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