ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CRINUM. II 



ARTICLE V. 



A FEW REMARKS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THE GENUS CRINUM. 



BY MR. HENRY SANSOME, 



Gardener to the Rev. E. T. Halliday, North Town, Taunton, Somersetshire. 



Having successfully cultivated many species of the beautiful genus 

 Crinum, I am solicited by many of your readers to forward you my 

 method of cultivation, which should you consider it worthy inser- 

 tion in your valuable Magazine, it is at your disposal. 



The greater part of this genus being inhabitants of hot countries 

 require the stove in order to their success, and a liberal supply of 

 water during the summer months; but during winter, the quantity 

 of moisture should always be diminished, otherwise many of the bulbs 

 will perish. I find, however, those with columnar stems, do not ob- 

 ject to plenty of moisture at all times, as the habit of their leaves is 

 more decidedly perennial ; but it is by far the best, at all times, to 

 rather underwater than overwater, and particularly those varieties 

 which are of tender growth. 



The compost I find the best for Crinums generally, is a rich yel- 

 low loam, rather of a friable texture ; many cultivators of Crinums 

 use peat in the compost, but I consider it very prejudicial ; plenty of 

 drainage in the pots I consider very essential, so that the plants may 

 often receive the proper nourishment of fresh water — the size of the 

 pots much depend on the habit of the bulb — but in order to bloom 

 them well, they require plenty of pot room when in a healthy state. 

 Whenever the youngest leaves of any Crinum with a sprenial bulb 

 turn yellow and decay, the bulb should be allowed to go to rest for a 

 short period ; too much moisture in too low a temperature, will often 

 produce this effect. In potting, the whole of the column should be 

 kept above the soil, and all the obsolete coats, which are the base of 

 decayed leaves, should be gradually stripped away, leaving the bul- 

 bous stem smooth and clean. I find nearly the whole genus to suc- 

 ceed the best when plunged up to the rims of the pots in troughs of 

 sand, which are fixed over the flues; and during very hot weather, I 

 find it very essential to inundate the troughs, but not to keep them 

 constantly flooded ; some of the species at the approach of winter, 

 will require the pots to be turned on their sides, and to be kept per- 

 fectly dry. As soon as the plant has completely ceased to vegetate, 

 shake the earth carefully from its bulb, pull off the decayed coats 

 without making the bulb bleed, and repot it in dry pulverised loam, 

 and let no water be given till the spring. My minimum heat is 65 

 Fahrenheits, and maximum from 80 to 90 



