Too much moisture in the pots...

[de.da.]

Hello crocus friends.
I need your help.
Some crocuses I grow in pots.
I like this.
I have put them protected from the rain and actually very little cast. some are now moldy and the substrate was too moist. I take a mix of peat and grit.(Granite?)
What could be the Problem?
Should I not give them water?
What species like dryness, what moist like nudiflorus?
Many thanks-
Daniel

[Janis Ruksans]

Hello crocus friends.
I need your help.
Some crocuses I grow in pots.
I like this.
I have put them protected from the rain and actually very little cast. some are now moldy and the substrate was too moist. I take a mix of peat and grit.(Granite?)
What could be the Problem?
Should I not give them water?
What species like dryness, what moist like nudiflorus?
Many thanks-
Daniel

Crocus species are very different by growing conditions. I can recomend you to obtain my book on Crocuses. There all species are grouped by growing conditions.
In spring they all need a lot of water. May be your substrate contains too much peat. I use mix from 1 part of peat and 3 parts of coarse sand.
Most likely mould appear for too little air movement in your frame/greenhouse. Keep all windows open and put some fan inside. Another reason could be old flowers in too moist air - they must be removed after end of blooming.

[de.da.]

Thanks Janis!
I dont think, that they havent enough air condition.
We have a very warm and early spring this year .
The pots stand under a table covered with panes.
Last year many bulbs only had mini bulbs- the  mother bulbs were death.
Last year I had a mix of peat and lava.
Now I changed the mixture ...
But I think I should take only few peat like you.
I do not want to give up my new hobby!!!
Daniel
Ps- unfortunately your book is in english and you can see my english is terrible.
But where can I buy it?

[de.da.]

Is someone selling this book here  (used)?
Thanks

[Maggi Young]

Is someone selling this book here  (used)?
Thanks

 Daniel, many offers on this book here, both new and used from just over £15. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/1604691069/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

[de.da.]

Thanks Maggi!
I think I will buy at amaz...de.
Daniel

[Yann]

Daniel living in Germany, you can try a mix with Seramis, coarse sand and few organic compost.
Pumice is also widely available in your country.

It works like a charm for almost all Crocus and many other bulbs.

this year i make a try in a mix of Leca Sand (small expanded clay aggregate), sold in Germany by Weber