Early Spring?

[Palustris]

Early Spring flowers

Bob's Best

Emma

Possibly H. thibetana.

Iris Katherine Hodgkin dark form

Eranthis hiemalis and Galanthus nivalis

[ideasguy]

Beautiful, Eric! Many MANY thanks for posting these. You've cheered me up
Those are stunning Hellebores!

Ive tried a number of times to grow Eranthis hiemalis. I'll take a look tomorrow and see if theres any sign of last years lot
I planted some more bulbs of those lovely Iris reticulata. Hope they are as nice as your Katherine Hodgkin

You are ahead of us (here in Ireland).
We went for a walk in Botanic Gardens in Belfast last week. We saw Snowdrops in bloom, and a Camellia in bloom.
Roll on spring

[Palustris]

I did send you seeds of Eranthis hiemalis a few seasons back. Did they not germinate? Some I sowed last year are just starting now.

[ideasguy]

I did sow them Eric, but they didn't germinate.
I'd love to try them again if you can collect more seeds this year.
The world loves a "trier" 

Ive checked this morning, and see no sign of the ones I planted last year

My clump of Iris reticulate look like they are ready to  flower
I can also see flower heads on my Primula denticulate - love those flowers.

[Palustris]

I don't know why the first two are so big. The are the same size in Photobucket as the others.
Will send you seeds if there are any. You need to sow fresh and keep them moist over summer and vermin free.

[ideasguy]

I don't know why the first two are so big.

The photos? They all look the same size to me Eric.

Will send you seeds if there are any.

That would be very much appreciated Eric.
When do you recommend I sow, and when would I expect them to germinate?

[Palustris]

Sow them the day they arrive! They have a life span of about 1 month and need to be in the soil within that time span from picking. They also need to be taken from the plant when still green, rather than waiting for them to turn brown.

[ideasguy]

Will do Eric! Many thanks for the advice.

[Palustris]

Just checked and the seeds I sowed when I sent you some, have germinated. Moved them into a cold greenhouse to keep them safe.

[ideasguy]

Mine were left outside in pots, Eric. The compost became covered with moss.
Any suggestions how to avoid that?
Same thing happened with some Primula vulgaris seed which I kept in the greenhouse.

[Palustris]

Supposedly you need to water with chlorinated rather than rain water. Or you could try dilute cider vinegar. Mine usually get covered in liverwort, but they grow through it, Possibly they would grow through a thin layer of moss too!

[ideasguy]

Its a challenge to both of us, it seems.
Mercifuilly, we have the internet nowadays!

Quick search and I find this:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=412

This section seems to offer a simple tip:

Where plants are to remain in their containers for some time, a surface layer of grit will check unwanted growth of algae, liverworts and moss. This is particularly helpful with containers of slow-germinating tree and shrub seeds or with seeds of bulbous plants, such as lilies, which may remain in containers for one or two years before reaching a suitable size for pricking out

and under Chemical Control:

To guarantee clean rain water for containers, add potassium permanganate crystals to fresh water, in a thoroughly cleaned rainwater tank, until the water is faintly coloured pink. Repeat from time to time as new rainwater dilutes the solution. Water butt cleaners based on naturally-occuring micro-organisms or plant extracts (Aquahydrotech Water Butt Fresh, Biotal Water Butt Treatment and Just Green Water Butt Cleaner) will help maintain clean stored water.

What do you think?

[Palustris]

All my seed pots have a good deep layer of grit on them,makes no difference.
Never tried any chemical controls, but anything which kills the spoors of the moss and liverwort would be good.

[Eric Hardy]

Lovely photos Eric and great to think we have the whole year ahead. Sorry I can't add anything to the discussion on how to get rid of moss. We get it too, but luckily are spared the liverwort.

Eric H

[ideasguy]

Spring is on hold here. We have a light covering of snow and boy is it cold