38 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



into growth, they should be placed in larger pots without disturbing 

 the roots. 



During the process of repotting, some of the bulbs will occasionally 

 be found to have few roots. This is generally the result of inefficient 

 drainage, allowing the soil to become waterlogged, or it may be caused 

 by the soil being too moist while the plants are resting at a low tem- 

 perature. Such plants may often be restored to health by placing 

 them in small pots, watering them sparingly for a time, and especially 

 by not permitting them to flower for a year or two. 



The soil may be the same as that previously recommended when 

 potting seedlings into their flowering pots. About half the depth of 

 the bulb should be below the surface, and the soil should be carefully 

 shaken between the roots. 



The bulbs may now be placed in a minimum temperature of from 

 55° to 60° F., where they will soon commence to throw up their flower 

 spikes and foliage. Only an occasional watering will be necessary 

 until growth commences ; but they enjoy plenty of atmospheric 

 moisture, and as the season progresses the syringe must be freely 

 used to provide moisture and keep the foliage free from insects. 



Under ordinary conditions the flowers are produced in April 

 and May, but by starting a portion of the stock in a temperature of 

 50 degrees the flowering season may be lengthened. They may also 

 be made to bloom in the winter months. Much depends upon how 

 the plants are treated after flowering. They should be grown in 

 a sunny position, and the watering and syringing well attended to, 

 so that the plants may recover from the effects of flowering and build 

 up good solid bulbs in readiness for the next year's flowering. 



Towards the end of August the earliest plants will have completed 

 their growth and should be freely exposed to sunshine and air, in 

 order to mature and ripen the bulbs thoroughly, and for this purpose 

 they may be stood in a pit facing the south. At this time less water 

 should be given. When the oldest leaves begin to turn yellow and no 

 young leaves are produced, it is a sign that the plant has completed its 

 growth and is preparing to rest. Water must then be gradually reduced 

 until most of the foliage dies down, after which only an occasional 

 watering should be given to keep the bulbs plump. At the beginning 

 of the winter the pots may be stood close together in a cool pit or 

 house having a minimum temperature of from 40° to 45° F., where 

 they may remain until February. 



Winter Flowering Hippeastrums. — I think it is not sufficiently 

 realized how comparatively easy it is to have these plants in bloom 

 through the winter. It is true that bulbs which are made to bloom 

 at that season are more quickly worn out, and therefore it is wise to 

 use only the commoner forms for this purpose, retaining the better 

 varieties to flower in their natural season. Where seedlings are 

 raised there are always a number of inferior varieties, which might 

 be very profitably devoted to winter flowering. The plants selected" 

 for winter flowering should be given every encouragement to finish 



