August, 1913 



THE GARDEN MAGAZINE 



11 



DORMANT BULBS TO START IN HEAT 



GENERALLY speaking, bulbs are easy prey for the beginner. All are easy forcers but Amaryllis requires very skilful handling. 

 Bulbs give little trouble, and as they occupy bench space for such a very short period, they add tremendously to the output of 

 greenhouse. They will produce fair results under conditions so averse that other plants would fail. Don't go around shopping 

 to see how cheaply you can buy bulbs. Get the best. The flowers are already in the bulbs when you buy them; all you do is to 

 develop the flowers. If the flower is not there, or if disease and poor cultivation have weakened it, the most skilled cultivator cannot 

 produce good flowers. Flats are used in all cases where the flowers are to be cut, but for decorative work the bulbs may be planted 

 in pots or pans. After planting bury the bulbs out of doors to develop roots; when thoroughly rooted they can be brought in to 

 force. A heavy mulch over the trench where they are buried makes it easier to get out the bulbs when wanted. When first 

 brought in they are placed under the benches, which causes them to "draw up" as the gardeners call it. In reaching for the light 

 they develop stems, and long stems are valuable to flowers. But don't overdo, or the stem will get weak. No definite rule can be 

 given as to when bulbs should be brought to the fight. Bulbs require more water when in growth than any other class of plants, ex- 

 cepting aquatics. Use plenty of liquid food when the flowering shoots first appear. The only exceptions to these general conditions 

 are noted below: 



Callas are usually potted or benched in August or September and kept growing, feeding freely when flowering starts. Lilies 

 and freesias are usually placed in a storage pit or out of doors and covered with a couple of inches of ashes. When growth starts they 

 are brought into the cool house and later shifted to the warm compartment. Spireas are usually received in late fall. Pot up at 

 once and place out of doors in some sheltered place to rest. After resting for five or six weeks they can be brought in and forced. 

 Lily-of-the-valley can be forced at any time; cold storage pips the most satisfactory; plant them close together in good clean, 

 sharp sand and place them in warmth at once. Water several times a day and spray at the same time. Keep dark until there 

 is a good length of stem; then bring them out to the fight to color. 



Amaryllis require a long season of rest during which time they must be kept quite dry. When wanted they should be repotted, 

 or a good heavy mulch of rich soil placed in the old pot, and brought into heat. The art of growing good amaryllis is not in the 

 actual forcing but in the proper ripening of the bulb preparing it for its next forcing. This is done by gradually reducing the water 

 and temperature until the resting period, at which time the bulb should be firm and root action at a standstill. 







WHEN 







NUMBER WEEKS 



NECESSARY 





COMMON NAME 



NAME 



TO 



HOW TO PLANT 







TEMPERA- 



REMARKS 







PLANT 





PLANTING 





TURE 





Belladonna 



Amaryllis 



Aug. 



Pots not too large. Give 



Place in cool greenhouse until about 



12 to 14 



55° to 65° 



Feed freely when flower appears, but don't over- 



lily 



belladonna 



Sept. 



small shift 



June i st 







water 



Calla lily 



Richardia 



Aug. 



Pots of solid benches 



Water sparingly until growth starts 



IO tO 12 



55° to 65° 



Feed and water freely when growing, using plenty 





/Ethiopica 



Sept. 



for cutting 



then bring into greenhouse 







of liquid manure. Likes a high temperature 



Daffodil 



Narcissus 



Sept. 



About 4 inches deep. 



Bury in trenches or place in coldframe 



6 to 8 



45° tO 5°° 



All types force well. Bett;r buy a variety of 







Oct. 



Pots for decorating 

 flats for cutting 



and cover with about 6 inches ashes 







them 



Freesia 



Freesia refracta 



Aug. 



Pans for decorative work. 



Place in storage pit and cover with 



16 to 20 



50 to 60 3 



Will stand plenty of heat, but the best quality 





alba 



Sept. 



boxes for cut flowers 



about 2 inches of ashes. Remove to 

 greenhouse when growth shows 







flowers are grown at 50 to 55 deg., using plenty 

 of food when flowers appear 



Gladiolus 



Gladiolus 



Nov. 



About 3 inches deep in 



Place in storage pit or cool greenhouse. 



12 to 14 



45° to 50° 



The Colvillei type can be forced all winter. The 





Colvillei 



Dec. 



pots or boxes, or in 

 greenhouse bench 



Force slowly. 







large flowering type can be had for Easter by 

 potting up in January and growing on briskly 



Hyacinth 



Hyacinthus 



Sept. 



About 4 inches deep. 



Bury outside in trenches or place in 



6 to 8 



45° to 50° 



Both the Roman and Dutch types are good for 







Oct. 



Pots for decoration; 

 flats for cutting 



coldframe and cover with about 6 

 inches of ashes 







forcing. The former excels for cutting; the 

 latter for pot work 



Iris, Spanish 



Iris Xiphium 



Sept. 



Boxes for cutting ; flower 



Place in cold storage pit or cool green- 



12 tO 14 



5°° to 55° 



Fine flower for cutting but a very uncertain bulb 







Oct. 



uncertain 



house until growth starts 







to force 



Lily, Easter 



* Lilium longi- 



Aug. 



Pots or benches; Pots 



Place in storage pit and cover with 



l6 tO 20 



45° to 6o = 



Can be grown much warmer if necessary but fls. 





florum 



to Dec. 



are best except for 

 commercial growers 



about 2 inches of ashes until growth 

 shows ' 







keep better at lower temp. Low temp, is for 

 stunting. Also grown from cold storage bulbs 



Lily-of-the- 



Convallaria 



3 weeks 



Plant close together in 



Start in growing temperature at once 



2 tO 3 



55° to 65° 



Place under benches to develop long stems. Bring 



valley 



majalis 



before 

 wanted 



clean, sharp sand 









out to light when flower appears. Cold storage 

 pips for the safest for forcing 



Spirea 



Astilbe 



Nov. 



Pots. Use plenty of 



Place outside until Jan. ist. Then 



8 to 12 



45" to 60° 



Grand pot plant also useful for cutting. Bulbs 





japonica 



Dec. 



good soil 



bring in cool greenhouse. Start 

 gradually 







need rest. Don't try to force when you receive 

 same. Feed freely 



Tulip 



Tulipa 



Sept. 



About 4 inches deep. 



Bury outside in trenches or cover 



6 to 10 



45° to 50' 



All types are good spring forcers such as Darwin, 







Oct. 



Pots for decoration; 

 flats for cutting 



with about 6 inches of ashes 







Parrot, Gesneriana, and double flowering. Also 

 the early single 



' Other lilies such as Formosum, speciosum, etc., respond to like treatment 



The new French hydrangeas are remarkable for their 

 large flowers 



The old time Martha Washington geranium (Pelar- 

 gonium) is very showy 



The florist's spirea. really hardy, is indispensable 

 for its white feathery plumes 



