Galanthus 'Green Mile'

[Maggi Young]

Looks like griping to me - there are so many moans when plants are "too dear"   or "too small"  and here is a seller, a  decent young man who is selling a snowdrop to finance his studies who has dropped the price and stated clearly that the bulbs will not  yet be flowering size - and instead of being pleased, there are "gripes"  (some of which from GO may simply be professional envy ) - but all of which are  less than generous - and the point is that Ant. started this thread by asking " as a novice are non flowering and smaller size dormant  bulbs easier to grow and establish then a normal size dormant bulb? "  - and no-one  has bothered to answer him.

Now do you see why I see griping? 

[Brian Ellis]

...the point is that Ant. started this thread by asking " as a novice are non flowering and smaller size dormant  bulbs easier to grow and establish then a normal size dormant bulb? "  - and no-one  has bothered to answer him.

In that case I would suggest that, on the whole, they are just as easy to establish, however, it would be well to mollycoddle them a bit until they have built up to a decent flowering size.  Patience is a virtue, I have been supplied with very small chips that have taken three or four years to reach flowering size in the garden, so if I can do it anyone can

[Alan_b]

" as a novice are non flowering and smaller size dormant  bulbs easier to grow and establish then a normal size dormant bulb? "

I would say in my experience no, it tends to be the reverse.  Some small bulbs grow rapidly to full size but others seem to struggle to get there and remain small for years.  Since all my bulbs get much the same treatment this may well be my fault for not giving the smaller bulbs that extra care and attention.   But extra care and attention required = more difficult.

What I'm saying doesn't really differ from Brian's response; I'm just being a bit less attentive or more pessimistic. 

[johnw]

And a good shot of soluble potash before the leaves start to die would be worth consideration. 

[Anne Repnow]

I was one of the crazy people who bought a bulb - and yes I was mad to do so. (Did it first thing after receiving a diagnosis of cancer - the last shirt has no pockets and all that...  Galanthus-therapy...)
I have not regretted it, Green Mile has grown very well and flowered. It is not a small nivalis - the scape is about 13 cm long. And the flower - though only a single one - really stands out. The green seems to glow. It has (for the time being) definitely become my favourite snowdrop.

[Maggi Young]

Never underestimate the power of retail therapy, eh, Anne?  I am glad you are enjoying this 'drop - and I hope it also brings you luck.( green like a lucky clover!)

[Anne Repnow]

Thank you, Maggi! I do count myself lucky. Can you imagine how many times I pottered around the garden this winter, checking whether a green nose was showing in the soil? I had a great time.

[Alan_b]

It was a great time because the green nose did show in due course.  But it's a bad time when the eagerly-anticipated one fails to appear.  And, for me, an anxious time when it isn't clear which it will be.

[Rick Goodenough]

This G. 'Green Mile' is terrific and Anne, what a treat to see your lovely bloom, and your personal anecdote one we can all relate to on some level. Robin Callens must smile to see it popping up now in gardens like your own, Anne.  A treasure for a long time to come. Rick

[Leena]

It is not a small nivalis - the scape is about 13 cm long. And the flower - though only a single one - really stands out. The green seems to glow. It has (for the time being) definitely become my favourite snowdrop.

Really nice flower. Thanks for the information about the size, I was just thinking about how  pictures or snowdrops are usually close-ups, and it is difficult to know the real size of the flower and the plant.
What might be the biggest "green" snowdrop?

[Anne Repnow]

I have a feeling that it depends a lot on the soil, Leena. 'Cowhouse Green' is the tallest in my garden.

@ Alan: you are quite right. And I was worried because G.M. poked its nose out quite late. But I've never lost a snowdrop yet (touch wood) - otherwise I wouldn't have dared to buy it.

I heard about one person who tried twinscaling Green Mile and it didn't work very well. Could have been that particular bulb though.

[Leena]

Thank you Anne.

[Alan_b]

But I've never lost a snowdrop yet (touch wood)

Wow, Anne, that's some track record.  You should get a medal for that, or some other award.

[Anne Repnow]

Im still a baby-galanthophile, so it isn't saying much, Alan... And I only have about 100 varieties.

[Alan_b]

100/100 is a tremendous success rate.  I think we should all challenge you with our most difficult snowdrops.