Crocus in pots February 2010

[Maggi Young]

Here is Ashley's flower... the image brightened a little to show the colour variation which is indeed visible ......Janis' eyes are VERY sharp!

But is it virus ? I do hope not!

[Janis Ruksans]

Here is Ahshley's flower... the image brightened a little to show the colour variation which is indeed visible ......Janis' eyes are VERY sharp!

But is it virus ? I do hope not!
(Attachment Link)

Pity, but it is. Your brightening confirmed this. In healthy plant feathered edge is very regular and straight. Look on deeper and wider white break at edge of dark zone near top (something lower). It is too wide and too deep, at its edge (top on picture) is small dark blotch. Median dark stripe don't narrow at top.

Janis

[Maggi Young]

Oh dear! What a pity, indeed.

[K-D Keller]

The first surprise 2010
Only one flower in my garden Crocus biflorus ssp. pulchricolor in a frame protected with Plexiglas.  The first Crocus every year C. abantensis and C. baytopiorum are still waiting.
The rest of the Garden is snow snow snow. 

K-D

[Tony Willis]

Some more of mine in flower today

Crocus angustifolius
Crocus graveolens
Crocus veluchensis
Crocus biflorus ssp pulchricolor two forms
Crocus biflorus ssp pulchricolor crossed with Crocus chrysanthus two forms

[Gerry Webster]

Here is Ahshley's flower... the image brightened a little to show the colour variation which is indeed visible ......Janis' eyes are VERY sharp!

But is it virus ? I do hope not!
(Attachment Link)

Pity, but it is. Your brightening confirmed this. In healthy plant feathered edge is very regular and straight. Look on deeper and wider white break at edge of dark zone near top (something lower). It is too wide and too deep, at its edge (top on picture) is small dark blotch. Median dark stripe don't narrow at top.
Janis

I'm certainly no expert on virus in crocus & I'm happy to acknowledge that Janis has more experience with crocus than I do. Nevertheless, the virus infection on Ashley's plant is not self-evident (Maggi seemed doubtful) & before accepting Janis' diagnosis as definite I would like to see a comparison between Ashley's plant & a virus-free plant. Normal scientific practice would seem to require this.

[Armin]

Janis,
according to your last predication I have to assume Thomas "Eyecatcher" are virused too?

[Guff]

Ashley, hope you don't mind. I resized for a closer look.

[Armin]

Tony,
great collection of croci. Like them all.
The dark form of C. pulchricolor (will be renamed to own specis I think) are beautiful.
And - you had obvious some sunshine! 

[Janis Ruksans]

Janis,
according to your last predication I have to assume Thomas "Eyecatcher" are virused too?

My eyes don't show symptoms on EYECATCHER of Thomas.
Janis

[Boyed]

I am not bad in identifying virused plants as well and have very serious attitude to this matters.

No doubt, that Thomas' 2 plants, which Maggi cut out in a separate picture to show details, are certainly infected with rattle virus. But I don't see any background for virus infection in Ahshleys sample. It looks quite normal and healthy (the shape of a white egde can vary from plants to plant and it is not necessary that all samples within the variety were precisely uniform in appearance).

Janis' comments about virus on this plant sounds rather intriguing for me. So would be pleased to see a comparison picture of healthy and infected one, if possible, to make sure about the infection.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Beautiful series Tony !
Lovely feathered angustifolius !!

[ashley]

Thanks everyone for this very useful discussion.  I'll take some more photos at the weekend to show the throat colour. 

Because of the debate about infection I will separate it & see what happens next year.  Unfortunately last year I grew this one beside another from a 'reputable commercial source' that proved heavily infected        

[art600]

I now have two flowers in my pot of Crocus michelsonii.  The second flower has a very blue throat - not unlike mathewii.

Apologies for the poor quality of the last 2 photos

[Sinchets]

Not quite in a pot- but in a holding bed as it is new to us:
Crocus sieberi atticus 'Stunner'