144 TI^E CULTURE OF POT-PLANTS 



popularly known as the Arum lily, or sometimes as the Calla 

 lily. In South Africa, of which country it is a native, it is 

 not infrequently called the pig lily because the tubers are 

 eaten by pigs. It is not really a lily, but, like the lords-and- 

 ladies of our English hedgerows, an aroid. It begins to 

 make its growth in September, and as it is tender it should 

 from that month onwards be kept in a greenhouse or in a 

 room where it will be safe from frost. The large leaves must 

 be kept clean, and if any aphides appear on them they should 

 be washed off with an insecticide. The soil should be rich 

 and moist, if not actually wet, for i?. africana is practically a 

 bog plant. Liquid manure should be applied as soon as the 

 flowers appear in spring. After they wither, when the 

 weather is warm enough, the plants should be put out in 

 the open air and may remain there all the summer. They 

 are sometimes turned out of their pots and planted in the 

 ground — preferably in a trench like celery, so that they 

 can be more easily watered. As the foliage dies down the 

 supply of water should be reduced, but not stopped entirely, 

 and in August or early in September the plants should be 

 repotted and brought back to the greenhouse. At the same 

 time any offsets may be taken off and planted separately. 

 There are several varieties of R. africana^ one of the best 

 being Little Gem, which is much smaller than the type. For 

 •treatment of plants when frozen, see p. 22. 



Scilla. — The species most commonly grown in pots is 

 6". sibirica. It bears rich blue flowers in early spring. There 

 is also a white variety. They should be planted in autumn. 



Sparaxis. — A Cape genus not unlike ixia, and requiring 

 the same treatment. 



Tigridia (Tiger Flower). — A genus of bulbous plants 

 with handsomely spotted flowers. All the species are of 

 Mexican origin, and therefore require rather a high tempera- 

 ture. The bulbs should be potted in April in a cool green- 

 house, or in March in a warm one. As soon as the leaves 

 appear they should be grown in full sunshine. In autumn 

 they can be stored like gloxinias. 



Tuberose.— See Polyanthes tuberosa, p. 84. 



