TIGK1DIA 



THE BULB BOOK 



TIGRIDIA 



natives of Mexico and Peru, are not 

 strictly hardy in the British Islands. 

 They may, however, be grown with 

 considerable success south of the 

 Thames, and in all favoured localities 

 in the open air ; and the bulbs may 

 be even left in the ground during 

 the winter months if protected from 

 severe frosts and cold drenching 

 rains. They may be planted out in 

 April or May, 3 to 6 ins. deep, on 

 a south border made up of rich 

 sandy loam, and leaf-mould or well- 

 rotted manure. The plants like 



FIG. 322. Tigridia I'avonia, var. (J.) 



plenty of moisture during the 

 summer months when in full growth, 

 and enjoy a good mulching or top- 

 dressing of old cow-manure which 

 keeps the soil damp during hot 

 seasons. Occasional waterings with 

 liquid manure, especially when the 

 plants are coming into blossom, will 

 impart vigour to the trusses and 

 brilliancy to the flowers. The 



simplest Avay to increase the stock 

 is to detach offsets when lifting the 

 bulbs in autumn, or when replanting 

 in spring. When the bulbs are taken 

 up at the end of the flowering season, 

 they should be stored in sand, dry 

 soil, or coco-nut fibre, and kept in a 

 frost-proof place. 



Notwithstanding the somewhat 

 lleeting character of the individual 

 blossoms, the Tiger flowers if planted 

 in bold masses make a brilliant and 

 rather unique display of colour, and 

 the quaint structure and markings 

 of the llowers always attract attention. 

 Each day sees a fresh supply of 

 blossoms taking the place of those 

 that have already faded. Some of 

 the species mentioned below are 

 best grown in frames or greenhouses, 

 and these are specially noted, as well 

 as those species natives of Peru. 



T. atrata. A Mexican species 

 about 2 ft. high, with lance-shaped 

 plaited leaves, and purple-brown 

 flowers with green claws. 



T. touccifera. This species grows 

 about a foot high, and has yellowish- 

 green flowers, spotted with purple at 

 the base, the three outer oboval seg- 

 ments being also purple (Gard. and 

 For. 1889, f. 125). Frame or green- 

 house. 



T. curvata. A little-known species, 

 about a foot high, with yellowish 

 flowers spotted with purple, the 

 narrower inner segments being 

 reddish-brown, the claw being dotted 

 with blackish purple. Frame or 

 greenhouse. 



T. lutea. A Peruvian species, 

 under a foot high, having sweet- 

 scented pale yellow flowers obscurely 

 spotted (Sot. Mag. t. 6295). 



T. Meleagris (Hydrotcenia MSle- 

 agris). A distinct-looking species, 

 1 to H ft. high, remarkable for hav- 

 ing a cluster of several flowers 

 emerging from the spathe. These 



429 



