I bought some snowdrops from Ebay, which arrived today, only midway
through flowering. They look very healthy. £8.99 for 100 if I recall.
I didn't count them!
I heard or read somewhere recently that it is now thought that they
should be lifted as the flowers die down, which is what I would do if
transplanting. Does anyone know if it makes any difference? These
have all gone in a big pot and will be planted out after flowering.

Pam in Bristol

"Pam Moore" wrote in message
...
I bought some snowdrops from Ebay, which arrived today, only midway
through flowering. They look very healthy. £8.99 for 100 if I recall.
I didn't count them!
I heard or read somewhere recently that it is now thought that they
should be lifted as the flowers die down, which is what I would do if
transplanting. Does anyone know if it makes any difference? These
have all gone in a big pot and will be planted out after flowering.



That's a loose description of "in the green" isn't it?
In the green for me means later, when the flowers have died and only the
leaves remain.

I hope they recover from their shock and flower well for you in the future.
I imported some double snowdrops from Germany in the green in 2009. They
did not flower last year, just put up leaves but they are now up and looking
spectacular.

They are just as much in the green when they are in flower. It is normal to buy them later so that you get a discount for not enjoying them in flower.

£9 per 100 is an amazing price. Makes you wonder where they got them.

On 09/02/2011 22:36, Pam Moore wrote:
I bought some snowdrops from Ebay, which arrived today, only midway
through flowering. They look very healthy. £8.99 for 100 if I recall.
I didn't count them!
I heard or read somewhere recently that it is now thought that they
should be lifted as the flowers die down, which is what I would do if
transplanting. Does anyone know if it makes any difference? These
have all gone in a big pot and will be planted out after flowering.

Pam in Bristol


Provided they're alive, firm and have not dried out, I don't think it
matters too much. Even in mid-summer, I will move dormant bulbs if I
need to. I can see if they're healthy and plump, so I know they're
going to take when transplanted. I still *choose* to plant in the green
(with or without flowers) when adding new stock, but I'm more relaxed
with existing proven stock.

--
Spider
from high ground in SE London
gardening on clay

On Thu, 10 Feb 2011 17:15:47 +0000, Spider wrote:

On 09/02/2011 22:36, Pam Moore wrote:
I bought some snowdrops from Ebay, which arrived today, only midway
through flowering. They look very healthy. £8.99 for 100 if I recall.
I didn't count them!
I heard or read somewhere recently that it is now thought that they
should be lifted as the flowers die down, which is what I would do if
transplanting. Does anyone know if it makes any difference? These
have all gone in a big pot and will be planted out after flowering.

Pam in Bristol


Provided they're alive, firm and have not dried out, I don't think it
matters too much. Even in mid-summer, I will move dormant bulbs if I
need to. I can see if they're healthy and plump, so I know they're
going to take when transplanted. I still *choose* to plant in the green
(with or without flowers) when adding new stock, but I'm more relaxed
with existing proven stock.

Sound for your own stock: but, for any beginners reading this, "naked"
bulbs from shops and garden centres will generally have started drying
out and will probably be disappointing.

Pam, can you give us the name of your Ebay supplier, please? That's a
bargain!

--
Mike.