Stagonospora infection - collected threads

[Alan_b]

Very nice pictures, Jane.  You are getting a better depth of field than I seem to manage.  Please post some more.

[Brian Ellis]

and a good mark on your South Hayes, mine is just poking it's nose through the ground!  Welcome to madness corner Jane!

[Maggi Young]

A warm welcome to you Jane! I take it you are somewhere in England?
How nice to have a lovely flower as a treat for the birth of your daughter!

[Jane]

Hello all, thank you for the nice welcome. I'm based in Cheshire and started my garden from scratch about 6 years ago. My soil is very poor in areas and there is sandstone sometimes within cm's of the surface, so bone dry in the summer and just the right amount of water in the winter. I think thats why my snowdrops are doning so well.
Maggie I have a no bunch of flower rule in the house. For the cost of a bunch of flowers I can get some really nice plants that will last alot longer.
Heres Trumps who has only just flowered for the first time, Spindlestone Surprise and Ding Dong.
They seem to be coming out at very strange times this year. My autumn flowering Snowdrops are only just coming up, and theres no sign of John Gray.

[Maggi Young]

I have a no bunch of flower rule in the house. For the cost of a bunch of flowers I can get some really nice plants that will last alot longer.

Very sensible, can't argue with that as a rule...... BUT, I must say that I have personally been greatly touched by the arrival of cut flowers through the post lately and was really moved by the sentiment, sent from afar, mind you, I've had plants recently that way ,too a sa surprise...... what a treat!

[Anthony Darby]

Wow Jane! Talk about making an entrance!

[Paddy Tobin]

Great to have you with us on the forum, Jane and I must echo Anthony's sentiments - this has been a particularly impressive entrance. Although you have been collecting snowdrops for only four years you have certainly obtained some of the very good cultivars. Lovely plants.

Looking forward to further postings.

Paddy

[johngennard]

I have'nt posted any pictures in this thread previously and I do so purely to illustrate my mulching regime which is annually and always with COMPOSTED BARK.(Sorry about the capitals)I do'nt think it makes any difference as to when the mulch is applied having applied it at all stages of growth over the years.

[Martin Baxendale]

A nice seedling flowering in the garden today. One I raised about 3 years ago and chipped to make a small clump. A plicatus X gracilis cross. I'll take another pic when the flowers are more open and the nice mark showing. But nice smooth white outers.

[Martin Baxendale]

And another seedling (also plicatus X gracilis). Not a great pic. I'll pick some flowers to take photos indoors. Too busy pollinating all day in the sun.

[Martin Baxendale]

And another (again plicatus X gracilis). All these flowers just started to open today so are not fully developed. The flowers should expand and the outers lengthen and lift up more as the flowers age. All inherit the very bright white, thick petals and smooth petal texture from gracilis.

[Martin Baxendale]

Bertram Anderson is one that doesn't usually flop over in the mud, despite the wind, rain, snow and low light levels. It has a good strong flower stem. One of the few snowdrops in my garden that still looks good in this poor weather.

[Brian Ellis]

John you are quite right the composted bark sets them off a treat.

I particularly like you last plicatus X gracilis cross Martin, and don't these crosses with the thick outers look beautifully clean.

[Anthony Darby]

Is your cross really that creamy Martin?

[Martin Baxendale]

Is your cross really that creamy Martin?

I'll have a look tomorrow, Anthony, but I think it's just the evening light making it look  a little cream tinted.

Here's one of my best older seedlings from a few years ago. I must chip it to bulk it up. Trouble is when I chip a seedling I don't see it flower for 3 years!

I need to do loads of chipping this year. Lots that need revitalising and seedlings that need to be bulked up.