winter temperatures go no lower than about 26°. At about that temperature some injury 
results but bulbs survive. They mature if even colder. Where temperatures are colder they 
may be grown in cold frames, cloth houses or unheated houses. 
In the north, all are fine bulbs for pots in a cool room in the house or greenhouse. 
As they are naturally winter growers, they must have cool conditions and they do not 
flower well when forced at a temperature range of much above 40° to 60°. 
They should be grown in flats 4” deep or in bulb pots or pans. A friable sandy loam 
with much leaf mould added is the best soil. If part of the humus is from composted, well 
rotted manure, better flowers result. Plant 6 to 8 bulbs in a 5” to 7” pot. 
In the outside garden, bulbs may be planted 2” to 3” deep and 10 to 20 to the foot, 
according to size. Give full sun exposure. Plant or pot early. October is the best month. 
Good results follow Nov. planting and Dec. planted bulbs usually flower well but stems 
are shorter and flowers are usually a little smaller. 
Freesias are the most deliciously fragrant flowers one can grow. The fragrance is not 
too heavy and is not cloying in the house or outside. 
We offer forcing size bulbs, %” to #4” diam., as they give longer stems and more 
flowers either in pots or outside garden. The assorted varieties at one half of former 
price are equally good. 
Tecolote hybrid Freesias, Rainbow Mixture well blended, 2 for 15c. 65c doz. 
Sparaxis are closely related, more colorful, mostly red shades, not fragrant. 3 for 20c, 
70c doz. 
Ixias are 15” to 24” tall, have slender, wiry stems, nice for cutting. Flowers close at 
night and on dark days but the pink striped, long buds are even more attractive. Large 
forcing size, 3 for 25c, 90c doz. Med. 60c doz. Small sizes that flower well outdoors, 
40c doz. 
Babianas are smallest of this group. They do well in pots or outside. The curious 
plicate leaves and lovely flowers, mostly in shades of blue make them very desirable. 
Assorted, 2 for 15c. 70c doz. 
GLADIOLUS 
How to Grow Gladiolus. Glads planted Nov. 15 to Mar. 1 in Southern California 
and thruout the south (a little later in Northern California and early as possible in spring 
in the east) are reasonably sure to escape the attack of thrips. Our glad bulbs are especially 
grown for this purpose, matured early and dug in August. But if you plant recently dug 
bulbs you will gain nothing; they will continue their rest of three months before starting. 
Thrips are very small insects that suck the juices from the plant. They cause the flowers 
to wither or appear burned, and appear only after weather becomes warm. To avoid the 
damage thrips do, four measures are effective. Plant early. Plant clean, treated bulbs. Keep 
them reasonably moist and well cultivated, with no weeds. Dust with Chlordane. A hand 
duster can be bought from most local feed or seed stores. Probably Chlordane also. 
Chlordane tho toxic is safe to use but do not use on vegetables. Be careful not to 
breathe much of the dust. It also kills ants and other pests. 
Dust Gladiolus 3 or 4 times before flowering. Begin when plants are 6”or 8” tall. 
Many will prefer to spray instead of dusting. For a spray use “Thripocide” which 
we list under “Garden Supplies,” 4 0z. for $1.15 postpaid. 
Plant large bulbs (really “‘corms”) 4” to 5” deep. Half inch bulbs, 3”. Bulblets 
2”. Twice their diameter apart. Rows 20” apart, in full sun exposure. Best soil is sandy 
loam but they do very well in heavy soils, especially if leaf mould and compost is added. 
Alkaline soils do not produce good Gladiolus. Correct them by addition of peat or leaf 
mould. Use only well decayed manure, if any. Spoonit is an excellent mildly acid fertilizer. 
Sizes Size Nowa“ ups No, 2, 114% 16146" Nor 34,8 to) La Now 4 ye 
to 1”. No. 5, 4” to 34”. No. 6, all under 1%”. In the following list L. means large, No. 1 
or 2; M. means medium, No. 3 or 4; S. or small are No. 5 or 6. Smallest sizes bloom 
and often bulblets. No. 2 and 3 are preferred for growing commercial cut flowers. 
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