Jim Waddick wrote: "Surely readers can suggest other bulbs that require 'fresh' treatment." One bulb pops to the top of my list of bulbs to be given the "fresh" treatment: Leucojum vernum. Other candidates: Allium ursinum (some of you may wonder why anyone would care if this one lives), Fritillaria in general and Ornithogalum nutans (another which some may want to know how to get rid of). Leucojum aestivum on the other hand, is no fussier than most daffodils, probably because of its comparatively large bulb size, and (not to deliberately contradict my bulb-size hypothesis) Acis autumnalis takes drying well, too. One common-sense generalization: the smaller the bulb, the more likely it will respond favorably to the "fresh" treatment. And that's doubly true for many untunicated bulbs. I respectfully consider my esteemed colleagues to have come down too hard on the "in the green" business. All of my "better" snowdrops came to me from across the pond "in the green". And they went on to bloom the next year without incident. There was also the added bonus that some carried viable seed pods. Obviously, my suppliers knew what they were doing. I'm not arguing for a return to or the promotion of the "in the green" practice, but it did serve a good purpose: it called everyone's attention to the need to handle certain bulbs in fresh condition. It provided an important alternative. Above, I mentioned the different ways the several species of Leucojum/Acis respond to drying. Nor do all snowdrops respond the same way. In the bad old days, Galanthus elwesii stocks almost always gave a good account of themselves when purchased dry. But Galanthus nivalis and its cultivars and hybrids were another story: they almost always came with problems. (And as an aside: this difference is reflected in their seeds. Those of G. elwesii are hard, round and take drying well. Those of G. nivalis are soft, seemingly semi-embryonic and with a large, slowly-absorbed elaiosome and do not, in my experience, dry well.) Until recently (and still in this country) named cultivars of Galanthus elwesii were all but unknown. But even here in the backwaters of galanthomania the cultivars of G. nivalis are known and sought out. Some of the oldest cultilvars such as 'S. Arnott' and 'Viridapicis' are appearing on the mass distribution catalogs. I don't think we should be doing anything to lessen the pressure on commercial suppliers to provide healthy, growable stocks. "In the green" I think we all agree is an extreme. But don't forget, the word "fresh" has no legal definition, and it will mean whatever the circumstances will demand. Has everyone forgotten what some grocery stores sell as "fresh"? It seems to me that "Know your supplier" is the mantra to keep in mind when buying snowdrops. Jim McKenney jimmckenney@starpower.net Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, USDA zone 7, where things are really popping, and I wish I knew a supplier who knows how to handle Eranthis hyemalis. Eranthis in the green? Sounds good to me! -----Original Message----- From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of James Waddick Sent: Friday, April 08, 2005 10:46 AM To: Pacific Bulb Society Subject: [pbs] Snowdrops - in the green NOT Dear Louise and John; As you both preach, the tradition of 'In-the-green*' is nutsy. I propose that we use a "new" term - "Fresh**". This is oppose to the usual dried*** to crispness of traditional fall bulbs. Many bulbs are severely stressed by drying to this crisp state. Lycoris and Galanthus are just two genera that share this need to be kept fresh during dormancy. If not allowed to dry totally they can be dug when the foliage has ripened, stored for a few months and sent while still in a fresh state without stress or set back. Some definitions: *In the green Bulbs are dug with all foliage green, roots intact, even soil attached. Some bulbs tolerate this for a quick move from one part of the garden to another or for modest division. An emergency only. **Fresh Bulbs are allowed to ripen their foliage, enter dormancy and are then dug and stored in a cool, dark moist state. They may be divided and cleaned of most soil. Roots may/or may not dry out. Such bulbs are shipped for later planting or around the garden. ***Dry Bulbs are dug after foliage has ripened, they a re dried in a warm dry spot for days or weeks. Usually all foliage roots and soil are removed. Outer tunics and skin are crispy and flaky. Very dry to the touch. Bulbs are stored warm and dry until shipping or replanting. I suggest that some bulbs TOLERATE a variety of conditions, but others are severely stressed by improper digging and storage. Surely readers can suggest other bulbs that require 'fresh' treatment. Best Jim W. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F + _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.ibiblio.org http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php