Cultural Instructions for Fall Bulbs — Continued 



MISCELLANEOUS BULBS— Continued. 



CULTURE OUTDOORS. The hardy miscellaneoias 

 bulbs mentioned will grow in almost any soil and can 

 also be planted in the lawn. Plant so that the bulbs 

 are covered with soil about twice their own depth. 

 Do not remove or cut off leaves until they have turned 

 brown. 



CULTURE INDOORS— AMARYLLIS. Use pots 

 about one inch larger than the bulb in diameter and 

 plant so that the long neck is fully exposed, in heavy 

 soil enriched with sheep manure or bone meal. Place 

 the pots in a light cool place and water sparingly 

 until the growth is well under way. A weak solution 

 of liquid sheep manure about once a week will assist 

 in bringing on the blooms. Plunge outdoors in the 

 garden over Summer, taking care that the leaves are 

 not injured. Bring inside before frost and place in 

 the cool and dark without any moisture, to rest for a 

 period of at least 8 weeks before starting to grow 

 them again. 



CALLA. The most popular Calla for indoors is the 

 pure white variety Aethiopica. They are heavy feed- 

 ers, requiring considerable nourishment and moisture 

 while growing. Use a large deep pot, set top of bulb 

 level with surface of the soil, and after potting place 

 directly in the light. When the buds begin to show, 

 feed with a weak solution of liquid sheep manure. 

 Calla Elliottiana, a golden yellow with spotted foli- 

 age, is a later bloomer than the white and requires 

 the same general treatment. 



CROCUS. For growing indoors. Crocus may be 

 planted in either soil or prepared bulb fiber. Plant 

 early and use the largest bulbs obtainable, placing 10 

 to 12 bulbs in a 6-inch low pan. Water and place in 

 the dark for 14 to 16 weeks. 



FREESIA. Fragrant perfumed tubular blooms pro- 

 duced in clusters on slender stalks and valuable for 

 cutting. Plant as early in the Fall as possible, using 

 8 to 10 bulbs in a 6-inch pot or pan and cover to 

 depth of 1 inch. Water thoroughly and plunge pot 

 to the rim outdoors in the garden. When growth 

 shows well above the ground or before frost, bring 

 indoors to a cool room, where they should be grown 

 along slowly. Fine twigs placed on the edge of the 

 pots will support the foliage. 



OXALIS. Indoor plants producing charming tiny 

 flowers, which, owing to their trailing nature, are 

 valuable for hanging baskets. Plant 10 to 12 bulbs 

 in a 6-inch pot, do not place in the dark, but keep 

 out of direct sunlight until growth starts, after which 

 they can be brought into full light. 



Iris 



We list four distinct kinds of Iris, which are best 

 treated separately. 



GERMAN IRIS (Fleur-de-lis or Flag) is the most 

 commonly grown. They have broad, swordlike leaves, 

 bloom in May and will grow in any good soil that is 

 well drained. Plant so that the upper part of the 

 rhizorne (bulb) shows above the ground. 



JAPANESE IRIS (Iris Kaempferi) is the the tallest 

 growing and largest flowered of the Iris family and 

 blooms in June or early July. A moist location such 

 as along a stream or around a pool is best suited to 

 the Japanese Iris. However, they should not be 

 planted where the water lies for a long time in Win- 

 ter. When planting, barely cover the roots. 



SIBERIAN IRIS. Very similar to the Spanish Iris 

 except that the petals are a little wider. They bloom 

 in May and June and grow 2^/2 to 3 feet high. Siberian 

 Iris are grown from roots, like the Japanese Iris and 

 are planted in the same manner. They require pro- 

 tection over Winter in the form of peat moss or 

 straw. 



SPANISH IRIS (Iris Hispanica) differs from the 

 three varieties given above in that they are grown 

 from bulbs, not roots. The leaves are quite narrow 

 and the flowers relatively small, but finely formed and 

 exquisitely colored. Plant bulbs so that they are 

 covered by 3 to 4 inches of soil in any well drained 

 location. Spanish Iris are more effective when planted 

 in groups instead of singly. Perfectly hardy with 

 protection. 



GENERAL IRIS CULTURE. Iris like plenty of 

 water at the time of blooming but should not be 

 planted where water lies for a long time in Winter. 

 Bone Meal is the best fertilizer and should be applied 

 liberally in early Spring. Avoid the use of manure, 

 either fresh or rotted. Note first growth in the 

 early Spring as inclined to be slender but soon broad- 

 ens out luxuriantly. 



Peonies 



Cultural instruction for Peonies will be found on 

 inside back cover. 



Lilies, Their Likes and 

 Dislikes 



Lilies can be made to grow in a variety of soils, 

 providing the texture of the soil is taken into con- 

 sideration in planting. Plant deep in light sandy soils 

 and shallower in heavy soils ; also large bulbs should 

 be planted deeper than small ones. 



Practically all Lilies like leaf mould and sharp gritty 

 sand and dislike manure unless it is very old, well 

 rotted and thoroughly incorporated with the soil. Al- 

 though Lilies require plenty of moisture during the 

 growing season, they should never be planted where 

 water lies in the Winter time. 



AURATUM. Dislikes lime and likes a well drained 

 sunny or partially shaded location. 



CANDIDUM. Likes full sun and is impartial as 

 to lime and soil provided it is well drained. Does not 

 like to be moved. 



HANSONI. Impartial to lime and likes partial 

 shade. Sometimes does not bloom the first year after 

 planting. 



HENRYI. Impartial to lime and thrives equally 

 well in sun or partial shade. 



REGALE. One of the hardiest Lilies, impartial to 

 lime, soil, or location ; this superb variety seems to 

 grow anywhere. 



SPECIOSUM ALBUM AND RUBRUM. Dislikes 

 lime and like their roots to be shaded while their 

 flower spikes have access to the sun. 



SUPERBUM. Dislikes lime and likes a shaded moist 

 location, although it will stand the sun if provided 

 with ground cover or a heavy mulch. 



TIGRINUM. Endures lime and likes a moist loca- 

 tion either in sun or partial shade. 



PEAT MOSS is an excellent Summer and Winter 

 mulch for al! Lilies. 



BECKERT SEED AND BULB COMPANY 



502 LIBERTY AVE. PITTSBURGH, PA. 



