52 THE BOOK OF THE GREENHOUSE 



has come through, it may of course be hung up in nor- 

 mal position, and the plants will then be clothing the 

 bottom and sides of the basket. Lachenalias are readily 

 increased by saving the small bulbs found when potting. 



Nerine* The best known of the Nerines is the 

 Guernsey Lily (N. sarniensis), of which N. s. venusta 

 is the brightest form, bearing : umbels of the most 

 brilliant scarlet flowers. Another good and brilliant 

 form is N. curvifolium or Fothergilli. As Nerines flower 

 mostly in the autumn and the leaves are made after the 

 flower spikes are well advanced, these plants require an 

 abundant supply of water at a season when other bulbs 

 are getting a reduced supply. This should not be over- 

 looked, a good rule being to give plenty of water from 

 the time the leaves appear until May, and none after- 

 wards. Full light must be given when growing, but at 

 other times they may be stored in any dry and frost- 

 proof place. Established plants are best without repotting 

 or division until this is forced on the grower, as it 

 generally means loss of vigour for at least a year. The 

 soil best suited to growth is loam, leaf mould, and sand 

 in about equal quantities. In this compost, imported or 

 recently divided bulbs should be firmly potted, using 

 rather small pots and giving only sufficient water to 

 prevent shrivelling until roots are forming freely. 



Sprtkelia formosissima. This very handsome plant is 

 known also under the names of Amaryllis formosissima and 

 the Jacobaean Lily. The velvety, deep scarlet flowers 

 are not always freely produced, owing to insufficient 

 ripening of the bulbs. When the leaves have faded, a 

 thorough exposure to the sun on a shelf under glass is 

 essential to success. During the rather short season of 

 growth give plenty of water and occasional doses of 

 liquid manure to feed the bulbs, then, when the leaves 

 have ceased growing and are turning yellow, withhold 

 water entirely, and seek to make the most of sunlight 



