I've had squirrels do the same. They see me around the pots and think I'm stealing their acorns. As a result, I built tables with a tall frame and placed netting over the structure. It kept the squirrels out, but created a safe space for other rodents who promptly ate the Lachenalia down to nothing. Last year, I built a raised bed and planted my Gladiolus, Lachenalia, Adrocymbium, Ferraria, and Moraea, as well as Calochortus, Toxicoscordion, Odontostomum, California Alliums, and Dichelostemma, in the bed. The bed is located in an open area and is not covered. During the day, the squirrels leave it alone because it is open and I suspect they don't want to be lunch for the local hawks. And during the night, other rodents stay away due to owls. The entire collection is much happier being in a deep bed and there hasn't been any predation. I'm able to do this since my L.A. winters are relatively mild. But maybe there are other options available to you that similarly play on the behaviors of the pests you are managing.
John WickhamLos Angeles, CA
On Thursday, December 28, 2023 at 09:17:54 AM PST, Jan Jeddeloh via pbs <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> wrote:
That is really awful. You must just feel sick about. Gladiolus and freesia aren’t interests of mine but I know how bad I’d feel if my collection was destroyed. I hope people can help you replace it.
Jan Jeddeloh, Portland, Oregon.
> On Dec 28, 2023, at 8:55 AM, Gianni Benetti via pbs <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> wrote:
>
> My extensive collection of South African Gladiolus and Freesia was
> destroyed in a few days by mice ! The pots were in the greenhouse, but the
> mice got in, sheared the plants and tore the bulbs apart: a disaster ! I
> owned at least fifteen species laboriously collected over the years, some
> still young, some about to bloom. It is amazing how the work of many years
> can be destroyed in a few hours.
> I appeal to Gladiolus and Freesia collectors to be able to recover at least
> part of my collection. Those who are willing to give me bulbs (even buying)
> starting next late spring please contact me privately. Thank you.
>
> Gianni Benetti
> Italy
> _______________________________________________
> pbs mailing list
> pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net
> https://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/…
> Unsubscribe: <mailto:pbs-unsubscribe@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net>
> PBS Forum https://…
_______________________________________________
pbs mailing list
pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net
https://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/…
Unsubscribe: <mailto:pbs-unsubscribe@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net>
PBS Forum https://…
_______________________________________________
pbs mailing list
pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net
https://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/…
Unsubscribe: <mailto:pbs-unsubscribe@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net>
PBS Forum https://…