Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
Bulbs => Galanthus => Topic started by: JacquelineJ on January 12, 2013, 07:07:46 PM
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Hello everyone,
I'm so glad I've found this group.
I'm quite new to collecting Snowdrops, although I've had a lifelong passion for them.
I've recently moved to the Cotswolds after spending many years (37) abroad. I now own a beautiful walled garden. Last March I planted around 1000 Galanthus Nivalis "in the green" and 5, shall we say specialty.... not that they were expensive ones. Lady Elphinstone, Hippolyta, Hill Poe, S. Arnott and Dionysus. This year I'm already in full snowdrop mode and I check the new growth appearing several times a day ::)
I'm about to buy my second lot of specialty snowdrops and have decided to concentrate on the yellows. Primrose Warburg, Wendy's Gold... can you recommend any other "must haves" in the yellow collection?
On my wish list, I covert Ispahan for it's rose fragrance even if you can't smell it but even better if you can. Does anyone own one?
South Hayes because it looks beautiful and distinctive. Ginn's imperati again for the fragrance.
I'm studying Snowdrops a Monograph to get up to speed and have booked my place at the Chelsea Physic Garden to paint the Snowdrops with botanical artist Gillian Barlow Feb 7th and also booked my place for a day with Val Bourne at Rodmarton on Feb 21st. Colesbourne is very close but I don't think there will be many 'drops' open this weekend so will leave it a bit longer. Painswick Rococo Garden is also not too far a distance.
Looking forward to getting to know you all and hopefully you can educate me in the finer points of Galanthrophilia.
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Hello Jacqueline and welcome to the forum- and to the SRGC!
Your garden sounds lovely- and there is lots of inspiration in the forum for other plants to make your whole garden year a delight.... :)
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Welcome Jacqueline! You'll find good company here! Galanthophiles galore....
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P Warburg is my favourite of the yellows though none of them really grow well here, on my third attempt with it though I do have 4 spikes this year, Madelaine is another nice one, Wendy's Gold always looks a little sickly to me. The prices of most put me off....
If you're ever in/near N Herts I'm always happy to show someone around.
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Richard thanks for your input about Wendy's Gold. I haven't actually seen one yet so it's good to know your opinion. I saw Madelaine for sale on ebay but haven't yet established whether that is a good place to buy. I need more experience which means lots of garden visiting next month... which can't be a bad thing!
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Welcome Jacqueline to the forum,Maggie has just up dated the galanthus events page,and the CGS event (the last one) would not be too far away from you,and am sure if you called ,you would still be able to get a ticket
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Thanks Chris, I had noticed that little rendezvous at the CGS Snowdrop Group and I'm planning on a hastily becoming a member and getting an invite :)
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And a welcome from me, Jacqueline. A must-have-but-can't-get yellow snowdrop is one called 'Elizabeth Harrison' http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/9087106/Mutant-snowdrop-sells-for-725.html (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/9087106/Mutant-snowdrop-sells-for-725.html) . It turns out this was bought by Thompson and Morgan http://www.thompson-morgan.com/worlds-highest-price-paid-for-snowdrop-bulb (http://www.thompson-morgan.com/worlds-highest-price-paid-for-snowdrop-bulb) so you'll just have to wait 10 to 15 years!
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I'll keep an eye out for that one Alan :P
I'm considering buying Walrus but I'm wondering if £50 is a resonable price or if I may find it for less. I'm finding there is a lot of variance in price depending on where you look..
It's so frustrating being a newbie as I don't yet have a handle on what is a reasonable price ... I know it's what you're prepared to pay but as I've just started my collection a year ago, I don't feel I have to have the recent find, most coveted. I'm making boundaries and my criteria is, firstly I have to love the look and secondly fragrance is important to me even if you can't really detect the scent ::)
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I'm very keen on fragrance in flowers too, Jacqueline - I do think it takes some warm sunny weather to get the scent from snowdrops and it's not often we get that in snowdrop season!
One snowdrop that has a really good fragrance is 'Ginn's Imperati' - just a lovely 'drop, not too hard to find.
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I'm considering buying Walrus but I'm wondering if £50 is a resonable price or if I may find it for less. I'm finding there is a lot of variance in price depending on where you look..
No, no, no! Walrus should be much less than this. Most of the time eBay is the most expensive place to buy snowdrops. I cannot imagine anywhere else where someone would have the nerve to price walrus at £50 - unless you are getting a sizeable clump for that.
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Thanks Alan, it wasn't from ebay but from a site that only sells dormant bulbs in August ;)
I'll hold off.
I really must get my enthusiasm in check!
I'm getting way too excited about finding my desired drops instead of waiting to get them at the right price.
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Hi Jacqueline
Welcome to the friendliest plant forum on the net. 8)
I agree with Alan - £50 for Walrus is far too much.
John
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If you can get to London, a visit to the RHS February Show at the RHS Halls on the 19th and 20th February is well worth it - if you are looking to buy, then make sure you go on the first day (Tuesday), as the Wednesday is usually quiet! Lots of nurseries there displaying and selling snowdrops. :)
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Hello Jacqueline
Welcome to the forum. Things are fairly quiet on here at the moment but in a few weeks you will see some beautiful photos of snowdrops that will really get your heart racing!
If you could get a fast train to London for the RHS it would be a very good place to start. The displays (and scent) as you enter the halls are breathtaking. You will get to meet members on this forum and get an idea of the real prices. Or the CGS as there will be great plants there too.
I have always had around a dozen varieties growing in my garden but started increasing my collection about 3-4 yrs ago. I started with all the Greatorex doubles, S. Arnott, Ginns' Imperati, Faringdon Double, Cedric's Prolific, Magnet, Viridapice, Straffan etc which make a good display very fast.
There are quite a few good sellers on eBay and some good deals can be found. There are also many to be avoided! The auctions go ridiculously high most of the time.
You could start this year by writing to the various snowdrop sellers asking to be put on their mailing list for next year. Avon Bulbs has an online catalogue now and their bulbs are of superior quality and will be delivered in the green this Feb-March.
Jennie
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Also meant to say, there is a good article on yellow snowdrops in this weeks Country Life magazine! It's by Mark Griffiths
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Me again...
Jacqueline...Avon Bulbs has Primrose Warburg and Spindlestone Surprise at a great price. I find Spindlestone Surprise multiplies much faster.
Jennie
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Avon Bulbs has an online catalogue now and their bulbs are of superior quality and will be delivered in the green this Feb-March.
Avon can also take your order to the RHS halls to be collected by hand. 8)
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Quite a few on Avons list are all ready sold out ???
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Quite a few on Avons list are all ready sold out ???
Such is life!
A very warm welcome from me too Jacqueline, enjoy the season and have a wow of a time at the CGS Snowdrop Day.
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Brian are you going to the harveys snowdrop day?
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Painswick Rococo Garden is also not too far a distance.
That is an interesting garden because it is stocked with the snowdrop formerly (and still popularly) known as 'atkinsii' but renamed 'James Backhouse'. This has a strong tendency to produce 'wrong' snowdrops with extra petals, sometimes in the wrong place. It's therefore am excellent place to hone your skills at spotting abnormal snowdrops, as well as having a beautiful massed snowdrop display.
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I also extend my welcome Jacqueline, as you have discovered it is a friendly place you have found.
I hope that we can extend your boundaries beyond Galanthus especially to other bulbs that will give you flowers when the drops have passed.
As a tease to all drop fiends I attach a couple of pictures from last year as they are not up yet here in Aberdeen.
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Brian are you going to the harveys snowdrop day?
All being well :) Look forward to seeing you there Davey?
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As a tease to all drop fiends I attach a couple of pictures from last year as they are not up yet here in Aberdeen.
Not out but pushing their way through here Ian, nice to see something complementing the snowdrops, as Charles Caleb Colton wrote 'Imitation is the sincerest [form] of flattery' ;D
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Not out but pushing their way through here Ian, nice to see something complementing the snowdrops, as Charles Caleb Colton wrote 'Imitation is the sincerest [form] of flattery' ;D
How I agree Brian, is it not the case that high among the most sought after Galanthus are those with the inner and outer petals of equal size that imitate the Leucojeums ;)
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How I agree Brian, is it not the case that high among the most sought after Galanthus are those with the inner and outer petals of equal size that imitate the Leucojeums ;)
Not only that Ian, but yellow or green on the outers too :D
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Thank you all for the warm welcome.
Ian, I'm sure you'll be able to prise me away from Galanthus as soon as the season is over. It seems so short and there is so much to do trying to pack in as many Shows and Gardens displays as possible, reading snowdrop lists and chatting to people to gain the knowledge ;D
I do also like tiny, brightly coloured Cyclamen but don't own anything out of the ordinary yet. I love Hellebores too.
Roses are my summer passion hence I won't be able to attend The RHS February Show :-\
I will be at David Austin rose pruning!! They have worked out a great scheme, we pay for the pruning course and after the class room session, we're let loose on their roses to hone our skills. So we pay them to do their pruning, quite business savvy :o
After planting around 25 roses in my walled garden, I think I'll get a lot out of how to train the roses to fan out on my walls, I also have Standard and bushes both modern and old roses.
I will however try to get to CGS if I'm accepted as a member and also a member of the Snowdrop Group in time for their event.
Ding Dong, I've found Avon Bulbs and understand it has a very good reputation. I have created a small list that I will be ordering very soon.
Will I be able to buy Snowdrops from the Chelsea Physic Garden?
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Welcome to the forum Jacqueline, always good to have new members :). The more members the more we can learn and discuss.
As said, Avon Bulbs sells great quality of snowdrops. It is worth to order snowdrops with them.
Also from Glenchantry, (Wol and Sue Staines), they sell very good quality also !!
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Hello Jacqueline welcome aboard!
I hope you enjoy the ride as this forum speeds up for the 2013 snowdrop season ;D
You will soon start to realise what a snowdrop should cost. Like Jenny I have bought off ebay & had some lovely snowdrops at a good price, however many auctions go way over what the bulb should sell for.
I have found it is a waiting game for the most sought after snowdrops & this keeps the juices flowing from one year to the next.
If I had had the finances & bought or bid for all the rarest snowdrops my heart desired when I first started this wonderful hobby without first gaining experience & learning their likes & dislikes I would have likely lost a fortune. Even now some snowdrops just will not grow for me & others romp away.
Send SAE for Angela Winfield's snowdrop list. http://www.snapecottagegarden.co.uk/snowdrops_for_sale.htm. (http://www.snapecottagegarden.co.uk/snowdrops_for_sale.htm.)
Her snowdrops are grown in the garden so are used to the rough & tumble of being in the garden.
Avon Bulbs & fellow forumist Ian Christie are excellent sources too.
Mike
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Will I be able to buy Snowdrops from the Chelsea Physic Garden?
I don't know about this year but in past years Joe Sharman (a well-known nurseryman with a snowdrop speciality) has supplied snowdrops to the Chelsea Physic Garden for sale.
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I don't know about this year but in past years Joe Sharman (a well-known nurseryman with a snowdrop speciality) has supplied snowdrops to the Chelsea Physic Garden for sale.
Try contacting Lynn Scrivener : lscrivenerATchelseaphysicgardenDOTcoDOTuk (changing the AT and DOTs as appropriate) - or telephone 020 7349 6472 -
she should be able to help.
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Joe is speaking at the CPG so hopefully he'll have a few treasures with him. I'm going to be there on the thursday 7th Feb painting Snowdrops with Gillian Barlow so all the best will surely be sold. Still there are plenty more opportunities ;D
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Okay, Jacqueline, time to introduce you to the dreadful sense of humour that abounds in the forum : ::)
I'm going to be there on the thursday 7th Feb painting Snowdrops with Gillian Barlow....
Sounds fun - what colours will you be painting 'em? I fancy some pink ones, personally! ;D ;)
I know, I know, it's terrible, :-[ but you'll read worse in time, I'm sure!!
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If they turn out half decent I may post the picture of the painting Maggie ;)
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If they turn out half decent I may post the picture of the painting Maggie ;)
But of course! We'd hope for nothing less!
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Welcome Jacqueline. I am also relatively new to snowdrops and the forumists here are so friendly and welcoming. If I want to know anything I just ask and someone is always at hand to give advice.
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A warm welcome from me too Jacqueline.
Just a quiet warning, snowdrops can be quite additive and should come with a health hazard as they can drive some to complete madness!
As others have said, I would stay away from eBay until you get a grasp of the real market values of the snowdrops on offer, it's all too easy to get drawn in on a bidding war and you end up paying way over the odds for a snowdrop.
There are a lot of good sellers out there, and even then you'll be surprised at how the price of the same varieties can vary quite significantly from seller to seller. Shop around and be patient. The newer a variety is, the more it will cost, but the price does come down over time!
Just wish I'd listen to my own advice sometimes ::) :'(
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Hello Jacqueline - and welcome to the forum. Sounds like you have a bad case of snowdrop fever, like the rest of us. I kid myself that mine is only a mild infection. ;D ;D ;D
You will find lots of advice on the forum, as well as so many pictures of desirable drops that however many you buy there will always be more you crave.( It is beginning to sound more like and addiction than a disease).
So here is some rather boring advice from another novice...
You will lose some snowdrops, even the experienced growers seem to occasionally lose varieties they have had for years. Probably most of the drops you lose will be when they are new, they will fail to establish properly. As you become more experienced you (hopefully) will lose less ;) I would recommend that you start with cheaper varieties, in general these aren't cheaper because they are inferior, it is just that they have lost the rarity premium and you usually get the bonus that they are proven by lots of growers. (they dont tend to be the fickle and difficult to please ones).C
Try to visit Colesbourne Park (or several different snowdrop gardens) at slightly different times during the season. Not all snowdrops flower at exactly the same time and you will probably want to try and purchase some of the earlier and later varieties too. As it is close to your new house the soil conditions should be quite similar and hopefully varieties that thrive there may also like your garden.
Try to see the drops you are interested in growing before you decide on whether you want to buy them or not, (sometimes they look quite different in photographs - I work on the principle I will accept any that are offered grow them for a couple of years and then make my mind up if they are ones I want to keep long term or am happy to donate/swap with other people). That isn't to say I don't have a wish list!
Finally use this forum as a reference book. Have you found Ian Young's bulblog yet? Despite his occasional teasing of galanthophiles it is highly recommended. I also enjoy John Grimshaw's blog........
Hope you enjoy all the events you have planned.
Chris
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Thanks for the advice Chris.
It's pretty much what I'm doing.
I have found the blogs and have also bought the "bible' but I'm looking forward to visiting the gardens and some events and seeing the different drops in the flesh. :D
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I kid myself that mine is only a mild infection.
denial is a powerful thing ;)
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ChrisD gave some good advice. One of the hardest lessons to learn about snowdrops is that they are far from immune to pests and diseases. It's not a bad idea to keep new acquisitions in quarantine, even when the come from the most reputable growers. If they come in pots perhaps keep them in the pot for a year. In the green, pot them up or plant them away from the bulk of your collection. There is some evidence that treating with Trichoderma hazarium helps to ward-off fungal diseases http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=6697.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=6697.0) .
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There is some evidence that treating with Trichoderma hazarium helps to ward-off fungal diseases http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=6697.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=6697.0) .
I still have my pot of Trichoderma unopened and Alan's post just jogged my memory. Is it too late to use it now and what was the dilution? I only have the small 10gm pot. Thanks
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Also meant to say, there is a good article on yellow snowdrops in this weeks Country Life magazine! It's by Mark Griffiths
I don't suppose anyone has a scan copy of this please?
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Jennie, I recently revisited the issue of Trichoderma availability here http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=6697.msg263138#msg263138 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=6697.msg263138#msg263138) . Perhaps if you contacted one of the suppliers they could tell you the shelf life? It's a good question. I'll try to find my information on the dilution you should use and post back.
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The advice I received from Anne Wright last year (who kindly gave me some) is 5ml per 'large watering can' (I assume this = 1gal.) This was for use on potted Narcissus. It's too early in the season to tell whether it has been effective in preventing Stag.
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Gerry, our watering cans are 2 gallons....... and not particularly large.....
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I don't suppose anyone has a copy of this please?
Not yet........
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Gerry, our watering cans are 2 gallons....... and not particularly large.....
Sorry, a senile typo. My can is also 2 gals.
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Jennie, I recently revisited the issue of Trichoderma availability here http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=6697.msg263138#msg263138 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=6697.msg263138#msg263138) . Perhaps if you contacted one of the suppliers they could tell you the shelf life? It's a good question. I'll try to find my information on the dilution you should use and post back.
The nice thing about these biological controls is that it is almost impossible to do the plants harm with them. My guess is that the preparation is spores so will probably not deteriorate too quickly with storage. (Think the fungal equivalent of seeds, yes some seeds are only viable for short periods, as are some spores, but the vast majority retain most of their viability over many years). I would use some now on the basis that it cant do any harm and then add a second dose during a warmer spell late Feb or early march.
The not so good aspect is that it will take us ages before we have an idea if this is an effective prevention/treatment.
Chris
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On the basis that spores are like seeds and you would not sow seeds in sub-zero temperatures, I would hold off with the Trichoderma at least until we have another warm spell.
My Canna Aktrivator says dissolve 1g per litre of water to treat 30 plants whereas my new Dragonfli Grow Boost says mix 5g with 8l of water to treat 7.5 m2. It also says apply outdoors from March
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Thanks Alan....I will wait. As I am always keen to try a new product I just looked up your Dragonfli Grow Boost and was impressed with the price £3.49 for a sachet to treat 40 litres of compost. Then I proceeded to pay for it and they want a whopping £4.99 to post it making it £8.49!! Surely the sachet cannot be that heavy. However, if it works well it would be cheap on the grand scale of things compared to the price of the snowdrops.
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I paid £4.95 for the sachet and £3 p&p, which is marginally less expensive in total http://www.harrodhorticultural.com/grow-boost-organic-plant-strengthener-pid8451.html (http://www.harrodhorticultural.com/grow-boost-organic-plant-strengthener-pid8451.html)
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Like you I am new to collecting Snowdrops and completely addicted. I started in 2009 and quickly purchased as many as I could. I thought finding and buying them was the tricky bit but having lost:- Gracillis, Sandersii, Green bush,Warei, Sharlockii, Ketton, Lady Elphinstone and Blonde Inge !!! I think the good advice here from Mike Mavers could have saved me a lot of money and disappointment.
I think your garden sounds lovely and hope we both develop our collections over the next few years with the help of all these lovely people here on the forum.
Bronwyn
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Hello Bronwyn !
A shame that you have lost those 'drops but at least you're learning and, you know what they say - a trouble shared is a trouble halved.... ;)
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Bronwyn no wonder you were disappointed, I take it personally when a new acquisition doesn't grow ;) & that 2nd winter after planting is always a nervous time when I start looking for things poking through.
Although it's no guarantee I still plant nivalis in new areas before introducing specials, and if the specials don't grow in certain places I resort to lattice pots, is useful here to establish certain plants where I want them.
If anyone wants single or doubles in the green to plant clumps in new ground I'm happy to supply them, all i would ask is the cost of postage if you can't collect, will be lifting a lot in the next 3- 4 weeks.
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Welcome Bronwyn.
I'm always nervous each year when you have just one bulb of something, and sometimes that is a very small bulb, I think everyone on here will admit to things disappearing never to be seen again. I am most sad when the bulb was a gift from kind gardening friends. I am most annoyed when I paid good money for it!
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Planting Nivalis first, what an interesting suggestion. Why does planting a new bulb in a lattice pot help it establish better? I read earlier postings about lattice pots. Would you keep a new single bulb in a lattice pot set in sand rather than planting it in the ground?
I am learning from you all already ! Many thanks for your help.
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Like you I am new to collecting Snowdrops and completely addicted. I started in 2009 and quickly purchased as many as I could. I thought finding and buying them was the tricky bit but having lost:- Gracillis, Sandersii, Green bush,Warei, Sharlockii, Ketton, Lady Elphinstone and Blonde Inge !!! I think the good advice here from Mike Mavers could have saved me a lot of money and disappointment.
I think your garden sounds lovely and hope we both develop our collections over the next few years with the help of all these lovely people here on the forum.
Bronwyn
Bronwen
You mentioned eight named varieties and I originally had trouble with every one (and a few more besides). Don't despair, but when/if you get replacements, plant them differently to the way you did the first time (another expensive mistake I made).
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Planting Nivalis first, what an interesting suggestion. Why does planting a new bulb in a lattice pot help it establish better? I read earlier postings about lattice pots. Would you keep a new single bulb in a lattice pot set in sand rather than planting it in the ground?
I am learning from you all already ! Many thanks for your help.
It works for me - I think mainly because it is using sterilised 'shop brought' soil - with added grit/sand - and a layer of grit around the bulb itself - just about the best you could do to pamper the new acquisition. And lattice pots are very free draining. :)
Like anything in a pot - it relies on you to look after it as nature alone will not be enough.
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Planting Nivalis first, what an interesting suggestion. Why does planting a new bulb in a lattice pot help it establish better? I read earlier postings about lattice pots. Would you keep a new single bulb in a lattice pot set in sand rather than planting it in the ground?
I am learning from you all already ! Many thanks for your help.
Hi Bronwyn - Welcome from another "newbie". The lattice pot idea has a few advantages, some people use them to try and minimise the damage from soil insects but some of us use them to make sure the bulbs are in the best possible soil. The soil here is a rather cold heavy clay and I lost a few varieties before switching to lattice pots. So now all my new drops go into lattice pots in a mixture of garden soil:coarse grit:leaf mould at roughly 1:1:1.
The pots are then placed in a hole so that their tops are level with the soil. I replant the lattice pots each year and the idea is that when I have too many for one of these small pots I will try some in the soil and keep the rest as insurance in the pots.
I dont give these "lattice pots in the ground" any extra attention - I think John (Kentgardener) may not plant his lattice pots in the soil?
I hope this helps
Chris
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Welcome Bronwyn!! :D
I must say that I'm feeling very fortunate after reading your post about losing your specials.
I planted Hill Poe, S. Arnott, Lady Elphinstone, Dionysus and Hippolyta last year and each one has appeared with a flower in sheaf. I plant mine straight into the ground but have inherited very good soil. My garden used to belong to the Church and was the walled vegetable garden so the soil has been well worked and cared for and enriched for many years.
Hope you can work out what you need to do, to have success next year with your 'drops.
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Hello Bronwyn! No Galanthus here, but just a quick hello from another Parrott :) I'm sure you will love this forum!
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Planting Nivalis first, what an interesting suggestion. Why does planting a new bulb in a lattice pot help it establish better? I read earlier postings about lattice pots. Would you keep a new single bulb in a lattice pot set in sand rather than planting it in the ground?
I am learning from you all already ! Many thanks for your help.
many of the drops I first collected went into a few beds that looked ideal, nice soil, shaded in summer, not too wet etc but nothing did well & although I only lost a few I decided they all had to come out, I then started using nivalis to plant new areas and if they thrived the specials went in a few years later, the original beds are now planted with bulbs in lattice pots with a good mix and doing fine.
I still plant some new specials straight into the ground in beds that have been successful but I wouldn't risk one again in a new area without using a lattice or trying with nivalis first, like Chris the soil here is cold heavy clay. Its not a fool proof system, I had to move Ketton several times before it finally settled down and is now clumping nicely but I think it helps reduce the risk of losing something new :)
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Jacqueline your garden sounds heavenly, I'm sure it brings you lots of pleasure.
Thank you all for the invaluable advice. I have just come from the garden center armed with grit, sand and trellis pots. A few snowdrops planted in September are showing but looking a bit feeble, should I dig them up and give them the same treatment?
Bronwyn
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Jacqueline - You mentioned earlier that you might purchase on eBay. Just be warned that some sellers are out to scam you. It is always a good idea to check on the forum about the seller in question before you take the plunge. And it will be worthwhile to check the threads on eBay over the past few years when you have a chance.
There are some very reputable sellers but I don't know their eBay names. And not sure by what name Beth Chatto Gardens goes but forumists seem to be pleased with the bulbs.
Unfortunately I must sit back and drool over the offerings.
johnw
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And not sure by what name Beth Chatto Gardens goes but forumists seem to be pleased with the bulbs.
Beth Chatto Gardens uses it's real name.