Not TOW - Gymnospermium
Boyce Tankersley (Wed, 19 Feb 2003 07:18:38 PST)

Hi Jim:

We brought back seeds and 2 tubers of Gymnospermium smirnowii from the Republic of Georgia trip. It is restricted to a narrow elevational range in the Caucasus Mountains. Unfortunately the bulbs never sprouted and the seeds have not germinated. The bulbs were just about dormant (already flowered and set seed) at the same time the Galanthus fruits were ripening. I think we may have 'moly-coddled' them too much. If we obtain more they are going directly into the soil outdoors instead of held over in our cool greenhouse.

Boyce Tankersley
btankers@chicagobotanic.org

-----Original Message-----
From: James Waddick [mailto:jwaddick@kc.rr.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 8:45 AM
To: Pacific Bulb Society
Subject: [pbs] Not TOW - Gymnospermium

Dear all;
Perhaps spring really IS coming. The first deep red curved
stems of Gymnospermium albertii are showing as they lift their heads
out of the gravel. No sign of foliage yet, but this should appear
shortly.
This is an odd tuberous and herbaceous member of the family
Berberbidaceae mostly known for woody shrubs. This seems to be the
most common species in cultivation, yet I can't really say much about
it. There's another half dozen species, but only 1 or 2 are rarely
ever available and usually too pricey for me.

Does anyone else grow these and have good luck? My single
bulb has slowly enlarged as seen by the four shoots coming up now. It
never reaches the 10 inch height I've seen in the literature, but
maybe 1/2 of that. The small yellow flowers are more curious than
beautiful.

Anyone even know a good source for tubers or seed.

Its next 'closest' relative Bongardia has eluded me too. Info?

Thanks 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 +

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