FLOWERS THAT BLOOM IN SPRING

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 207, 2 September 1939, Page 7 (Supplement)

FLOWERS THAT BLOOM IN SPRING

fpULIP time in Holland must be a season to thrill not only the flower-lover, but also the lover of brightness of colour and gaiety of scene.

The tulip, which is a genus of the Liliaceae family, is remarkable by virtue of the extremely variable colouring to be found in its various members; and coloured pictures of Holland, complete with windmills and clogs, baggy breeches and bonnets, invariably have tulips, gaily coloured, somewhere in them. Those of us who have read something of the lengths to which growers and fanciers have been willing to go in the matter of tulip-raising, will realise the im]>ortance attached by them to the production and perfection of a new tulip; and this reminds us, too, of the fabulous sums spent in the propagation of this flower. At the present time the annual exports of tulip bulbs from Holland run into millions in number, while the Channel Islands also have a large export trade.

The tulip is deservedly popular in our gardens, and seems to have made for itself there a position which could not l>e taken by any other flower. There is not only gaiety and brilliance of colouring, but also a dignity and beauty of form which makes the tulip an outstanding member of the welcome spring hosts.

l'or the most pan the cultivated tulips we know are varieties of the species Tulipa gesneriana, and any one who takes note of the seemingly endless variety of these horticultural beauties cannot but marvel at the advanced state of cultivation and perfecting that ha« been attained.

The essential parts of a tulip plant are tjie bulb, the roots, the stem (which is usually unbranched), the foliage leaves, and the all important crowning glory, the flower, without which the plant would be inconspicuous indeed.

V. —Tulip And Crocus

For flowering in epring, bulbs are usually planted in the autumn; February, March and April are months recommended by a well-known garden guide for the planting of tulips, which should be some 4in in the ground, and set 4in apart. As we have previously dealt fully with the general principles, of the structure of a bulb, we need not go again into detail here. We do well to remember, however, that the bulb is a storehouse, on the contents of which the growth of the new plant draws for sustenance.

The white fleshy scales are packed closely together, completely enveloped by the outermost leaf-scale, which is brown and tough, like a well-fitting leather jacket, and serves a useful purpose of protection. The white inner scale leaves were formed by the leaveA of the previous season, and the stem which bears them continues as a yellowish shoot. The single flower, with which the stem terminates, is already developed (even in the bulb), but needs to grow to full

size and beauty at the correct season. When a tulip bulb is planted a great number of roots develop; the shoot also commences to grow, and as it appears above the surface of the soil it may be seen to bear several foliage leaves —probably three or four. Each leaf has a broad base which extends completely around the stem, which branches only in exceptional cases.

We have noted how, in many plants grown from bulbs (especially those flowering early in the season) the growth of the shoot depends upon the food reserved for it by the plant of the previous season. The tulip, being one of these, is able to lay up a goodly store of food In reserve for the growth of the next season. As these new bulbs or storehouses develop they enlarge and linally burst the withered scale of

the old bulb. Sometimes only one new bulb develops, but it is not unusual for more to be found, and as the old bulb disintegrates these new bulbs form independent plants. The perianth, leaves or petals, are six in number, arranged in two lots of three. These petals, being of the bright colours which are so characteristic of this genus, give the distinctive splash of brilliance wherever a tulip is in bloom. Some stand on stems varying in length from 18 to about 30in. It is this brightness rather than any particular sweetness which attracts insects —for the tulip

does not secret nectar. Insects feed on the pollen, however, and while doing so, deposit on the stigma pollen grains from a previously visited bloom, as well as collecting on their persons some pollen to carry to the next on the visiting li<at. The fruit of the fertilised pistil consists of a capsule in which are held a number of seeds. Except for the production of new varieties, however, the tulip is not often reproduced in this way, but from the bulb.

Although the crocus is not essentially a spring flowering plant, there are certain varieties which are to be found in bloom at that season. Crocus vermis and Crocus aureus are two which lend their charm to our gardens at that time. The former includes purple, blue and white varieties, while the latter name designates the golden variety. Crocus sativum is an interesting

member. It is a native of Asia Minor, and is cultivated in Southern Europe. Another name for this species is the saffron crocus, and, therefore, we are not surprised to learn that saffron is obtained from it. The dried stigmata of these flowers yield this substance, and although it is now used mostly as a colouring ingredient it was formerly in demand as a perfume and for certain medicinal purposes.

Saffron Walden, a town in Essex, about 24' miles from Chelmsford, derives its name from the cultivation of this plant for that commercial purpose. The crocus grows from a conn, or swollen underground stem, the crown of which bears one or more buds, each of which will grow into a flowering erhoot. As in the case of bulbs, the corm is also a store house of food, which was garnered and "put aside" for use later. Vegetative reproduction of the corms takes place during growth, the corm or corms forming by the enlarge ment of that portion of the plan*

By -- Olga P. Burton

situated at the ba.se of the flowerinj shoot or shoots, as the case may be On the decay of the parent eorm these new growths (as in the case o the tulip bulb above) will becomi separate plants; another feature o tulip and crocus which bears closi resemblance, is the fact that onh a few leaves are produced by eacl plant—perhaps four or five. Thos< of the crocus are dark green markec with a light stripe.

The blooms, too, of these tw< varieties of flowers are not unlike for the crocus also bears six periantl leaves or petals, arranged in tw< groups of three, which expand t< form the bell-shaped flower so wel known. Unlike the tulip in at least one respect, however, the crocus does secrete nectar, three glands bein| responsible for this function.

Crocus plants are readily growr indoors, and are, indeed, a delight They are sensitive to change of temperature, and warmth will cause the petals to fall back or open widely disclosing the inner structures of stamens and stigma.

A happy feature about many spring flowering bulbs and other small plants is their adaptability for growth indoors, and the sunny ledge or sill with its bowls of growing things is a source of unending interest, especially to those whose activities are restricted.