Western Crete - for autumn flowers

[Gerdk]

Here are some impressions from a trip to Crete from the second half of October. In the beginning it was still hot and dry and the autumnal rains didn't reach this part of the Island. It was not until 3 days before we left that there were some strong rainfall and decreasing temperatures. We were told that the onset of this change was  later than usual. Nevertheless there was sufficient moisture in elevated areas and inside the gorges to let some species bloom. Also it seems that some species - Cyclamen, Prospero and  Sternbergia for instance - did not need water and (or) a drop in temperatures for a start.

[Maggi Young]

Only a plantsman could be concerned that there were hot temperatures and too little early rain in their holiday destination , Gerd!! 
Wonderful old trees.

[Gerdk]

Only a plantsman could be concerned that there were hot temperatures and too little early rain in their holiday destination , Gerd!! 
Wonderful old trees.

Yes, indeed we met a couple from Wales and I told them that I was waiting for rain. They were amazed and told me that they hoped so much for continuity of the sunny conditions.
Thanks god there are a lot of forumists here which share my taste for unusual weather conditions during holidays.

Gerd

[Gerdk]

Part 2

1. Waterfall at Argiroupolis - on the route to Gipari Gorge
2. Inside the Gipari Gorge
3. Sternbergia - Gipari Gorge - impossible to associate with lutea, sicula or greuteriana
4. Sternbergia lutea - from Afrata - probably escaped
5. Sternbergia in Polirrinia - the first we met - according an English lady acquired in the UK - not collected in Crete!

to be continued

[Gerdk]

Part 3

1. - 4. Cyclamen graecum Rodopou Peninsula - leaves were absent in most occasions
5. Prospero autumnale (Scilla autumnalis)

to be continued

[Gerdk]

Part 4

1. Ranunculus bullatus
2. Colchicum cretense - Omalos Plateau
3. Crocus laevigatus - on the road to Omalos
4. + 5. Narcissus miniatus/obsoletus Gipari Gorge

to be continued

[Tony Willis]

Gerd

glad you had a good time and saw some flowers. i collected a seed pod from a cyclamen on the Rhodopou peninsular some years ago. Not very exciting leaves but lovely flowers so perhaps you got it at it's best time.

[Gerdk]

Tony,
Despite it was more or less bonedry during the time we were there we admired masses of Cyclamen graecum
on the way from Afrata to Rodopos.

Gerd

[Gerdk]

Part 5

1. Erica manipulifera
2. Omalos Plateau
3. unknown Asteraceae - perhaps Taraxacum gymnanthum - from a distance it looks like the sought-after Sternbergia
4. Entrance of the Samaria Gorge - from Omalos
5. Chania - sight from the Venetian Harbour

to be continued

[Gerdk]

and the end


1. the arrival of the first rains
2. - 4.  last greetings from summer

Gerd

[Julia]

Lovely pictures thank you for showing them

[Gerdk]

Julia,
Thank you - it was my pleasure to show them.

Gerd

[ian mcenery]

Gerd thank you for sharing your trip with us . You have certainly whetted my appetite to  return to western Crete

[David Nicholson]

Lovely set of pictures Gerd

[Maggi Young]

I know from the messages I receive, Gerd, that it is not only "stay-at-homes" like me who love these threads - we all  thank you!