Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Bulbs => Crocus => Topic started by: ian mcenery on January 02, 2013, 12:19:05 AM

Title: Crocus January
Post by: ian mcenery on January 02, 2013, 12:19:05 AM
New year new thread

The sun came out today and these little beauties opened properly. It is a I think a selection of laevigatus which has deep lilac inner shades and a very strong marking on the outers. I think it was from Tony G probably 6 or 7 years ago.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Armin on January 02, 2013, 10:06:17 AM
Happy New Year Greetings to all!

Very lovely clump, Ian 8).
A very good start for the new year :D
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Gerry Webster on January 02, 2013, 02:31:34 PM
The sun came out today and these little beauties opened properly. It is a I think a selection of laevigatus which has deep lilac inner shades and a very strong marking on the outers. ...........

Ian - this looks as though it might  be C. laevigatus 'Fontenayi' (or var. fontenayi) which flowers here regularly between Christmas & the New Year.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: ian mcenery on January 02, 2013, 05:06:08 PM

Gerry I agree it is very much like fontanayi which I also have growing in the garden (though not very well  :( )


I have checked the label and it says

Crocus    laevigatus – large dark lilac with purple blotch on outers and checking my records I was correct about the source. Perhaps Tony will comment if he is looking? Love these laevigatus such good plants and this is the deepest colour of the ones I grow
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: udo on January 02, 2013, 05:11:39 PM
Ian - this looks as though it might  be C. laevigatus 'Fontenayi' (or var. fontenayi) which flowers here regularly between Christmas & the New Year.
Gerry, i think the plant from Ian is not 'Fontenayi', here is a picture from this cultivar.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: de.da. on January 03, 2013, 09:41:16 AM
Hi!
I had thought of Cr.minimus `Spring Beauty '!
But what I already know?  ;D
Dani
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Gerry Webster on January 03, 2013, 09:55:25 AM
Gerry, i think the plant from Ian is not 'Fontenayi', here is a picture from this cultivar.
Dirk - I wonder whether one of us has  the wrong plant? Or seedlings? What I have as 'Fontenayi' is more like Ian's plant than it is like the one you pictured. Unfortunately my camera is out of action at the moment so I can't take a photo.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: udo on January 03, 2013, 10:38:14 AM
Dirk - I wonder whether one of us has  the wrong plant? Or seedlings? What I have as 'Fontenayi' is more like Ian's plant than it is like the one you pictured. Unfortunately my camera is out of action at the moment so I can't take a photo.
Gerry, I have looked just with Google for pictures of Crocus laevigatus 'Fontenayi'.
Rob Potterton and P.C.Nijssen offer this cultivar and also show the picture in addition.
'Fontenayi' is not so dark outside and has thinner stripes than the form of Ian.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Thomas Huber on January 03, 2013, 10:53:54 AM
Gerry, I have the same plant as Dirk as 'Fontenayi'.
Ian's dark laevigatus is another one - I also have it from Tony.
But the dark one is a better grower, so perhaps it has replaced the true 'Fontenayi' in cultivation....?
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Gerry Webster on January 03, 2013, 10:56:25 AM
Gerry, I have looked just with Google for pictures of Crocus laevigatus 'Fontenayi'.
Rob Potterton and P.C.Nijssen offer this cultivar and also show the picture in addition.
'Fontenayi' is not so dark outside and has thinner stripes than the form of Ian.
Dirk - my plants came from Rob Potterton in 2007, so were probably imported.  I remain puzzled.

Edit:
Thomas - the plant I have is certainly easy to grow &  vigorous
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: de.da. on January 03, 2013, 11:12:37 AM
OK "Spring beauty" is probably totally wrong.
What is the difference between this and laevigatus?
To me they look very similar.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: udo on January 03, 2013, 11:23:05 AM
OK "Spring beauty" is probably totally wrong.
What is the difference between this and laevigatus?
To me they look very similar.
Daniel, Crocus laevigatus blossoms from the late autumn till the winter, with late plantation also till the spring. Crocus minimus blossoms in general in the spring. In the colouring of the blossom they are quite similar, in the corm tunic one can distinguish them easily. Show sometimes on the website of Tony Goode.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: ian mcenery on January 03, 2013, 11:28:55 AM
Have checked through my photos for the ones I bought from Rob Potterton some years ago ( I will have to move them as I can't seem to make them flower regularly). Here it is it IS different in that the fontanayi version is lighter in colour and the markings don't appear to be as strong on the outers. Perhaps I should call it improved fontanayi ;)

I show the "fontanayi" below
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: de.da. on January 03, 2013, 12:57:44 PM
 Thanks Dirk!
:D
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Janis Ruksans on January 03, 2013, 07:12:38 PM
Today melted snow from open field and I went to check plantings. Found only holes and shoots without bulbs... :'( :'( :'( and so bed after bed almost everything, everywhere where I looked... :'( :'( :'(
Janis
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Maggi Young on January 03, 2013, 07:30:11 PM
Oh Janis, what a dreadful start to the year. We are so sorry for you.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: tonyg on January 03, 2013, 11:20:28 PM
New year new thread

The sun came out today and these little beauties opened properly. It is a I think a selection of laevigatus which has deep lilac inner shades and a very strong marking on the outers. I think it was from Tony G probably 6 or 7 years ago.

Happy New Year to Croconuts all.  Although happiness is tempered by the news from Janis in Latvia.

I distributed this dark form of Crocus laevigatus quite widely a few years ago.  It is a very good doer, of much stronger constitution than the beautifully feathered 'Fontenayi' which I also grow.  Dirk grows both forms (and likely many others too).  The dark form came from the garden of Primrose Warburg, so has a special affiliation for Crocus enthusiaists.  Primrose was the founder of the Crocus Group and first called us the Croconuts!

Mine are now limited to a small clump outside, which gets very little sun... here they are in bud today.

Also pictured below is a nice dark seedling which flowered recently and some other seedlings.  Raising this species from seed produces infinite variations.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: ronm on January 05, 2013, 01:29:32 PM
Sunspot  8)
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 05, 2013, 02:04:42 PM
Today melted snow from open field and I went to check plantings. Found only holes and shoots without bulbs... :'( :'( :'( and so bed after bed almost everything, everywhere where I looked... :'( :'( :'(
Janis

Have you done any further checking, Janis? I'm hoping that further investigations are showing that the situation is not as bad as you first thought it was. Is it just crocus that have been eaten or corydalis and other bulbs too?
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Graeme Strachan on January 05, 2013, 02:32:01 PM
Happy New Year - Lang may yer lum reek!

I thought I might be the first but ronm beat me to it. What a lovely pot of sunspot.
I grow all of my crocuses outside and last night I found that I had a yellow bud showing. Today I brought the pot inside to the warmth to try and make the flower open. I put it back outside to take the photo. It looks as if it has two stigmas!
The weather in Aberdeen has been surprisingly mild for the past few days (11 degrees c.) after having a snowfall last year.

             Graeme
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Janis Ruksans on January 05, 2013, 05:57:55 PM
Have you done any further checking, Janis? I'm hoping that further investigations are showing that the situation is not as bad as you first thought it was. Is it just crocus that have been eaten or corydalis and other bulbs too?

Yesterday I passed half a day on field checking damage (Next week I must give my new catalogue to printer). Completely destroyed were plantings of tulips, but on outside field I had only residual stocks, main part of which were planted in boxes in greenhouse. Similar situation is with Alliums, too.
Regarding Corydalis some varieties were eaten completely, but from most left some part of stock or they even escaped. Closing endless holes I found huge deposit of some thousand or more Corydalis tubers at one end of bed. Unfortunately all shoots were cut off and I'm afraid they will not grow more. Regardless I collected them all and planted on empty bed.
Regarding crocuses - they escaped bad fate, only half of one speciosus stock were eaten (around 100 corms) but at other stocks there were only shallow holes (more than hundred) not reaching bulbs. Similar I found at some Erythroniums and Fritillaries. I don't understand - what stopped mice for further digging. Of course I'm happy for they were too lazy. Of course all crocuses I have in pots, too, so even in worst case I would have few corms for restart.
Mostly I worried for Anemones, but it seem that they are not tasteful for mice. I never noted destroying of windflowers by rodents. Really Corydalis isn't the first choice for rodents. In my gardeners history this was only second or third occasion when they got attention.
Janis
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: pehe on January 05, 2013, 10:09:37 PM
Janis, a very sad story!

Here I have only Crocus laevigatus CEH 612 in flower now, but several others will follow soon.
I have acquired Crocus vitellinus form two different sources last year. They have shown their noses, but they are very different. Which ones are the true ones?

Poul
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 05, 2013, 11:42:12 PM
Janis, sounds like it was pretty bad but could have been worse. It will be interesting to see what happens to the corydalis with the shoots eaten away - whether there will be time for them to develop some new shoots (or be able to grow new shoots) before the growing season, or if new small tubers will develop and feed off the old tubers without any leaf growth - at least if this happens you will still have tubers even if they end up very small.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Janis Ruksans on January 06, 2013, 06:24:59 AM
Janis, sounds like it was pretty bad but could have been worse. It will be interesting to see what happens to the corydalis with the shoots eaten away - whether there will be time for them to develop some new shoots (or be able to grow new shoots) before the growing season, or if new small tubers will develop and feed off the old tubers without any leaf growth - at least if this happens you will still have tubers even if they end up very small.

Unfortunately in best case it will be horrible mix. Really I planted them only if there will be some very good to be worth mark and keep it and again rise up stock.
Once late frost killed shoots of solida at very start of blooming but from underground stem's scale leaf was produced new shoot which even bloomed and tuber crop was not affected. Will be made new schoot from tuber? I don't know. Will see. Another problem was lacking of roots - they were cut off, too, but I think that roots can make new development in case of corydalis.
But restoring of bulbs from such rodent deposits is quite problematic. I was not very succesfull earlier with huge deposits of crocuses, Fritillaria pallidiflora. Only daffodils recovered more or less succesfully.
Janis
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on January 06, 2013, 08:50:51 AM
Happy New Year to Croconuts all.  Although happiness is tempered by the news from Janis in Latvia.
I distributed this dark form of Crocus laevigatus quite widely a few years ago.  It is a very good doer, of much stronger constitution than the beautifully feathered 'Fontenayi' which I also grow.  Dirk grows both forms (and likely many others too).  The dark form came from the garden of Primrose Warburg, so has a special affiliation for Crocus enthusiaists.  Primrose was the founder of the Crocus Group and first called us the Croconuts!
Mine are now limited to a small clump outside, which gets very little sun... here they are in bud today.
Also pictured below is a nice dark seedling which flowered recently and some other seedlings.  Raising this species from seed produces infinite variations.

Very nice form indeed Tony ! One to remind for my garden ....
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on January 06, 2013, 08:52:34 AM
Sunspot  8)

Really stunning plant Ron ! One of my favorites to , I lost mine  :(
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on January 06, 2013, 08:56:17 AM
Janis, a very sad story!
Here I have only Crocus laevigatus CEH 612 in flower now, but several others will follow soon.
I have acquired Crocus vitellinus form two different sources last year. They have shown their noses, but they are very different. Which ones are the true ones?
Poul

I did'nt realise before  that laevigatus also could flower that late in cultivation Poul. We did see them flowering late in Crete (end november) but I was not aware that they do this also here and even later ....But very nice tough.   
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on January 06, 2013, 08:58:12 AM
Unfortunately in best case it will be horrible mix. Really I planted them only if there will be some very good to be worth mark and keep it and again rise up stock.
Once late frost killed shoots of solida at very start of blooming but from underground stem's scale leaf was produced new shoot which even bloomed and tuber crop was not affected. Will be made new schoot from tuber? I don't know. Will see. Another problem was lacking of roots - they were cut off, too, but I think that roots can make new development in case of corydalis.
But restoring of bulbs from such rodent deposits is quite problematic. I was not very succesfull earlier with huge deposits of crocuses, Fritillaria pallidiflora. Only daffodils recovered more or less succesfully.
Janis

Really bad situation Janis  :(  I hope the best for you but I can imagine that is horrible ... 
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: annew on January 06, 2013, 09:33:57 AM
So sorry to hear this, Janis. I hope you will be able to recover some of them
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: pontus on January 06, 2013, 12:27:12 PM
The first crocus to open here due to the very mild weather is the fabulous crocus baytopiorum, with its indigo blue turquoise flowers.

this is the earliest i have ever had a spring crocus in bloom, the earlier record only dating back to the 28th January 2000, with some hybrid orange crocuses and crocus imperati opening at the time.

This baytopiorum was in a pot plunged in a bed, so i decided to bring the pot indoors to see if the flower would open with the heat...but so far it is remaining shut...

That is terrible news Janis,! let me know if you lost any crocus sp completely...if i have some that you lost i can always send you a few corms in summer for you to rebuild stock...

I am having a similar problem to Janis at the moment...I was getting concerned that my oriental poppy beauty of livermere was not giving any above ground growth. (usually it has big leaf rosettes already present by now). When i went down to check on it, and pulled up some old stems, horror!!! the stems pulled up and under them big holes...i dug in the holes only to find pathways like labyrinths all around the border, the whole big poppy clump (now 12 years old!!) was totally gone. I suspected field voles, so started to dig up the pathways...(see attached images). I was hoping to discover their secret food stash, in their main hole, but failed, as the pathway eventually went under our neighbour’s wall.

I have now lost most of my sp tulips, lycoris and a few liliums. Only a few sternbergias (with chewed off roots) and colchicums, as well as polygonatums remained in this bed!

I did find a small stump/remain of my so much loved poppy...(see image) Can i save this somehow? any suggestions on how to make this stump reroot?

I am now declaring war on the field voles!!! :( :(

Pontus
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: pontus on January 06, 2013, 12:38:47 PM
images of the fieldvole disaster..
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: pontus on January 06, 2013, 12:40:58 PM
my first post acidentally appeared twice it seems...i dont know how to delete the second one (which doesent have the papaver image in it...).
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Maggi Young on January 06, 2013, 12:45:34 PM
my first post acidentally appeared twice it seems...i dont know how to delete the second one (which doesent have the papaver image in it...).
I have removed that for you Pontus.
Sorry to see the evidence of those pesky voles.  I am glad we do not have them here - the mice as bad enough!

I would pot the remaining poppy stump in sand, or in a mix of sand and fine leaf mold and keep it just moist, under cover, and hope for some new roots.  It may work!
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on January 06, 2013, 01:21:14 PM
Crocus atticus "Bowles White" surprised me in the (wet) garden this morning   :o
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: pehe on January 07, 2013, 06:44:49 PM
I did'nt realise before  that laevigatus also could flower that late in cultivation Poul. We did see them flowering late in Crete (end november) but I was not aware that they do this also here and even later ....But very nice tough.

Kris, these were planted late and furthermore they were delayed 3-4 weeks by very could weather.
My laevigatus Fontenayi in the open garden has just shown its flower buds. In the following weeks the temperatures will be below zero according to the weather forecast, so flowering will be delayed further.

Poul
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: daveyp1970 on January 07, 2013, 07:27:15 PM
Janis, a very sad story!

Here I have only Crocus laevigatus CEH 612 in flower now, but several others will follow soon.
I have acquired Crocus vitellinus form two different sources last year. They have shown their noses, but they are very different. Which ones are the true ones?

Poul
Poul the first pic with the chunky dark stained bracts i think is crocus korolkowii or Crocus alatavicus
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: freddyvl on January 09, 2013, 07:29:04 PM
Last sunday in the open garden:
. Crocus alatavicus: Asian species, full sun, mountain meadows;
. Crocus korolkowii (mix): Asian species, full sun, the main difference is in the exterior markings (slight speckling to large dark zones).
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on January 09, 2013, 09:14:26 PM
I love alatavicus Freddy : beautiful !
But so early ???  :o :o  Mine are not showing yet !
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Janis Ruksans on January 10, 2013, 09:48:52 AM
Excellent pictures, Luc.
Only I would be quite nervous seeing so early blooming of so many species as reported this January. Still long winter ahead and here in February are hardest frosts. I lost most outside grown crocuses in season (some 5 or more years ago) when they bloomed in January. Similar was previous year, too when crocuses started blooming in January in pots. Following  minus 25-30 C for full month seriously damaged roots, although killed were only very few stocks.
Janis
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: ian mcenery on January 11, 2013, 10:32:00 PM
Crocus atticus "Bowles White" surprised me in the (wet) garden this morning   :o

One of my favourites but you must be living in the banana belt Luc I can only just see the tips coming through the soil.

Pontus nice baytopiorum I find this one difficult and it always gets to leggy with me and the flowers fall over :'(

Freddy Love the alatavicus too. Growing very naturally

Here is one of my first real spring crocus C Imperati
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Alex on January 11, 2013, 10:32:44 PM
Hi Janis,

Not to hijack the thread, but I am just wondering whether you are ready to give out this year's list yet? I'd love to get an electronic copy if there is one.

Thanks very much,

Alex
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Janis Ruksans on January 12, 2013, 05:50:07 AM
Hi Janis,

Not to hijack the thread, but I am just wondering whether you are ready to give out this year's list yet? I'd love to get an electronic copy if there is one.

Thanks very much,

Alex
Hi to everyone,
I had surgical treatment on my right palm ("viking finger" problem), so my capacity to work on computer was very limited and only yesterday I finished manuscript and visited disainer to make catalogue. So I hope that after 7-10 days catalogue will be ready and then I will mail it to my customers. There are included quite many new plants, inclusive crocuses.
I'm repairing my office, too, so my access to internet is something limited and I can't mail text part to those who hurry with ordering.
Janis
Janis
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Oron Peri on January 12, 2013, 06:58:58 AM
I did'nt realise before  that laevigatus also could flower that late in cultivation Poul. We did see them flowering late in Crete (end november) but I was not aware that they do this also here and even later ....But very nice tough.

Kris, 
it is not unusual, i have few laevigatus from Crete still in flower at the moment.
The form from Crete has a long flowering season and often produces one or two flowers even few weeks after  its peak time.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Oron Peri on January 12, 2013, 07:07:47 AM
Here I have only Crocus laevigatus CEH 612 in flower now, but several others will follow soon.
I have acquired Crocus vitellinus form two different sources last year. They have shown their noses, but they are very different. Which ones are the true ones?
Poul

Poul
I'm very curious to see what will come out from the middle one! i find it quite unusual...
My vitellinus are coming out as well and they look like your last photo.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Alex on January 12, 2013, 12:40:25 PM
Thanks, Janis, I look forward very much to the catalogue whenever it is available.

Alex
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: pehe on January 12, 2013, 02:03:07 PM
Poul
I'm very curious to see what will come out from the middle one! i find it quite unusual...
My vitellinus are coming out as well and they look like your last photo.

Oron,
Me too!
I will post a pic as soon as they open. If I remember correct the corms were quite large, but I can't remember anything about the corm tunic. Now I regret that I didn't took a pic of them before planting. In the future, I will take pics of all the new crocus corms I acquire.

Poul

Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Melvyn Jope on January 16, 2013, 08:33:39 PM
A good bright colour on a cold overcast day, but I did have to bring it indoors to open up. Crocus chrysanthus from Turkey, a gift from a forumist.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on January 17, 2013, 08:32:20 AM
A glorious sight in this freezing cold, Melvyn !
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: ian mcenery on January 17, 2013, 02:24:48 PM
A good bright colour on a cold overcast day, but I did have to bring it indoors to open up. Crocus chrysanthus from Turkey, a gift from a forumist.

Me too Melvyn

Difficult with me C siehanus
C Chry sunspot
C imperati again
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on January 17, 2013, 08:35:43 PM
Great show Ian !  ;)
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Armin on January 18, 2013, 07:49:20 AM
Melvyn,
I like this chrysanthus form with the violet stem. 8) Makes a nice contrast.

Ian,
it is a great pleasure to see a rarely cultivated C. siehanus in flower. What makes it so difficult to keep it alive/propagate for you?
'Sunspot' and imperati are gorgeous. 8)
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: ian mcenery on January 18, 2013, 09:08:43 AM
Thanks Luc

Armin I have struggled with this one and have only just managed to maintain it over the 5 years. I have similar problems with some strains of chrysanthus ??? Probably haven't got the cultivation correct yet
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Alex on January 20, 2013, 10:03:29 AM
Ian,

it's not just you - I have had a small corm of siehanus for a few years which every so often puts on enough growth to flower, then regresses straight back to seedling size (as currently). I have no idea what to change, and don't really want to risk my single plant on anything radical anyway.

Alex
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: ian mcenery on January 20, 2013, 01:52:23 PM
Alex

Glad its not only me. The bible says cold winters and a long dry summer rest. I am trying my best but have only managed 3 flowerings in 6 years
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Armin on January 21, 2013, 05:31:56 PM
Maybe Dirk Schnabel knows some tricks how to grow C. sieheanus more successful?
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: ian mcenery on January 21, 2013, 05:39:26 PM
Maybe Dirk Schnabel knows some tricks how to grow C. sieheanus more successful?

Armin you mean apart from the fact that Dirk is a better grower than me  ;)
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Armin on January 21, 2013, 05:57:59 PM
Yes maybe, the nibble skill (luck) necessary from 'maintain' to 'propagate'. ;D
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Gerry Webster on January 21, 2013, 06:35:36 PM
Ian,

it's not just you - I have had a small corm of siehanus for a few years which every so often puts on enough growth to flower, then regresses straight back to seedling size (as currently). I have no idea what to change, and don't really want to risk my single plant on anything radical anyway.
Alex
For several years I have had the same problem  with the albino form of C. corsicus  & I too am at a loss.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Gert Hoek on January 21, 2013, 08:45:26 PM
Me too Melvyn

Difficult with me C siehanus
C Chry sunspot
C imperati again

Beautifull Ian
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: udo on January 22, 2013, 07:31:04 AM
Maybe Dirk Schnabel knows some tricks how to grow C. sieheanus more successful?
Here Armin, grows Crocus sieheanus not worse than many other species. She wants to remain long green, hold dry so not too early.
The plants in the shown pot are descended from one corm, i got that about 10 years ago.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: ArnoldT on January 22, 2013, 01:27:17 PM
Here's one blooming just before a deep freeze at 15 F.

Not 100% sure on the ID though.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Thomas Huber on January 22, 2013, 01:31:17 PM
Sorry, Arnold, this is Crocus laevigatus.
For the true 'Serevan' click here:
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=5060.msg138202#new (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=5060.msg138202#new)
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: ArnoldT on January 22, 2013, 02:55:52 PM
Thomas:

Thanks, I'll make the changes.

Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Tony Willis on January 22, 2013, 03:21:58 PM
A couple I brought into the house to open

Crocus nevadensis from Spain Cazorla
Crocus korolkowii a nice mixed pot ,a gift from Arthur.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Armin on January 23, 2013, 08:20:25 AM
Here Armin, grows Crocus sieheanus not worse than many other species. She wants to remain long green, hold dry so not too early.
The plants in the shown pot are descended from one corm, i got that about 10 years ago.

Dirk,
thanks. In other words you try to keep vegetation period as long as possible followed by a short dry summer rest?
In oder to prevent them to go in dormacy too early, do you try to keep them cool as long as possible i.e. shadow the green house when temperatures raise?
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Armin on January 23, 2013, 08:38:40 AM
Tony,
C. nevadensis is lovely 8), a species I coudn't please in my garden.

C. korolkowii flowers make a nice show early in the year. I like them but in my meadow flowers suffer from being damaged by rain- and snowfalls.
Over the years corms split in many smaller ones with decreasing number of flowers. Usually a sign of sub-optimal conditions :( 
I'm anxious if they survived the black frosts from last year February.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: udo on January 23, 2013, 09:06:30 AM
Dirk,
thanks. In other words you try to keep vegetation period as long as possible followed by a short dry summer rest?
In oder to prevend them to go in dormacy too early, do you try to keep them cool as long as possible i.e. shadow the green house when temperatures raise?
Crocus sieheanus can stand quietly warm and sunny. He remains longer green than many other species, although he is often to be seen as one of the first springflower.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Armin on January 23, 2013, 01:33:24 PM
Dirk,
thank you. :)
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: de.da. on January 24, 2013, 09:00:26 PM
Thanks guys for the nice pictures!
I need a little more patience!
With us there is snow.
Did I mention that I am also a member of the Crocus Group now?  ;D
All the best-Daniel
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Tony Willis on January 27, 2013, 03:03:18 PM
The odd moments of sunshine have opened a few crocus

Crocus cyprius
Crocus sieberi
Crocus vernus
Crocus biflorus ssp
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: ashley on January 27, 2013, 04:33:07 PM
Beautiful crocuses Tony; that nevadensis is exquisite.

Here are some yellows:
C. cvijicii   (suggested as chrysanthus in view of the dark tube & rather pointed segments, but corms confirm as cvijicii)
C. gargaricus (x2)
C. herbertii (x2)
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on January 27, 2013, 07:09:15 PM
Wow , very nice Ashley and Tony !
At last , the first Crocus of the year here ....
Crocus biflorus ssp. nubigena .....
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: tonyg on January 27, 2013, 08:41:04 PM
Before the fortnight in the freezer, just a single flower each on Crocus chrysanthus and Crocus nevadensis, both got slugged  >:(

Now, just 24 hours after the mild winds brought a rapid thaw, several species have burst to life.

Crocus chrysanthus, this one planted in a greenhouse has been up throughout the cold spell, opening for the first time in todays sunshine.

Crocus sieberi Bowles's White, never fails.

Tomorrow Crocus sieberi sieberi.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Tony Willis on January 28, 2013, 10:58:38 AM
Kris

the nubigena is lovely,one of my favorites. Mine came up and fell over before opening due to poor light.

Crocus michelsonii a gift from a fellow forumist.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Maggi Young on January 28, 2013, 11:23:58 AM
   Crocus michelsonii- note spelling-  is a lovely crocus - looking forward to it making an appearance up here. Blooming still very slow.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Tony Willis on January 28, 2013, 01:07:03 PM
Maggi

so kind of you to point out my mistake in such a subtle manner,I will amend my posting.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Maggi Young on January 28, 2013, 01:30:05 PM
Such a novelty for me to be accused of subtlety....... :D
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on January 28, 2013, 02:28:41 PM
Fantastic Crocus' people !  :o
My nubigena is not anywhere near flowering yet, Kris... if it will flower at all this year :-\  Enjoying yours though !

sieberi sieberi still one of my favourites Tony G. !  8)

that michelsonii is sumptuous, Tony W. - glorious flower !

Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Gerry Webster on January 28, 2013, 08:40:23 PM

.......Crocus sieberi Bowles's White, never fails..........

Tony - I wish I could say the same!
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Angelo Porcelli on January 30, 2013, 05:41:15 PM
Crocus biflorus ssp. biflorus flowering now, it's native here together with C. thomasii (autumn flowering). Soon will follow C. imperatii but this native on the opposite side of Italy where I live.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on January 30, 2013, 08:19:20 PM
From a collection in Attica - Greece.
Sown in october 2010 by a fellow forumist :

Crocus atticus sublimis
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: tonyg on January 30, 2013, 08:45:08 PM
Three more in flower now. 

Crocus 'biforus'  from an ANCR collection in 2011, appears to be Crocus chrysanthus.

Crocus sieberi ssp sieberi

Crocus biflorus ssp uncertain.  The label says ssp isauricus.  I am not convinved, maybe it is ssp nubigena ... the next-door label. :-\
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on January 31, 2013, 04:51:22 PM
Fabulous sieberi and biflorus, Tony ! Gorgeous flowers !

I've got Crocus herbertii in flower today - one from Dirk's  ;)
I love the warm orange glow  :D
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on January 31, 2013, 06:40:31 PM
Three more in flower now. 
Crocus 'biforus'  from an ANCR collection in 2011, appears to be Crocus chrysanthus.
Crocus sieberi ssp sieberi
Crocus biflorus ssp uncertain.  The label says ssp isauricus.  I am not convinved, maybe it is ssp nubigena ... the next-door label. :-\

What a very nice selection Tony . I would say that it is ssp. nubigena ....
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on January 31, 2013, 06:41:21 PM
Fabulous sieberi and biflorus, Tony ! Gorgeous flowers !
I've got Crocus herbertii in flower today - one from Dirk's  ;)
I love the warm orange glow  :D

I can almost feel that glow Luc ....lovely  8)
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: David Nicholson on January 31, 2013, 07:06:28 PM
Bliss- a nearly dry day here today, first for weeks and my first trip to the greenhouse for over a week.

These needed a spell on the kitchen window sill to open properly:-

Crocus herbertii, mine also from Dirk in 2008
C. angustifolius 'Bronze Form


Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: David Nicholson on January 31, 2013, 07:08:54 PM
One more:-

Crocus sieberi 'Firefly'. The original bulbs from Augie in 2010 when they flowered well but broke down to bulbils last year and just beginning to get their act back together again.

Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Maggi Young on January 31, 2013, 07:35:04 PM
How pleasant to see that here in the world of the Croconut it is still January and that all these flowers are giving pleasure.  ;)
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: David Nicholson on January 31, 2013, 07:37:36 PM
How pleasant to see that here in the world of the Croconut it is still January and that all these flowers are giving pleasure.  ;)

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Menai on January 31, 2013, 10:43:29 PM
My Crocus korolkovii have produced 9 flowers from 5 corms. Is this unusual? I bought 10 tiny corms in 2007 but lost 6 and the remaining 4 produced 2 flowers last year. so whatever I have done or not done since has obviously suited them. I built a bulb frame in the spring of 2011 which may have made the difference.
Frits and erythronium are showing here several weeks earlier than in the past.

Erle
Anglesey, mild but breezy, with heavy showers.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on February 01, 2013, 07:56:28 AM
One more:-

Crocus sieberi 'Firefly'. The original bulbs from Augie in 2010 when they flowered well but broke down to bulbils last year and just beginning to get their act back together again.

I think the early, warm spring of 2011 caused lots of bulbs to go into an early summer rest, David - the result was lots of small bulbs and bad flowering last season.  I had the very same experience.   Last year had a normal spring and growth season and the bulbs seem to have recovered - promising a much better flowering this season.  :D
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Janis Ruksans on February 01, 2013, 11:06:21 AM

Crocus biflorus ssp uncertain.  The label says ssp isauricus.  I am not convinved, maybe it is ssp nubigena ... the next-door label. :-\

Tony, this one looks quite strange for isauricus. I never saw isauricus with completely black anthers - only connective usually is black and even such don't dominate in populations. It more resembles nubigena, although my nubigenas generally has some black deep in throat. I'm giving pictures in two entries (all from earlier years. Here still is deep winter and frost. So all bulbs are sleeping.
Janis
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Janis Ruksans on February 01, 2013, 11:07:47 AM
Here nubigena's. KJGR - from Samos island, others from Lesbos island, only Bog most likely from Turkey.
Janis
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: I.S. on February 02, 2013, 06:23:22 PM
Tony,
Your C. nubigena looks to me like Göktepe form. With long anthers, short lobes and no dark brown spot in throath.
It is very nice to see that spring is just outsite of  door :)


Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: tonyg on February 02, 2013, 08:59:31 PM
Thank you to Janis and Ibrahim.  I will amend the label.
Title: Re: Crocus January
Post by: Janis Ruksans on February 11, 2013, 12:56:30 PM
My catalogue finally is ready. At present you can receive electronic copy by request to janis.bulb@hawk.lv
Janis
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