Cyclamen in the midwest

Rodger Whitlock totototo@telus.net
Mon, 30 Jul 2012 11:09:23 PDT
On 30 Jul 2012, at 8:52, Tony Avent wrote:

> Cyclamen need to be dry in the summer during dormancy.  We found that this
> can be best accomplished by putting them near a large [deciduous] tree or shrub. 

A very old technique advocated and practiced by E. B. Anderson, the doyen of 
the modern enthusiasm for small bulbs. 

That the tree or shrub be deciduous is important; you want the soil nice and 
damp during late winter & early spring when the bulbs are in full growth, but 
bone dry later on after the leaves unfurl and the roots pump the soil dry.

Deciduous woody material also allows the sun in during the growth period; the 
shade they throw later on is more or less unimportant because the bulbs are 
dormant. Real sun lovers might prefer if you plant them to the south or 
southwest of your water pump tree or shrub so that the summer sun can warm the 
soil.


-- 
Rodger Whitlock
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Z. 7-8, cool Mediterranean climate



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