96 
IXIA. 
IXI A. 
The Ixias are very beautiful flowers with small bul¬ 
bous roots, and are very easy of cultivation, flowering 
well in warm room windows, or in the Greenhouse. 
Their usual time of flowering is in April, May and 
June; although some species flower much earlier. 
The proper season for potting the roots is in Septem¬ 
ber and October. The soil most suitable for them is 
equal parts of sandy loam, leaf mould, and peat, well 
mixed, although they will grow in any rich sandy 
loam. As the bulbs are small, several roots may be 
planted in one pot six or eight inches in diameter. 
Fill the pots to within an inch and a half of their 
rims, with the loam or compost, and place the bulbs, 
in a circle around the pot, with a few in the middle, 
and cover them about an inch deep. When potted, 
place the pots in a cold frame, (if convenient,) or in a 
sheltered situation, where they can be protected from 
heavy rains or frost till they have emitted roots and 
the leaves are up, then remove them into the Green¬ 
house or room window where they are intended to 
flower. 
Water them sparingly till they show the flower 
stems, but during the whole time of flowering, they 
should receive a good supply of water. The plants 
at this time require to stand in light airy places, as the 
flowers open during the day, and close in the evening. 
As soon as the flowers are over, and the leaves begin 
to fade, cease watering them by degrees, and when 
the leaves are dead, keep the roots perfectly dry in the 
