Tien Shan... advice for travellers?

[Maggi Young]

Hello

 My wife and I are to visit Tien Shan in Kazakhstan in July/August. It is primarily a bird-watching trip, but my wife in particular is a very keen botanist. I was told today by another friend that you may have information about the flowers and plants to be found there, or might perhaps be able to advise us on any relevant (English language) field guide. We would be very grateful for any advice you might be able to give.
Yours sincerely
Mike and Margaret Betts
Edinburgh

Hello, Forumists, I have received this message from some folks who, as you see, are off to the Tien Shan... can anyone make helpful suggestions for them, please?

[mark smyth]

These people should know http://www.greentours.co.uk/holidays/TIENSHAN.asp

[DaveM]

Maggi - I went to the Kyrgystan end of the Tien Shan a few years ago in late June-July and have a plant list we made, probably hidden somewhere in the depths of my pc as an Excel file. If that would be useful please pass on my email address and I will send them a copy.
Dave

[Dave M]

Looks like Im off to the Tien Shan in June. Although Im meeting up with a local botanist (who speaks little English) any suggestions for floras or field guides (if they exist) would be much appreciated.

[Lawrence]

It's a hard life Dave but I suppose someone has to do it😜. Are you taking subscriptions for seed😉

[Dave M]

It's a hard life Dave but I suppose someone has to do it😜. Are you taking subscriptions for seed😉

Just seeing how things are growing in the wild to see if I can get any tips on how I can increase chances of competing in the intermediate class next spring!

[ian mcdonald]

There are some articles on Tien Shan in the AGS bulletins.

[Maggi Young]

Dave: This article by  Vojtech Holubec on the Tien Shan,  in SRGC journal The Rock Garden #111   'The Celestial Mountains' will be of interest I am sure  - this journal is online and free for all to read, of course .... http://files.srgc.net/journals/vol_1%20to_113/111.pdf         


 .... as is this issue of the International Rock Gardener (IRG)   for an article by Joan and Liam McCaughey....
 www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2011Mar251301088655IRG15_March_2011.pdf   

[Dave M]

Thanks for the info everyone. I'm sure if we find stuff I can't ID in the field someone here will know!

[Maggi Young]

 Suggest you contact Dave Millward, (Dr Rock)- the "other" DaveM,  Dave - he offered a list of plants all those years ago....

[FrazerHenderson]

I recommend a review of Professor Wolf's flicker site .https://www.flickr.com/photos/26593629@N07/sets/72157655916708041/


Also, just published www.fao.org/europe/news/detail-news/en/c/369982
. Click on the atlas which provides free download - it is not comprehensive but it provides a reasonable basis.

Greentours produce good lists as do Ecotours http://ecotour.kg/botanical_trip_in_Kyrgyzstan

Norrlinia (Luomis) produces an annotated plant checklist in Russian (with locations) - it is available form NHBS.

I'd be tempted to contact NHBS to locate appropriate guides - it's what they do!  http://www.nhbs.com