TOW Things to Do in Dec - Missouri report
James Waddick (Tue, 02 Dec 2003 08:02:46 PST)

Dear All;
December has barely begun, but I can echo most of what Boyce
has already said earlier. Yard clean up in general and barely any
bulb activity.
Ipheions are up and husky even after months of drought.
Some muscari showing more growth than others, but all doing
at least 'something'.
A few stalwart Narcissus showing more of a 'nose' than is
good for them including both the double and single N. odorus
(Campernelle) and 'Cedric Morris'.
Sternbergia foliage is looking great as are most fall crocus
with a lingering bloom (2)on C. speciosus. Almost no bloom on C.
sativus however.
Oncocyclus and similar iris are showing minimal foliage as is typical
Hardy Crinum have all 'melted' by frost and will be covered
soon for the harshest winter weather to come.
Hyacinthoides italicus is p with husky foliage now, but
winter will knock it down and it will probably bloom poorly as usual
in the edge of hardiness.
And of course fall foliage Lycoris are up and look good
subject to harsh winter weather later.

A chance to comment on 'experiments in progress':
3 small clumps of spring planted Hippeastrum x johnsonii have
held up well to frost until we got to 19F; now mush. Will they bloom
come spring?

A single remaining Morea polystachya planted as close as
possible to south facing foundation started a flower stalk (its first
in the ground after 3 or 4 years), but it was frozen back too. Long
term prognosis looks poor.

So the garden will stay on hold with a sparse flower (mostly
Non-bulbous) here and there for the next 2 months and the first
stirrings for real in Mid-late Feb.

Best Jim W.

--
Dr. James W. Waddick
8871 NW Brostrom Rd.
Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711
USA
Ph. 816-746-1949
E-fax 419-781-8594

Zone 5 Record low -23F
Summer 100F +