GROWING BULBS IN FIBRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 57, 7 March 1936, Page 6 (Supplement)

GROWING BULBS IN FIBRE.

The success with which. Roman hyacinths, freesias, narcissi and other bulbs ,can be grown, in moss fibre in china vases without drainage proves that it is the most charming and effective method of growing bulbs for those who have neither a Targe garden nor the conveniences of greenhouses or frames, or who have a difficulty in obtaining suitable soil. The advantage of this system is that the vases can be placed anywhere about the house, in the drawing or dining, room, without fear of any mess from water or soil coming through the ' base of the pots. The fibre is obtain- " able from seedsmen in most cases ready 1 for use. Failures are usually due to 1 the fibre not 'being kept in a properly moist condition, from being pressed too 1 firmly, or not thoroughly mixed. The ; moss fibre should be rubbed until free 2 from lumps. Add water a little at a time, using it at the rate of four j quarts to each half-bushel of moss-fibre. , If the mixing is done properly the fibre i will increase in bulk by one-third, and l if a little is taken in the hand and squeezed no water will drop out. When ! potting put a few pieces of charcoal in * the bottom of the vase to absorb impurities and keep the mixture sweet. ! Then put in one to three inches of the ' fibre according to the depth of the vase; place the bulbs gently on the ' fibre, and then fill up the vase to within ; lin of the rim. When potting the bulbs 1 are best put lin or 2in beneath the surface, and although the compost must be placed well round the bulbs it is not necessary or desirable to press it at all tightly, otherwise the roots do not work freely in the fibre. The bulbs have a tendency to push themselves upwards. When once potted they will require little or no attention for the first two or three weeks, but after that great t care should be taken to keep the compost fairly moist, but on no account must it be kept sodden or too wet. On the other hand, if allowed to become dry, if only for half an hour, the pores of the roots close up and the bulbs in many cases go blind or fail to develop blooms. Examine the vases once a week, give a little water if necessary; this necessity will quickly be indicated, for as soon as all surplus water is absorbed the fibre becomes dry at the top and brown in colour. Give enough water to moisten the whole of the fibre. On the other.hand, if it is thought there | is too much water in the vase, turn it on one side and allow the Surplus water to drain out. When the bulbs have , been potted the vases should be kept in a dark and airy cellar or room; nothing is worse than a confined cupboard or a small airless dark room. When the bulbs have grown lin out of the fibre they should be brought into more light and given as much air as possible, for if air is not given the foliage becomes unnaturally long and weak. The following varieties have proved themselves to do well: Roman Hyacinths, Narcissi Paper White, Soleil D'Or, and all the polyanthus flowered varieties. Amongst the trumpets, Obvallaris, King Alfred, Henry Irving, Golden Spur, Emperor, Victoria' and Mad de Graff. The starshaped Mrs. Langtrv Panipanelle Rugulosus, Lemondrop, Leonie, Barri Conspicuous, Poeticus Ornatus, Queen of Spain, Lulwortli, Glitter, Tulips Spireas and Liliums also do well in moss fibre.