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Wot no Snowdrops?

Paul CharnockPaul Charnock Posts: 123
in Problem solving

Planted many dozen bulbs in November including around the base of the tree lots of Crocus and Snowdrops.
Soil is damp at this time of year bu pretty friable and well draining.
Crocus are poking through early but no sign of Snow drops.
I became suspicious and lightly forked around where they were planted and there is not a sign of them?
Baffled. Could they REALLY have all rotted to nothing in this time?
As I say, the ground is pretty reasonable and far from water logged.

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Posts

  • Snow MaidenSnow Maiden Posts: 862

    Could it have been birds? We have one blackbird in particular that has got it in for lots of our newly planted bulbs.image

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Squirrels will dig up small bulbs - they're readily available to them as they're not too deep in the ground. The small alliums are very attractive to them as well  image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ClaringtonClarington Posts: 4,949

    Being small bulbs they can be easily missed even when you think you know where you're looking. But you could have had visits from mice / squirrels / birds: did you notice any disturbance in the soil after planting?

    Unfortunately the only real reliable way to find out if they're still there is to wait a few more weeks!

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Snowdrops like moist ground Paul, so they're unlikely to rot  image

    Are you sure there's nothing left? My snowdrops aren't showing yet, although the crocus are about an inch out the ground. 

    The base of an evergreen tree is more likely to be too dry for them than too wet, a deciduous tree is ideal for planting under. If you can't see any sign of them, it's most likely they've been dug up, although in my experience, crocus are usually more attractive. 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Paul CharnockPaul Charnock Posts: 123

    Thanks everyone.
    It is a deciduous tree and I thought they liked it moist.
    We have birds, squirrels, alligators etc but not noticed any disturbance, squirrel far too busy raiding all the bird feeders.
    After posting I found one (and it was rotten to mush) Not a sign of the others and I've had a very good look.

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    snowdrops hate being dried out and some of those you buy in autumn have been out of the ground and drying for a long time. May have been dead or dying when you bought them. Best acquired either 'in the green' or just dug in the summer and replanted straight away.



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Paul CharnockPaul Charnock Posts: 123

    hmm thanks. Yes I suspect that might be the reason then. Bit poor really, I planted them less than a week from purchase.
    I'll order earlier next (this) year.

  • Mark56Mark56 Posts: 1,653

    Mine are already poking through, maybe you have a pest about! Squirrels? Blackbirds? They must have a particular taste for them and not the crocus. 

  • Goldfinch 60Goldfinch 60 Posts: 143

    some of mine are also making an appearance

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889

    snowdrops or alligators?

    Devon.
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