Like Peter and Mark, I always added leafmold (UK leafmould) to my bulb potting soil when I grew bulbs in plunged pots in coldframes. I harvested this component by sieving the top layer of soil under an area of alder trees on my former property. Every day during repotting season I harvested a large wheelbarrow full to mix into the day's batch of soil. It was a hard job but worth it. One belief of mine, however, is that if you use "live" leafmold like this, it's important to keep the bulbs dry during their dormant season; otherwise the microorganisms that decompose the leaves may attack the bulb tunics. You will be able to see the mycorrhizae on the tunics. Now I have plenty of oak leaves thanks to my neighbors and three large compost bins for them, but I don't have a shredder as I could not find a well-reviewed one that is electric rather than gas (petrol), and it is too hard to start the gas ones. Any advice on this would be welcome. I don't know why I'm worrying about plants right now as most of them are probably going to die in the current week of record low temperatures here. Jane McGary Portland, Oregon, USA At 01:11 AM 12/7/2013, you wrote: >It is leafmould or any humus that is full of >those white threads which does the trick. I love >that mushroom smell it gives off. Wet autumn >woodsy smell. Mark > Message du 07/12/13 10:04 > >De : "Peter Taggart" > A : "Pacific Bulb >Society" > Copie à : > Objet : Re: [pbs] re >Rainlilies & Stagonospora > > I add leaf mould, >as a matter of routine, when potting >snowdrops, > daffodils, Crocus, reticulate Iris >(prone to 'Ink spot' fungus), freesias, > and >some other genera. It certainly improves their >growth in my conditions. > I had assumed that >these bulbs benefit from the extra moisture >retained > while in growth and that this also >helps maintain consistent moisture > levels >necessary to maintain strong shoot growth in >cormous plants, which > enter premature dormancy >very easily in drought conditions. > I am >definitely prepared to accept that the benefits >may be mycorrhizal at > least in part. > Peter >(UK) > >_______________________________________________ > > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org >