Organic Galanthus ikariae - Ikaria snowdrop | 5 pcs.

Organic snowdrops

The Ikaria snowdrop, scientifically known as Galanthus ikariae is one of the first flowers to bloom in spring and is often considered a symbol of the coming of spring. It grows to about 15 centimeters in height and has elongated, glossy, broad leaves. Its leaves show clearly visible air cavities in cross-section, which can be seen with the naked eye.

The small flowers hang down and consist of six white petals, with a green marker on the 3 short petals. The petals form a kind of bell around the central parts of the flower and when the sun rises, the glistening flower stretches and opens fully to catch the sunlight. This gives a more open and spread out shape to the flower.

Organic snowdrops and Alzheimer's disease

Galanthus ikariae contains, among other compounds, galantamine, an alkaloid that is used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Galantamine works by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which leads to an increase in acetylcholine levels in the brain. This increase helps improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's patients.

How and when do I plant snowdrops?

The ideal time to plant snowdrops in the ground is from summer to November. The planting depth is 2 to 3 times the bulb height and the planting distance is 2 to 3 times the bulb width. Plant the flower bulbs with the point upwards, then cover them with soil and press gently to keep the bulb firmly in place. After planting, give a good watering so that the soil is moist for rooting for the early spring flowering.

Where do I plant snowdrops?

The best location for Galanthus ikariae is in semi-shade to shade, although it also has some tolerance for sunlight. Plant it in groups in the garden under deciduous trees or shrubs or in the grass around trees, preferably in a place where there is not much foot traffic and where the flower bulbs get shade from the leaves of the trees in the summer.

Make sure the soil is well-drained, preferably slightly moist but not waterlogged. They grow well in loamy soil, as this type of soil retains water well, but also provides adequate drainage. They can also grow in sandy soil, provided the soil is kept sufficiently moist. Sandy soil provides good drainage, which is important to prevent the bulbs from rotting.

Snowdrops in clay soil

Although snowdrops have some tolerance for clay soil, clay that is too heavy can impair drainage. Improving the soil structure by adding organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, can help improve drainage and promote healthy snowdrop growth.

Caring for snowdrops

Snowdrops naturalize and require no special care. A layer of mulch, such as leaves or compost, can be helpful to keep the soil moist and reduce weed growth. Apply a thin layer of mulch around the base of the plants, but avoid covering the bulbs directly.

Propagating snowdrops

Snowdrops usually reproduce naturally by forming new bulbs and spreading seeds. However, if you want to grow new plants, you can dig up the bulbs after flowering and carefully divide them. Plant the new bulbs directly back into the ground in the desired location.

Origin of the snowdrop

The Ikaria snowdrop is a stinzenplant, but is native to large parts of Europe, including the western, central and southern parts of the continent. See here the map where the ikariae occurs in the wild in the Netherlands.

The name Galanthus is derived from the Greek words 'gala' meaning 'milk' and 'anthos' meaning 'flower', referring to the white colour of the flowers. As the name suggests, the ikariae is native to the Greek island of Ikaria, but is also found on some other Aegean islands and in parts of mainland Greece.

Organic Galanthus ikariae - Skal NL-BIO-01 certified: 109459

Packed per 5 flower bulbs or choose a volume discount.

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Available to order from June '25!

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Properties

NL-BIO-01