Timing of Bloom in Bulbs

John Grimshaw j.grimshaw@virgin.net
Fri, 16 Jun 2006 03:02:02 PDT
The perceived advantage of autumnal flowering is that it occurs at a time
when flowers are relatively scarce and insects relatively plentiful,
enabling effective pollination. The crocoid genera in the Mediterranean
mostly have subterranean seed capsules that are not exposed to winter
weather, so come to no harm if pollinated early: amaryllids such as
Narcissus serotinus and Acis autumnalis ripen and shed seed very quickly, so
the capsules are unlikely to suffer from winter damage.

John Grimshaw


Dr John M. Grimshaw
Garden Manager, Colesbourne Gardens

Sycamore Cottage
Colesbourne
Nr Cheltenham
Gloucestershire GL53 9NP


Website: http://www.colesbournegardens.org.uk/
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Judy Glattstein" <jglatt@hughes.net>
To: <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
>
> I'm still puzzled as to why some crocus flower in fall when many of them
> bloom in spring. And what advantage does colchicum gain, flowering in
> fall and waiting 8 months to produce seed.
>
>


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