Flowering now April 2007

[Anthony Darby]

Cypripedium nose count is still rising, but as I have had most of these plants for several years, 10 noses (shoots) could equal one plant? The first that will open will be Cypripedium 'Sabine', which cost me 3 quid as a seedling before the hybrid had even been registered. It has seven flowering stems this year.

This morning I had to take a couple of cameras to Glasgow for repair and decided to dash on up to the Kibble Palace for the Orchid show (I had to collect an Ophrys insectifera plant from Ratcliff Orchids). Was just about to buy a parking ticket on the Great Western Road, when two kind gentlemen gave me theirs, saying that an hour wasn't long enough for them. I then had a nice chat about orchids with them (one being Bill Torrance). Bumped into Jeff Hutchings too.

[Jozef Lemmens]

Derek, I suppose it must be possible to grow Alkanna aucheriana outside. I have one in a trough for about 10 years from an Archibald collection. This trough is covered with a sheet of plexiglass in winter. Last December this sheet was broken during a storm and I thought my plant was dead. But about two weeks ago new green shoots appeared.  I damaged some branches today when removing death leaves.
It will look much better and compacter when grown outside than in your alpine house.

Jozef

[Joakim B]

Adarby with time and skill cyps do not thave to be expensive.
I am looking forward to see lots of cyps and other orchids
Especially of cyps since most of mine are still to small to bloom.
Are You going to have the orphys outside or in alpine house or under glass?

Maggi the tread apeared after my sugestion/hope of more orchids to be shown.
So, it did, Joakim! Sorry! M/color]


Kind regards
Joakim

[Anthony Darby]

Not so nice today, but still warm enough for the tortoises (Rocky and Pebl) to investigate their new outdoor 'run' (ex sand pit). Here's three that are blooming today. Fritillaria imperialis (aka "בпו!Ь" in cyrillic); Meconopsis x Cookei 'Old Rose' and Ophrys insectifera.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Great pix Anthony - That Frit is impressive !!!

[Lvandelft]

Mark
a picture of the whole plant would be useful,
but probably your double Ranunculus could be
Ran. repens var. pleniflora
Luit

[mark smyth]

hello Luit good to see that my Ranunculus tempted you out in to the forums. It is a small plants and what you see is the whole plant. No basal leaves. Here is is again

[Anthony Darby]

Here's a few more from today: Asarum sp.; Oxalis pes-caprae (Bermuda Buttercup, but introduced to the Med over 200 years ago); Ophrys sicula and Cypripedium 'Sabine' rotated to even up the flowers, which should be out in a day or two.

[illingworth]

The wonderful pictures on this thread make us even more anxious for spring. Our spring is late this year but the snow is now almost gone. First flower today posted below; Ranunculus kochii.

[mark smyth]

now then if only my R. kochii looked like that. It was all leaf and small flowers

[ranunculus]

Beautiful images folks....many thanks from sunny Whitworth.

Makes you want to stroke the stem of that Meconopsis x Cookei .... but hands off please!

Oh for a R. kochii as good over here in the U.K.

[ranunculus]

Several images taken at Easter of the massed plantings of daffodils at Trentham Gardens (near Stoke-on-Trent) in aid of the Marie Curie Cancer Research campaign.... and photographic evidence of the recent whereabouts of our beloved bulb despot. He has been returned under plain brown wrapper Maggie.

[Paul T]

Beautiful everyone!!  Beautiful!!  Thanks everyone for taking the time to post.

Anthony... those Ophrys (the dark one in particular) are amazing.  No idea whether they're grown here in Aus or not, but must one day go looking to find out whether they are.  I don't think I've seen a "bad" pic of them yet.  So striking.  The Meconopsis is damn impressive as well!! 

[Paddy Tobin]

There has been a stream of the most fabulous photographs posted over the last couple of days; really enjoyed them; many thanks to all the posters.

Rob & Sharon, if asked to choose one plant, it would be your Ranunculus kochii, a real beauty, loved it.

With apologies to Luc, Maggi and Cliff, I said I would take a photograph of the foiliage of Ranunculus millefoliatus for your attention, so it is posted below.

Also just into flower is Ranunculus gramineus.


Paddy

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Better late than never Paddy - and no appologies needed 
It definitely is the same plant.  I had already come to that conclusion after the "Oracle" (Ranunculus) had spoken 
Thanks again
Luc