The weather this year in Chicago reminds me of north-central Texas with wild swings between winter and spring-like weather. The results were (for the 7 years we lived in Ft. Worth) typically a so-so bloom for the spring bulbs and frequently foliar and bud damage. For the first time yesterday I noticed spring flowering Colchicum, Muscari, Galanthus, winter aconites and Crocus all in flower - not in drifts and waves (like they are planted in) but rather as spotty flowers here and there. These are in my home garden. Boyce Tankersley btankers@chicagobotanic.org -----Original Message----- From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of James Waddick Sent: Sunday, March 19, 2006 3:23 PM To: Pacific Bulb Society Subject: [pbs] Weather and bulbs Dear All; Just a note of frustration due to the very odd weather this year. We are a few days from the official first day of spring, but I'd say we are already in mid-to late Daffodil season with most early bulbs (from Reticultata iris to Aconites and Crocus finished) and other mid season bulbs starting up (Chinodoxa, Early tulips). We've had two hard freezes(near 0 F) that have caused damage to foliage and flower buds. Now everything is swelling buds from peonies to redbuds and a forecast calls for lows of between 19 and 12F. Fritillaria persica is up and flower buds are emerging from foliage and beginning to color up. Dracunculus has foliage emerging from the sheaths. Camassia are almost in full foliage. Glads are up a foot or so. Can they take temps in the teens? This year's roller coaster weather is more extreme than usual. I'd estimate 90% loss of hellebore flowers and 10 - 30% loss of daffodils from frozen buds, frozen stems, 1 inch plus hail and heavy snow fall. Things are up and blooming way off schedule and the results is already a pitiful bloom season. From stormy Kansas City 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