corydalis showing yet?

[Jonah]

Hello,
I potted up some corydalis tubers in the early autumn, they have been left outside in a sheltered spot. I noticed they should be flowering soon, but I can't see any signs of life yet. Does this sound like bad news?

[Chuckles]

I have China Blue in 3 pots, can't seem to keep them in the gdn for some reason. I topped mine with compo around Sept time and hid them away at the side of the shed, they are nice clumps of lush leaves at the moment, no flowers yet.

You've got me wondering now Jonah......just off for an inspect..... no flowers showing.

Spring is the time for them to flower Jonah but I'd be worried a bit if you have no growth at all.

[Jonah]

Hi Chuckles, thanks
Is it worth me rummaging for tubers? Problem is I read some may be hollow and healthy, so not sure what I might find? There is one plant growing in one of the pots [out of 3 pots of 3+ tubers in each], but as I have only ever seen a picture I'm not sure what they should look like!

[Chuckles]

I can't recall them as having much of a root/tuber to them Jonah. They are dormant throughout winter and can look as though they have popped their clogs. During growth they like to be kept moist but when dormant I keep mine in a fairly sheltered spot so they don't get to wet. Unless you feel they have got water logged and rotted I would just put some fresh compo on the top and keep them sheltered up against a wall.

I've been and cut a chunk out of one of mine so you can see what they look like, they are like little nodules sitting on top of the compo and a very fine root system.

Now I have 4 pots with them in ;D BTW mine is not China Blue its this one click on this Pere David

[Jonah]

I'm a bit confused now.
I'm sure they came as bare root tubers, I have labelled them, but part of the names has worn off. I know I have Corydalis glaucescens 'Early Bird' , I think the others are cava albiflora and decipiens, but I'll have to get the purchase order out to check.


Checked the order. There were one each of two varieties, and 3 of the other, so not as big a probable loss as I thought. Thinking back, I potted them up and have kept them on the verandah of the playhouse, under shelter, but been moist all the time. I'll have to keep having a look.

[Chuckles]

All I can say Jonah is thats what mine look like maybe one of our knowledgable bods can shine some light on it for you

[Jonah]

Thanks for your help Chuckles.

[Jonah]

They are alive!
Just inspected the pots of all three, they are all showing a little shoot and roots. The pots were all very wet, I'm surprised, because they have been under shelter for a little while, must just not be drying out with the cold. I eased them out and mixed some new drier compost in before repotting them. Mine all look like bulbs.

Ooh I could dance! ;D

[Chuckles]

Fab news Jonah, it's great when something grows that you think you have lost

[Jonah]

It is, isn't it! I was thinking the same with some Erythroniums I put in a pot, but I have rummged in there too, and they are growing. All I'm waiting for now [well at the moment] are some border planted erythroniums, my pulsatillas and primula vialli to show some signs of life.

[Chuckles]

I used to have pulsatillas in the garden but lost them all lovely flower and foilage. My primula are looking a bit poor at the moment but I'm sure they'll buck up soon. The ones that have the white pompom like flowers (can't remember name) are just pushing flowers through but poor on leaves.

[Jonah]

I did read recently that vialli were a very late starter for primulas, so I haven't given up completely yet!
I think I found the remains of two of my pulsatillas, I pulled em up, put in some grit, compost, and fish, blood bone and then some more grit round the top. You never know.