3 14 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



HARDY BULBOUS AND OTHER FLOWERS FOR 

 THE GREENHOUSE 



Many hardy bulbous plants are valuable for the green- 

 house during the early months of the year. They flower 

 naturally in the spring, and when given the protection of a 

 glass structure and a little heat, can be obtained in flower in 

 many cases soon after Christmas. Under this head are in- 

 cluded Hyacinths, Tulips, many kinds of Narcissus (Daffodils), 

 Scilla sibirica, Chionodoxas, and Snowdrops, Crocuses, and 

 others. The bulbs can be obtained during the autumn, and 

 all need much the same treatment. Pots five inches in 

 diameter are the most convenient, and unless for special 

 reasons the better way will be to use this size. The pots must 

 be thoroughly drained, but at the same time no more broken 

 crocks should be used than are absolutely necessary. One 

 bulb of a Hyacinth should be placed in a five-inch pot. With 

 regard to Tulips, as a rule five or six will be sufficient, Nar- 

 cissus from three to five, Scilla sibirica, eight or nine, Chiono- 

 doxas and Snowdrops the same. They should all be potted 

 at such a depth that the bulb is completely covered. Then 

 after potting, stand them out of doors on a firm bottom of 

 ashes, give a good watering, and cover all with cocoanut fibre 

 refuse or ashes, sufficient being used to just hide the pots 

 entirely. This maintains an even state of moisture around 

 the bulbs, a condition particularly favourable to the formation 

 of healthy roots, without which bulbs will not flower well. 

 In a month or so the pots will be full of roots, and they 

 may be taken into the greenhouse at any time from then 

 to Christmas. Where a succession of flowers in the early 

 months of the year is desired, the pots must not be taken into 

 the greenhouse all at once, but at intervals of a week or so. 

 They must be freely supplied with water, not saturated, but 

 sufficient given to keep the soil moist, as if allowed to get dry 

 they seldom flower well. A suitable soil is one-third each of 

 loam, leaf-mould, and well-decayed manure, with a sprinkling 

 of sand, and the whole thoroughly mixed together. In some 

 cases a little support will be needed as the flowers develop, 

 and the beauty of the plant depends upon this being neatly 

 done. Thus the sticks should be as slender as possible, con- 

 sistent with supplying the proper support, while the ties should 

 not be conspicuous. In tying Hyacinth spikes, or in fact 

 any other bulbs, it is important that the material used should 



