rare/specialty forms of galanthus

Jane McGary janemcgary@earthlink.net
Thu, 23 Jun 2011 10:43:14 PDT
Dell wrote,
At 10:03 AM 6/23/2011, you wrote:
>Peter, This is a wonderful idea! I know that we 
>have members who have interesting cultivars of 
>galanthus and several members who know how to do 
>twin-scaling. Does anyone know about obstacles 
>(legal or otherwise)Â to an effort to propagate 
>and distribute galanthus through twin-scaling? 
>Are they especially difficult to twin-scale?

John Grimshaw gave a workshop on this at a NARGS 
meeting in British Columbia a few years ago. It 
didn't look difficult; I think the main 
constraint is that everything has to be kept very 
clean to prevent infection of the tissues by 
pathogens. There are detailed description of 
twin-scaling bulbs in various books, including 
"Snowdrops" by Bishop, Davis & Grimshaw, a volume 
presumably already owned by any serious galanthophile (and even by me).

As for legal obstacles, probably there are some 
varieties that are restricted by Dutch grower's 
rights (similar but not identical to the US plant 
patent system) and that therefore could not be 
propagated FOR SALE, but I don't think there is 
any legal restriction on propagating a plant and 
giving it to someone else. At least, I have often 
done so, but I didn't sell material from named 
cultivars when I was selling surplus bulbs unless 
I knew the cultivar was an old one widespread in 
horticulture. Most named snowdrop selections 
originate in the UK, so can someone from there 
enlighten us about legal restrictions that may 
apply to them? The only named snowdrop I ever 
sold is 'Dionysus', which is an old double.

SPeaking of snowdrops, I'm happy to find that not 
a single bulb fly has yet appeared around my new 
home. I can't understand this, because the 
neighborhood is loaded with daffodils. Perhaps 
the pests are just sticking to familiar territory 
this year. If they show up next year, I have the Reemay ready.

Jane McGary
Portland, Oregon, USA




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