Galanthus February 2008

[Alan_b]

I met Joe Sharman at the RHS show today.  He asked me to mention on the forum that in his opinion, the plant currently being sold as 'Trym' on ebay is not the true item.  Two years ago I visted a garden where there were a lot of Trym 'seedlings' so I know it must set seed quite readily and give rise to plants with the same basic characteristics but some differences.  I could see nothing wrong with the seedlings per se, in fact I did not get to see the true Trym because that was not yet in flower when the seedlings were out.  But I guess a general hazard of buying on ebay is that the provenance of your plants may be uncertain.                     

[ian mcenery]

The fisrt is a new one just acquired and the second an old friend of more than 30 years. This plant I bought as Mighty Atom and has been identified as both this and Litttle Ben by the cogniscenti. Any opinions??  The tepals are up to 4cm long on this group. The smallest galanthus plant I have with the biggest flowers

[Martin Baxendale]

Ian, could you take a close-up of a single flower to show the mark (and the whole of the mark)? It's all to do with the subtleties of the mark with some of these 'Atom' types. 

[Martin Baxendale]

Also, where you obtained 'Mighty Atom' would help. As Chris said in this or another thread, the provenance of a snowdrop can help imeasurably with ID.

Initially, I'd say that Little Ben wasn't widely grown 30 years ago. In fact, 30 years ago I think virtually the only person who might have had it is Michael Myers. Mighty Atom, on the other hand, was quite widely grown 30 years ago. On balance, unless you got your bulb(s) from Michael Myers, I'd say the chances are you have Mighty Atom.

But a close-up of the whole of the inner mark would help with the ID.

[ian mcenery]

Martin here is my best effort by enlarging the current photo but it may not show the subtlety of the mark which fades rather than has has lineated finish if this is not good enough I will try to take a new photo tomorrow I dont think

CG Hollett of Sedbergh sadly no longer in business

[KentGardener]

Hi All

Anthony - loving the shape of 'Castlegreen', and the colour of the ovary on lagodechianus.

Thanks for posting.

John

[KentGardener]

Hi All

I found this plant in the last few weeks and wonder if it is unusual, or a common deformity in Galanthus populations.  I found it really interesting because I like 'spikies' and looking at this one it is possible to see how a spikey develops.  This plant seems to be midway between a normal double and a spikey.  It is a double nivalis but has 4 petal type 'spikes' growing from the base of the pedical where the spathe should be.

I know it won't be to everyones taste - but I wonder what you think of this little oddity? Will it do the same next year I wonder?...

John

[Martin Baxendale]

Very wierd, John! I don't grow any spikies so can't comment on how unusual it is or if it'll stay constant.

[mark smyth]

I've had dealings with him via his web site. His plants arent up to much but ... bad news travels faster than good. All snowdrops that I've bought from him were like first year twinscales. His Iris were pathetic. I'm sure someone has a good word. Please step forward

Rob you have to be so careful on Ebay. There are only about 5 people on there that I know either in person or email. Save your £s and buy the book

[mark smyth]

I need a catchy title for a lecture next year. The lecture will be on the newest cultivars that have yet to reach the general public. I would like the word future in the title. I can only come up with 'What the Future Holds'

[Gerard Oud]

Nothing is going to beat snowdrops, The year of the snowdrop has started, No cure for White fever, These snowdrops are the coming hits for..., White fever is going to conquer the world with new varieties, These are the snowdrops for the next century, Snowdrops with the Xfactor? etc etc

[David Nicholson]

Handrails to the future not shackles to the past?

or

I can't remember who used to sing it but do know the song that goes 'Liittle Boxes, little boxes, and they're all made out of ticky tacky, and they all look just the same'  so you could use '.........and they all look just the same' 

[KentGardener]

they all look just the same' 

tut tut!

John

[Maggi Young]

I need a catchy title for a lecture next year

The future's bright, the future's not orange ......?

[Paddy Tobin]

Mark,

Perhaps, 'More of the Same'?

Paddy