CULTIVATION OF BULBOUS PLANTS. 



I MUST explain that I use the term " bulbous " in the nursery- 

 man's manner of speaking. I know that botanically most of 

 the plants mentioned below have corms, some of them bulbs, 

 and a few grow from tubers. 



I consider that where the plants are to be grown in the northern 

 hemisphere much better results are to be obtained by starting 

 from seed. Nearly all the seed germinates very readily, and the 

 general rule is that some (such as Sparaxis, Freesia, Streptan- 

 thera) are in bloom the second season and all will be flowering 

 well the third spring after sowing. Here we sow our seed with 

 the earliest rain in April (autumn), or if we have only a small 

 quantity to sow and they can be kept shaded and watered 

 they are better sown in March. The aim is to get as long a 

 growing season as possible for the seedlings, for as soon as 

 the sun grows hot in early summer they will begin to die down 

 and will remain dormant until autumn rains come again. 



Where there is rain in summer, the seedlings must be pro- 

 tected from it, as it is absolutely necessary for them to dry off 

 and have a complete rest. I think they are better if left undis- 

 turbed their first season. They will come up when rain or 

 watering starts again ; and if the soil contains plenty of compost 

 it will not need replenishing until they die down for the second 

 time. This time the bulbs should be taken up. They are now 

 quite dormant and may be planted out immediately or kept 

 for a few weeks in store. 



With regard to the soil, any good garden soil is suitable so 

 long as it is light and friable. Good drainage is essential, and 

 full sunshine. Most of the Cape bulbs come from the Western 

 Province, where the soil is definitely acid. There are very few 

 that can stand up to lime ; and of course new manure cannot 

 be tolerated. I find that compost suits them better than any 

 fertilizer ; and since I have used only this I have had no disease. 

 There are a few that require special treatment. Lachenalias 

 do better here in semi-shade, especially the late-flowering 



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