CAPE BULBS. 



237 



Vallota purpurea 



Is a fine old greenhouse plant probably well known to you all. 

 It affords a familiar example of another section of Amaryllis, 

 which, being of a more nearly evergreen character, does not 

 require the severe and protracted dry season of the Nerines. 

 In these days, when most handsome plants are attempted to be 

 grown in quantity for the purpose of cut flowers or for indoor 

 decoration, this fine bulb has come in for attention in that direc- 

 tion. Lately I have been told that in some places where it has been 

 largely grown the stock has completely died out, and when asked 

 the reason, I have said it was probably due to the plants being 

 kept too warm, and in a too moist atmosphere ; to their being 

 over-potted, or too frequently repotted, which is one of the most 

 fruitful causes of decay in Cape bulbs. Wishing to get to the 

 root of the matter, I addressed questions on the subject to an 

 old friend in South Africa, and his reply fully bears out my 

 conjectures. His remarks are brief and to the point, and I give 

 them in his own words : (l Vallota purpureas always die here if 

 planted in the open ground. The only way that we can keep 

 them alive is to keep their roots compressed into a small space, 

 either in small pots or among rocks or stones. They will thrive 

 by keeping them in pots until the roots burst the pots, and they 

 will flower profusely." These remarks give the key of success 

 to the culture of all Cape bulbs. Nothing is more fatal to them 

 than the annual repotting which gardeners are so fond of giving 

 to all plants alike. The same correspondent informs me that 

 the " white form of Vallota purpurea" recorded in some botani- 

 cal works must refer to Cyrtanthus (Gastronema) unifloms, 

 which he remembers being sent to Dutch gardens many years 

 ago, where it was named Vallota Brehmii, and his suggestion is 

 doubtless correct and consequently worth recording, 



That there is a close affinity between the Gastronema section 

 of Cyrtanthus and Vallota purpurea may be seen by careful 

 examination, but the question has been definitely settled by the 

 production of a cross between the two, viz., Cyrtanthus inter- 

 medins. 



Cliveas, or Imantophyllums, 



Are familiar Cape plants which are usually included among 

 bulbs, their root-stocks being imperfectly developed bulbs. 



