Stagonospora infection - collected threads

[GoodGrief]

Malcolm, if there is ANY bulb material left I would try to give it a clean and keep it in vermiculite

The only bit of white was the grub, the rest was brown and mushy.

As dead as a Norwegian Blue. It's now pushing up daisies!!

[Maggi Young]

Oh dear.... or perhaps I should say Good Grief! Sorry for your loss.

[Alan_b]

I've been to so many gardens where people say "I dont have them" or "I've never seen one" and within minutes I see them

But that's always the way of things, isn't it Mark?  Once you're "attuned" to a particular problem, a pest or disease, then it becomes easy to spot, but until then it can be very difficult.  A similar skill is involved in looking at a mass of "ordinary" snowdrops and picking-out the unusual ones.

[Maggi Young]

Since I first heard of Martin Baxendale patrolling his garden with a tennis racquet to swat the narcissus fly, I can't see anyone walking with one  (to the nearby tennis courts)  without  thinking first that they must be bulb growers 

[mark smyth]

Very true Alan. When I was in Northumberland in 2006 I couldnt see any yellows until they were pointed out but I soon got my eyed tuned in to yellow. Soon pocs were popping up all over the place

[johnw]

Are snowdrop bulbs too small to survive the hot water treatment meted out to daffodils?

I hope Galanthophiles did not miss this very relevant point made by Alanb.  Coincidentally after this point was made I was googling stag and one hit clearly stated immersing 2 hours at 110-114F for large Hippeastrums.  Then noted for smaller bulbs (like Galanthus?) maybe a half hour. Another site recommended to first immerse Hipps at 75F to warm them up, then the 2 hr. bath at 110-114F, followed by quick immersion in cold water to cool the bulbs off.

The book suggests repotting in sand and grit as I recall.

I wonder who has successfully done the immersion treatment with Galanthus and the protocol they followed?  We are not keen on cooking any.

johnw

[Alan_b]

Steve
Do you wait until the plant has finished flowering before you replant in the lattice pot, or is it a rolling programme?

I know this question wasn't addressed to me but I think any snowdrop showing signs of ill health should be dug up and inspected immediately.  Even a snowdrop that is doing less well than it did last year might be included in that category.  I strongly suspect that once the weather warms up a bit the snowdrop pathogens will out-perform the snowdrop and kill it, whereas in colder weather the snowdrop may be able to outperform the pathogen and you might be able to rescue it.

[Maggi Young]

Yes indeed, I'd extend that caution to most bulbs, Alan.  Better safe than sorry is not a bad motto.

[steve owen]

Steve
Do you wait until the plant has finished flowering before you replant in the lattice pot, or is it a rolling programme?

I know this question wasn't addressed to me but I think any snowdrop showing signs of ill health should be dug up and inspected immediately.  Even a snowdrop that is doing less well than it did last year might be included in that category.  I strongly suspect that once the weather warms up a bit the snowdrop pathogens will out-perform the snowdrop and kill it, whereas in colder weather the snowdrop may be able to outperform the pathogen and you might be able to rescue it.

Mine is a rolling programme based on exactly the category of bulbs Alan describes. When I get the bulbs out the damage is usually more severe than the foliage would lead one to suspect.

[art600]

Steve

Does this mean that your healthy bulbs will not be put into lattice pots until they are dormant?

[Alan_b]

... I strongly suspect that once the weather warms up a bit the snowdrop pathogens will out-perform the snowdrop and kill it, whereas in colder weather the snowdrop may be able to outperform the pathogen and you might be able to rescue it.

...When I get the bulbs out the damage is usually more severe than the foliage would lead one to suspect.

Yes, that is my observation too.  That's what has lead me to conclude that the snowdrop must get off to a good start but is eventually beaten down by the pathogen as that becomes more active.

[Arda Takan]

I'm sorry for your loss Alan

[Alan_b]

Thanks, Arda but I think everyone with an interest in plants will suffer losses.  What I would like to do is learn how to best prevent more losses in future.

This bulb came to me as an unexpected gift from a friend on the forum.  Don't click on the picture if you don't have a strong stomach.  You are looking at the bulb from the underside - it has completely lost its bottom half (including basal plate) but there are still signs of life.  Is there any hope I could rescue this?

 

[Sean Fox]

A truly disturbing picture there Alan, but still a picture of hope too 
Natures own way of propagation, with a little help from you of course 

[mark smyth]

Are the white things mini bulbils or slug eggs?