Crocus speciosus

 Crocus speciosus 

An easy Crocus to grow in Australia, but I do find it needs a feed of sulphate of potash to flower well. Repot every few years or each year in a good potting mix with grit added.

Benthamiella patagonica photo from the Alpine Garden Society Conference 2013 a lovely cushion plant ideal for pans.

Viola a rosulate Viola, grown by Luca a very rare and difficult to grow plant. Luca writes. "The seed came from Holubec, collected in the wild. The mix has to be very gritty, the top half pure grit. The key is light exposure: it needs full sun all day. Because of that, it needs to be watered every day. If the pot is black plastic, it is useful to plunge it in a bigger terracotta pot, to keep the roots cool. Luca just puts it inside an empty white yogurt tub." 

Two Patagonian plants which leads me to our free next meeting a speaker from New Zealand Dave Toole, speaking on his trip to Patagonia, the talk will be on Zoom at 2.00pm on the 28th of May. If you would like to join us please let Fermi know and the link will be sent to you. or you can use the Instagram link AGSVG. Hope to see you then.