On 28 Jan 05 at 14:55, John wrote: > On Fri, 28 Jan 2005 11:22:11 -8 "Rodger Whitlock" > <totototo@pacificcoast.net> wrote: > > > > > This sounds similar to the methods used by some of the > > experts to grow cyclamen species in containers: very > > deep pots sitting in about 1/4" water during the summer. > I'm not sure I'd recommend this, and I don't know anyone > who uses such an approach. Sitting any cyclamen in a pot > in a saucer permanently filled with water is a recipe for > rot, especially whilst dormant in the summer. Was described to me by Rex Murfitt; is the method used by one of the really expert cyclamen-in-pot growers in the UK. Note: very deep means a good 12" or more. As I understand it, while the very bottom of the pot is soggy, the soil above is barely damp. I've always found cyclamen difficult to grow in pots and have formed a hypothesis: that they have very penetrating root systems that are active year round, so the tubers remain turgid all summer even in conditions of severe drought. When in a pot, the soil dries out totally in summer unless you take great care. When this happens, the tuber desiccates, and revival is tricky in the fall. This method of deep pots sitting in very shallow water (which I do not actually use, btw) sounds like a good way of preventing the tuber from desiccating. I've used a similar method, double potting with a terra cotta inner pot surrounded by sand, to get somewhat the same effect. -- Rodger Whitlock Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Maritime Zone 8, a cool Mediterranean climate on beautiful Vancouver Island