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Planting hardy cyclamen

*Astrantia**Astrantia* Posts: 307
in Plants
I bought some cyclamen tubers at the garden centre last week I’ve been looking on line to see how to plant them (once I can work out which way up they go!) but I see that they can be tasty food for mice and squirrels & I get both in my garden, I’ve seen squirrels & often there’s holes in the garden so I’m assuming these are mouse or vole holes, so if anyone has any suggestions on how to prevent the tubers from being eaten I’d appreciate it! They were quite expensive so I don’t really want to lose them ! 
Would I be better planting them in pots ?
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  • WoodgreenWoodgreen Posts: 1,273
    edited October 2021
    I grow cyclamen hederifolium in both grass and  borders and have not had any eaten by squirrels, mice or voles. 

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I don't get mine eaten either, and we have lots of tree rats and mice here, but we don't have voles here, so I can't vouch for those. 
    If you're concerned, you could certainly pot them up, and add a bit of mesh or chicken wire over the top. 
    Mice don't make very big holes anywhere, so it would be more likely to be squirrels if anything, and both of those defences would keep them out.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    I have squirrels, mice and voles in my garden and they eat or otherwise damage a lot of things - but (in 10 years) cyclamen corms haven't been a target (fingers crossed, touch wood, hoping I haven't just jinxed myself....)
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    Cyclamen are supposed to be poisonous to mice and squirrels.
  • *Astrantia**Astrantia* Posts: 307
    Oh that’s good to know thanks everyone!! I’ll put them in the ground! May just experiment with one in a pot too with the chicken wire !
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    When you plant them the round side is where the roots will grow and goes into the soil.
    The flatter side is the top where the leaves will grow.

    Many many years ago I bought 80 hardy cyclamen corms.
    I phoned the company to ask which way to plant them.
    I planted them as instructed ....round side up.
    Only to discover on last one tiny shoots. Duh!
    They were all in upside down.
    Had to go round the garden and find them and turn them all over.

    The company realised their error but didn't have a note of my tel no. to tell me I had been given wrong directions.
    They were very apologetic!
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • *Astrantia**Astrantia* Posts: 307
    So are these the roots? I’ve put them with the more rounded side up but one looks almost identical both sides! Eg very flat!
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    edited October 2021
    Bottom corm clearly shows detail.
    That rough knobbly part is the top,  it is  very slightly sunken, that is where the leaves and flowers grow. Plant that way up.


    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - they tend to look 'wrong' when compared to other bulbs and corms. 

    That was a bit of a nuisance with yours @Silver surfer. Wouldn't have been so bad if it was only 8, but 80!
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • *Astrantia**Astrantia* Posts: 307
    I’ve only got 6 to worry about !
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