Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Bulbs => Galanthus => Topic started by: robsorchids on December 18, 2008, 03:36:10 PM

Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: robsorchids on December 18, 2008, 03:36:10 PM
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G. 'faringdon double' opened Finlay today, its been sitting as a tight bud for weeks so the sun was very welcome to open it up for me

shame it has these white feathers jutting out from the inner whorl, I'm not sure how regular this clone is usually.

the spathe valves also dont seem to be as enlarged as i thought they would be for this cultivar?

still, its nice to see the first double of the season

I'm not sure if this should be posted in this section as i usually regard December as winter ::)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd120/robsorchids/Picture336.jpg)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 19, 2008, 12:57:42 PM
I have it on good authority that a snowdrop has been spotted in a garden in Aberdeen ;D
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on December 19, 2008, 01:20:31 PM
I have it on good authority that a snowdrop has been spotted in a garden in Aberdeen ;D

 Good grief! Do you have the address.... I could go visit it? ::)


I do know about this one...... photo by the BD.... one flower and two buds to come  ;D

 [attach=1]

Galanthus reginae olgae 'Hyde Lodge'

 You will see it is tucked in near a fern, keeping it protected from a lot of nasty weather and there is further cover from a Pieris forrestii.... all needed in Aberdeen to keep the wee white thing from harm. If the flower ever does open we'll try to catch a pic of it! Very pleased to see it is multiplying  and making more flowers on the daughter bulbs..... well, really, we're amazed!
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 19, 2008, 01:26:59 PM
Glad you are looking after it well Maggi, see how they respond to a bit of TLC (Tender Loving Care) ;)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Thomas Huber on December 19, 2008, 01:33:26 PM
Sorry for my non-galanthophile ignoranz, but how can a single snowdrop like 'Farington Double' be called "Double" ???
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on December 19, 2008, 05:06:08 PM
Thomas it should have 6 to 12 inners
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: annew on December 19, 2008, 05:08:26 PM
You need to tilt the flower to see the extra petals.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Thomas Huber on December 20, 2008, 11:39:08 AM
Thanks for the info - from the photo it's not obvious as a double flower.
Perhaps someone has a photo from another angle?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on December 20, 2008, 12:07:49 PM
http://www.galanthus-online.de/seiten/kultivare-e-h/faringdon-double.html (http://www.galanthus-online.de/seiten/kultivare-e-h/faringdon-double.html)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on December 20, 2008, 03:54:59 PM
Here's a better 'Faringdon Double'
http://www.judyssnowdrops.co.uk/Plant_Profiles/Hybrids_Double/faringdon_double/faringdon_double.htm (http://www.judyssnowdrops.co.uk/Plant_Profiles/Hybrids_Double/faringdon_double/faringdon_double.htm)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 20, 2008, 08:16:11 PM
Open today with the arrival of some sunshine.

Thomas, I would have posted a photograph of the innards of G. 'Faringdon Double' but the one flower which was still in good condition on the outside was slug-eaten on the inside. Sorry!

Paddy
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 20, 2008, 08:48:20 PM
Rob,

I noticed your comments of G. 'Colossus' earlier. It is too dark to go out and be accurate for you at the moment but I can say that it is certainly not of the dimensions the name suggests. At present, I think it is about 10cm tall.

Paddy
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Paul T on December 20, 2008, 10:36:17 PM
Every year I look with sadness at my Galanthus gracilis as it opens it's flowers, usually with them sitting on the ground...... but they do extend over the flowering season until they are perhaps 12 to 15cm tall at the end.  A friend of mine (who got her plants from me) has a clump growing in more shade and they OPEN at 12 to 15cm and only get taller from there.  Just goes to show how much conditions can affect the flowering height of a Gal (and the reason I am rabbiting on about G. gracilis when we're talking about elwesii etc.  ::))
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 21, 2008, 01:24:48 PM
Rob,

Daylight measurement: G. 'Colossus' is 15cm high at present. It will extend far higher.

Paddy
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: steve owen on December 21, 2008, 02:10:59 PM
Folks

Any suggestions for the possible identity of this nice little clump? Pic taken today.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: steve owen on December 21, 2008, 02:14:47 PM
Of course it helps if I actually include the clump pic.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on December 21, 2008, 02:34:26 PM
I saw three ships .... G. plicatus 'Three Ships'
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on December 21, 2008, 02:37:04 PM
before me, Mark. Yes Steve, I also mean it`s THREE SHIPS.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: steve owen on December 21, 2008, 03:36:01 PM
Mark/Hagen
 Thanks v much/ Danke vielmals. Frohliche Weinacht.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on December 21, 2008, 05:23:20 PM
None of my 'Colossus', the biggest clump in my garden, are up so far. This is what I should have
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on December 21, 2008, 05:40:27 PM
Christmas shot from John Grimshaw.

johnw
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: art600 on December 21, 2008, 06:08:38 PM
Seeing the spectacular dislay at Colesbourne, a question occurred.  In order to retain vigour, do they periodically dig up the clumps and spread them over larger areas?  Or do they just sell the surplus bulbs from the clumps?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on December 21, 2008, 06:52:58 PM
Each clump is lifted, divided and moved to fill the gaps or spread the colony.

If anyone reading this has never been there you gotta do so. I'll be there on Feb 21st if you want to meet
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on December 21, 2008, 07:31:08 PM
Mark, would you shot equal good pictures?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on December 21, 2008, 07:45:28 PM
Hagan I would show some of Colesbourne's drifts now from when I was there but I cant find any
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on December 21, 2008, 07:58:40 PM
Very often I have a view to your site to find a droppic. That`s OK too.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 21, 2008, 08:44:51 PM
My 'Colossus' is still in tight bud. The only one about to open in the garden is elwesii 'Hiemalis'. Others showing above ground include 'Lapwing', 'Magnet', 'Benhall Beauty' and platyphyllus.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: ArneM on December 21, 2008, 09:00:42 PM
and platyphyllus.

Are yours already showing above ground?  :o
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on December 21, 2008, 09:01:47 PM
Anthony, yes a lot cultivares are looking to the light. But G platyphyllus should be real the last. The last of flowering, not the last of this year. ;D
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 21, 2008, 10:34:36 PM
and platyphyllus.

Are yours already showing above ground?  :o

The bud is visible, but this may be one of my imposters? I'll check tomorrow.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Hans J on December 23, 2008, 03:19:17 PM
Now I have also a pic of a flowering G. cilicicus from my collection - we have now today the 23. Dec. so I have decide me for this topic .
The flower is open now around 14 days - but we had no sun to take pics .
I'm really glad that this plant now grows and flowers because I had always problems with it - material that I have received ealier is always died after some time outside -this plant is for me not possibly to grow outside !
I keep it now in my greenhouse together with some other tender Galanthus .

Here is my

Galanthus cilicicus RN 17/87

enjoy
Hans  8)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: art600 on December 23, 2008, 03:31:30 PM
A good friend gave 2 bulbs of 'Three Ships' this year.  They have both bloomed this week.  Pictures to follow when the weather improves.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: art600 on December 23, 2008, 03:35:12 PM
People who also collect Crocus will remember the Crocus mathewii and Crocus banaticus bought from Tilebarn Nursery at very good prices.  I noticed he had Galanthus elwesii 'Yvonne Hay' for sale at £6 - yes £6 NOT the £30 charged by Colebourne.  And she is beautiful - picture to follow when weather improves.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Hans J on December 23, 2008, 03:41:34 PM
Art  ;)

...the problem with Tilebarn is they have not a list ..... :'(
so it is impossible to buy anything for us ( not visitors )from there . :(
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 23, 2008, 06:54:47 PM
Hans,

Well done with the G. cilicius. It was worth persevering.

Paddy
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: ArneM on December 24, 2008, 10:49:07 AM
I see it's cilicus time. Mine has been flowering since one month I think and still not over. Due to the bad weather during last weeks it is for the first time more or less opened  :D .
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on December 24, 2008, 11:26:09 AM
Fine pics, Hans + Arne. G cilicicus creates also such a lot different differences by the green flower marks. I had never thought it and never seen it. Now the forum shows me the whole spectrum. I thought Gc is only a normal autumn Gn Wrong minds.
Euch einen segensreichen Heiligen Abend.




 added  by Maggi...... and our wishes for a Christmas Eve rich in blessings to you, too, Hagen
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Hans J on December 24, 2008, 11:30:06 AM
Hagen ,

I think the same -I'm also surprised about the differences !

Mhhhh... segensreicher Heilig Abend..... mhhhhh
-hast Du die Landebahn für die Elfen und den Weihnachtsmann fertig ?


 added by Maggi: Hans, I have seen fine photos of Hagen's garden, the landing strip for the elves and Father Christmas is ALWAYS ready!
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on December 24, 2008, 11:35:24 AM
(Sich) Regen bringt Segen! ;)
The other things are OK
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Gerdk on December 24, 2008, 12:19:23 PM
Because so many German Forummembers forwarded Galanthus pics I really won't be left behind  ;D ;D ;D

This is Galanthus transcaucasicus - opening after kept inside (took only 5 minutes).

On this occasion all the best for Christmas Eve!

Gerd
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on December 24, 2008, 12:27:36 PM
THREE SHIPS in Christmas rain. I`m happy about these big balloons.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on December 24, 2008, 12:54:02 PM
transcaucasicus doesnt smell very good

My 'Three Ships' are still in bud
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Tony Willis on December 24, 2008, 03:04:07 PM
A picture of Galanthus reginae olgae ssp vernalis. It has been open two weeks now and seem  to have improved in size
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on December 24, 2008, 03:56:16 PM
Lovely Christmas 'drops, everyone.

 I love the fat skirts of Hagen's "big balloons" are super.
I'm glad you see the rain as a blessing, Hagen... I'm not so sure, in December ?!! ::)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 24, 2008, 06:17:48 PM
A run of lovely snowdrops above.

G. 'Three Ships' is certainly a plump flower.

Paddy
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on December 24, 2008, 06:51:45 PM
Most of my collection look like they are above ground now much the same as last year. Here are a couple.

elwesii 'Long Drop' will elongate as the days pass. I only noticed after poting the photo there is a green smudge at the base of the inner petals

plicatus 'Florence Baker' a lovely snowdrop that flowers in time for Christmas
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 24, 2008, 07:01:33 PM
Two lovely snowdrops, Mark.

Paddy
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on December 24, 2008, 08:27:07 PM
THanks Paddy but reading the book right now 'Florence' is wrong. It should have two marks one taking up 2/3rds and two arms.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 24, 2008, 09:09:27 PM
Poor Florence, not up to the mark it seems.

Paddy
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 24, 2008, 10:37:50 PM
Perhaps Zebedee should send her to bed early?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 26, 2008, 11:42:22 AM
This is what 'Colossus' looks like today.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on December 27, 2008, 12:55:36 PM
My 'Florence Baker' is OK. Today I noticed very feint arms rising above the main mark
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on December 29, 2008, 02:14:01 PM
Here,  on page one of this thread   http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2806.0
Re: Winter snowdrops
« Reply #2 on: December 19, 2008, 01:20:31 PM »  .......I posted a pic of Galanthus reginae olgae 'Hyde Lodge'.... Ian picked a flower to take into the BBC for the Potting Shed Programme yesterday so the flower has opened nicely..... here it is..... hope, after all this anticipation that it IS 'Hyde Lodge'! ? !

[attach=1]

[attach=2]
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on December 29, 2008, 02:16:33 PM
pass.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on December 29, 2008, 02:22:58 PM
pass.


 [attach=2]
 Pretty snowdrop, though, eh?  ;D

[attach=1]
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on December 29, 2008, 02:29:39 PM
all are lovely
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 29, 2008, 02:50:30 PM
It looks a lot more like it than mine does at the moment.  I wrote to Dr Mackenzie about it and he phoned yesterday and assured me that it was a twin-scale from his own G.Hyde Lodge and it was immature and should exhibit the normal shape and form in the future, as you can see from the pictures it is much like John Finch's - next year I hope it will look like yours Maggi ;D
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 29, 2008, 03:43:40 PM
This is what concerned me Rob, I was expecting it to look much more like Maggi's although that does seem to have a good point on it too.  I assume as the bulb matures it will develop much broader outers with a point.  It seems to me that many of the twin-scaled bulbs do need to settle down before they take on the full appearance of the original.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 29, 2008, 03:44:53 PM
It might also be affected by growth in a cold greenhouse as opposed to in the open air.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Martin Baxendale on December 29, 2008, 04:13:55 PM
Maggi, yours looks like 'Hyde Lodge'. Flower shape and inner mark both look good.

I lifted various clumps of 'Hyde Lodge' this year, to select some good bulbs out for chipping and to pot others for crossing. One clump which was potted has produced flowers exactly like Brian's, with a different mark and more pointed, longer outers.

Just this one clump looks wrong, and they were mature bulbs from the garden, chipped some years ago, not recently chipped. I don't habitually get 'wrong' looking flowers on small bulbs of 'Hyde Lodge', and this is the only clump where I've ever seen this. All the bulbs in the clump are making this type of flower, small and large bulbs.

The flower shape just looks quite wrong, and so does the ovary shape, both of which should be constant. The mark might vary a bit with a very small or unhealthy bulb, but I would expect basic petal shape and ovary shape to vary little.

So, to conclude, I'm not sure I agree with Ron on this one. I still suspect rogue bulbs may have got into the process somewhere. And of course Ron hasn't seen the flower on Brian's bulb, I assume. Perhaps of he did, he might change his view.

Anyway, time will tell. I've marked my wrong-looking pot to keep an eye on it next year. I'd suggest others do the same. If a rogue bulb (or clump) has got into Ron's propagating system at some point I'm sure he'll be pleased to have this confirmed so he can sort it out in due course.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 29, 2008, 05:11:02 PM
Quote
And of course Ron hasn't seen the flower on Brian's bulb, I assume.

Martin I sent him a letter with a copy of these photo's and the one I expected it to be, so although he hadn't seen it in the flesh, he knew what I had.  Does this mean that it is going to look exactly the same next year :'(  If so I will have to look out for one for sale in flower at the Gala or Glen Chantry.  It is most helpful to know that one of your clumps has the same characterstics.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 29, 2008, 05:19:43 PM
I lifted various clumps of 'Hyde Lodge' this year......

Heigh ho. I'll try to bulk mine (not HL) up in the greenhouse. I think we are too damp for reginae-olgae?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on December 29, 2008, 06:12:22 PM
The first time Cambridge has ever set a seed pods here and this looks like a good one.

Buds close on Rosemary Burnham.

Diggory, Desdemona, Lady Beatrix Stanley, Maidwell L, Upcher, Gerard Parker, plicatus and a green-tipped elwesii are soon to flower. I would appear that Rosemary will be first and I will try to self it. Then she goes under the knife.

johnw
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 29, 2008, 06:26:39 PM
'Rosemary Burnham' looks to be in rude health. :D
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: maggiepie on December 29, 2008, 06:44:13 PM
They are all absolutely beautiful, no wonder you all love them so much. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on December 29, 2008, 07:42:06 PM
Helen I would say these white flowers are as addictive as awell known white powder. Both cost about the same but the snowdrop should last longer  ::)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 29, 2008, 08:23:23 PM
Welcome to snowdrop corner Helen ;D
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Martin Baxendale on December 29, 2008, 08:59:35 PM
Don't get too jealous Anthony - when I say clumps of 'Hyde Lodge' I don't mean huge clumps, just smallish ones consisting of the mature bulbs from a chipped bulb, sometimes just half a dozen. And not that many 'clumps' either.

I could be wrong about the 'wrong' Hyde Lodge flowers. If it was just the mark that was wrong, I could agree that it might change as the bulbs mature, since small bulbs will often not produce quite the right mature mark. But I'm concerned about the change in the shape of the outer segments and the change in the ovary shape. All these combined together worry me. It may be that Ron has not noted  the different ovary shape.

We'll just have to wait and see. Let's all compare notes again next year. If all these bulbs have not changed back to proper H.L. then we can let Ron know. 
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 29, 2008, 09:14:39 PM
While the cold weather has meant that flowers last longer on snowdrops, the lack of sunshine here has meant that they were reluctant to open in the garden. Today I took a few indoors so that they would open in the heat and that I might photograph them.

Here are G. 'Castlegar', G. plicatus 'Colossus' and G. elwesii 'Paradise Giant'

Paddy
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: maggiepie on December 29, 2008, 09:16:55 PM
Thanks Brian, but I think I am going to ask maggi if I can be barred from this forum until after February.
Have just spent hours reading threads, following links and looking at gorgeous pics and I am getting the impression it will get worse next month. ::)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on December 29, 2008, 09:18:37 PM
'Rosemary Burnham' looks to be in rude health. :D

Anthony - Yes this is a new one. The sole survivor from the original clump is barely poking through, tiny, weak and quite miserable looking. One wonders what its problem is.

johnw
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: maggiepie on December 29, 2008, 09:19:20 PM
Mark, I have an addictive personality, I really, Really shouldn't be encouraged . ;)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on December 29, 2008, 10:29:01 PM
Rob - The Cambridge pod was a sloppy self and unprotected afterwards, the only other Galanthus in bloom was corcyrensis so it could be the father.

Good question re: plicatus Gerard Parker.  I received this as Warham from Potterton & Martin in 1996 but it doesn't match the Warham(s).  It is tentatively labelled Gerard Parker until it blooms again and I will post a shot. I can't recall if I posted a shot of it last year.

johnw


Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 29, 2008, 10:59:09 PM
Quote
I am getting the impression it will get worse next month.

 ;D ;D ;) ;D ;D
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 29, 2008, 11:30:20 PM
Quote
I am getting the impression it will get worse next month.
You said it Brian. 8)

 ;D ;D ;) ;D ;D
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on December 30, 2008, 09:56:02 AM
Quote
was that a planned cross with your Cambridge? it should be intresting to see what comes of the seedlings if it is a controlled cross (uncontrolled sometimes yields some keepers though!).

Well, that will be a relief to at least 95% of the children I know! :-X


Quote
but I think I am going to ask maggi if I can be barred from this forum until after February.

That is not possible, I'm afraid:  the best way is to face the problem head on! 
 
Quote
I am getting the impression it will get worse next month.


As galanthophilia is so rampant a condition, yes, it WILL get worse..... :o

Quote
I have an addictive personality, I really, Really shouldn't be encouraged

An addictive personality is practically a requirement for membership here.... that's why you have  become so quickly at home here, Helen!

 Just remember folks, the SRGC helpline is always open....... 8)

            [attach=1]

Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: maggiepie on December 30, 2008, 12:20:38 PM
Quote
That is not possible, I'm afraid:  the best way is to face the problem head on! 

You mean I hae to eat my porridge?

Quote
As galanthophilia is so rampant a condition, yes, it WILL get worse..... Shocked

Well maggi, it could be worse, I do have ONE, but unhappy to say I am not sure whether it is a snowdrop or a snowflake  ???

Quote
An addictive personality is practically a requirement for membership here.... that's why you have  become so quickly at home here, Helen!

You must be right, and how did you know ? ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on December 30, 2008, 12:38:40 PM
Helen:
 1) Yes, all of it, and porridge is very good for supper also.  :D

 2) Makes no matter.... for Snowflakes there is Ian Y's special SRGC group, the LeucoJocks, for lovers of Snowflakes/ Leucojums/ Acis, whatever the taxonomists are calling them this week   8)

3) [attach=1]

    [attach=2]
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: maggiepie on December 30, 2008, 01:04:29 PM
Well now, after doing a search for LeucoJocks, I have discovered that my plants are Leucojums, I am snowdrop deprived. :(
However, I admit it gives me great pleasure when in flower  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on December 30, 2008, 04:58:35 PM
Rob - re: Warham As I'm sure you know this is a notorious snowdrop for mix-ups. I may simply have received the wrong bulb from P&M, possibly another variety altogether.  I will let them know if I get a positive id when it blooms.  All the Galanthus I got from them years ago were excellent.  It's too bad they don't ship to North America anymore as I got many fine fat bulbs from them and they were extremely pleasant to deal with on the phone.

johnw - +1c, that's a fine December day here.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on December 30, 2008, 05:05:28 PM
I am snowdrop deprived. :(

Helen  - I can always get you some Galanthus nivalis from Digby, NS to get you started. The imported ones sold at the garden centres must be purchased within days of their arrival, otherwise once they dry they are generally useless.

Beware however, once you get hooked on Galanthus you will soon feel like you have invested your life savings with Bernie Madoff.  You may not lose the house, but at least you will have the joy of your purchases at the end of winter.

johnw
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: David Nicholson on December 30, 2008, 05:13:09 PM
While the cold weather has meant that flowers last longer on snowdrops, the lack of sunshine here has meant that they were reluctant to open in the garden. Today I took a few indoors so that they would open in the heat and that I might photograph them.

Here are G. 'Castlegar', G. plicatus 'Colossus' and G. elwesii 'Paradise Giant'

Paddy

Although I like Snowdrops I'm not a 'Galanthophile' but I have to say I find 'Castlegar' in particular very beautiful.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: maggiepie on December 30, 2008, 05:26:14 PM
Hi John, what a great offer.
What time of the year are they sold?
I had my snowdrops and snowflakes reversed.
I 'think' the ones I have are the same as the ones I had in Oz, they grow into lovely big clumps, but after seeing so many I am not sure I could tell the difference if it is only slight.
I grew up calling them snowdrops.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 30, 2008, 05:26:49 PM
You may not be a galanthophile but you do have taste David!

Helen, don't let Johnw get you going he's incorrigible, and it will be the start of the slippery slope (most of us have reached the bottom) ;D

Paddy you are way ahead of East Anglia, although all of those mentioned are beginning to show white.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: maggiepie on December 30, 2008, 05:28:35 PM
Brian, surely just a few couldn't hurt  ::)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 30, 2008, 05:29:13 PM
Ah but Helen, that's the way we all started  :-[ :-[ :-[
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: maggiepie on December 30, 2008, 05:40:00 PM
Well, I could only be half as bad cuz I'm not too fussed on the doubles.
Am I allowed to say that without being tarred and feathered??? :o
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on December 30, 2008, 05:56:14 PM
but Helen, there are some stunning doubles. One of my raised beds used to be for double snowdrops only
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: maggiepie on December 30, 2008, 05:59:35 PM
Mark, which ones do you think are the most beautiful?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on December 30, 2008, 06:37:02 PM
Barbara's Double and Hill Poe are two. What do the rest of you say?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 30, 2008, 06:48:53 PM
Quote
Well, I could only be half as bad cuz I'm not too fussed on the doubles.

Slippery slope here I come!  I also like Lady Beatrix Stanley and Lady Elphinstone.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on December 30, 2008, 07:26:15 PM
Brian what was the big neat +double that caused  stir at the 2007 Gala? I think David Bromley was selling it
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: maggiepie on December 30, 2008, 07:29:27 PM
I couldn't find a pic of Lady Beatrix Stanley.
I did find a pic of Greatorex 'Hippolyta', have to say I quite liked it.
To me the single ones are the most beautiful though.
Yesterday I spent hours looking old threads and looking at pics and some of the ones I thought were the most beautiful Mark says are nothing special.
Some of the doubles remind me of Scarlett O'Hara's ballgown in GWTW.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 30, 2008, 07:31:25 PM
Quote from David N: "Although I like Snowdrops I'm not a 'Galanthophile' but I have to say I find 'Castlegar' in particular very beautiful."



David, You are a man of exquisite taste - choosing a particularly nice Irish snowdrop.

Paddy
 
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on December 30, 2008, 07:44:33 PM
Quote
Some of the doubles remind me of Scarlett O'Hara's ballgown in GWTW.
Yeah, run up from old curtains!  :P


Trust me, Helen, I'm not a doctor........ you keep away from the doubles, in snowdrops and practically EVERY OTHER flower and you'll be just fine!

         [attach=1]

Now, do as I say..... step AWAY from the double snowies.......
 take this......[attach=2]...... you'll soon feel better...

              [attach=3]
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: David Nicholson on December 30, 2008, 07:54:12 PM
Good job Maureen's not reading this she would never get used to seeing the words 'David' and 'taste' in the same sentence, apart from the sentence that reads, of course 'David married Maureen' ;D


Well Paddy it really is exquisite.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: maggiepie on December 30, 2008, 08:00:41 PM
Quote
Some of the doubles remind me of Scarlett O'Hara's ballgown in GWTW.
Yeah, run up from old curtains!  :P

Nah, not that one, the dress she wore at the picnic in the early part of the movie, was a gorgeous white and green dress.

http://www.cardboardstandups.com/images/Standups/649%20Scarlett%20O%27Hara.jpg



Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on December 30, 2008, 08:12:16 PM
Quote
Nah, not that one, the dress she wore at the picnic in the early part of the movie, was a gorgeous white and green dress.

http://www.cardboardstandups.com/images/Standups/649%20Scarlett%20O%27Hara.jpg

Now that is a pretty dress, and yes, quite like a snowdrop, white with green bits.......
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on December 30, 2008, 08:51:48 PM
What do the rest of you say?

I vote for Lady Elphinstone and Hill Poe, but one must have them all for a fair comparison. Poor Barbara's Double made her way from Germany but packed her bags before flowering.

johnw - wonderful day here to +4c but a blizzard warning is to be issued shortly.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: maggiepie on December 30, 2008, 08:54:53 PM
John, are yours all planted in the ground or pots?
What is the hardy zone for these, are some less hardy?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 30, 2008, 10:43:17 PM
Quote
Brian what was the big neat +double that caused  stir at the 2007 Gala? I think David Bromley was selling it

I'm afraid I have never been to the Gala before Mark!  I suppose you don't mean 'Lady Fairhaven'?

Helen I am sure Janet won't mind if I point you towards her website, but just remember You have been warned they are addictive.

http://www.judyssnowdrops.co.uk/Plant_Profiles/Hybrids_Double/lady_beatrix_stanley/lady_beatrix_stanley.htm
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on December 30, 2008, 11:00:02 PM
That's her. Do you have it?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on December 30, 2008, 11:20:45 PM
John, are yours all planted in the ground or pots?
What is the hardy zone for these, are some less hardy?

Mainly in pots to keep them from getting mixed up.

You should be okay with nivalis, elwesii, plicatus and woronwii and hybrids thereof in New Brunswick.   If you have decent soil that is not too acidy these should do for you.  G. reginae-olgae and G. ikariae might be very iffy.

Mercifully -for your pocketbook at least - there are virtually no sources for many of the named varieties in North America.  Thimble Farms in B.C. has a few old sorts. The hunt and lust are symptomatic.

johnw 
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: maggiepie on December 30, 2008, 11:24:13 PM


Quote
Helen I am sure Janet won't mind if I point you towards her website, but just remember You have been warned they are addictive.

http://www.judyssnowdrops.co.uk/Plant_Profiles/Hybrids_Double/lady_beatrix_stanley/lady_beatrix_stanley.htm

Brian, I will admit she is absolutely exquisite. :'( :'( :'( :'(

I hope you won't make me eat my porridge.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 31, 2008, 10:18:04 AM
No Mark, I have her on the list of wants.  Unfortunately as the list gets shorter I hear of interesting new snowdrops so it just gets longer again :-\  Perhaps she will be at the Gala.  I had the pleasure of meeting the real Ailwyn, Lord Fairhaven at Kirtling Tower (no haven't got that one either!) but Lady Fairhaven had taken a huge number of ladies in the family on an annual holiday so we missed her.  In restoring Kirtling Tower and the grounds they cleared large areas of brambles etc round the moat and found that the next year they had many ancient narcissus bulbs come into flower as well as Tulipa sylvestris.  The garden is one I would like to visit later in the year, Richard Ayres took us round and has a hand in the overall plan.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on December 31, 2008, 10:23:09 AM
John do you buy from Hitch Lyman? $3 for the catalogue
'The Temple Nursery'
PO BOX 591
Trumansburg
NY 14886
USA
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: maggiepie on December 31, 2008, 12:20:56 PM
Thanks for the information John, I don't think I will be too unhappy if I manage to find just a few.
Am wondering when they would flower here, hellebore flowering time?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on December 31, 2008, 12:29:08 PM
Mark - I've never heard of Temple.  Some nurseries in certain NY counties are not allowed to ship to California or Canada due to golden nematode or potato root knot nematodes. I will have to find out which county they are in and whether they can do a phyto.

re: time zones. Newfoundland is in the middle of one and they are 1/2 hour ahead of us. It makes for an interesting time trying to catch the CBC news.

Helen  - If you flower Hellebores then the snowdrops will flower about the same time or slightly in advance. Getting rid of your great heaps of snow will be the first step in Spring. We will make sure you get a starter.

Blizzard warning in effect for tonight here. 10-25cm. Argh.

johnw
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on December 31, 2008, 12:36:24 PM
Here's items on Hitch if you want to go through them
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=temple+nursery+trumansburg&meta= (http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=temple+nursery+trumansburg&meta=)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: maggiepie on December 31, 2008, 01:04:45 PM
John, we don't have much snow cover at the moment, the rain took most of it, although we are supposed to have light snow this evening.
We were supposed to get 15-20 cms on Saturday, but the forecast has changed,  so who knows.
Currently -12C here.
This year I had some snowflakes flowering with hellebores. Next year I am hoping some of my hellebore seedlings will flower for the first time.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on December 31, 2008, 01:24:46 PM
Mark - I just googled Trumansburg, New York and it appears the nursery is outside the nematode zones. Now I will have to check to see if he is in a Japanese Beetle zone.  It would be great if I could arrange something with this fellow.

400 varieties! One has to wonder how he managed to amass such a collection given the import restrictions from the UK and the general unwillingness to ship beyond the EU.

I will dash off a request for a catalogue or two.  Unfortunately they are not on the internet and do not have a phone number.

johnw
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on December 31, 2008, 01:28:01 PM
This year I had some snowflakes flowering with hellebores. Next year I am hoping some of my hellebore seedlings will flower for the first time.

Helen  - Which Hellebores are you growing?  I have mainly recuperated from that disease.

johnw
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: maggiepie on December 31, 2008, 01:51:29 PM
John, I have a few I bought when we moved here which sadly to say are pretty ugly, except for one.
My oldest seedlings are mixed orientalis ,  and some argutifolias, some of which flowered this year which was fantastic.
My seedlings this year are a variety of mostly double types from Elizabethown Hellebores in Tasmania.
Also have some Sternii and Sternii X Boughton Beauty, plus some picotee, and some New anemone hybrid.
I bought 15 different types of seed.
Hopefully these will flower in 2010.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on December 31, 2008, 02:19:18 PM
Write him a letter, he has no email or computer, and you will get back a letter written with ye olde fountain pen. That's his writing on the front of his catalogue
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Jo on December 31, 2008, 06:16:43 PM
Hi, frost is keeping my snowdrops faces flat to the ground. I would like to post a picture here for ident/suggestions but am a complete novice. Is there a link on how to do it ?
I have Three Ships, Mrs Macnamara, The Pearl, Diggory  Jo and an interesting one with basal and apical outer perianth segment markings of plicatus type in flower at the moment. I'm in Devon.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Jo on December 31, 2008, 06:18:49 PM
Hi,

why did my name, Jo,  end up in the sentence ?

Jo  ???
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 31, 2008, 06:22:29 PM
Try this link Jo, there are plenty of us who will offer to help

http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?action=help;page=post
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on December 31, 2008, 06:27:17 PM
Hi Jo. Posting photos is very easy. At the bottom of the text box we write in it say additional options. Click it and a menu drops down. You will see attach and browse. When you click on browse a window opens allowing to search for images on your computer. Posted photos shouldnt be bigger than 800 pixels wide
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Diane Clement on December 31, 2008, 06:48:31 PM
why did my name, Jo,  end up in the sentence

Hi Jo  and welcome to the forum.  Don't know why that happened, but you can easily edit your posts.  At the top right of your own posts, you will see "Modify" - click on this and you can delete, edit, or whatever. 
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Jo on December 31, 2008, 06:51:15 PM
OK,

 nearly there but how do I know if my photo is 800 pixels wide ?

  Its definately too many megapixels !  :-\   Jo
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: steve owen on December 31, 2008, 07:06:55 PM
Jo
When you bought your snowdrops originally the catalogue or seller should have specified how many pixels that variety took up.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 31, 2008, 07:11:04 PM
Hi Jo,

Welcome to the forum. On your snowdrops, although you say you are a novice you have started with some very nice cultivars.

Re the width of your images: in your photo editing programme you will have an option to reset the size of your photograph, often under the "edit" tab. Resize your photographs to approximately 600 on the long side and then I suggest you save (Edit - Save as)this edited image to a folder for the SRGC so that you will be able to find it easily when you are posting. This also means that your original image will be left in its original folder without being altered. You see, when you resize the image you will be making it much smaller that it was when taken by the camera and so the quality will not now be as good - perfectly good for this forum but not good enough to view at full screen size or for printing.

So, looking forward to seeing some of your images in due course.

Best of luck, Paddy

Just caught Steve's remarks - don't mind him, he's only teasing.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on December 31, 2008, 08:09:05 PM
Hi, Jo, welcome to the forum..... follow what the Gang are telling you ( not Steve, he's a bad influence!) and you'll soon get the hang of posting .
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Jo on December 31, 2008, 11:00:08 PM
Brilliant everyone, thanks for all that, its too new yeary here to do any more tonight.

Probably wait for a teenager to get over a hangover to help me  >:(

I'm a novice on the computer but I've been galanthussing for years.

I've been reading the forum too but just on the sly 

Happy New Year,  Jo.

Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 01, 2009, 09:35:09 AM
Jo,

Galanthusing and cyclamening for years.

Paddy
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: David Nicholson on January 01, 2009, 11:32:48 AM
Brilliant everyone, thanks for all that, its too new yeary here to do any more tonight.

Probably wait for a teenager to get over a hangover to help me  >:(

I'm a novice on the computer but I've been galanthussing for years.

I've been reading the forum too but just on the sly 

Happy New Year,  Jo.



Welcome to the Forum Jo, nice to have someone else from Devon posting. If you look at the tabs across the top of the Forum page you will see one called 'My Messages' this is where private messages can be sent via the Forum. I will send you a PM with a bit of a ramble about posting pictures that you may find helpful.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: loes on January 01, 2009, 11:39:23 AM
Happy Newyear to all of you  :-* :-* :-*

best wishes for 2009
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on January 01, 2009, 11:58:35 AM
And a Happy New Year to you, too, Loes..... may all your snowdrops flourish!  :-*
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Jo on January 01, 2009, 12:40:25 PM
Jo,

Galanthusing and cyclamening for years.

Paddy

Very true and the cyclamen don't like this weather much either, but they do go well with snowdrops.

Jo
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on January 01, 2009, 01:10:28 PM
Jo,

Galanthusing and cyclamening for years.

Paddy

Very true and the cyclamen don't like this weather much either, but they do go well with snowdrops.

Jo


Come on, Jo in Devon, let's hear a bit more about you.... here's the very place....http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=12.525       8)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Jo on January 02, 2009, 02:10:04 PM
I was given this snowdrop by a friend last year.

It was flowering on Christmas day. I thought I should post it and see what people think of it

Jo
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 02, 2009, 02:22:50 PM
Interesting markings, Jo. It's plicatus _ _ _ _ _?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Jo on January 02, 2009, 03:15:05 PM
Yes Mark,

 its plicatus .........? the photos don't do it justice really, and it gets taller as it ages. Also the outers reflex in warm air.

I have no idea whether its a named form or just another oddity, any ideas ?  ???
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on January 02, 2009, 03:28:53 PM
The leaves look like a plicatus. The green outer green marks are unusual. Very fine Jo!!! Did it came from a bigger collection?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on January 02, 2009, 03:36:17 PM
I believe that I hear the sound of pages of the snowdrop book being frantically turned across the world as Galanthophiles research Jo's flower!

Even I can see that this is a snowie flower that is unusual... very nice it is ,too. The two outer green marks are cute enough but the flaring of the outer petals is even nicer.

Just a passing thought, and lord knows what those in charge of the taxonomic rules would say, but does anyone out there with a fab new snowie fancy naming it " Galanthus 'www.srgc.org.uk'  " ????

Just  thought it would be a kind gesture to the home of so many of those suffering with the white fever  ::) ???      Martin, one of your hybrids??  ;D

Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 02, 2009, 03:44:35 PM
Well Jo it was a very nice present, it looks like it could be someone's own seedling from perhaps a South Hayes cross looking at the outers, the inners are quite different and it is great that it reflexes too.  ;)  I think you need to contact your friend to put us out of our misery ::)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Alan_b on January 02, 2009, 04:39:20 PM
Hi Jo, a nice looking snowdrop from above although I am not so sure about the side view.

On a few rare snowdrops, the outer petals take on some of the normal characterisitcs of the inner petals.  Examples of named cultivars of this type include Galnthus plicatus Trym and Galanthus South Hayes.  The markings on your snowdrop are most reminiscent of South Hayes (picture here http://www.snowdropinfo.com/south-hayes.html).  But I do not think any of the known snowdrops of this type flower this early.  Look after your snowdrop carefully, as it would be highly collectable if it thrives.   
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on January 02, 2009, 04:39:52 PM
Long ago a friend sent me her Galanthus collection in a spreadsheet.   I assumed she was just starting off as there but a few cultivars listed. That was until last night. I was searching my computer for Duckie when her spreadsheet appeared. Apparently I had only been looking at Sheet 4 of 4 full excel sheets all these years!

There are a few in her collection I cannot find in the book:

lagodechianus Chappell  - perhaps this is ex Dapne Chappell and not a named selection.

'Green Tip'

'Corker'

'Green Cross'

'Pinewood'

'Melissa' (Somewhere in the dark recesses of my brain I think this might be a selection made in Devon)

Anyone care to have a go at them?

The Narcissus Yearbook has just arrived form Mr. Ackers, thanks to Chris Sanham's help.

johnw
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 02, 2009, 05:00:57 PM
Just a passing thought, and lord knows what those in charge of the taxonomic rules would say, but does anyone out there with a fab new snowie fancy naming it " Galanthus 'www.srgc.org.uk'  " ????

Just  thought it would be a kind gesture to the home of so many of those suffering with the white fever  ::) ???      Martin, one of your hybrids??  ;D

I should think the powers that be would have a fit if people started using web addresses as plant names.  ;D   Galanthus 'Maggi Young' has, I think, a more pleasant ring to it, and I'll bear that in mind.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Jo on January 02, 2009, 05:06:15 PM
I'll ask my friend what she knows about it.

She's not a snowdrop person but knew I was, hence the gift. It grows in a clump by her front gate !

Now I'm really fed up because whatever it is that eats my hellebore buds has started again. I can't decide between squirrel and vole.  I've been outside wrapping them in clingfilm to try and scare them off :D

Jo
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on January 02, 2009, 05:12:26 PM
Quote
Galanthus 'Maggi Young' has, I think, a more pleasant ring to it, and I'll bear that in mind.

It certainly does not, Martin..... think how upset your Dad was about Baxendale's Late.... then double the fury!   Besides..... don't you think I have the BD working on a FAB Erythronium ????? ::)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on January 02, 2009, 05:14:15 PM
We're rolling around with mirth here, got a great mental picture of Jo wrapping up squirrels and voles in cling film...... ;D
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Jo on January 02, 2009, 05:26:45 PM
hahahaha, I've got 4 cats and a dog, perhaps if I wrapped them in cling film and released them the varmits would scarper  ;D Jo
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on January 02, 2009, 05:42:47 PM
4 cats and a dog and you STILL have squirrel and vole problems?  :o
Some of your furry family are just not  pulling thier weight, Jo.... give 'em a stern talking too... reduce rations, etc! Your buds  cannot go on suffering in this way! :-X
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 02, 2009, 05:55:17 PM
I've seen a vole nipping off and running with flower buds from Chris Saunders Hellebores
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 02, 2009, 05:58:36 PM
John

Lagodechianus must be ex Daphne Chappell.

Green-tip could be elwesii. I'm not 100% sure but there could be a nivalis 'Green-tip'
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 02, 2009, 06:06:34 PM
Quote
Galanthus 'Maggi Young' has, I think, a more pleasant ring to it, and I'll bear that in mind.

It certainly does not, Martin..... think how upset your Dad was about Baxendale's Late.... then double the fury!   Besides..... don't you think I have the BD working on a FAB Erythronium ????? ::)

You can have a snowdrop and an erythronium named after you, surely?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 02, 2009, 06:50:54 PM
Would you be embarrassed?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 02, 2009, 06:57:45 PM
Of course, that yet to be named snowdrop could be G. 'Scottish Rock'. That has a solid sound to it.

Jo, your snowdrop, posted earlier, has similarities in apprearance to G. 'South Hayes' and might be a seedling from it. However, it does seem to be quite early flowering for 'South Hayes'. The outer petals are a bit off shaped, a little malformed, perhaps?

Paddy
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on January 02, 2009, 07:08:46 PM
Quote
embarrassed?
    Moi? Don't be daft! I'm so much of a ham I have to be careful walking past the bacon factory!



Quote
Of course, that yet to be named snowdrop could be G. 'Scottish Rock'. That has a solid sound to it.

It does sound good, Paddy... that would really be something, wouldn't it?  8)



Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 02, 2009, 07:52:57 PM
Quote
You can have a snowdrop and an erythronium named after you, surely?

No, really don't think so..... (Attachment Link)

Sorry, Maggi. Not quite sure how I've offended you. It was just an off-the-cuff remark. Had no intention of imposing a snowdrop on you without your permission. I'm a long way off being ready to name any seedlings yet anyway, so fear not. Galanthus 'Maggi Young' (lovely as she would be) remains for now just a twinkle in my eye.   :-*
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on January 02, 2009, 08:51:02 PM
Heavens above, Martin, I'm not offended in any way.... it's just that the very notion of a maggi snowie is just too ridiculous...even as a joke.... after all my rude, "they're all the same" remarks! :-X   ;D
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Paul T on January 02, 2009, 09:01:09 PM
We're rolling around with mirth here, got a great mental picture of Jo wrapping up squirrels and voles in cling film...... ;D

Maggi,

I read it the same way.  ;D

I think naming a Snowie after you would be very poetic.... 'cause then you'd HAVE to like em more, wouldn't you?  It could be a good way of forcing you to come up to speed and start collecting, joining us in the white fever and all that.  ;)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Jo on January 04, 2009, 12:39:09 PM
I've seen a vole nipping off and running with flower buds from Chris Saunders Hellebores

Have you found little heaps of collected buds, petals and so on tucked up, under the leaves? I blame voles for that, but then when the flower stalk has extended and the flower is taken I reckon it could be squirrel.

I'll have to reduce my cats rations. 

John Gray just about open today
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 05, 2009, 06:14:16 PM
I've seen them run in very fast, grab what is needed and run back to the hide away

Here is an interesting elwesii that has lost it's notch. All three notches are missing.

Below it is the late November flowering G. nivalis / 'Castlegar' look a like
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on January 05, 2009, 06:23:02 PM
Quote
I've seen them run in very fast, grab what is needed and run back to the hide away
Who, Mark?    Voles, squirrels, leprechauns?  ::)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 05, 2009, 06:38:11 PM
Voles in reply to Jo
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: art600 on January 05, 2009, 07:34:32 PM

Here is an interesting elwesii that has lost it's notch. All three notches are missing.


Mark

Not sure what you mean - or do I need new glasses?   ???
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 05, 2009, 07:39:01 PM
Arthur the notch that should be on the inner petal isn't there
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 06, 2009, 02:55:15 PM
My 'Faringdon Double' has finally opened with no sign of extra petals
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 06, 2009, 02:59:56 PM
Mark,

G. 'Faringdon Double' has been in flower here for over a month but not opening to any extent because of the cold weather. I am beginning to feel that these early snowdrops can be a disappointment as the weather does not allow them to be at their  best and they are prey to slugs to a frightening extent at this time of year.

While my G. 'Faringdon Double' has the extra petals, it has been slug damaged and hasn't opened wide at any stage.

Paddy
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Hans A. on January 06, 2009, 09:52:22 PM
Some elwesii are actually in flower - I am more and more surprised how variable snowdrops are. ;)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: maggiepie on January 06, 2009, 10:33:02 PM
They are all beautiful Hans, can't decide which one I like most, but think maybe number 2.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 06, 2009, 10:51:58 PM
I did tell you that you'd get sucked in Helen ;D
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: maggiepie on January 06, 2009, 10:59:31 PM
Arghhhhh Brian, I fear I am a willing victim :'(
Who could resist?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: ArneM on January 07, 2009, 06:32:22 PM
Hans, nice snowies. The sad thing with them is that they make me a bit depressive. When I look outside I can only see snow and some taller frostbitten plants but not any sign of snowdrops as we had -17°C here last night.  :(
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 07, 2009, 06:37:27 PM
Be consoled, Arne. The G. elwesii you sent me last year are well above ground and I am looking forward to seeing your 'findlings' coming into flower later in the year. I can post a photograph so you can see them even if there is snow and cold weather in Germany.

Paddy
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on January 07, 2009, 07:09:09 PM
Yes Arne, it`s like Paddy told. To divide your treasures is the best to secure/conserve them. So Paddy send bulbs, you sends bulbs, I do it too.....God sent me a lot of snow....
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 07, 2009, 07:21:03 PM
Hagen,

An excellent philosophy! And such enjoyment also. At the moment I am delighted to see two shoots on G. 'Kildare' which came from you last year.

As you know, this cultivar originated in Ireland, and so it is of particular interest to me and I am really thrilled to see it coming along so well. Looking forward now to seeing it in flower in the not too distant future. I think I will have one flowering bulb and one immature to flower next year.

Paddy
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on January 07, 2009, 07:53:50 PM
equal senses Paddy.....
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: ArneM on January 07, 2009, 08:16:49 PM
I would like to second that, Hagen. That's the best everyone could do. Without such 'givings', some snowies were already lost like 'Rosemary Burnham' (I hope I'm right with that?).

On the other handside the snow is fine, too. Harsh frost without a blanket of snow isn't good, even to snowies. Mine were sadly lying on the ground, but now they should be isolated enough. :)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on January 08, 2009, 12:42:12 AM
The sad thing with them is that they make me a bit depressive. When I look outside I can only see snow and some taller frostbitten plants but not any sign of snowdrops as we had -17°C here last night.  :(

Arne - Now don't let this happen.  You will appreciate them even more when they peak up out of the snow standing straight and tall, just as they do here sometimes in late March.   ;D   Fear not, the drops here have survived incredibly cold snowless winters on many occasions, I have seen them at inland gardens take -17c in late March in full bloom and stand up the next day.

Winter shall pass, even here in Canada. 25cm of snow on the ground here, this afternoon we had a bit of snow, this afternoon freezing rain, ice pellets for 6 hours, then to +10c overnight and cold tomorrow. I put on a cd of Spanish music, Goyescas, think warm and pull the blinds.

And Rosemary B. lives on thanks to kind friends who keep the drops on the move.

johnw
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on January 08, 2009, 03:32:30 AM
Mark - I am looking at this shot of gracilis Green Marks that you posted last year I believe. I has just struck me that the intensity of the green inner markings is quite remarkable.

johnw
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 08, 2009, 06:39:33 AM
Yes it is a lovely snowdrop. It will be a long time before this is seen in our gardens. I'm sure it is being shared a little as insurance against disease and the fly.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Paul T on January 08, 2009, 08:44:12 AM
That really is an intense green mark.  That would be a fascinating one to try seed from, just to see what resulted.  Very nice flower.  8)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Jo on January 08, 2009, 11:38:42 AM
Talking of gracilis from seed I was really impressed with the variety to be seen at Highdown last year, this one caught my eye.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: ArneM on January 08, 2009, 04:18:53 PM
Arne - Now don't let this happen. 

Ok, I try to give my best and look forward to see them. :)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 08, 2009, 04:31:46 PM
Three photos from today.

My 'Faringdon Doubles' may not be double but they do have the distinctive spathe. Maybe they will need another year to settle down.

One of favourites is 'John Long' with it's distinctive mark and poc marked petals.

And elwesii 'Maidwell L' ex Ebay two years ago and not correct. It looks like 'Robin Hood' but it's not.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Jo on January 08, 2009, 05:20:10 PM
this was my Robin Hood last year. The second picture shows one stem that has 2 pedicels with a flower each. I think that Robin Hood does that kind of thing, a bit like Kite, is that true ?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 08, 2009, 05:25:49 PM
I've seen twin flowered 'Robin Hoods' a couple of times. One problem with this snowdrop is it tends to lean too much
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Jo on January 08, 2009, 06:05:51 PM
Yes,   I found it difficult to take a good photo of it, ( lying on the ground ) because its quite tall and kind of fans out a bit in all directions.  Its OK with something nearby to support it, thats Cardamine quinquifolia beside it which works.  Mind you I think the cardamine will rapidly take over it if I turn my back too long  >:(
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Alan_b on January 08, 2009, 08:19:10 PM
this was my Robin Hood last year. The second picture shows one stem that has 2 pedicels with a flower each. I think that Robin Hood does that kind of thing, a bit like Kite, is that true ?

Once or twice I have found snowdrops with two flowers on a single spathe, got very excited about it, only to find in subsequent years that that they never ever do it again!   
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 09, 2009, 12:08:41 AM

I think naming a Snowie after you would be very poetic.... 'cause then you'd HAVE to like em more, wouldn't you?  It could be a good way of forcing you to come up to speed and start collecting, joining us in the white fever and all that.  ;)
Better than been named after a rose: here is what Eleanor  Roosevelt said "I  had  a  rose  named after  me  and  I  was  very  flattered. 
But  I  was  not  pleased  to  read  the  description  in  the  catalogue: -
'No  good  in  a  bed,  but fine  against  a  wall.' "
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on January 09, 2009, 08:39:09 AM
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Jo on January 09, 2009, 10:07:28 AM
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: steve owen on January 09, 2009, 11:33:45 AM
 ::)
Oh Mr Darby - and you a church-goer too...
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: dominique on January 10, 2009, 10:28:49 AM
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 10, 2009, 12:33:19 PM
Ouch!

'Lapwing' is just coming out. I didn't realise it was an early one. This info is missing from the book. I also have fosteri just about open in the greenhouse.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 10, 2009, 02:17:31 PM
Anthony I dont think we can rely on flowering times in the book. As winters are getting milder they are coming up when they want. A short late flowering elwesii I was given a couple of years ago already has one flower open. Another late form nought last autumn has flower buds.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 10, 2009, 05:08:18 PM
Perhaps not, but in similar conditions the order in which the various snowdrops open would remain more or less the same? I usually regard 'John Gray' as my first new year snowdrop, but 'Lapwing' has beaten it by a week.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on January 10, 2009, 06:42:51 PM
The temperature outside is -4c but in the greenhouse with all the sun the temperature is +18c. Very hard to control at this time of year so the window is flung open and we hope for the best.

The snowdrops' flower size is decidedly underwhelming this year due to leaving them in the same mix for 2 years running.

Still a few in bloom today. Apologies for the photos, again with sun and snow the markings are showing with yellow edges (halos) and streaky.

elwesii Alanja (hopefully)
Brenda Troyle
Diggory
Magnet
Rosemary Burnham is getting close
nivalis Angsley Abbey

When I open up my Galanthus pix in Apple's iPhoto I get a wonderful collage of them. This makes it easy to compare varieties which resemble one another. I have been thinking a cd to accompany the next edition of Snowdrops would be a valuable addition.   It would be especially useful if like varieties were arranged together with an accompanying spreadsheet with leaf, inner/outer segment markings & sizes and other distinguishing features. You could then bring the like ones up on a single page for comparison.  It would be a tremendous amount of work for the authors.  This is not to diminish in any way the great importance of the photos on and hard work put into sites like Mark's.

johnw
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: maggiepie on January 10, 2009, 08:37:38 PM
They're all beautiful John, can't believe you have these flowering now, what a thrill it must be.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: David Quinton on January 10, 2009, 09:20:42 PM
John,

Marvellous photographs. It seems very peculiar that you should have these in flower given your location when all of mine have been frozen solid for at least a week and no real signs of flowering (apart from Mrs Macnamara and J Haydn).

Keep the photos coming and make sure that you post a picture of Rosemary Burnham when she opens up.

David
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on January 10, 2009, 10:00:17 PM
Helen and David -

re: David's "Very peculiar that you should have these in flower given your location when all of mine have been frozen solid for at least a week".

No balmy climate here.  Remember the drops are in the greenhouse! At latitude 44.8 the sun is very strong it just has no heating power.

Winter is to strike Thursday Helen, they say we may have a high of -14c in Halifax on the coast! 

Solution - flights booked to London for the February Show.  A good stay from the 16th to the 24th and hopefully they will be thawed out by then. Hope we meet some fellow forumists there. Is not on the itinerary of the snowdrop contingent from Belgium and Germany?

johnw
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on January 10, 2009, 10:08:16 PM
Keep the photos coming and make sure that you post a picture of Rosemary Burnham when she opens up.
David

David  - I will be sure to photograph it before I pull all the anthers off and self it.  I think there are 3 stalks arising.

I think it was kentgardener who once remarked "Am I the only one who doesn't have Rosemary Burnham". To which I should have replied "No you are the only one who hasn't killed Rosemary Burnham".  I hope someone outside of BC has better luck with it. Wonder if it requires summer dry and winter wet?  Also have to wonder if it is a grex or a single clone, after all there was a patch of them when first found. Hence the hope for seed.

johnw 
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 10, 2009, 10:13:35 PM
I've had it and killed it
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: David Quinton on January 10, 2009, 10:29:12 PM
John,

Regarding your snowdrops growing in the greenhouse; some of mine are in the greenhouse but are frozen. As you can tell it's unheated! Forecast is for it to warm up this week which should allow the snowdrops to catch up a bit.

I will be at the RHS Halls on the same day as you and perhaps we can meet up?

David
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: maggiepie on January 10, 2009, 10:33:38 PM
Helen and David -
Winter is to strike Thursday Helen, they say we may have a high of -14c in Halifax on the coast! 

Solution - flights booked to London for the February Show.  A good stay from the 16th to the 24th and hopefully they will be thawed out by then. Hope we meet some fellow forumists there. Is not on the itinerary of the snowdrop contingent from Belgium and Germany?

johnw
I saw the weather forecast John, -19C for a high is a bit of a shocker, but the following week the temps are rising again.
Weird.
Would love the shows, but I might see other things I want, plus I can't leave my babies, plus I need my extra cash for seeds'n'stuff. ;) ::)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Alan_b on January 10, 2009, 10:47:07 PM
....I hope someone outside of BC has better luck with it [Rosemary Burnham]. Wonder if it requires summer dry and winter wet? ....
johnw 

It won't like BC if it requires summer dry.  They have temperate rain forests in that part of Canada!
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on January 10, 2009, 11:33:30 PM
....I hope someone outside of BC has better luck with it [Rosemary Burnham]. Wonder if it requires summer dry and winter wet? ....
johnw 

It won't like BC if it requires summer dry.  They have temperate rain forests in that part of Canada!

Alan - Victoria is very summer dry, almost mediterranean, I think 23" of rain a year.  Everyone seems to summer irrigate there, including friends in N. Vanvouver (Deep Cove) right in the the coastal rainforest - I think 62"/yr but most in the winter. Have never witnessed any humidity in the summer out there. Maybe Diane can confirm.

johnw

johnw
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on January 10, 2009, 11:41:15 PM
John,

Regarding your snowdrops growing in the greenhouse; some of mine are in the greenhouse but are frozen. As you can tell it's unheated! Forecast is for it to warm up this week which should allow the snowdrops to catch up a bit.

I will be at the RHS Halls on the same day as you and perhaps we can meet up?

David

Great David, let's do that. Closer to departure we'll decide on a signal or meeting place. By the way, I look nothing like Diggory.

Forgot about unheated greenhouses, silly me.

johnw
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: art600 on January 11, 2009, 11:12:11 AM
Just watched an excellent few minutes on 'Countryfile'.  A visit to Colebourne and a look at snowdrops with Dr John Grimshaw.  Brief, fleeting, but it gave a glimpse of what might be seen by those visiting in the next few weeks.   :) ;D :)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 11, 2009, 04:05:51 PM
Brought Galanthus 'Lapwing' into the kitchen when it opened.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 11, 2009, 04:23:10 PM
Art I saw it also. Another few minutes would have been great.

Lapwing is lovely. I've had it twice, lost it twice so no more
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on January 11, 2009, 05:48:35 PM
Just watched an excellent few minutes on 'Countryfile'.  A visit to Colebourne and a look at snowdrops with Dr John Grimshaw.  Brief, fleeting, but it gave a glimpse of what might be seen by those visiting in the next few weeks.   :) ;D :)
Fleeting indeed, Arthur. from  05.20 minutes into the programme until 08.25 minutes or therabouts!
 Those in the UK (or at least mainland UK, because I know BBC i-player is sometimes  a bit iffy for Northern Ireland even.... :P ) can see the programme here http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00gq2vp

Just the three minutes of 'drops, but pleasant enough.... pity Adam Henson's introduction doesn't actually make sense !
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Tony Willis on January 11, 2009, 07:05:01 PM
Thanks for the link Maggi,it was pleasant and quite enjoyable. I gave up when we moved on to cauliflowers.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Alan_b on January 11, 2009, 07:36:43 PM
....I hope someone outside of BC has better luck with it [Rosemary Burnham]. Wonder if it requires summer dry and winter wet? ....
johnw 

It won't like BC if it requires summer dry.  They have temperate rain forests in that part of Canada!

Alan - Victoria is very summer dry, almost mediterranean, I think 23" of rain a year.  Everyone seems to summer irrigate there, including friends in N. Vanvouver (Deep Cove) right in the the coastal rainforest - I think 62"/yr but most in the winter. Have never witnessed any humidity in the summer out there. Maybe Diane can confirm.

johnw

johnw

Maybe we are both right, John?  What you say is true for Victoria but not for most of the surrounding area.  I certainly saw plenty of rain when I was there in the month of September.  To quote from Wikipedia on Victora BC weather

"Total annual precipitation is just 608 mm (24in) at the Gonzales weather station in Victoria, contrasted to nearby Seattle, (137 km/85 miles away to the southeast), with 970mm (38in) of rainfall, or Vancouver, 100 km away, with 1,219 mm (48 in) of rainfall. Perhaps even more dramatic is the difference in rainfalls on Vancouver Island. Port Renfrew, just 80 km from Victoria on the wet southwest coast of Vancouver Island receives 3,671 mm (145 in). Even the Victoria Airport, 25 km north of the city, receives about 45 per cent more precipitation than the city proper. One of the most striking features of Victoria's climate is the distinct dry and rainy seasons. Nearly two thirds of the annual precipitation falls during the four wettest months, November to February. Precipitation in December, the wettest month (109 mm/4 in) is nearly eight times as high as in July, the driest month (14 mm/0.5 in). During the summer months, Victoria is the driest major city in Canada."

According to the "snowdrop bible", Rosemary Burnham was found "in the ruin of an old garden at Burneby, BC...".  I cannot locate a Burneby BC but Burnaby BC (with an A not an E) is a little way east of Vancouver. 

By the way, where I live near Cambridge would seem to be at least as dry as Victoria (see http://www.viridis.net/cubg/rain.html ).

Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on January 11, 2009, 07:53:00 PM
Sorry, this video is only available in the UK :( :( :(

Fine. I thought time of discrimination is over. Thanks to all for good pics, witch I can see day for day.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on January 11, 2009, 08:03:38 PM
Alan - Most of the Galanthophiles live around Victoria in the rain shadow.  The west coast of the island is certainly a different matter - see Tofino's rainfall!

You're right it is Burnaby and I think I sent John Grimshaw a note on that mistake after the first edition came out.  Is the mistake in the second edition as well? It gets a tad warmer in summer in Surrey to the south of Burnaby than in Vancouver as I recall but virtually the same rainfall as Vancouver. Friends in N. Vancouver near Deep Cove get a fair bit more rain in the winter than Vancouver proper.  Climatically it is a very complicated region.

So the Jury's out on why Rosemary Burnham isn't performing well in similar rainfall areas.  I wonder if there have been losses in Victoria.

When RB was first mentioned in the literature it was Francesca. They thought RB was found by Francisca Darts. I notified them that it was RB who found it. Somehow it got published as Francesca. Should a drop ever be named after Francisca do you think the different spelling would stand or would it be a nomen confusum?

johnw 
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on January 11, 2009, 08:08:17 PM
John, do you have a little bit more information about the first found of RB. Was it only one bulb, or a clump/group of plants? Is RB a good splitter or only a lonely bulb for a long time?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on January 11, 2009, 08:12:12 PM
I mean RB is the only virescens-type of g elwesii. Never heard of another. I don`t know, what Magaret Biddulph is. Also the most of g n virescens are only single bulbs.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 11, 2009, 08:14:16 PM
Hagan you didnt miss much on Countryfile

Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 11, 2009, 08:15:54 PM
This is 'Mary Biddulph'
http://www.snowdropinfo.com/elwesii-virescent.html (http://www.snowdropinfo.com/elwesii-virescent.html)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on January 11, 2009, 08:22:57 PM
Mark, good to have some friends out of BBC ;). Do you know the original source of MB?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 11, 2009, 08:27:31 PM
Yes I do. It was found at Rodmarton a few years ago.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 11, 2009, 09:21:13 PM
'Mary Biddulph' - a virescent Galanthus elwesii
-
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Alan_b on January 11, 2009, 11:19:12 PM
I mean RB is the only virescens-type of g elwesii. Never heard of another. I don`t know, what Magaret Biddulph is. Also the most of g n virescens are only single bulbs.

I found a nearby garden where virescent elwesii crop up fairly frequently.  As far as I know, none of them yet have names.  One went to Avon Bulbs but, apparently, did not survive and one went to Colesbourne.  Another local galanthophile had several.  I have managed to keep one alive since I found it in 2005 and I now have three bulbs (at the last count) when I started with one.  I am not a highly experienced grower and I did not plant it in the best spot initially, so it must have some strength if not vigour.  The first photo is of my 2005 find and the second of another given to me in 2008.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Alan_b on January 11, 2009, 11:30:59 PM
Alan - Most of the Galanthophiles live around Victoria in the rain shadow.  The west coast of the island is certainly a different matter - see Tofino's rainfall!

You're right it is Burnaby and I think I sent John Grimshaw a note on that mistake after the first edition came out.  Is the mistake in the second edition as well? It gets a tad warmer in summer in Surrey to the south of Burnaby than in Vancouver as I recall but virtually the same rainfall as Vancouver. Friends in N. Vancouver near Deep Cove get a fair bit more rain in the winter than Vancouver proper.  Climatically it is a very complicated region.

So the Jury's out on why Rosemary Burnham isn't performing well in similar rainfall areas.  I wonder if there have been losses in Victoria.

When RB was first mentioned in the literature it was Francesca. They thought RB was found by Francisca Darts. I notified them that it was RB who found it. Somehow it got published as Francesca. Should a drop ever be named after Francisca do you think the different spelling would stand or would it be a nomen confusum?

johnw 

Thank you for this extra information, John.  If you do know more about the discovery of RB, I too would love to hear about it.  I found my first local virescent elwesii growing next to a lamppost!
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on January 12, 2009, 03:54:04 AM
Alan / Hagen - This is the email I sent to John Grimshaw in August of 1998 just before 'Rosemary Burnham' was to be published as Francesca, today's observations are bracketed & preceded by 2009.

"This is the official story on the green Galanthus. Talked to Rosemary Burnham of Vancouver tonight. She and Bodil Leamy (formerly at UBC Bot Gard) were combing through an old garden in Burnaby, BC about 35 years ago when she (RB) discovered the G. in question. The house was, or was being, torn down and had been abandoned for sometime. There were interesting plants in that area as it was a farm community then and not the suburban area it is now. She collected it and gave some to a friend, an incredidle grower, the late Thelma Chapman also of Vancouver. Thelma gave it to Don Armstrong, also in Vancouver. Don got quite a few going. When Thelma died" (2009 - late 1980's) "she had quite a stock built up and all went to Don." (2009- before she died) It had petered out in Rosemary's garden as it got over-grown and she was thankful to get it back from Don." (2009 - note Pam Frost of Vancouver and good friend of Rosemary's says either the original or the replacement in RB's garden was stolen) -   "About 4 years ago" (2009 - it was 1993 but I think I had it in 1987 as well, it had not bloomed or I hadn't noticed it) "I got a bulb or two from Don as did B. Mathew" who was speaking in Vancouver that February." (2009 - we were both at Don's that morning and I remember Brian was stunned to see it) "I was advised last year by Don that it was to be now known as Rosemary Burnham after the founder" (2009 - meant finder).  "I advised BM (as well as Louise Vockins" (2009 - of Foxgrove Plants) "and Stella Tracey of Shaugh Prior, Devon who had been sent 1 each by me) of the new name. Francisca (and it is with an i) (2009-Francisca Darts of Surrey, BC) got it from Don Armstrong and later distributed it to Margaret Charlton" (2009 - of North Vancouver) "who mistakenly thought it had originated with Francisca. Rosemary told me that when she found and collected it she didn't think it was terribly unusual and was sure there must be others about."

It was Don who researched elwesii through the RHS to find out if green cultivars were known. Before Don died he gave me another clump from the sizeable clump that grew in front of his house (to the left of the door as recall). I just found a slide of my 1995 clump from the one or two 1993 bulb(s) and I can't believe how vigorous it was and with so many flowers - sickening in retrospect.

As you may know Rosemary died last year but Bodil Leamy is still alive.  I intend to phone her tomorrow when I dig out her phone number. The reason, I said above "She collected it". Something has been haunting me of late and Hagen hit the nail on the head..."it" may have been several. The attached article I posted here before says they noticed they were different.  If so, were they offsets or green seedlings? I intend to find out. John G certainly spoke to Rosemary and maybe even Bodil after the above letter so "it" may indeed by correct. The book says it mysteriously appeared on the edge of Foxgrove's display at the RHS 1998, probably the one I sent her; obviously she got it on its feet rather quickly.  

Somewhere in the house I also have pix of Don's garden and the clumps of RB circa 1987. If I can find them I'll scan them.  I blame Don for getting me interested in these bulbs - a keen and generous plantsman he was.

johnw
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 12, 2009, 09:34:46 AM
Thanks for posting this John, most useful information. :D
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 12, 2009, 09:45:44 AM
Alan, your virescent elwesii are extremely nice. Hang on to them a let them flourish. Then get someone to bulk them up. I think you are on to a winner (or two?). :)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Alan_b on January 12, 2009, 10:00:20 AM
Thanks, John, I love these stories of how snowdrops were discovered and how they have fared thereafter.  I don't imagine anybody in the UK has a large clump of Rosemary Burnham, because it is too desirable and, I understand, too difficult to keep alive.

For the record, the local garden that tends to produce virescent elwesiis does this one at a time in different locations within one area where there are large numbers of snowdrops.  But, as I said in my previous post, I have managed to keep the first of these to be found since 2005 and bulk it up a little so there is no reason to think it would not form a clump given sufficient time and patience.

Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on January 12, 2009, 10:19:15 AM
Alan, a lot of g elwesii aren`t good builders of a clump. They like to be a single. I mean, that virescens-types also like to be only singles. And when these all come together....?? Did you saw clumps of the very nice g n virescens from your nearby garden?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 12, 2009, 11:46:24 AM
After a week or more of very harsh weather, heavy frosts and freezing conditions day an night, we have had two days of more normal Irish weather with with and lots of rain. The snowdrops have responded immediately and many which seemed to be just peeping above ground have suddenly shot up though it is still too dark for them to open fully.

Looking promising at the moment are G. 'Barbara's Double', 'John Grey', 'Anglesey Abbey', 'Mrs. Thompson', 'Atikinsii', 'x Allennii', 'Compton Court', 'Warham', 'Ophelia' and 'Paradise Giant' and, if weather and light are obliging I should be able to post photographs later in the week.

Unfortunately, another spell of very cold weather is forecast for tomorrow and Wednesday and I hope this doesn't lay these all low again. They are all growing in the open garden.

Paddy
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 12, 2009, 11:51:19 AM
My 'John Gray' is just coming out, but the stems are very short this year: not much more that an inch or two. I'm going to have a look round the garden centres as they seem to have a lot of elwesii (correctly labelled, for a change ::)) this year.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Alan_b on January 12, 2009, 12:26:04 PM
Alan, a lot of g elwesii aren`t good builders of a clump. They like to be a single. I mean, that virescens-types also like to be only singles. And when these all come together....?? Did you saw clumps of the very nice g n virescens from your nearby garden?

No, there were no other virescent snowdrops of any species.  I have been allowed to take a good look round the garden several times between 2005 and 2008 and I think I would have found them if they were there.

In the vicinity there are large numbers of elwesii, showing considerable variety.  This might well include some elwesii crossed with other species but retaining the broad convolute leaves of a pure elwesii.  There were some nivalis in smaller numbers and (I think) some larger snowdrops that were nivalis-like but bigger, possibly a nivalis-plicatus cross.

I attach a photo of another elwesii growing in the same garden that seems to want to grow in a line rather than form a clump!
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 12, 2009, 02:49:58 PM
That's really smart. Are they from the American mid-west? ;D Perhaps Galanthus elwesii 'Line Dancer'? ;)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 12, 2009, 02:50:40 PM
very strange. It looks like someone did that
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on January 12, 2009, 03:05:41 PM
Thanks, John, I love these stories of how snowdrops were discovered and how they have fared thereafter.  I don't imagine anybody in the UK has a large clump of Rosemary Burnham, because it is too desirable and, I understand, too difficult to keep alive.

For the record, the local garden that tends to produce virescent elwesiis does this one at a time in different locations within one area where there are large numbers of snowdrops.  But, as I said in my previous post, I have managed to keep the first of these to be found since 2005 and bulk it up a little so there is no reason to think it would not form a clump given sufficient time and patience.



That's a very nice virescent elwesii Alan.  I prefer the green ones that have a good white border to set off the green.  Rosmeary Burnham does tend to visually disappear in the garden.

johnw
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on January 12, 2009, 04:17:10 PM
Alan, your pic is very interesting, mean the galanthus you show us is very interesting. It has always 3 leaves. I know these plant lines also of g nivalis but then the bulbs stand without space/gap between.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on January 12, 2009, 04:22:51 PM
Now I have looked some times to the galanthus lines and I mean like Mark: someone did it to give more space/ground to every bulb. There are also a few in very compact clumps.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Alan_b on January 12, 2009, 04:45:45 PM
Now I have looked some times to the galanthus lines and I mean like Mark: someone did it to give more space/ground to every bulb. There are also a few in very compact clumps.

I asked the garden owner if she had planted the bulbs like that but she said no, she thought they arose spontaneously.  Only these three-leaved elwesii were lined up this way, all the other elwesii and other species seemed random.  I note that the direction of the leaves is roughly perpendicular to the direction of the line.  Does leaf orientation stay constant from year to year if the soil is undisturbed?  That is, if the owner had planted them this way a year or two previously, but forgotten, could they still look so neat?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 12, 2009, 04:50:37 PM
All the snowdrop flowers in my garden look south ie they have emerged out of the sunny side of the spathe. Next question would be do all the spathes face east west.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: annew on January 12, 2009, 05:02:58 PM
Don't all the snowdrops open short and then elongate? I've spent most of the day relabelling all my snowdrops with numbers instead of names for security. It was a bit shocking to find out how many different kinds I had - they must have sneaked in when I wasn't looking. I hope any prospective burglars aren't annoyed enough to take out all the labels to spite me!
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 12, 2009, 05:19:17 PM
No Anne looking at mine just now they are opening tall. Some have opened short, elwesii 'Barnes', and never elongated.

The spathes of mine don't face east west. They flowers have opened and then turned to face south.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on January 12, 2009, 05:24:18 PM
I've spent most of the day relabelling all my snowdrops with numbers instead of names for security. It was a bit shocking to find out how many different kinds I had - they must have sneaked in when I wasn't looking. I hope any prospective burglars aren't annoyed enough to take out all the labels to spite me!

Anne - Might be good to have a plot plan on the computer as well as a written copy.

johnw
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on January 12, 2009, 06:25:07 PM
Rosemary Burnham today. Too cold to go out to the greenhouse to re-shoot.

johnw
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on January 12, 2009, 06:31:13 PM
Oh John, I can feel the green veins full of frost.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 12, 2009, 06:33:54 PM
Here are a few photos from today. The first couple show snowdrops facing the same direction - south. One 'Castlegar' is facing the wrong way.

Bess
Castlegar
John Long x2

lastly something special that will open later this week
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: ArneM on January 12, 2009, 06:49:05 PM
Mark, is it Ecusson d'Or?  ;D
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: David Quinton on January 12, 2009, 07:02:05 PM
Now that the freeze has abated, is it time to start a 'January 2009' thread?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 12, 2009, 07:03:28 PM
Yeah go for it
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 12, 2009, 07:05:43 PM
I just created a new one for 2009
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on January 12, 2009, 07:34:18 PM
Here are a few photos from today.

Lovely shots Mark. Was 'John Long' growing on your roof or dig you dig a pit in order to shoot it against the sky so nicely?

johnw
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 12, 2009, 07:37:53 PM
John, they are in a 1L long tom
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on January 12, 2009, 10:48:12 PM
John, they are in a 1L long tom

How very appropriate. They make good bed fellows.

johnw
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on January 12, 2009, 11:57:39 PM
Well a bit more information on Rosemary Burnham.  I just had an hour phone conversation with Bodil Leamy who now lives in the interior of BC.  Bodil looked after the Lohbrunner Garden at UBC for a number of years and has a strong horticultural background. As you will have read in the above article by Pam Frost on the Galanthus, Rosemary was accompanied by Bodil when they found the green elwesii.  The abandoned house was in a ravine near RB's home in South Burnaby.  The clump RB spied was a single clump 6" across and consisted of about 15 bulbs, all were identical.  Rosemary thought it might not be unusual but Bodil knew it was very special. Rosemary took the clump home and Bodil got a few bulbs. Bodil's petered out on her poor sandy soil in her garden in West Vancouver. The rest of the story holds up. RB's clump got shaded out but she had shared it with Thelma and then on to Don Armstrong when Thelma was dying.

The interesting thing is that there were no other Galanthus anywhere in the area, just that single clump of green ones growing rather near the house, not a white one anywhere. So it appears to be have been a single clone and not a group of green seedlings. I wonder if the original home owner spotted it in a drift and brought it home?

johnw     
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Diane Whitehead on January 13, 2009, 03:57:33 AM
For those who can't grow Rosemary B - the most common snowdrop
here in Victoria, and possibly over in Burnaby too, though I haven't
checked, is elwesii.  Old gardens, farms, churchyards - if there are
masses of naturalized snowdrops, they are elwesii, not nivalis.

I think the opposite is true in England, from what I have read.

Rosemary is an elwesii.  It could be our dry summers she is needing.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 13, 2009, 06:16:50 AM
Exactly what the bulbs didnt need here in the UK and Ireland over the last two summers. Maybe I will give it a third go sometime.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 13, 2009, 09:31:17 AM
I think nivalis is naturalised in Britain as it has been here for hundreds of years, being the nearest species to the UK. I don't know if it is a native, but the vast majority have come as ecapees.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 13, 2009, 09:43:15 AM
I think they are believed to have come over with the Romans Anthony - picked up from Jo Sharman I seem to remember, but don't qoute me!
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 13, 2009, 09:56:54 AM
So Jo supplied the Romans? Wow! ;D
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 13, 2009, 10:20:16 AM
Just shows you what you have to do when you are a confirmed twin scaler to get rid of the bulbs! ::)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on January 13, 2009, 02:31:48 PM
So Jo supplied the Romans? Wow! ;D

 A lot of plantoholics loook younger than they really are..... must be the galanthamine   ::) ??? ;)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 13, 2009, 06:09:22 PM
They definitely do  ::) ;D
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Alan_b on January 13, 2009, 08:58:56 PM
Although nivalis is by far the most common snowdrop in the UK, I sometimes see elwesii naturalised over an area of older gardens.  I imagine the original bulbs were shared amongst neighbours as they began to bulk-up and have kept on going and spreading ever since.  Plicatus will also spread and naturalise when it gets going but I have never seen any other snowdrop species naturalised,
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 13, 2009, 10:16:22 PM
Here are two today. Galanthus reginae-olgae 'Tilebarn Jamie' has been out for a week. 'John Gray' is just about there.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 13, 2009, 10:36:28 PM
Anthony 'Tilebarn Jamie' is very late. Are you sure it is correct?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 13, 2009, 11:23:48 PM
Yes.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnw on January 13, 2009, 11:42:13 PM
For those who can't grow Rosemary B - the most common snowdrop
here in Victoria, and possibly over in Burnaby too, though I haven't
checked, is elwesii.  Old gardens, farms, churchyards - if there are
masses of naturalized snowdrops, they are elwesii, not nivalis.

I think the opposite is true in England, from what I have read.

Rosemary is an elwesii.  It could be our dry summers she is needing.

Diane - That's interesting. Do you see any extreme variations in elwesii out there?  And is Rosemary Burnham difficult in Victoria?  It doesn't seem to be the easiest cultivar in Vancouver (several people I know there have lost it), here or in the UK.  I presume elwesii itself is perfectly happy in the UK though I have not seen self-sown populations over there.

Here it is G. nivalis that spreads like mad.  It seems to prefer spring-moist rich soil that dries out somewhat in summer.  Bulbs frequently sit atop the ground.

johnw     
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Jo on January 14, 2009, 06:34:09 PM
Its funny how bulbs can just disappear  :-\  I grow virtually all my snowdrops in the garden, ie. open ground , and I know that mole / vole activity can move them around. If I'm lucky they turn up looking lost a foot or two away from where I expect them.

I also have acid clay soil and find some elwesii 's just dwindle away. For instance Cedric's Prolific and Mandarin both vanished altogether this year. ( Cedric after about 3 or 4 years of trying to be happy )   And if I ever try to grow elwesii's from a garden centre potful they last 2 years at the most.

However monostictus is very happy in the garden so who knows !

Happily the other ssps & cvs seem much more amenable. :)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: KentGardener on January 14, 2009, 06:59:08 PM
And if I ever try to grow elwesii's from a garden centre potful they last 2 years at the most.

Hello all,

I have returned from a relaxing 21 days in Madeira to a garden bursting with white buds.  The cold fog that has lasted here all day seems to be keeping them tightly closed!  >:(  Hopefully I shall be able to find some photo worthy flowers over the weekend!

Jo, glad to hear I am not the only one who loses them!  I found a wonderful garden centre drop last year that would give 'G. Pat Mason' a run for its money - alas, there is nothing showing in the garden centre pot this year.   :(  (thank fully G. Pat Mason is still alive  :))

Regards all

John
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 14, 2009, 07:13:33 PM
Welcome back to the forum John!  Never heard of G. 'Pat Mason'. Do you mean 'Pat Mackenzie' (green-tipped elwesii)?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on January 14, 2009, 07:28:39 PM
Quote
I also have acid clay soil and find some elwesii 's just dwindle away. For instance Cedric's Prolific and Mandarin both vanished altogether this year. ( Cedric after about 3 or 4 years of trying to be happy )   And if I ever try to grow elwesii's from a garden centre potful they last 2 years at the most.
Jo, have you ever tried growing the snowdrops which resent your garden soil in troughs ? (the SRGC obsession with container growing again! 8)) 
A fine old stone sink, or even a hypertufa trough can make a comfortable home for snowdrops and allows you to alter the composition of the substrate.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 14, 2009, 08:01:18 PM
'Pat Mason' is right Martin
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 14, 2009, 10:41:02 PM
'Pat Mason' is right Martin

Thanks Mark. Any chance you could tell me more? I haven't come across it.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Diane Whitehead on January 15, 2009, 03:30:25 AM
Elwesii variants found in Victoria - November flowering (not by me - by the time
I knew there was such a thing, my grandparents' 5 acres had been subdivided, so
I only chose spring-flowering plants from there as I never went into their woods
in the fall), quite a few poculiforms, including green-tipped ones.

No yellows, no Trym-types.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 15, 2009, 06:22:41 AM
Martin, John Grimshaw had it for sale last year
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: steve owen on January 15, 2009, 07:45:29 AM
Pat Mason is clumping up rapidly for me.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Jo on January 15, 2009, 10:28:23 AM
Quote
I also have acid clay soil and find some elwesii 's just dwindle away. For instance Cedric's Prolific and Mandarin both vanished altogether this year. ( Cedric after about 3 or 4 years of trying to be happy )   And if I ever try to grow elwesii's from a garden centre potful they last 2 years at the most.
Jo, have you ever tried growing the snowdrops which resent your garden soil in troughs ? (the SRGC obsession with container growing again! 8)) 
A fine old stone sink, or even a hypertufa trough can make a comfortable home for snowdrops and allows you to alter the composition of the substrate.

No I haven't tried seriously to grow any snowdrops in pots, other than lifting a clump of something and putting it in a big pot / mixed bulb display for 1 or 2 seasons to decorate a corner.  With these I find they flower less the following season. But then I have just used any old commercial compost and not fed,  basically treating them like bedding.  They recover when returned to the garden and spread out.

Anyone got any tips on growing in pots ?  for instance compost mix, top dressing, resting location, feeding etc etc
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 15, 2009, 10:34:33 AM
Thanks Mark, Steve. But can anyone tell me what Gal. 'Pat Mason' is - elwesii, nivalis, plicate? what it looks like? Anthing to do with Colin Mason? Anyone? John?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 15, 2009, 10:46:39 AM
Anyone got any tips on growing in pots ?  for instance compost mix, top dressing, resting location, feeding etc etc

Send a pm to Sandy Leven. He is a Forum member, but I'm not sure if he watches the Forum any more? He takes a large number of beautifully grown snowdrops, which he keeps in teracotta pots, to the early bulb day.

What is 'Pat Mason' like?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: günter on January 15, 2009, 12:25:43 PM
Thanks Mark, Steve. But can anyone tell me what Gal. 'Pat Mason' is - elwesii, nivalis, plicate? what it looks like? Anthing to do with Colin Mason? Anyone? John?

elwesii "Pat Mason"
Günter
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: KentGardener on January 15, 2009, 02:09:12 PM
What is 'Pat Mason' like?

I have looked for a photo from last year and it seems I didn't take one.  ???

From memory I rather liked 'her' - she was a large chubby nicely shaped thing with green tips.

As soon as she flowers I shall post a pic.

Regards

John

Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: steve owen on January 15, 2009, 03:17:55 PM
Posting glitsches - trying again - Pat Mason this afternoon.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: steve owen on January 15, 2009, 03:22:00 PM
I don't think I have got the hang of compressing these pics so that they fit on one message, but here are David Baker, Rose Lloyd, Rev Hailstone, and a mystery elwesii with close-up. If anyone can suggest a possible identity for the last one I would be v appreciative.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: steve owen on January 15, 2009, 03:23:22 PM
David Baker
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: steve owen on January 15, 2009, 03:24:10 PM
Rose Lloyd
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: steve owen on January 15, 2009, 03:24:49 PM
Rev Hailstone
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: steve owen on January 15, 2009, 03:25:57 PM
Cor, what a Horlicks I'm making of this - Rev Hailstone with pic...
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 15, 2009, 03:26:51 PM
Steve what photo editing software are you using? It it Photo Shop I can email you something I wrote about editing photos
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: steve owen on January 15, 2009, 03:33:53 PM
Mark

I used Microsoft Picture Office Manager, but I also have software called Zoombrowser that I haven't tried yet.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: David Nicholson on January 15, 2009, 04:24:09 PM
Steve, at between 8/11 kb these are very small pics you are posting, and when clicked they only increase in size marginally. 'Somat up' somewhere?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 15, 2009, 04:39:10 PM


Steve, I had a quick look at Microsoft Office Picture Manager to see what the settings are there. When you resize, you need to set the pixel width and height to a reasonable size for viewing - eg 300 pixels wide - then use the compression facility to set to compression for web pages (not for emails - that's too compressed).
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 15, 2009, 04:41:46 PM
600 or 700 pixels wide is a good size
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: David Nicholson on January 15, 2009, 04:45:35 PM
David, I think you mean 8-11 kb, not mb.


Thanks Martin, I did.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 15, 2009, 05:10:58 PM
600 or 700 pixels wide is a good size

Yes, if it's a good pic with lots of detail to see. I'd say a single flower close-up could be smaller. Depends on the pic and its quality. Not much point posting a poorish quality snap too large. But a great pic deserves 600 or 700 pixels of course. One problem I noticed is that Microsoft Office Picture Manager doesn't seem to want to make the pics very big. But then I didn't spend much time messing with it.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: steve owen on January 15, 2009, 05:21:26 PM
Guys

Thanks for the advice.
I'm now hoping I have attached two resized pics of the mystery elwesii so that they can be increased by clicking. L-Plates!
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 15, 2009, 05:30:01 PM
Could be Deerslot but is identical to my elwesii hiemalis that I bought many years ago.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on January 15, 2009, 05:55:59 PM
Well done, , Biggles! You'll soon  have your wings at this rate!  ;D
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: David Nicholson on January 15, 2009, 06:48:38 PM
Much better Steve.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 15, 2009, 07:34:31 PM
In all the years I have has 'Wendy's Gold' it has never moved. One group in a lattice pot obviously can't but the others free to do whatever stay put
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Jo on January 15, 2009, 08:44:10 PM
I wonder if it is burrowing creatures and maybe you don't have that problem Mark ?  If a mole goes through my woodland beds it leaves something like the London underground behind it and that means bulbs can just roll around.

My cats bring in numerous creatures but even with 4 of them working full time they haven't sorted it.  I think they are closet natural history lovers really.

Bill Bishop for instance vanished one year till I found it a few feet away uder foliage and there was a yawning great carvern where it had been
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 15, 2009, 08:45:28 PM
I would blame moles too. We dont have them.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Jo on January 15, 2009, 09:08:40 PM
Yes cats can be very annoying  >:(. Mine think it their duty to follow me round the garden, as I crawl round on hands and knees, and sit / play with / pounce on the thing I'm working on.   Not good for developing shoots.

I must say I've not noticed any kind of contracile roots on snowdrops, although they may increase in lines of least resistance through the soil.  My soil forms cracks in the summer, being clay, and that would certainly enourage linear growth.  ???
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Michael J Campbell on January 15, 2009, 09:46:20 PM
Cats   :'(
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Jo on January 15, 2009, 10:45:55 PM
 ;D ;D ;D :-*
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: annew on January 16, 2009, 08:51:10 AM
CATS >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: loes on January 16, 2009, 08:53:06 AM
cats  ;D ;D ;D  www.catteryvanhetzaanenbos.nl
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: David Nicholson on January 16, 2009, 12:34:49 PM
Doesn't it make you want to spit-all these gorgeous pictures of the 'Snowies' on the Forum, nice and open and showing their little green marks to perfection. I just don't seem to be able to get them to open properly at all. Well here are a couple of mine from the garden today. Galanthus elwsii, the later of two forms that Arthur was kind enough to send me; and one of G. Lady Beatrix Stanley which I didn't keep a full note of so it may well have been Arthur, or indeed another kind Forumist who sent it to me.



Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: steve owen on January 16, 2009, 12:55:07 PM
David

Nice pink gravel.

Thanks to advice from Mark Smythe and others I am now able to a) take a decent snowdrop pic and b) post it! Thanks also to Mark who identified the attached as an early-flowering elwesii monostictus, which defies my attempts to further track it down in The Book. So it just stays as an e-f.e.m. of which The Book says there are a great many. Maybe we should have a Mystery Snowdrops thread called "Bring Out Your Dead"?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 16, 2009, 01:25:08 PM
Here's your photo again, cropped and reduced to fit nicely.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on January 16, 2009, 01:30:20 PM
Happy to be of service, Steve
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on January 16, 2009, 03:35:11 PM
cats  ;D ;D ;D  www.catteryvanhetzaanenbos.nl
Oh, Loes!!   :o ::) ;D ;D :D

They ARE beautiful....especially indoors!!  ;)
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on January 16, 2009, 03:40:25 PM
Thanks to Mark for helping Steve.. and to Steve for persevering!!
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 16, 2009, 03:41:06 PM
cats  ;D ;D ;D  www.catteryvanhetzaanenbos.nl
Oh, Loes!!   :o ::) ;D ;D :D

They ARE beautiful....especially indoors!!  ;)
.........and far away. ;D
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on January 16, 2009, 04:01:22 PM
Maybe we should have a Mystery Snowdrops thread called "Bring Out Your Dead"?


[attach=1]

 Nah, we can't have a thread for dead snowdrops or any other dead plants.... it would be HUGE and clog up the entire internet........
[attach=2]
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: steve owen on January 16, 2009, 04:15:32 PM
No Maggie, I said snowdrops to identify - just like the recent thread you started, remember?
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Jo on January 16, 2009, 04:59:45 PM
cats  ;D ;D ;D  www.catteryvanhetzaanenbos.nl

OOOOoooooooooooooooooooooo  :-* those kittens Ioes, bet they're more expensive than snowdrops.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Maggi Young on January 16, 2009, 05:00:42 PM
No Maggie, I said snowdrops to identify - just like the recent thread you started, remember?

 Why would it be called "bring out your dead"  then?  :P
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: steve owen on January 16, 2009, 07:05:20 PM
Any cats or small children caught loitering in my garden are sold into slavery. I used to be more radical but the fines kept mounting up....
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Michael J Campbell on January 16, 2009, 07:23:50 PM
David, here is the only legal way to deal with the cats. Works every time.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 16, 2009, 09:10:09 PM
I like your style Michael. Fortunately for the cats, or perhaps Heidi, cats are too smart to get caught in my garden.

May be 'Bring out your dead' could be the title of the next carion film? ;D
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on February 11, 2009, 08:42:26 PM
hello John welcome to the forum.

When I try to look at your images my computer doesnt want to open them without warnings. Why not post them in the forum? It's very easy. Just click on additional options at the bottom of the text box. We also have a thread for Galanthus in February
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: johnlloyd on February 11, 2009, 09:00:27 PM
Re: Anglesey Abbey . .
Sorry about the photos . . .
My photos are all around 700KB and
the system will only accept a 350KB
photo as its limit. So they have all
been discarded by the sysrem.
Shame, because this display at
Anglesey Abbey was beautiful

      John
Edit by M: John's photos of Anglesey Abbey snowdrops are in the Winter Trip- Angelsey Abbey /Cambridge Botanics thread of the Travel/Places to visit Section.
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3064.0

Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: mark smyth on February 11, 2009, 09:09:00 PM
John using photoshop or similar you need to edit your images down to about 700 pixels wide  or reduce the quality to 50 or 60%
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Alan_b on February 11, 2009, 11:22:50 PM
John using photoshop or similar you need to edit your images down to about 700 pixels wide  or reduce the quality to 50 or 60%

Or do what I do, tell your computer you want to email them and you will be given a choice of reduced resolutions.  Then simply detach the image from the email.
Title: Re: Winter snowdrops
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 11, 2009, 11:39:02 PM
Re: Anglesey Abbey . .
Sorry about the photos . . .
My photos are all around 700KB and
the system will only accept a 350KB
photo as its limit. So they have all
been discarded by the sysrem.
Shame, because this display at
Anglesey Abbey was beautiful

      John
Edit by M: John's photos of Anglesey Abbey snowdrops are in the Winter Trip- Angelsey Abbey /Cambridge Botanics thread of the Travel/Places to visit Section.
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3064.0


I'd be well and truly stuffed as my pics can be nearly 6 mb. :o I'm using Microsoft Office Picture Manager at the moment which gives you several options when you click "resise".
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