Crocuses in the Southern Hemisphere - 2009

[Paul T]

Howdy all,

I still haven't had a chance to look through the other Crocus topics in here as yet, but I want to start one for the 2009 season for us southerners.  Friends here in Canberra have had some Crocus out for a while now, but not me.  I Finally have some emerging now......

Click on the pic to see larger version.



Crocus pulchellus popped up out the ground over about 48 hours.  Since I took this photo on the 1st April there are now 4 other flowers that should be open tomorrow as well.  I just adore this flower, and it appears so quickly just when you think nothing is going to happen.



I think this one is a version of Crocus serotinus ssp salzmanii isn't it?  It is darker than the "normal" commercial form here, and my normal ones are not in any way above ground as yet so I can't compare them directly.  Timing should be about right though, and this one is in a better area than most of my Crocus, being a bit cooler and deeper soil (the Crocus garden is in much more sun and still would be a lot warmer, so they'll be coming along soon too I hope).

So that is hopefully the vanguard of the Crocus to come here in my garden.

Enjoy.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Makes a nice change to see your autumn crocus Paul ! 
How's your new bulbbed doing by the way ?  Full already ?? 

[Ragged Robin]

Crocus pulchellus popped up out the ground over about 48 hours.  Since I took this photo on the 1st April there are now 4 other flowers that should be open tomorrow as well.  I just adore this flower, and it appears so quickly just when you think nothing is going to happen.

This crocus is absolutely gorgeous, Paul, and I love that feeling of a flower appearing as you describe...this is just how i feel about things appearing after the long winter snow.  Do show us more of your new bulb bed - I have a raised one and would like to develop it with more bulbs....

[tonyg]

Paul - I can almost feel the autumn warmth .... still chilly here today.
Your pic of C serotinus might be C longiflorus.  The yellow in the throat points that way.

[mark smyth]

Chilly Tony? 17 here today 

[Paul T]

Luc,

The Crocus bed was full last year when I was posting the pics.  I couldn't fit anything more into it if I tried I think.    I haven't repotted much at all in there as yet (they're all in baskets, so I can "repot" them periodically) as I haven't had time.  Will have to wait and see how much I actually do this year.  I do need to do some fertilising though, and repotting each basket is a good way to do that and check on everything etc.  It will be interesting to see how the corms have improved in the year in the ground instead of in their plastic pots.

Robin,

I posted a topic last year called "Evolution of a Crocus Garden" which showed the development of the bed.  That at least shows my experiences with building it last year.  The few things I have repotted in there so far definitely seem to have benefited in corms size, but given the bed insulates the corms so much more that isn't surprising.  Hopefully I'll get LOTS more flowers this year as a result.  

Tony,

Interesting.  I would very much like to know for sure.  I'll have to check my previous pictures of longiflorus and see..... now that you mention it it is possible that I moved my few longiflorus from the garden into there, and they should be up about now from memory.  It would also explain why none of the other salzmanii have appeared while this one is in flower.  Could indeed be the answer.  Thanks.

[Maggi Young]

"Evolution of a Crocus Garden"    see here:


http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=1452.0

[Armin]

Hi Paul,

"spring blossom" just finishes in the NH and "autuum blossom" starts in the SH.
What a delight

[Otto Fauser]

Paul ,Tony ,as always , is right :your C. is longiflorus .
   in my garden this morning there are hundreds of C, banaticus and nudiflorus in bloom
the last one spreads very fast by stolons and looks delightful in a lawn , if only it would not have such a long ,weak flowering tube , blows over in rain and wind .
   Otto.

[Lesley Cox]

A few coming along here now, kotschyanus, k. harriaricus (?) white banaticus, vallicola and this first flower on nudiflorus. Just as I was about to take the picture, Teddy lay down on it but within minutes it had bounced back. You should grow it as I do Otto, among weeds which support it.







These vallicolas are from seed so are different clones. I've pollinated each one with each other one. There are still a few to come.

And Colchicum 'Waterlily.' I hate it but can't bring myself to throw it out.

[Ragged Robin]

"Evolution of a Crocus Garden"    see here:


http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=1452.0

Thanks for the link Maggi I spent some time looking for it yesterday and got side tracked into other posts as always!

[tonyg]

A few coming along here now, kotschyanus, k. harriaricus (?)

Hope to see a picture of ssp hakkariensis which I do not grow.

[Paul T]

Lesley,

I love that creamy colour of the vallicola, and the little points of course.  How obvious are the points in real life?  I've only seen them in pictures so I don't know whether they show up much when viewing via the eyes rather than the camera lens?

[Lesley Cox]

The points are just like in the picture Paul, really pronounced. If the flowers were made of porcelain, the points would pierce one's finger tip if they were touched.

I'll try a pic of the k. ssp hakkariensis. I didn't a couple of days ago because it was looking tired already but there may be a new one. Very hot weather and very dry here at present. Last day today, of daylight saving.

[Paul T]

Thanks for the info Lesley.  Very cool.  I like that off white colour to it as well.