98 BULBS AND THEIR CULTIVATION. 



Griffinia. A genus of evergreen, bulbous plants, 

 natives of South America, and flowering mainly in winter. 



The bulbs require to be grown in a compost of two parts 

 fibrous loam and one part of equal proportions of peat, 

 well-rotted manure, and coarse silver sand. March is the 

 best time to repot, or, at any rate, directly after the plants 

 have flowered. Good drainage must be provided, the 

 compost made firm, and the pots must not be over large. 

 When the plants are growing freely supply water plenti- 

 fully, and maintain a temperature of 70 to 80 deg. Full 

 growth will be attained by June, after which less water 

 will be needed, but the soil must not be permitted to get 

 dry. Later in the summer the flower stems will develop 

 from the centre of the large bulbs, and the blossoms 

 appear in autumn or winter. Large established bulbs will 

 only need repotting every three or four years. The plants 

 make their new growth between October and May. In- 

 creased by seeds sown in a temperature of 75 deg. in 

 spring, or offsets at potting time. 



The following are the chief species: Blumenavia, pink; 

 hyacinthina, blue; and ornata, lilac. All grow about one 

 foot high. 



Hippeastrum. The species and varieties of this 

 genus are popularly known as Amaryllises, but their correct 

 name is as above. The original species came from Tropical 

 America. The species, however, are not so generally grown 

 as the hybrids and varieties, which are really handsome 

 in form and most attractive in the brilliancy of colour of 

 their flowers. Hippeastrums are bulbous-rooted, and, 

 with one or two exceptions, deciduous, losing their foliage 

 after growth is completed. 



The best time to commence the culture of these bulbs 

 is in January, when the latter are dormant. The bulbs 

 should then be removed from their old soil and planted 

 about half-way in well-drained pots in a compost of three- 

 parts fibrous loam and one part of equal proportions of 



