Galanthus requirements
Paul T. (Sun, 27 Jan 2008 23:19:11 PST)

At 10:46 AM 28/01/2008, you wrote:

Mark et al,

Add Galanthus gracilis to that list. I find that they much prefer
here to be in a sunnier drier place than the other Galanthus (and
reginae-olgae seem to be quite happy there as well in most
cases). The Galanthus gracilis was for a few years in 5 inch squat
pots out on my back landing (which means full sun for half the day or
more in summer) and they thrived, multiplied and flowered
freely. One year I realised that I shouldn't be doing this (I'd
relaised this before, jsut not thought about it during summer) so I
repotted them into a bigger pot (around 30 bulbs by that stage) and
put them in more shade and kept them damper. They grew and flowered
and when repotted the next season there was not a single bulb left in
there. Thankfully I had dropped a couple into the ground in a warmer
drier summer area (not talking full sun here, but definitely hotter
and drier than traditional Galanthus conditions) and I have
established a large clump there. I eventually lifted a couple back
into a pot and put it back in the original conditions I had them in
on the back landing...... those couple within a couple of years
multiplied to around 15, probably half of them flowering sized I
would hazard. It just goes to show if something works well for you
don't change it, whatever the books or advice from people might say!!
(The loss of the Primula auricula collection after such advice cured
me of that, let me tell you!!)

All the best from a fellow hopelessly addicted Galanthus collector.

Cheers.

Paul T.
Canberra, Australia - USDA Zone Equivalent approx. 8/9

Growing an eclectic collection of plants from all over the world
including Aroids, Crocus, Cyclamen, Erythroniums, Fritillarias,
Galanthus, Irises, Trilliums (to name but a few) and just about
anything else that doesn't move!!