Crocuses.

Crocuses.

Crocus are fairly easy in Australia, and we can grow some of the most beautiful without too much trouble, Helen was saying at our last meeting that every single pot of Crocus seed from Marcus's seed had germinated. Now it is warmer where Helen lives compared to here but that is good germination and they had only been in for about 2 weeks so well done Helen, I think Marcus would be happy to hear that and so will Susan.
 I went to take some photo's in Otto's garden mainly of the Galanthus which I can hear you all groan from here (Not more Galanthus) but some of us really love them and they are not easy to obtain so they have to be photographed and catalogued so we know what is in Australia and Marcus was the most important importer of Galanthus, Otto has also imported many Galanthus. I think he has the largest collection that I know of, but I digress Crocuses the Crocus above is Ottos sieberi and if you look closely some have different markings, if you look in the Crocus book by Janis Ruksans he shows a large variety of Crocus sieberi flowers from Greece and the Islands around Greece all varying in size and colour, so we should get a lovely variety coming up from Marcus's seed, its exciting isn't it.

Crocus sieberi 'Midas Touch' Otto's

Crocus sieberi 'Spring Beauty' a Donation from Jon for a raffle won by Di and passed on to me, a lovely gift Jon and Di, and what wonderful colour and markings.

Crocus chrysanthus x Crocus biflorus ssp alexandrii from Marcus seed about 6 years ago, lots of variation from seed. I don't know if Marcus did this cross or if it is a natural cross there is nothing in his seed catalogue's so I can't tell you anything about it I'm afraid, but it has very delicate colouring.

Crocus chrysanthus Herald from Glenbrook Bulbs Tasmania all three photo's, first one just showing out side markings on buds and opening to bring a little sunshine into our lives in Winter.

A Crocus that was out a few months ago Crocus laevigatus above in a pot and in the garden below.

Colchicum kesselringii planted in with Cyclamen graecum both needing a hot sunny well drained position, from Russian Central Asia and northern Afganistan on stony hillsides and alpine grassland. Flowers have a purple stripe and purple at the base of the flower above and below.