Crocus October 2009

[Armin]

Janis,
the blue forms of C. niveus and C. kotschyanus ssp. kotschyanus from Hatay province are superb.

In my garden C. kotschyanus ssp. kotschyanus HKEP9027 opened whitish during a short time of sunshine last Friday.
Today flower was closed due to a dull day. Overall color has changed to a fine rose`

In the second picture the hairy throat can be seen. Actually I was a bit surprised about my tiny camera, a Canon IXUS 80IS, to get the hairs focused.

[Paul T]

I have got to find a source here in Aus of the blue form of niveus (or else track down seed to try it).  I think of the Crocus I grow, niveus is the favourite shape to it, but the blues (be they all blue or bicolor) as shown here are just so beautiful.

Mark, that striped speciosus is striking. 

So many other glorious pics here from everyone.  Thanks.

[tonyg]

Flowering today - 2 forms of Crocus gilanicus ... at least that is what the labels say.

The first is seed raised from an old collection (?1970's) while the lovely lilac form is a recent gift from a friend who I assume has others from the same source but none this colour.  I have never knowingly seen Crocus autranii 'in the flesh' but from recent postings here I am wondering if the lilac plant is in fact Crocus autranii.  I'd be interested in Janis opinion and anyone else who has grown both. 

[Graeme Strachan]

Hello - I'm new to growing autumn crocus and am enjoying the results even though what has grown was not what I had bought. I purchased Speciosus albus but the lack of the colour white indicates to me that they are not exactly the crocus I had ordered. Would I be correct in saying that they are Crocus Pulchellus? The photos were taken today  - they survived the high winds we had here yesterday.

             Thanks

                Graeme

[Janis Ruksans]

Janis, your Crocus niveus blue form appears to have more colour than mine? It may be a pigment of my imagination, or perhaps the light, my camera or how long the flowers have been open. Do they vary?

Niveus color is variable in nature. This one was the single plant with so deep blue shade which I collected S of Monemvasia in Pelloponess.
Janis

[Janis Ruksans]

Flowering today - 2 forms of Crocus gilanicus ... at least that is what the labels say.

The first is seed raised from an old collection (?1970's) while the lovely lilac form is a recent gift from a friend who I assume has others from the same source but none this colour.  I have never knowingly seen Crocus autranii 'in the flesh' but from recent postings here I am wondering if the lilac plant is in fact Crocus autranii.  I'd be interested in Janis opinion and anyone else who has grown both. 

The first looks as true gilanicus and the second is autranii, although could be hybrid with gilanicus, F-1 hybrids are very similar to autranii only slightly bluer in shade, but this one looks typically deep lilac as it must be with pure autranii. I wait blooming of F-2 to see the variability of splitting.
Janis

[I.S.]

Hello - I'm new to growing autumn crocus and am enjoying the results even though what has grown was not what I had bought. I purchased Speciosus albus but the lack of the colour white indicates to me that they are not exactly the crocus I had ordered. Would I be correct in saying that they are Crocus Pulchellus? The photos were taken today  - they survived the high winds we had here yesterday.

             Thanks

                Graeme

Graeme this does not looks like a clear pulchellus to me. It looks more like C. pulchellus x speciosus !
But a very nice form.

[Janis Ruksans]

Hello - I'm new to growing autumn crocus and am enjoying the results even though what has grown was not what I had bought. I purchased Speciosus albus but the lack of the colour white indicates to me that they are not exactly the crocus I had ordered. Would I be correct in saying that they are Crocus Pulchellus? The photos were taken today  - they survived the high winds we had here yesterday.

             Thanks

                Graeme

I agree with Ibrahim that those more looks as hybrids between both.
Janis

[Thomas Huber]

Mark - Here is a close up of our "Whitewell Purple", it may not be typical as it was forced and the light was low.

johnw

Looks correct to me, John.

When exactly and in which area will you be in Germany next May?

[tonyg]

Flowering today - 2 forms of Crocus gilanicus ... at least that is what the labels say.
I'd be interested in Janis opinion and anyone else who has grown both. 

The first looks as true gilanicus and the second is autranii, although could be hybrid with gilanicus, F-1 hybrids are very similar to autranii only slightly bluer in shade, but this one looks typically deep lilac as it must be with pure autranii. I wait blooming of F-2 to see the variability of splitting.
Janis

Thank you Janis.  I have selfed the one flower of supposed autranii and hope for seed. 
Hubi - if it sets seed half will be on its way to Neustadt!

[jnovis]

Help please,can someone identify these 3 crocus?
1.seed collected in Peloponnese from Bi-florus melantherus site,obviously not correct, pity as I need it.
2.seed received as Serotinus salzmannii
3.possibly cancellatus mazziaricus

[Janis Ruksans]

Between clouds came some sun. I closed windows and doors in greenhouse to rise up temperature and to force flower opening. By first picture you can judge about amount of water falling from sky during 2 days of my absence in nursery. Second shows one bed of Crocus pots - in front are those which need some moisture - kotschyanus, speciosus, pulchellus. At far end blooms those which need dry summer - cancellatus, pallasii, thomasii, asumaniae etc. And the third is traditional blue form of Crocus niveus. More pictures later.
Janis

[tonyg]

Help please,can someone identify these 3 crocus?
1.seed collected in Peloponnese from Bi-florus melantherus site,obviously not correct, pity as I need it.
2.seed received as Serotinus salzmannii
3.possibly cancellatus mazziaricus

All the flowers look like Crocus niveus.
The first 2 corms could easily be niveus.
The final corm is certainly cancellatus if autumn flowering - location probably your best guide to which ssp.

[David Nicholson]

Janis, are you able to say when your new book will be published please?

[Janis Ruksans]

Help please,can someone identify these 3 crocus?
1.seed collected in Peloponnese from Bi-florus melantherus site,obviously not correct, pity as I need it.
2.seed received as Serotinus salzmannii
3.possibly cancellatus mazziaricus

All the flowers look like Crocus niveus.
The first 2 corms could easily be niveus.
The final corm is certainly cancellatus if autumn flowering - location probably your best guide to which ssp.

I agree.
Janis