NERINES

Evening Post, Issue 13, 16 January 1936, Page 20

NERINES

METHOD OF CULTIVATION

Now that the foliage of Nerines has died down it is the time to lift and move them to new quarters. With the exception of the variety Bowdenii, which retains its foliage for a much longer period than the other species, all are at present practically without foliage. This is the resting period of the plants, and they require no water or feeding from now on until the flower spikes appear. As soon as the flowar spikes appear thin watering and feeding can recommence, as this will relieve the strain of flowering and assist to build up strong, healthy bulbs for the following season. Afterwards, during the autumn and winter, the seasonable rains will look after the bulbs.

The Nerine is a remarkable genus of Amaryliidaceous plants, whinh are generally considered tender, but which under local climatic conditions succeed quite well if a few precautions are observed. They belong to the very small class of autumn-blooming bulbs. The winter is their growing season, and most species and garden varieties flower in the late summer and early autumn without any foliage, and the leaves are produced afterwards and throughout the winter.

The flowers range through scarlet, salmon, and pink shades to white, and are borne in umbels of four to twenty flowers on scapes from one to three feet long, and averaging about 18 inches. Probably the species most frequently seen in gardens is Nerini Sarniensis—the "Guernsey Lily" as it is called—with its bright crimson flowers and it varietal form "Rosea" with rosy pink flowers. Another varietal form, Corusca, is bright scarlet, while Carnosa is carmine rosy. Fothergilli and Fothergilli Major are cultivated forms of N. Curvifolia, having larger flowers than the type, and ranging in colour between crimson and scarlet.

Bowdenii is one of the most satisfactory of all the species. It is extremely hardy, very free flowering, and bears large trussess of flowers on stems from 18in to 2ft long. It increases rapidly by offsets', and seeds freely, and the seeds come up readily. The flowers are a bright rose-pink, lasting several weeks in water.

Nerines are excellent pot plants, and as such are usually grown in England and other countries, but they may be quite successfully grown in the open ground provided they are placed in a warm situation in well-drained soil with ,the necks of the bulbs just projecting from the soil. They require rest and warmth during the summer months to develop their flower spikes. The soil should not be too heavy, and if naturally on the heavy side it should be lightened by the addition of sand or gritty material. Nerines are particularly adapted for seaside localities where the soil is naturally sandy, and where conditions are usually warm.

If any manure is used the best and safest is a little bone-meal mixed with the soil beneath the bulbs so that the roots can work down to it. The secret of success is to secure the fullest possible development of the bulbs after flowering, whether they be grown in pots or in the open. This refers to their winter treatment. They enjoy abundance of water at the root and overhead, with occasional applications of liquid manure. This treatment should not cease until the leaves turn yellow, which is a sign the plants have finished their growth. Then diminish the water supply gradually; lay the pots on their sides and in full sunlight; so that the bulbs may ripen thoroughly. In the open ground treat similarly, but withhold water from now on till the bulbs develop their flowers, and plant in the warmest position in the garden. They should not be disturbed when once established until the bulbs start to push one another out of the soil or the pots. They flower best when crowded and potbound.

Three bulbs planted in a sin pot in good fibrous loam with a little sand may remain for five or six years, or even longer, as the offsets may be r,ubbed off and planted separately.