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Cyclamen hederifolium
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Posted by donnabaskets 7 (My Page) on Sun, Dec 30, 07 at 20:01
| I have had half a dozen or so of these bulbs for several years. They have always been lovely. This fall, they failed to emerge, except one that put out tiny tiny little leaves which then disappeared. They are in shade, moisture retentive soil with good organic matter in it, and I keep a heavy pine straw mulch on that bed. Any ideas what happened? I want to replace them, but if I am doing something wrong, I want to know since these are pretty pricey bulbs. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Cyclamen hederifolium
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| The only thing I can think of is that they might be planted a bit too deep. They like the crown of their centre just above ground level; not too deep and of course in a darker, cool place. I have one under a calla lily in the shady part of the garden. It gets probably two hours of sun per day, if that. When it is too warm they go dormant. |
RE: Cyclamen hederifolium
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| Most likely they rotted during the summer- moisture retentive soil, particularly during warm weather, doesn't work for Cyclamen. They're from the Med., so want warm, dry summers and a bit more water in the winter, but they never want the soil to stay wet; there aren't many plants that relish dry shade, but this is one. I mix in about 50% coarse sand or gravel when I plant them out. Hederifolium is by far the toughest species for me; a good spot for them seems to be up under evergreen trees and shrubs (my best group is up under a Magnolia grandiflora which has been limbed up). I also wouldn't mulch C. hederifolium in zone 7, other than to put a little grit over the top of the corm. Their leaves need as much light as they can get during the winter growing season. A good source for cyclamen is Ellen Hornig at Seneca Hill Perennials in Oswego, NY - can't remember the url, but a search will turn it up. Also, there's an international Cyclamen society with a very informative website. |
was RE: Cyclamen hederifolium
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| Forgot to mention the Cyclamen message board at www.gardenbuddies.com - WAY more than you'll ever want to know about growing hardy cyclamen, but fascinating banter among serious plant nuts and lots of great pics. |
RE: Cyclamen hederifolium
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| Okay. I don't think they are planted too deeply, although the mulch may have gotten too deep on top of them. And, it is possible that they have been too wet in the summer. The ground is well-drained, but never dries out. Thanks, guys. I appreciate the help. I will definitely check out Seneca Hills and the message board. |
RE: Cyclamen hederifolium
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| They don't wnt to totally dry out, donnabaskets, but they should be somewhat dry (barely moist) in the summer as rot can sset in. This form, however, is supposed to be the easiest to grow. But they like what they like, eh? |
RE: Cyclamen hederifolium
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| I went outside yesterday and did some digging around where the bulbs were. Buried under the mulch I found one with those tiny little leaves again. So, I pulled the mulch all the way back from it so it can get some light. I am keeping my fingers crossed. Since they have been out there and blooming for three or four years, I tend to think the mulch was the problem, especially considering how dry this past summer was. Do you think I ought to fertilize it with something? |
RE: Cyclamen hederifolium
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| Not at this point. It is still early and they are developing quite well from your description, so probably do not need anything now. If you have had them mulched, they got some food from that and the earth; they tend to like the cold and will act as they usually do. Also, feeding them now could force a too rapid growth. I would wait a bit and see. However, I really don't think you need to fertilize. |
RE: Cyclamen hederifolium
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| Mine have been growing under a fruiting plum, near the trunk, for about fifteen years. Dappled shade, clay soil with some shingle, the annual leaf drop only, not much in the way of drip spatter. When the leaves fall the plants are up in full leaf with a few lingering flowers so the crowns are protected from smothering. Over the summer it becomes seriously dry under the tree. In a long drought we had a few years back the Cyclamen produced the best crop ever. Frosts are usually down to around -5C and are clear by lunch time. They grow in company with Aquilegia vulgaris, a hardy fern, and the wandering root system of Cordyline australis. Another clump grows under an old apple tree - with similar results, except that area gets a little more water so more seed is set and the young ones are colonising more space. |
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