ignores you in the short term, it may help the poor buyer when he/she tries to get his/her money back.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 30, 2009, 05:34:01 PM
It doesnt work  :-\
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Hans J on January 30, 2009, 05:41:23 PM
Mark is rigth - it is really a pain if you have something to ask Ebay !!!
I had before some days the same problem -no phone number ....no email adress ....after a lot of try I have sent them a mail ( they ask for other things ) -but I have written my questions .....three days later I got a phonecall  8)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 30, 2009, 05:41:34 PM
I notice the seller says he won't accept any returns with this snowdrop. And if he/she offers it to everyone who bids, there would be quite a few people paying for what may or may not actually be Flocon.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 30, 2009, 05:50:22 PM
Let's see if he/she gets rumbled and has to withdraw the sale?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Alan_b on January 30, 2009, 06:32:30 PM
It doesnt work  :-\

Try:
Counterfeits and breach of copyright
Other potential infringement
Unauthorised use of celebrity names, faces or signatures

I know ebay had human celebrities in mind but this seller seems to be using Mark's photo of a celebrity snowdrop in order to sell a perfectly ordinary one at a hugely inflated price.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 30, 2009, 06:37:22 PM
What I have seen done is an ad clearly stating that that you are selling, in this case, a snowdrop, only you are not and that no-one should bid, and explain that the reason for the ad is to expose the seller of the fake.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 30, 2009, 06:52:13 PM
Once I got to the relevant page I only had 50 letters to explain why. I'd bet Ebay doesnt care
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Gerard Oud on January 30, 2009, 06:55:53 PM
I have reported it to ebay Mark
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 30, 2009, 06:58:05 PM
The other problem who is "Galanthusboy" selling unseen snowdrops by using photos lifted from Judy's Snowdrops web site
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: steve owen on January 30, 2009, 07:46:48 PM
Here's the photo again of Flocon de Neige, which I posted yesterday. The photo was taken yesterday. It's a real Flocon de Neige. Incidentally the plant was in my B&B room overnight for safe keeping, so I think I am probably the first galanthophile to have slept witn Flocon de Neige.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: johnw on January 30, 2009, 07:54:28 PM
so I think I am probably the first galanthophile to have slept witn Flocon de Neige.

Bet you drifted off though.

johnw
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 30, 2009, 08:26:02 PM
I phoned and a decision will be made soon. Obviously the girl didnt really understand why the urgency.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: KentGardener on January 30, 2009, 09:07:10 PM
i just noticed this as well -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rare-snowdrop-Galanthus-nivalis-Flocon-de-Neige_W0QQitemZ200304439577QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_HomeGarden_Garden_PlantsSeedsBulbs_JN?hash=item200304439577&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1686%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

very suspect.
obviously someone is trying to hitch a ride on the snowdrop fever wagon, from the looks of it hes selling just ordinary nivalis flore pleno.

the text in the auction is terrible as well, certainly not typed by a galanthophile.

i feel sorry for the person who is bidding on it.... :-\

rob

Rob - that is the one we have been moaning about.  ;D     Definately suspect in my eyes.  Like when I got ripped off buying 'Wendys Gold' from an unknown a couple of years ago!   >:(

John
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 30, 2009, 09:18:59 PM
Can you remind us what happened please.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 30, 2009, 10:06:15 PM
Steve,

I hope you don't mind - your photograph of G. 'Eccuson d'Or' was very nice and I borrowed it for a while and am returning it now.

Paddy
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 30, 2009, 10:12:36 PM
Steve,

I hope you don't mind - your photograph of G. 'Eccuson d'Or' was very nice and I borrowed it for a while and am returning it now.

Paddy
I see you washed it before you brought it back, Paddy.... it has shrunk! :o
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 30, 2009, 10:15:26 PM
Yes, a quick wash but I didn't make any adjustments to the size and don't know why it won't expand - won't for me at any rate.

It's a nice neat snowdrop.

Paddy
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 30, 2009, 10:18:34 PM
Steve,

I hope you don't mind - your photograph of G. 'Eccuson d'Or' was very nice and I borrowed it for a while and am returning it now.

Paddy

Seems to have changed its name too? ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 30, 2009, 10:20:36 PM
YES!!! The Not-Flocon has gone from ebay. Just checked and it says "Bidding has ended on this item." Galanthopower rules!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 30, 2009, 10:53:56 PM
Excellent news. High 5s all round
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 30, 2009, 11:18:04 PM
Perhaps someone sent a point "question", earlier on, say, round about 5.44 p.m.? ;)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: art600 on January 30, 2009, 11:46:48 PM
Which drop is being described here:-

"This is the first green leaved, green tipped snowdrop."   ??? ???

Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 31, 2009, 12:39:40 AM
Perhaps someone sent a point "question", earlier on, say, round about 5.44 p.m.? ;)

Might it have been you?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 31, 2009, 12:40:33 AM
Which drop is being described here:-

"This is the first green leaved, green tipped snowdrop."   ??? ???



On ebay?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Alan_b on January 31, 2009, 07:09:40 AM
Which drop is being described here:-

"This is the first green leaved, green tipped snowdrop."   ??? ???



That's my one, isn't it? 
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: art600 on January 31, 2009, 09:24:19 AM
Which drop is being described here:-

"This is the first green leaved, green tipped snowdrop."   ??? ???



That's my one, isn't it? 

Alan
I do not know if it is your snowdrop.  My point was - don't all snowdrops have green leaves  ???  Am I missing something?

The snowdrop being sold on EBay by mrohowes is 'Greenlight'
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: KentGardener on January 31, 2009, 09:39:08 AM
My point was - don't all snowdrops have green leaves  ???  Am I missing something?

The snowdrop being sold on EBay by mrohowes is 'Greenlight'

Hi Arthur

the 'Green Light' is the one that Alan found and shared with Joe Sharmon.  I have seen the plant and can confirm that it has green leaves  ;D  (there is a write up by Alan on the SRGC somewhere about how he found it).

I think it should say 'green shining leaves' or something similar.  Do you know in the way that G. Angelsey Abbey has green leaves (rather than the usual bluish/Grey flush that G leaves have).  When the 'Green Light' is seen next to other Nivalis it becomes just how obvious the difference is - with Green Light shining out.

Kind regards

John
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 31, 2009, 09:39:49 AM
Most snowdrops have a grey powder on their leaves. Is there a technical/botanical word? But yes they all have green leaves
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: steve owen on January 31, 2009, 09:50:53 AM
Steve,

I hope you don't mind - your photograph of G. 'Eccuson d'Or' was very nice and I borrowed it for a while and am returning it now.

Paddy
Paddy
Fine, as I posted before, I'm ok for anyone to use pics I post on SRGC. I may change that if I post pics of any blood-rare varieties.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: art600 on January 31, 2009, 09:54:48 AM
My point was - don't all snowdrops have green leaves  ???  Am I missing something?

The snowdrop being sold on EBay by mrohowes is 'Greenlight'

Hi Arthur

the 'Green Light' is the one that Alan found and shared with Joe Sharmon.  I have seen the plant and can confirm that it has green leaves  ;D  (there is a write up by Alan on the SRGC somewhere about how he found it).

I think it should say 'green shining leaves' or something similar.  Do you know in the way that G. Angelsey Abbey has green leaves (rather than the usual bluish/Grey flush that G leaves have).  When the 'Green Light' is seen next to other Nivalis it becomes just how obvious the difference is - with Green Light shining out.

Kind regards

John

Thanks John

How does it compare to woronowii?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: KentGardener on January 31, 2009, 10:01:57 AM
Thanks John

How does it compare to woronowii?

Hi Arthur

I'm not sure on that.  Woronii are indeed shiney - can't remember if green light was as polished looking.  If you have an Angelsey Abbey - I would say it compares to that.

Where is Alan when you need him?   :D

Regards

John

Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: KentGardener on January 31, 2009, 10:06:18 AM
Hi Arthur

here is a link to the original thread:

http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=1262.0

Regards

John
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: David Nicholson on January 31, 2009, 04:20:37 PM
Provided Maggi agrees that it is sensible to do so, how about a note here, or in a special thread, of how to complain to Ebay with telephone numbers, website links and any other useful similar information. It's bound to happen again in the future.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: David Nicholson on January 31, 2009, 04:27:14 PM
Noticed one on Ebay I liked descibed as a rare Snowdrop. 'Blonde Inge' Is it rare?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 31, 2009, 04:47:30 PM
David Ebay only gives it's phone nimber to Power Sellers. When the person on the other end answers you are asked for your Ebay seller ID
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 31, 2009, 05:07:14 PM
Recently http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2790.45 (http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2790.45) there was discussion on the forum about Galanthus ikariae on Ebay. There was concern as to whether it was right or not as no flower was shown. The seller, Melvyn Jope, has contacted me to let you know who he is and his seller ID for future reference. His ID is groman4444

Melvyn, in case you don't know, is the grower and supplier of the reginae-olgae selections featured in the snowdrop book.

Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 31, 2009, 05:25:33 PM
Noticed one on Ebay I liked descibed as a rare Snowdrop. 'Blonde Inge' Is it rare?

David, 'Blonde Inge' is a nice little snowdrop and quite rare but it is a small one and you might be a little disappointed when you see it in the flesh. It's also not, in my experience, one of the easiest to grow or very fast clumping up. Depends how much you have to pay for it, and I do n't want to put you off if your heart is set on it, but I'd say there are other snowdrops, stronger growers and more showy plants, that you might be better considering when building up  your collection.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: emma T on January 31, 2009, 05:33:10 PM
my 'Blonde Inge' seems very vigorous,its rapidly made a great little clump,got one spare if any one wants one.i might have a picture taken last year.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 31, 2009, 06:01:20 PM
Provided Maggi agrees that it is sensible to do so, how about a note here, or in a special thread, of how to complain to Ebay with telephone numbers, website links and any other useful similar information. It's bound to happen again in the future.

  It is really the duty of photographers to take what measures they think necessary to protect themselves against unscrupulous sellers using images without permission  and to seek to ascertain whether a seller is selling what is claimed.... as has been shown on previous occasions, that can be easier said than done and is not a problem confined to Ebay.   

Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on January 31, 2009, 06:18:02 PM
There is now a suspect 'Mrs Thompson' listed. The photo shows flowers with only 3 outers
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: David Nicholson on January 31, 2009, 06:53:24 PM
Provided Maggi agrees that it is sensible to do so, how about a note here, or in a special thread, of how to complain to Ebay with telephone numbers, website links and any other useful similar information. It's bound to happen again in the future.

  It is really the duty of photographers to take what measures they think necessary to protect themselves against unscrupulous sellers using images without permission  and to seek to ascertain whether a seller is selling what is claimed.... as has been shown on previous occasions, that can be easier said than done and is not a problem confined to Ebay.   



Good point Maggi.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 31, 2009, 07:01:35 PM
Steve, re your photograph of 'Eccuson d'Or'. I only borrowed it for a few minutes to, as Maggi said, give it a wash. I thought you showed the flower from a great angle which showed the shape perfectly but I felt the indoor lights had put a bit of an off colour on it.

I hope it wasn't one of the snowdrops you say had virus infection. That would be terrible.

Paddy
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: steve owen on January 31, 2009, 07:16:30 PM
Steve, re your photograph of 'Eccuson d'Or'. I only borrowed it for a few minutes to, as Maggi said, give it a wash. I thought you showed the flower from a great angle which showed the shape perfectly but I felt the indoor lights had put a bit of an off colour on it.

I hope it wasn't one of the snowdrops you say had virus infection. That would be terrible.

Paddy
No Paddy, this lady was Mrs Clean and the supplier is Mr Clean.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 31, 2009, 07:21:20 PM
OK, sigh of relief. Hope it grows away well for you now.

Paddy
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 31, 2009, 09:59:33 PM
Recently http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2790.45 (http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2790.45) there was discussion on the forum about Galanthus ikariae on Ebay. There was concern as to whether it was right or not as no flower was shown. The seller, Melvyn Jope, has contacted me to let you know who he is and his seller ID for future reference. His ID is groman4444

Melvyn, in case you don't know, is the grower and supplier of the reginae-olgae selections featured in the snowdrop book.


Melvyn is a name I know, and certainly should know his stuff? I was just surprised to see ikariae in bud at Christmas, but then if he grows reginae-olgae in the greenhouse, perhaps this accounts for it? I would, however, be loathed to bid for something that 'might possibly be' or 'must be this because that's where it came from', unless I knew the seller.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: art600 on January 31, 2009, 10:03:07 PM
Recently http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2790.45 (http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2790.45) there was discussion on the forum about Galanthus ikariae on Ebay. There was concern as to whether it was right or not as no flower was shown. The seller, Melvyn Jope, has contacted me to let you know who he is and his seller ID for future reference. His ID is groman4444

Melvyn, in case you don't know, is the grower and supplier of the reginae-olgae selections featured in the snowdrop book.



Mark

Is this meant to be an apology to a well known Galanthophile whose integrity you called into question (See Reply 50).  Anyone buying on EBay is told to read the Feedback.  If you read the Feedback for groman4444, it is 100%.
You are right when you expose sellers of doubtful snowdrops e.g. the seller of ‘Flocon de neige’, but it does nobody any good when your remarks are incorrect and are addressed to someone well known to most Galanthophiles, and who will be giving a talk at the Snowdrop Gala.”

Anthony D  In Reply 52 you said  “Too early and the leaves are  wrong to be ikariae.”  When the so-called experts have a hard time identifying a plant from a photo, it is rather harsh to use a photo to judge a seller!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 31, 2009, 10:12:02 PM
I am still awaiting a photo of an ikariae flowering in December. In my opinion the leaves weren't correct. So what does that leave us? A flower we can't see because it's in bud, at the wrong time of year, with the wrong (in my opinion) leaves and being sold on EBay by someone, who until today, was anonymous. Need I say more? The seller certainly needed to.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: art600 on January 31, 2009, 10:16:57 PM
I am still awaiting a photo of an ikariae flowering in December. In my opinion the leaves weren't correct. So what does that leave us? A flower we can't see because it's in bud, at the wrong time of year, with the wrong (in my opinion) leaves and being sold on EBay by someone, who until today, was anonymous. Need I say more? The seller certainly needed to.

If you buy on EBay you are a fool if you do not read the Feedback.  Melvyn Jope has a perfect score and the remarks would certainly persuade anyone to buy with confidence.  You can also email the seller for more information.

Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 31, 2009, 10:23:21 PM
If you buy on EBay you are a fool if you do not read the Feedback.  Melvyn Jope has a perfect score and the remarks would certainly persuade anyone to buy with confidence.  You can also email the seller for more information.

I wasn't buying. I merely passed comment, which I am entitled to do.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 31, 2009, 10:32:15 PM
I believe Arthur makes a very valid point. It has been said here often enough that it is well nigh impossible to ID a plant from  a photo alone.   Mr Jope has a 100% approval rating, with many repeat buyers,who have all been happy enough to buy again.
Why must the photo be of the exact plant/bulb for sale?
If I were selling a rhodo now, which flowered in July, I would still show a photo of the flower now, to let people see what it looked like.  If I haven't got that photo, but onewhich shows it in bud, then I would show that..... not everyone has a full catalogue of photographs, not even all forumists, and we, by and large, are ptretty keen photographers!
There is a danger of seeing "spooks" round every corner .....I urge calmness! If a seller has a good record, then give the benefit of the doubt..... prospective buyers can make up their own minds. As we have seen before, it is more than possible to get a wrongly named plant from ANY seller/nursery, or even a sick plant from a well-respected  seller/nursery. Keep some perspective, please.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: art600 on January 31, 2009, 10:35:42 PM
If you buy on EBay you are a fool if you do not read the Feedback.  Melvyn Jope has a perfect score and the remarks would certainly persuade anyone to buy with confidence.  You can also email the seller for more information.

I wasn't buying. I merely passed comment, which I am entitled to do.

Following on Mark's comment in Reply 50, it could only add to the impression that the seller was trying to pull a fast one.

Everyone is, of course, entitled to their opinion, but when it is shown to be wrong, then an apology might be appropriate. :(
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 31, 2009, 11:04:58 PM
when it is shown to be wrong, then an apology might be appropriate. :(
When was it shown to be wrong? ???
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on January 31, 2009, 11:10:37 PM
when it is shown to be wrong, then an apology might be appropriate. :(
When was it shown to be wrong? ???

Splitting hairs, Anthony ..... point is seller has been shown to have 100% approval rating by his buyers so assumption is that the 'drop is right .  :)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Alan_b on February 01, 2009, 07:50:54 AM
Thanks John

How does it compare to woronowii?

.....Where is Alan when you need him?   :D

Regards

John



I had gone to RHS Wisley for their 'Snowdrop Spectacular'.  Here is a picture of Green Light growing in-situ when I found it on 25th January 2004.  You can see the contrast with the surrounding ordinary Galanthus nivalis [Edit: Well I hoped you could but the first picture I tried didn't work so I have substituted a close-up].  When I went back a few weeks later a lot more of the ordinary G. nivalis had grown up around and through it, making it harder to spot.  I would say the green is similar to woronowii, but I have seen quite a bit of variation in woronowii, from a bright shining grass-green to something rather duller and darker.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: art600 on February 01, 2009, 09:04:53 AM
Alan

Thanks for the explanation.  I think I must have missed the original thread on this.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 01, 2009, 09:32:07 AM
You certainly see where the name 'Green Light' came from.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Mavers on February 02, 2009, 01:42:49 PM
About a year ago I had problems with a seller regarding a mis-named dactylorhiza.

It was sent to me dormant so therefore took a long time until it bloomed & I could see it wasn't what it should have been.

The seller would not respond in any way.

Ebay only allow 60, or is it 90 days, anyway far to short a time for a buyer to lodge a complaint when dealing with dormant bulbs & tubers etc.

I asked them to extend this period but I'm afraid they did not see the need to do this.

There are many good & honest sellers on eBay that deserve their 100% feedback & I have had many excellent plants from them, however as in all walks of life there are rogues hoping to trap the unwary.

Mike

Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on February 03, 2009, 11:32:28 PM
Who's not selling on Ebay these days? ::) I see Avon are now listing snowdrops. I'll have to get on to make some money.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on February 03, 2009, 11:37:25 PM
Times are hard for everyone, I know that, but it is a fact that times are harder now, and have been for a long time, for specialist nurseries ...... I'm not surprised that someare doing whatever they can to b ring in some extra money and if Ebay is a way to do that, then it is a good idea.... some of my best friends are nurseryfolk.... I don't want to see any of them go under in these grotty times for business. :(
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 03, 2009, 11:55:11 PM
Quite, Maggi. I must say I feel sorry for Janis. With the weak pound, his prices for UK buyers have shot up since last year, and that's bound to impact on ordering. His prices are in Euro, and at around 1.5 Euro to the £ in past years, it was quite good psychologically to see a 6 Euro price in his catalogue and be able to knock it down to £4. Now that 6 Euro price would be almost £6. I'm still going to steel myself and put in an order though. Apart from anything else, I feel duty bound to help keep Janis, and all the other specilaist nurseries, going. There's few enough of them these days!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 03, 2009, 11:56:46 PM
You'll note how I neatly justified, in that last post, spending money I can't really spare on bulbs. I'm good at this!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on February 04, 2009, 12:16:07 AM
Martin, you've missed a career as a politician with that skill with spin and sophistry. You've convinced yourself AND me! ;D

All too many great nurseries have to give up the ghost..... witness the excellent nursery or our own Fred Admin. Fred and Monika worked like dogs to make a super nursery, growing a great range of really good plants but were battered down by the economic situation. You couldn't have asked for better plants.... grown at 900 feet,( approx.- on freezing hillside) tough as old nails, tight, hardy, terrific and it still didn't work out.  Heartbreaking, it really is.



Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 04, 2009, 12:42:58 AM
Ah but I was a politician, Maggi. Former Green Party district councillor, town councillor, chair of planning committe, chair of policy committee and deputy mayor of Stroud. Too thin skinned, though, to stay in local politics. One of my pet hates is people who get into politics and then won't do anything risky or try to change anything for fear they'll upset people and won't get re-elected. My political philosophy was a bit more on the lines of guerilla politics - get in then make a difference even if that means you're chucked out again. I helped saved some important trees in the town landscape, nearly went to jail over the poll tax, helped stop through-traffic in the town, and some other stuff, not all of it popular, then I got out, got my life back and started having time for the garden again!   ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on February 04, 2009, 12:49:14 AM
There's often a clue, eh? ::)


I've been looking for Avon's snowdrops on Ebay... can't find them...... ???
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: steve owen on February 04, 2009, 08:47:25 AM
Maggi
Try G. "Big Boy".
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: annew on February 04, 2009, 09:00:17 AM
Can I just say, in case anyone is wondering, that I am not the person selling snowdrops as Jimlad21. Wish I was!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on February 04, 2009, 09:02:09 AM
I think we should list who is reliable on Ebay. Jimlad is OK I know him.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on February 04, 2009, 09:46:45 AM
You'll note how I neatly justified, in that last post, spending money I can't really spare on bulbs. I'm good at this!

Convinced me too. Do you have a link to his list ?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on February 04, 2009, 09:48:08 AM
Avon's list Jo? They are only selling 'Big Boy' just now
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on February 04, 2009, 09:49:24 AM
You'll note how I neatly justified, in that last post, spending money I can't really spare on bulbs. I'm good at this!

Convinced me too. Do you have a link to his list ?

No Janis's list  :)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: KentGardener on February 04, 2009, 09:50:02 AM
Avon's list Jo? They are only selling 'Big Boy' just now

Hi Mark - I think Jo is after a link to Janis's list.  

Sorry Jo - I don't know it.

Regards

John
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on February 04, 2009, 09:52:24 AM
I'll email it when I find it.

hori1934 an Ebay snowdrop seller was at Harvey's.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: art600 on February 04, 2009, 09:58:39 AM
I think we should list who is reliable on Ebay. Jimlad is OK I know him.

That is the purpose of FEEDBACK.  People soon complain if they get the wrong plant or poor quality.

If a seller is not listed are we to imply that they are not OK.

Where I have had exceptional service I have noted this on the Forum - Beth Chatto package, Barrie Carson (farmhouse500), but we should not attempt to list reliable suppliers as we will surely miss someone.  groman4444 is reliable and a well known galanthophile, yet he was given a poor rating by you - I rest my case.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 04, 2009, 10:21:17 AM
I think Arthuir has a point, which has convinced a doubting Thomas like me. :-[
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: ranunculus on February 04, 2009, 12:08:45 PM
As someone great once remarked; 'We don't want people to buy more snowdrops, we want more people to buy snowdrops'!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on February 04, 2009, 12:21:09 PM
Avon's list Jo? They are only selling 'Big Boy' just now

Hi Mark - I think Jo is after a link to Janis's list.  

Sorry Jo - I don't know it.

Regards

John

Thanks everyone,  Silly Me  ::)

 I should have thanked Mark on the forum as he was the first with the link.  Now you've all sent it to me I'm overwhelmed with gratitude and feel obliged to read it alllll afternoon and order lots from it , even if I don't know what they are  ;D ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 04, 2009, 12:33:15 PM
Just send a message to Jānis if you are unsure about a plant. His repies are quick and very informative. The pictures he paints of the plants are wonderful. :)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: art600 on February 04, 2009, 12:47:34 PM
There's often a clue, eh? ::)


I've been looking for Avon's snowdrops on Ebay... can't find them...... ???

Maggi

Why not visit their website.  Big Boy is, however, unavailable.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 05, 2009, 11:21:33 PM
I see Jimlad21 is selling 'Rosemary Burnham', which is now at £131. Too expensive for us northerners. :P
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: art600 on February 06, 2009, 12:27:29 AM
And pensioner southerners
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: johnw on February 06, 2009, 01:30:59 AM
Jimlad21 is selling 'Rosemary Burnham', which is now at £131. :P

Hardly in the spirit of those who found, rescued and passed it along to friends for all to enjoy.

They would not be amused.

I have no problem with the high prices of it at specialist nurseries, gardens devoted to promoting snowdrops or as a fund raiser for the same.

johnw
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: KentGardener on February 06, 2009, 05:14:06 AM
I see Jimlad21 is selling 'Rosemary Burnham', which is now at £131. Too expensive for us northerners. :P

And pensioner southerners

And hard working southerners too!   ::)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on February 06, 2009, 06:07:55 AM
But also for ossis (people of East(ost)Germany) ;D >:(
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: loes on February 06, 2009, 07:46:47 AM
and if you win it it`s hard to keep alive as I understand
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 06, 2009, 10:52:27 AM
not sure if this is the auction mark metioned but this seller has a suspect mrs thompson on ebay at the moment -

looks nothing like my mrs thompson, the inner mark is to large, also the outer segments dont look quite correct .this is my mrs thompson in normal 3x3 formation notice the small inner mark -

No, it's not Mrs Thompson. Nice looking snowdrop though with a good mark. The seller has a number of other snowdrops on ebay, most of which look right (Hyde Lodge doesn't) so I think it's just a mistake. Can't definitely put a name to that snowdrop being sold as Mrs Thompson. The mark on the top flower looks a bit like Bill Bishop, while the mark on the lower flower looks different (maybe an immature flower on a small side-bulb).

Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Mavers on February 06, 2009, 11:46:25 AM
We all know the snowdrops we could all have a very messy group drool over..............

If for us mere mortals 'Rosemary Burnham' is difficult to grow, how do some growers manage not only to overcome this difficulty but have enough spares to sell on?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 06, 2009, 11:51:41 AM
I think skilled snowpdrop growers must have "in-the-green fingers"? ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on February 06, 2009, 11:57:20 AM
The policy of many is if it's new and there is only one bulb twinscale it that summer. I would imagine Jim has done just that and now has enough to pass on. His bulb collection is amazing. When 'Rosemary' arrived in N Ireland for the first time I begged the owners to have them twinscaled. They wouldnt and both bulbs died or were eaten.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on February 06, 2009, 12:05:03 PM
Mark ,you mention 'getting them twinscaled' :) Is this a service one can get quotes from yellow pages  ???

Are there twinscalers to be avoided at all costs ???

 Are some always successful  ???

Is the service expensive/ free for keepsies etc, etc  ??? ???

I'm planning on trying it myself, but should I only do it with easy ones  ???  Sorry, lots of questions there
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Alan_b on February 06, 2009, 12:20:11 PM
I'm sure Mark will give you chapter and verse on twin scalers but I think there are one or two people who will do it "free for keepsies", say 1/4 of the resultant bulbs.  I am planning to get my virescent elwesii (Rosemary Burnham look-alike) done this year.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on February 06, 2009, 12:26:48 PM
Alan put it well. Some do it and charge money, some do it free and other keep some of the resulting bulbils
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Tony Willis on February 06, 2009, 12:40:41 PM
Jo just give it a try there is no mystique in it. If you are happy with slightly less new bulbs you do not have to go as far as twin scaling. You can just cut the bulb into sections vertically,say six and go from there. The essential thing is hygiene. Some bulbs succeed in producing bulbils and others do not. Nothing ventured ,nothing gained
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: KentGardener on February 06, 2009, 01:21:23 PM
Following on from the Avon bulbs Big Boy post I have just received the following email from them:

Quote
Dear Snowdroppers,
 
At the moment it seems unlikely that we shall be distributing an extra-special snowdrop list this spring. It is proving to be a rather ‘different’ snowdrop season with Somerset experiencing more snow than we have for many years and it is difficult to assess our stocks. We may reconsider the situation later on.
 
It may be worth mentioning that a few ultra rare snowdrops are being released and sold through ebay. It is not a ‘vehicle’ of choice for us but it does have the (commercial) advantage of maximising the return on a few snowdrops that are otherwise difficult to price.  We too have bills to pay !  Currently G. Big Boy is available from us this way, it will be followed shortly by G Art Nouveau and G. Acton Pigot No 3 for those of you who are interested, and possibly a few others will follow. On ebay we sell under the name bhfchris (though we make it clear that this is the Avon Bulbs tag)
 


Regards

John
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on February 06, 2009, 02:11:38 PM
Jo just give it a try there is no mystique in it. If you are happy with slightly less new bulbs you do not have to go as far as twin scaling. You can just cut the bulb into sections vertically,say six and go from there. The essential thing is hygiene. Some bulbs succeed in producing bulbils and others do not. Nothing ventured ,nothing gained

Thanks for the feedback on twinscaling.  I will definately give it a go after such encouragement.  Does anyone know of any cvs or sps that I should definately not try  ???
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 06, 2009, 02:17:11 PM
Rob, I was forwarded an email from the seller of 'Mrs Thompson' who says the bulb being sold is Mrs Thompson but that they used a photo of a different snowdrop because they couldn't take one of their 'Mrs Thompson' because of the snow. I believe the seller is genuine, though not sure about the advisability of using an incorrect photo, maybe better to use none at all.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 06, 2009, 03:49:30 PM
Rob, I was forwarded an email from the seller of 'Mrs Thompson' who says the bulb being sold is Mrs Thompson but that they used a photo of a different snowdrop because they couldn't take one of their 'Mrs Thompson' because of the snow. I believe the seller is genuine, though not sure about the advisability of using an incorrect photo, maybe better to use none at all.
What happens if the buyer is expecting the snowdrop in the picture?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: loes on February 06, 2009, 03:57:44 PM
than he is really glad because he just don`t know(beginner)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 06, 2009, 11:52:58 PM
Rob, I was forwarded an email from the seller of 'Mrs Thompson' who says the bulb being sold is Mrs Thompson but that they used a photo of a different snowdrop because they couldn't take one of their 'Mrs Thompson' because of the snow. I believe the seller is genuine, though not sure about the advisability of using an incorrect photo, maybe better to use none at all.
What happens if the buyer is expecting the snowdrop in the picture?

Exactly!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 07, 2009, 01:15:14 AM
Deception. :-\
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 07, 2009, 01:54:45 AM
I see 'Big Boy' is up to £70 on ebay. I'd love to have one to try using for breeding purposes, but not at that sort of price.   :(
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 07, 2009, 11:32:20 AM
50 quid would have been my maximum for big boy (the starting bid!), and yes martin it would make a good breeding plant, i can imagine some nice giant flowered seedlings raised from this one!

rob

Hopefully, Rob. Depends how fertile it is as a pollen and seed parent. If it's a polyploid, which it might well be, the fertility will depend on exactly which form of polyploid, triploid, tetraploid, hexaploid...life's never simple!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 07, 2009, 12:11:21 PM
Re. using elwesii 'Big Boy' for breeding, a fellow forumist has kindly offered to send me pollen of 'Big Boy' when their bulb reaches flowering size next year, and recently another generously sent me pollen of 'Rosemary Burnham', which made me think of making an appeal on the forum for pollen.

So, if anyone reading this has elwesii 'Big Boy' flowering this year and is prepared to cut out some ripe anthers and mail them to me, please get in touch. I have some crosses in mind that I'd like to try using 'Big Boy' and the sooner I can  get started the better.

Not sure if I should just post this appeal here or start a new thread. Maybe I'll do both.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Gerard Oud on February 07, 2009, 08:20:38 PM
When the Big boys are BIG enough you can have one from me Martin, but at the moment they are just 4 to 5mm small Big Boy´s.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 07, 2009, 09:20:41 PM
So you managed to get a bulb of 'Big Boy' eventually last year, Gerard? That's great.   :)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 07, 2009, 09:53:24 PM
Sorry, Gerard, I forgot to say that if you can spare some anthers when they flower that'd be great. I'll take as many anthers as forumists offer, as you never know if you're going to get much pollen from them - especially if 'Big Boy' is a triploid, then the anthers might not contain much at all. I'll keep looking around for a reasonably priced bulb for myself as well, and I'll come back to you if I don't have any luck. Thanks very much for the offer.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on February 08, 2009, 12:48:40 AM
Before anyone goes chopping Big Boy the resulting bulbils have a low survival rate. So say Wol and Sue.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: johnw on February 08, 2009, 01:59:06 AM
Mark - Did Wol & Sue mention the success rate for Rosemary Burnham chipped? Or anyone else for that matter?

johnw
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: KentGardener on February 08, 2009, 02:54:15 AM
Mark - Did Wol & Sue mention the success rate for Rosemary Burnham chipped? Or anyone else for that matter?

johnw

Hi Jon

last year I spoke to a nursery owner I know near here.  He said that Rosemary was a difficult one to chip and he had extremely low success rates with it.

Regards

John
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Diane Whitehead on February 08, 2009, 03:20:09 AM
A friend has chipped it but I don't know how many wee bulbs
are considered good.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Alan_b on February 08, 2009, 08:32:05 AM
A friend has chipped it but I don't know how many wee bulbs
are considered good.

It must depend on the natural rate of increase of the bulb by division and the number of years it takes a "wee bulb" to grow to flowering size.

So, for example, if bulb division follows a Fibonaci series and you start with one mature bulb after four years you should have five mature bulbs and three that will take another year to reach flowering size.  If it takes four years for a chipped bulb to reach flowering size then 8 or more flowering bubls would leave you a winner, maybe say 10 bulbs to make the effort worthwhile.  Of course, many of the rarer bulbs are slow to increase, slower than a Fibonaci series would suggest, whilst the vigorous bulbs are faster.  I have a Rosemay Burnham look-alike elwesii that has grown from a single bulb and an offset when I found it in 2005 to five or six shoots and two flowers this year.  In fact this is the first year I will get more than one flower from it.  Of course, this lack of vigour might have been equally manifest had I tried to chip it.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 08, 2009, 09:10:46 AM
I must admit, my one attempt at chipping was a miserable failure. I tried 'Wendy's Gold' and from one bulb, I got, er............... one bulb. :-[

That is a wonderful find Alan. Good as RB any day, and the fact that it is doing well with you, perhaps a better plant for the UK? :)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 08, 2009, 10:05:26 AM
Quote
Before anyone goes chopping Big Boy the resulting bulbils have a low survival rate. So say Wol and Sue.

and others!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 08, 2009, 10:53:58 AM
Before anyone goes chopping Big Boy the resulting bulbils have a low survival rate. So say Wol and Sue.

Sounds like Gerard did okay with chipping 'Big Boy'. Maybe he can tell us what his success rate has been so far.

Mark, did  they say at what point in their development the bulbils tend to fail, or hazard a guess as to the reason? Any such further info could be helpful.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 08, 2009, 10:57:54 AM
I recall Alan Street telling me years ago that 'Big Boy' is one that tends to take a rest after chipping, making bulbils but then not making leaves and roots during the next season. In that scenario, it may be tricky keeping the dormant bulbs just moist so they don't shrivel but not so wet as to cause rot.

Does anyone know at what point or why Rosemary Burnham is a poor chipping prospect? Chips won't form bulbils, bulbils won't grow on or tend to rot?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on February 08, 2009, 11:59:38 AM
Joe Sharmon commented yesterday that when chipping it is important to pot the bulbils as early as possible and by early September because otherwise they rest and may take one or two years to start into growth.
He said chip in May and pot v early Sept.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 08, 2009, 12:06:48 PM
Yes Jo that is the best timing, although it has been earlier this year and can be done at any time without as much success.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 08, 2009, 12:08:59 PM
Joe's timing is probably the ideal, but I've chipped later and potted later with no problems. Once, as an experiment, I chopped some Arnott bulbs in October and potted in early January and they caught up with all the chips done earlier and by the end of the growing season were just as far advanced.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: steve owen on February 08, 2009, 12:57:27 PM
Should one lay the scales + bulbils on the surface when potting or cover them? If cover, how deep and with what medium?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 08, 2009, 02:13:07 PM
Should one lay the scales + bulbils on the surface when potting or cover them? If cover, how deep and with what medium?

They should be covered, so the tops of the chips are just below the surface of the (well-drained) compost, and then a layer of grit (not too deep and not to coarse).
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 08, 2009, 05:33:05 PM
I see 'Big Boy' went for £139 on ebay in a last minute burst of high bidding. Something that occurs to me is (and I'm not having a rant, just speculating) whether these high auction prices will affect how prepared people (generally speaking) will be prepared in future to give away bulbs of rarer snowdrops when they know they could fetch huge sums on ebay?

I'm pretty sure that say last year someone with a good clump of 'Big Boy' might, if asked by a garden visitor with some snowdrop growing experience might well have parted with a small bulb as a gift. Would people now feel less inclined to give away something that has had such a high (if rather arbitrary) value put on it? I.E. could the sale of one bulb for a very high price affect how much that cultivat gets passed around in future? I would imagine at the very least, people may be more inclined to want something equally valuable in return.

What made me think of this (apart from the ebay auctions) is that a nurseryman told me a few years ago that the introduction of the Plant Breeders Rights, useful as that is for breeders, was making gardeners far less likely to offer a nurseryman a new plant for them to bulk up and distribute, out of concern that it might be worth a lot at some point and they could lose out. One side-effect could, she said, be that fewer new plants get into wide circulation as people hang onto them, perhaps losing them eventually to disease, pests, etc so that they never get into a lot of gardens.

 
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Michael J Campbell on February 08, 2009, 05:47:48 PM
Rob,take a look at the sellers "other items for sale"
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 08, 2009, 05:56:10 PM
The seller is offering 'Flocon de Neige' which doesn't look right and is in Edinburgh. The last not-Flocon was also in Edinburgh.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 08, 2009, 06:55:45 PM
Looks like a groath exaggeration? ???
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Gerard Oud on February 08, 2009, 07:06:18 PM
The average of twinscaling normally is 6 to 8 bulbils and in the laboratory 20 to 22 bulbils from just one bulb. Unfortunately i got the Big boy a little late(September) and twinscaled it in September and after that i got a fungus infection which i got rather well away with chloride luckily still there did stay 4 to 6 left to grow. For the coming season i do get from a colleage here in holland, who has several clumps another one.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 08, 2009, 07:35:25 PM
Martin,

Referring to your question above re the high prices some snowdrops achieve on e-bay and the possible effects of this of people being willing or not to part with bulbs in a purely friendly manner, i.e. not in a commercial arrangement:

I certainly share your sentiments that this would be an unfortunate state of affairs. Over the last few years, since I have taken an interest in snowdrops, I have found it marked by generosity and a willingness share among enthusiasts. Even this season I have arranged a number of swaps with forum members and I am absolutely sure that there was no comparisons made re the value of the various snowdrops involved, simply as case of 'I have some of this to spare and I would like some of that' and I have no doubt that this will continue; hope sincerely that it will continue and intend to continue with it myself. As the recipient of so much generosity from other snowdrop growers I could not but be willing to share whenever possible. This is a part of snowdrop growing, indeed gardening in general, that has always been important and should continue to be practiced.

By the way, to save me sending a PM, I have bulbs of G. 'Compton Court' to spare - you expressed an interest in having some a few days ago but I didn't get round to contacting you.

Paddy
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: annew on February 08, 2009, 07:43:25 PM
I potted my twin-scaled bulblets half-way down the pot in a layer of sand as I do all my mature bulbs, as I think was suggested by Ian. It certainly works well for seedlings, and the bulbils that are through so far look very strong. I'll let you know if any don't make it up from the depths!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on February 08, 2009, 07:44:42 PM
That person on Ebay cant spell either. I smell a rat.

Wol did say chips well fed can flower in two years and some do take a year out. Some cultivars can take forever to grow. He used an example but I cant remember what one. Martin you will have to ask him at the Gala
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 08, 2009, 08:26:44 PM
Thanks for the offer, Paddy. I placed an order with a grower for three 'Compton Court' to give it a try (I like the sound of "vigorous grower" when compared to Arnott and I also read that it often produces two scapes per bulb) so I'll see if I get my bulbs from them. If not, I'll get in touch with you.

I also hope that high ebay prices won't affect the level of generosity amongst snowdrop growers generally. But I suspect it may be bound to have some effect on how freely rare bulbs circulate. Hopefully I'm wrong.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 08, 2009, 10:27:23 PM
I don't think it will have a negative effect on those of us who swap. It may just push up the prices for those that are on sale, but then again it may not? Consider this: how many can you sell at these prices on Ebay compared to the numbers that can be sold at galas etc? Perhaps the really rare will always be dear due to their scarcity? This can't always be the case, and interest may decline once they become more readily available?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 08, 2009, 11:17:25 PM
I don't think it will have a negative effect on those of us who swap. It may just push up the prices for those that are on sale, but then again it may not? Consider this: how many can you sell at these prices on Ebay compared to the numbers that can be sold at galas etc? Perhaps the really rare will always be dear due to their scarcity? This can't always be the case, and interest may decline once they become more readily available?

But will they become more readily available? Where's the incentive for a grower to propagate decent quantities to sell at say £20 each if they can sell four or five a year at £150?

I realize it won't affect swaps, except that those selling for high prices on ebay will require a much rarer swap than before their monetary value went up. I just think people may think twice about giving away bulbs as gifts to visitors if the gift has suddenly acquired a very high monetary value. Which I think would be a shame.

I agree with you that in the long run a grower can't expect to sell large quantities at these inflated prices, and I'd think it's better for a nurseryman and for the customers in the long run if good stocks are built up to sell at reasonable prices. Otherwise, snowdrop prices just become another unsustainable bubble. But my main concerns is that very lovely snowdrops may never get into  wider circulation.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Mavers on February 09, 2009, 11:03:20 AM
Sorry if I've missed this dear friends but what did 'Rosemary Burnham' go for in the end on the bay?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 09, 2009, 11:04:31 AM
£135  ::)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: steve owen on February 09, 2009, 11:32:56 AM
Bonjour mes amis

Could someone hazard a guess as to the identity of this potful? Bought at the AGS Spring Show, labelled "nivalis"!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Alan_b on February 09, 2009, 11:55:27 AM
Bonjour mes amis

Could someone hazard a guess as to the identity of this potful? Bought at the AGS Spring Show, labelled "nivalis"!

Woronowii.  Always woronowii.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Alan_b on February 09, 2009, 12:03:11 PM
The seller is offering 'Flocon de Neige' which doesn't look right and is in Edinburgh. The last not-Flocon was also in Edinburgh.

The seller has also been an ebay member since 2 Feb 2009, about the day we "outed" the person seemingly selling the fake 'Flocon de Neige' using Mark's photo of a genuine one.   
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 09, 2009, 12:04:14 PM
Alan we are supposed to be coming to Anglesey Abbey tomorrow, what's it like over there now?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: vivienr on February 09, 2009, 12:08:39 PM
I saw large quantities of Woronowii on sale in a big Northumberland garden centre at the new year, all labelled as nivalis. It surprised me as I would have thought they could have charged more if they labelled them correctly. My local Morrisons is selling correctly labelled Elwesii but they are very sad-looking specimens.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Alan_b on February 09, 2009, 12:40:17 PM
I saw large quantities of Woronowii on sale in a big Northumberland garden centre at the new year, all labelled as nivalis...

Which is why I said Steve's snowdrops were woronowii; these are readily available in garden centres and often labelled nivalis.  Of course, I cannot possibly tell from the photo that it isn't ikariae but that seems most unlikely.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Alan_b on February 09, 2009, 12:43:43 PM
Alan we are supposed to be coming to Anglesey Abbey tomorrow, what's it like over there now?

At the moment we have light rain.  There is still a lot of snow on gardens and fields but hopefully the Anglesey Abbey snowdrops are in a sheltered location and will be okay.  If I were you I would call first to confirm they are open as usual.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: David Quinton on February 09, 2009, 12:44:20 PM
Alan we are supposed to be coming to Anglesey Abbey tomorrow, what's it like over there now?

Brian,

It's raining and the snow is steadily fast. Unfortunately we have been warned of heavy rain/snow overnight.

David

Edit...Alan just beat me to it.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 09, 2009, 12:47:28 PM
whats this on ebay? -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=170300789906&Category=16087&_trksid=p3907.m29&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D1

is this an actual nivalis cultivar? or another fake.

reminds me more of worroniwii

rob
I see the fake 'Flocon' (click link and check seller's other items) on Ebay is now at £30.! :o :o >:(
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Diane Clement on February 09, 2009, 01:00:26 PM
I see the fake 'Flocon' (click link and check seller's other items) on Ebay is now at £30.! :o :o >:(   

The picture looks like a giraffe   ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 09, 2009, 01:03:18 PM
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 09, 2009, 01:06:24 PM
Thanks for the weather forecast chaps, we'll have to get in touch with them directly I think! ;)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 09, 2009, 02:08:40 PM
I should have realised it was that seller again >:(
rob

Is it the same seller?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Alan_b on February 09, 2009, 02:27:27 PM
[/quote]

Is it the same seller?
[/quote]

looks like it! same bad spelling ;D

rob


Rob, your quotes aren't working.  The general format for html is to start with [something] and end with [/something].  You are starting and ending with an ending " [/quote] " so it doesn't work.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: steve owen on February 09, 2009, 03:17:21 PM
Is it the same seller?
[/quote]

looks like it! same bad spelling ;D

rob
[/quote]

Rob
Since spelling is rightly a concern, would you care to edit your personal postscript slightly to amend the current "intrested"? (I know these things shouldn't jar but.......)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on February 09, 2009, 04:36:38 PM
I was about to phone Ebay, someone else can do it next time, re this listing. I cant find it. Is it gone already?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: KentGardener on February 09, 2009, 04:42:08 PM
I was about to phone Ebay, someone else can do it next time, re this listing. I cant find it. Is it gone already?

Hi Mark

Diane's giraffe is still there. 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SNOWDROP-FLOCON-DE-Neige-rair_W0QQitemZ170299811381QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_HomeGarden_Garden_PlantsSeedsBulbs_JN?hash=item170299811381&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

John

Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Joakim B on February 09, 2009, 04:42:53 PM
Do ebay respond to dubious offerings that are not true to name when You complain/inform them?
Kind regards
Joakim
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: steve owen on February 09, 2009, 04:54:41 PM
whoops, not sure why that quote didn't work that time normally does!

yes my spelling is not allways 100% correct (I'm not a academic), but this sellers is absolutely atrocious just look at his text in the listing ::)

i know intresting should be spelt interesting but for some reason its not allways recognised in spellcheck, (maybe its a American spelling?) so i often use the former
(its not recognised on this spell check either! ???)

rob

I agree Spellcheck has its limitations. It doesn't help with tedious things like capitals or apostrophes either.  Do you think it would be better if we followed the Birmingham City Council (sorry, birmingham city council) line and dispense with these complications altogether? Life would be so much simpler. 
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on February 09, 2009, 05:08:39 PM
Whilst you're all on the niceties of posting, how do I quote just a little bit of someones text ?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: vivienr on February 09, 2009, 05:31:43 PM
how do I quote just a little bit of someones text ?

If you click the quote button on the top right of the message, you get the whole message in quotes displayed in the reply box. Simply highlight the bits you DON'T want and press delete.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Diane Clement on February 09, 2009, 05:35:25 PM
Diane's giraffe is still there. 

Yes, I like it.  The next time I create a new snowdrop, I'm going to call it Diane's giraffe
Oh and before Mr buttercup says it, I suppose I'm sticking my neck out  ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on February 09, 2009, 05:44:55 PM
It is a matter of some regret to me that the Spellcheck seems to have serious shortcomings, or perhaps it is  simply exhausted?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on February 09, 2009, 05:48:33 PM
Diane's giraffe is still there. 

 Diane's giraffe

Thanks Vivien, I'll try this.  Good name Diane  :D  for one with a long pedicel


Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on February 09, 2009, 05:50:45 PM
Ebay have accepted my concerns and have ask if others are also concerned they should report this using the link at the bottom of the page
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on February 09, 2009, 05:50:45 PM
Diane's giraffe is still there. 

 Diane's giraffe

Thanks Vivien, I'll try this.  Good name Diane  :D  for one with a long pedicel



  Oh dear , thats all blue :D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Michael J Campbell on February 09, 2009, 06:07:03 PM
Jo,highlight and copy the piece of the message you want to quote,then at the top of the reply box click the small yellow page second from right on the bottom line.When you move the courser over it it will say quote, two quote marks will appear in the text box,paste the piece you copied in the middle of the quote marks.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Diane Clement on February 09, 2009, 06:16:18 PM
It's also good to click on Preview before posting, you can see how the html codes are rendered
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: steve owen on February 09, 2009, 06:43:16 PM
It is a matter of some regret to me that the Spellcheck seems to have serious shortcomings, or perhaps it is  simply exhausted?

Maggie

Don't beat yourself up, the Spellcheck is fine but it wasn't designed to make silk purses out of sows' ears. If it's exhausted, small wonder. Philistines 4, syntax 0. (No wonder Scolari had to go.)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Tony Willis on February 09, 2009, 08:42:51 PM
It's also good to click on Preview before posting, you can see how the html codes are rendered
???

my first attempt at a smiley,no idea what this quote means.

If I am doing a long post I do it in word,spellcheck it, see there are no obscenties and then paste it in.





Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on February 09, 2009, 08:45:35 PM
Don't let's get too hung up on this. The Forum is a 'broad church', open to all nationalities and all standards of  written English and requiring only a mutual love of plants.
I am sure Forumists will help out if there is any real difficulty in understanding.



It's also good to click on Preview before posting, you can see how the html codes are rendered

Funny you should say that, Diane.... I can't see that it makes any odds at all when I try "preview".... I've never seen the point, because it looks the same to me.... I must be missing something   :-[
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Michael J Campbell on February 09, 2009, 09:10:12 PM
Quote
open to all nationalities and all standards of  written English
My views as well Maggi, I consider myself a reasonably good grower of some plants, but in no way a professor of the English language.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Diane Clement on February 09, 2009, 09:16:43 PM
Funny you should say that, Diane.... I can't see that it makes any odds at all when I try "preview".... I've never seen the point, because it looks the same to me.... I must be missing something   :-[   

I suppose it's different in different browsers, although I tried in IE and Firefox and it's the same. 
I tried Tony's post as it's got a smiley in it as well as a quote.  Here's the screen shot of the Post reply page
It shows the posting with the html codes in it, and above in the Preview box, how it will look.  You will see the code for the smiley is three question marks, which is interpreted as the "Huh" smiley.  Also the square brackets which will render as a blue quotation box.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 09, 2009, 10:12:47 PM
Funny you should say that, Diane.... I can't see that it makes any odds at all when I try "preview".... I've never seen the point, because it looks the same to me.... I must be missing something   :-[   

I suppose it's different in different browsers, although I tried in IE and Firefox and it's the same. 
I tried Tony's post as it's got a smiley in it as well as a quote.  Here's the screen shot of the Post reply page
It shows the posting with the html codes in it, and above in the Preview box, how it will look.  You will see the code for the smiley is three question marks, which is interpreted as the "Huh" smiley.  Also the square brackets which will render as a blue quotation box.
I noticed that when I was using Firefox it underlined spelling mistakes in red. I had to change it to English as it was driving me daft! ::)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Diane Clement on February 09, 2009, 10:21:45 PM

I try not to make speling misteaks.   8)

Quote
  I noticed that when I was using Firefox it underlined spelling mistakes in red. I had to change it to English as it was driving me daft! ::) 

What language were you writing in, Anthony?

I can see no red lines here (I'm in Firefox) in the post reply box, or the preview box.  It does wavy red lines in Word, unless you turn it off, but even then pasted in here, the red wavy lines disappear.  One of life's deep mysteries  ::)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 09, 2009, 11:25:23 PM

What language were you writing in, Anthony?

I was writing, or least trying to write, in English. Firefox was trying to change it to American! >:( A hundred years ago books written by American authors were printed for the British market in English (cf Gene Stratton-Porter); now supposedly English books are written in American. >:( Biology texts particularly annoy me: words like oestrogen and foetus have their 'os' dropped. Why? Not a word I like to hear, but as far as I am concerned a pedophile (paedophile) is a foot fetishist. :P If not, what does a pedometer measure?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Alan_b on February 10, 2009, 05:51:04 AM
I was writing, or least trying to write, in English. Firefox was trying to change it to American!

You could try Google Chrome instead of Firefox, Anthony.  My copy is happy to offer spelling corrections in UK English.

Now, back to snowdrops.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Tony Willis on February 10, 2009, 08:55:48 AM
When I queried a spelling a little while ago I was told English is an evolving language and we have to be open to change.

Last night I watched a well known bully,sorry politician, frothing at the mouth on newsnight speaking incoherently  in some form of mangled English and thought soon be morning and as Anthony says back to the snowdrops.

I suppose on the forum the most important thing is to be able to get the gist of what is meant and enjoy the plants.

I should add another glorious day here the sixth in a row,getting boring now
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Joakim B on February 10, 2009, 10:51:45 AM
Mark Thanks for the information about EBAY and possibilities to complain.
Kind regards
Joakim  (or Hakim as the speller wants it to be :( )
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 10, 2009, 11:44:39 AM
I see the fake 'Flocon' is now up to £41! :o
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on February 10, 2009, 05:37:41 PM
Did anyone lodge a complaint? Ebay needs more complaints befre removing it
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Diane Clement on February 10, 2009, 05:50:48 PM
Did anyone lodge a complaint? Ebay needs more complaints befre removing it 

I did and I also sent a message to the seller querying the identity.
Its at £72 now.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on February 10, 2009, 06:02:35 PM
Who wants mine?  ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on February 10, 2009, 06:10:28 PM
Diane at the bottom of the page it says other options. Click on report this item and select relevant questions from Ebay stick as close as possible to fraud, infringment and copyright
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 10, 2009, 06:20:04 PM
Diane at the bottom of the page it says other options. Click on report this item and select relevant questions from Ebay stick as close as possible to fraud, infringment and copyright

I have done, but I don't think anyone's being fooled. The latest bidders, if you look at their history, are not snowdrop buyers. Look like they may be false bids trying to push up the price. Maybe the bidder and/or a friend.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Diane Clement on February 10, 2009, 06:34:38 PM
Diane at the bottom of the page it says other options. Click on report this item and select relevant questions from Ebay stick as close as possible to fraud, infringment and copyright 

Thanks, the first time it was greyed out and nowhere to go.  I did sort it, message sent.   
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 10, 2009, 06:43:55 PM
I've sent a complaint to the seller and to EBay. It'll be someone out for a fast buck. They'll be back next week under another guise. :(
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Michael J Campbell on February 10, 2009, 07:00:05 PM
Quote
Did anyone lodge a complaint?

I did.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on February 10, 2009, 07:07:38 PM
Quote
Did anyone lodge a complaint?

I did.
And me.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Alan_b on February 10, 2009, 08:27:38 PM
Quote
Did anyone lodge a complaint?

I did.
And me.
me too.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 10, 2009, 08:31:36 PM
Well clearly he's not compliant. :(
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on February 11, 2009, 04:54:43 PM
Talking of making a fortune for snowdrops on ebay, do you think I might get away with these flocon lookalikes   :o ;D ;D ;D  I fancy a world cruise  and I've got quite a few of them.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on February 11, 2009, 05:04:40 PM
That's a very nice ?nivalis fl pl. Are they all neat?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 11, 2009, 05:09:00 PM
Not up to the standard of Flocon de Neige, Jo, but quite a nice double nivalis as Mark says. I've been finding doubles with more than usual good long outers this year. I suspect it may be one of those seasonal things. The season also seems to be favouring green markings on outers. All those that should have green marks on the outers seem to have good ones this year, and even some that shouldn't are showing some green marks!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on February 11, 2009, 05:14:01 PM
Note back from the flogger of the fake flocon............
"it isnt a good photo but its a flokon i checked google encyclopeida" ...... well, that'll be alright then, eh?!! :P
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on February 11, 2009, 05:26:52 PM
That's a very nice ?nivalis fl pl. Are they all neat?

I've just been over to a friend to help identify her snowdrops. The garden had a plantsman owner 20 years ago and his wife gave my friend a list of the snowdrops in the garden.
This flocon type is a nivalis, its all over the garden and is very nearly always as neat as the photos. The only doubles that we did'nt identify/ find were Hill Poe which its not and Wisley Double which I haven't looked up yet.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Diane Clement on February 11, 2009, 05:30:23 PM
Note back from the flogger of the fake flocon............
"it isnt a good photo but its a flokon i checked google encyclopeida" ...... well, that'll be alright then, eh?!! :P

It's now at £97. 
I also had a reply back from the flocon flogger:
"it is the flokon it isnt a good pic"   (s)he said it  (true, I say) ;D 
Google gives five entries for floccon, 3 are Mark's site and two are this forum.  Mark's picture is nothing remotely like the giraffe, except it has some white bits and is a double, so the checking was clearly thorough. 
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on February 11, 2009, 05:31:25 PM
What drug is Jimlad on? eh, Jimlad? Starting nivalis Sandersii Group at £21!! :o I really need to get the finger out for the 2010 season.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on February 11, 2009, 05:33:36 PM
What does a giraffe have to do with this? Have I missed something?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on February 11, 2009, 05:35:28 PM
The fake flocon looks like a giraffe!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Diane Clement on February 11, 2009, 05:38:50 PM
What does a giraffe have to do with this? Have I missed something? 

I sort of started it, reply 534 on this thread, John fueled it reply 544. 
Am I allowed to post it here (legal advice needed  ;D )

Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on February 11, 2009, 05:42:43 PM
Is someone from SRGC taking the P with the listing on Ebay?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on February 11, 2009, 05:45:03 PM
Is someone from SRGC taking the P with the listing on Ebay?
What? On Ebay? Surely not... that would be cruel as well as illegal.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on February 11, 2009, 05:46:10 PM
You never know. It is after all white fever silly season
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 11, 2009, 06:02:54 PM
Mark, you need to keep up. ::) If you search 'snowdrop' on EBay you come across the pic Daine has copied onto the forum, which looks like a giraffe. It is being used to sell a bulb of 'Flocon de Neige'. Clearly the person who is selling it is at it, or is clueless. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear! They have obviously found a clump of 'Flore Pleno' and, no matter what you tell them, they won't be told they are conning the bidders by selling a plant worth 25p. The seller comes from 'Edinbyrgh' [sic] and tells us it is 'rair' [sic].
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on February 11, 2009, 06:07:29 PM
Yes I followed the story and understand it except for the giraffe. I can now see the giraffe but actually thought everyone was having a giraffe
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: KentGardener on February 11, 2009, 06:10:16 PM
May be this will help people to picture it?....

John   ;D

(it only works if you enlarge it.   ;))

Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Jo on February 11, 2009, 06:12:57 PM
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on February 11, 2009, 06:14:55 PM
John did you make that?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 11, 2009, 06:15:36 PM
I would think so? Brilliant!  ;D

I should have pointed out (and I did to the seller, who is yet to reply) regarding the fake 'drop (is that something you get after a fake shake? I digress. :-\) is that if they didn't actually obtain a bulb labelled 'Flocon de Neige' in the first place and clone it, no amount of Googling is going to change it into said fabled snowdrop.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on February 11, 2009, 06:18:47 PM
John, that is FAB! I love it ....better than the 'drop, that's for sure!
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: KentGardener on February 11, 2009, 06:20:54 PM
John did you make that?

Indeed - I get bored and like to play   ;) - don't you remember this one from last year.

[attachthumb=1]

John
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Gerard Oud on February 11, 2009, 06:21:23 PM
Very nice John ;D ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 11, 2009, 06:23:10 PM
Will the real Mark Smyth please stand up.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on February 11, 2009, 06:34:48 PM
I removed that image so how did you find it?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Maggi Young on February 11, 2009, 06:37:28 PM
I removed that image so how did you find it?
I expect John bought it on Ebay!! ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on February 11, 2009, 06:43:16 PM
Oh yes. You added the hat. When I looked just now I was confussed because I dont own a hat like that
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 11, 2009, 07:06:19 PM
Can we have the giraffe with the hat?
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: KentGardener on February 11, 2009, 07:07:32 PM
Can we have the giraffe with the hat?

If I can't sleep again tonight and wake up at 3am I shall see what I can do!   :D

John

Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: KentGardener on February 11, 2009, 07:25:10 PM
Can we have the giraffe with the hat?

Well,  you did ask!

 ::)
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: steve owen on February 11, 2009, 07:26:58 PM
John

The giraffe/snowdrop montage is terrific but nothing can possibly be beyond a guy who translates Bulgarian at 3 am. You are wasted doing whatever you are doing at the moment; there is a vacancy for Deputy Chairman of the Financial Services Authority; you would be a shoo-in. Apply. You wouls sail into the job and be able to afford Ecusson d'or.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: David Nicholson on February 11, 2009, 07:28:25 PM
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: steve owen on February 11, 2009, 07:28:37 PM
Actually you'd be able to buy up Ebay.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Martin Baxendale on February 11, 2009, 07:34:25 PM
Mark should see a doctor about those spots on his neck.
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on February 11, 2009, 07:42:34 PM
John you have only pics with hat? ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: loes on February 11, 2009, 08:09:36 PM
 ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 11, 2009, 10:12:44 PM
Thanks John you are a man of many talents :D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Alan_b on February 12, 2009, 07:12:25 AM
The 'fake flocon' finally seems to have been withdrawn.  But there are a number of popular DVDs you can buy as an alternative.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SNOWDROP-FLOCON-DE-Neige-rair_W0QQitemZ170299811381QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_HomeGarden_Garden_PlantsSeedsBulbs_JN?hash=item170299811381&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 12, 2009, 07:54:54 AM
Result. ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Diane Clement on February 12, 2009, 08:43:38 AM
The 'fake flocon' finally seems to have been withdrawn. 

Success, the power of the forum.  And we had a lot of fun on the way, thanks to John.   ;D
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: mark smyth on February 12, 2009, 09:03:59 AM
s/he never replied to my queries. I asked about Dragon's Eyes or whatever s/he has called it but never got a reply.

Diane when the seller refered to me by name did you get the impression I was known? The only place on snowdropinfo.com I mention my name is at the contact link
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Diane Clement on February 12, 2009, 10:47:30 AM
s/he never replied to my queries. I asked about Dragon's Eyes or whatever s/he has called it but never got a reply.

Diane when the seller refered to me by name did you get the impression I was known? The only place on snowdropinfo.com I mention my name is at the contact link

The seller didn't refer to you, Mark, they said they got the identification from Google. If you go to google and type in floccon, the only picture reference is yours. 
The dragon's eyes plant was renamed to G nivalis.  But I think maybe that had also been withdrawn
Title: Re: The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 12, 2009, 11:26:56 AM

The dragon's eyes plant was renamed to G nivalis.  But I think maybe that had also been withdrawn
Looked like woronowii to me? I know a garden here in Dunblane that are a huge patch of woronowii - several square metres - which looks spectacular.
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal