Bulb Log 25/07/07

[David Nicholson]

As always Ian bags of good information presented in a clear and concise way, and vital for those of us who cling to your coat tails. Many thanks.

[annew]

My feelings also! There perhaps ought to be a book in there somewhere - a distillation of all the bulb logs - ah, I can just see it now!

[David Nicholson]

Come on Ian, Maggi will see to the re-potting, just get the pen out.

[ChrisB]

I'm still a newbie here, and reading your comments above thought I should take a look at this famous bulb log so I did.  And guess what, Ian is showing pictures of cyclamen.  Serendipity.  I was just in the greenhouse today, sheltering from the rain ... yet again ... and spotted the corms (just bog standard 'no name' ones you get at the garden centre six for five quid or whatever) and decided I ought to do something with them, so I repotted them, just like the BD says in the post, but only by luck am I doing the right thing.  I've no experience with them at all.  So here's hoping they survive.  The roots certainly seem to be ok.  However, my cyclamen mirabile, which failed to do anything at all last year in the shade sink (not even a leaf) has been potted up and I have used the rotted pine needles that Maggie said would help, but so far its just sitting there doing nothing at all.  No sign of life, yet the corm looks firm and healthy enough.  Anyone got any ideas about what else I can do to make it start to grow again?

[annew]

Just wait! It's not getting up time yet for C. mirabile! It will appear, flowers first, in the autumn. Keep the compost just damp.

[Ian Y]

Well Anne and David all thanks for the kind comments on the bulb log.

As for a book I have been approached by a publisher and have had very positive discussions but they are on hold just now until we decide if there is room for another bulb book in the market and if I am willing to commit to such an undertaking.

Chris, just do as Anne says and keep it moist as long as the corm is alive it will make start to make roots soon and should produce leaves in the autumn. If it has been dormant for a very long time it might be a bit too much to expect many flowers this year but plants can always surprise us.

[annew]

  It wouldn't be just another bulb book!!!!

[tonyg]

Too Right Anne (or should that be Wright )
There are books on 'Growing Bulbs' but none with as much practical, down to earth, based on personal experience advice.  Martyn Rix book of around 25 years ago is interesting but some of the others are disappointing.

[Lesley Cox]

And wonderful though the Ruksans and other books are, it would be great to have the photos of the corms/bulbs/seeds etc and info re planting depths and all the other (not at all) boring stuff that many readers of the pretty books gloss over, to their loss and cost.

You could call it the "The Really Practical, How to Grow, Nitty-Gritty, Down to Earth, Dirty Hands, Bulb Book."

[fermi de Sousa]

I'd prefer a more concise title like " A Despot's Tale "!
cheers
fermi

[Lesley Cox]

Well, that has its points I guess. Maggi, here's the next competition. A suitable title for Ian's book. Prize? A copy of the book, obviously.

[David Shaw]

"Twa' Corms and a Bucket o' Compost"

[Lesley Cox]

Mmmm, I like that one. There may have to be several volumes

[mark smyth]

I'll sit out all day and night to be first in the Q - how do ya spell Q. Will it hit the headlines like Harry Potter and the .....?
queue

[David Shaw]

No publicity - it will have to be an underground publication.