Bulbs In Beds And Borders

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 88, 15 April 1939, Page 14 (Supplement)

Bulbs In Beds And Borders

THE majority of bulbs are of the easiest cultivation, needing but to be planted in the early autumn or spring at about two or three times their own depth in reasonable good and light garden soil, with which a good amount of leaf mould has been mixed. They should be planted at a uniform depth, whirh, naturally, varies with the kind of bulb, and should not come in contact with recent manure. Good drainago iis essential. If the soil is inclined tip bo at nil heavy, it is desirable to lighten it by working in sand at and around each spot in which a clump of bulls is to bo placed. Bulbs, as a rule, should be planted deeply, rather than shallow, especially crocuses, gladioli and lilies, because, the bulbs are then less likely to suffer from the effects of drought. Plant the bulbs as early in the autumn as possible, especially spring (lowering ones. They then have ample lime, to develop their roots before the strain of (lowering makes its demands on them. Early planting promotes larger blooms. It is advisable always to plant the hulbs with a trowel and to press them firmly, but gently, into the earth before they are covered up. Never plant bulbs with a dibber; this makes a narrow "V" shaped hole in which it is difficult to set the bulb straight and in which unless the soil is sandy, an air space, which will parch the roots, will be left. Most bulbs having been planted in suitable soil at a reasonable distance apart, may be allowed to remain for several years without being taken up. divided and replanted; however, there are certain exceptions. Tulips and hyacinths, for example, should be lifted when the leaves die down, being carefully dried, stored in a cool place, and replanted in March and April. Ranunculuses and % anemones should be planted in fairly rich, deep soil in March, April and May. Place the tubers three inches apart in drills five inches apart; the drills being made about three inches deep, an inch of soil being loosely spread along the base, ami the roots pressed therein. These should be taken up as soon as the leaves die down.

Gladioli, again, should be lifted in autumn and planted in August.

As a general rule, we may take it that the shorter time bulbs are out of the ground each year the better, ami rare should be exercised that the bulbs do not become excessively dry or warm; rather should they be kept as cool as possible, so long as they do not suffer from dampness. Lilies of the valley should he taken up only at intervals of a few years. They should have beds to themselves, in a shady part of the garden, and each year the plants in one bed. or part of a bed, should be lifted and the crowns replanted in well-dug and moderately rich soil. Nothing else should be grown in a bed occupied by these flowers. Bonemeal is a- good artificial manure for bulbs, and should be dusted round the bulbs at the rate of 2oz to the square yard and well forked in during January. An equal amount of superphosphate may, with advantage, be added at the same time. No attempt should be made to remove leaves or flower-stalks until they have withered and decayed to such an extent that thoy may be pulled away by a very slight effort. The sword-like leaves of crocuses, hyacinths, etc., should he allowed to remain until they are quite decayed. The dead flowers ought to be cut off just below the spike of bloom, unless it is wished to'save the seed. This holds for all bulbs that have a woody or strong (lower stem. When the leaves have completely died away, but not before, bulbs may be taken up and

allowed to dry. When the tops are dry and withered they should be cut off an inch above the bulbs, and the roots should also he cut away. The bulbs should then be kept in a dry, dark, and frost-proof place, to which the air has free access, until the time for planting comes round again. This begins in February for narcissi, etc., and ends in August to October for late-flowering varieties of the gladiolus, the period of planting being regulated in a degree by the period of flowering. When the bulbs have to be lifted to make room for summer bedding before the foliage is dead or the bulbs fully matured, they should be "heeled-in" in a sunny positioii in the reserve garden, and when quite matured should be lifted and stored. This, briefly, is the accepted creed with regard to the culture of bulb-, and for sale purposes it is absolutely necessary that bulbs shall be taken up when their leaves are withered and dried, so that transit from place to place may pe effected when they are in this condition. They must be without tender and succulent rootlets; otherwise they will suffer injury by removal and carriage. The continual natural increase of bulbs in the places where they are first planted leads to the formation of large masses, from which, at the proper season, rise numberless flower heads or spikes, and produce a picture unequalled in nature.