In the Garden

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 50, 28 February 1942, Page 12

In the Garden

(By -Prictlcal")

riAMMG OF BUtfeS

The planting of all varieties of autumn-flowering; bulbs should be done without-delay. Sternbergias and colchicums come under this heading and these have already commenced to make new roots where they were left in the ground. As they bloom in late autumn; and early winter, they should be planted in as/sunny a position as possible'so as^'ita; the best chance of blooitmng. Anemones and ranunculuses'may :^lso be put in this category as auttunh. blooms may be obtained by early.; planting. Both require good ritihi soil to give the best results and must be kept moist. Wellrotted cow-manure is the best thing for them. It is well to remember that small, young roots give the best results, therefore; avoid large worn-out tubers, y}:^_.-, ' .--.:,■' ' "■' .■■ ■

Among >the earlier summer-flowering bulbous :■ plants are the well-known belladonnas,,;rierines, : and valottas. These are already commencing to send up their flowering spikes and should, from now on, be kept moist.

; The two first-named produce their flowers from the bare, bulbs before the \ foliage appears; the valottas are practically evergreen. - ."■ ' "

The failure,; in: some instances, of these beautaulv flowers to ; produce blooms, is lespeciaily :■ hermes, \ may,' be traced 'in most'cases to deep' planting. The ' bulbs should be planted with the nose of the bulb above the ground' level, and the warmest spot available should be chosen for them.

Belladonnas may be planted a little deeper."'.'.-'■■..•?■;-.'■;■ •'••;;o. ':.' -" " ; '■'..■"••

In inland,districts when heavy frosts are prevalent the bulbs should be protected by a heavy mulch in ■■ winter or lifted and stored as soon- as the foliage dies down.! ...' \- ;".. ■

SPRtNG-FLQiyERING/BULBS. The pjlantihg|bf V all'varieties . of spnrig-flowe^iiig-bulbs; should ; \be, under way; as isoon as the various beds can be got inxbrder. Many bulbs have a . very short, resting, time, new roots being made almost as soon as the foliage dies off. 'Satisfactory results can be obtained only if they have a Chance of making good roots before they start into.top growth. Among the varieties which should ,be planted first are the early flowering ndrcissi such 'as paper white arid soleil;d'.or, and lach'inalias. Lachinalias -are particularly, beautiful when grown in groups ;iiT the rock garden -or as borders.

Freesias^ sparaxis, and ixias among the small bulbs- are perhsips'the. best known arid most useful. They .should all- be planted about 4 inches apart and from 1J to 3 finches deep according tp the nature; of the soil.

A light sandy soil suits most of them best, provided it is enriched with plenty of hurhus, and in sueh1 soil they may t?e; planted to a depth of 3 inches. In heavier soils keep them nearer the surface.

This principle applies to all bulbous plants, deeper planting in light soils. Irises/ Spanish, Dutch, arid English, also tulips /arid hyacinths may also all be planted now as soon as the ground cati be got ready for lliem.. In - prtparirig the ; grouhd for bulbs fairly deep digging ■is necessary, as many of''them send their roots well down. The lower .spit of soil should be well broken^ up ;and a faii^ amount of vegetable matter worked in. Animal manures are 'best avoided, but may be utilised provided they are worked into the lower spit. of soil well below the base of the bulb.

BULBS GROWN IN FIBRE.

All bulbous plants require potash, which may be supplied by sulphate of potash about loz. to . the square yard or by the liberal use of wood ashes or the ashes from a rubbish fire. ■• • ....'■.- ■■■:;, ■■':;'■ ')"■■ ~;..■ .■.■':-, NARCISSI NATURALISED IN ■.-... ;'.; ;■;■. GRASS. ..;•";..■,..-'.- -. There-are two methods, of planting bulbs in; grass. One is to punch a hole for bulb and drop a little

This colnmn Is intended principally for girdenen with tmall plota, and the aim b;to make ft as practical and uaefnl — powihle. Inquiries' on any matters of gardening interest will be weleoned. rhe rale for correspondence is thai all communication* mutt be accompanied by. . the name and ftddres* ot the writer, not for publication, bnt as »' guarantee of food faith ITfls rule will be ttrictly adhered to. This is yont colnmn—make use ot it

new soil;into each• hole, putin^the ; bulb \ 2 or 3 inches :j. deep, ahd^coyet l with;new soil. :■'' ;":; ;.-----:-^y :^'-' ir.-

■••The.^otoe^^etiiod^k/ior-tuxaL^pV* 4' spit of turf with; a fork and: put SA .or? 5 I bulbs beneath it If the turf! is broken\ \ away on rthree sides vonly, j 'and • "Hinged up," it can easily) be trodden., \ Into place again. ■ ■■^'■y y -yy <

After they start to grow they be looked at: every; three,or,four days, and very great care must be; taken that the fibre is kept moist,; but never soddenj or so Wet that if the bowl as turned-.on its side water runs out. When the bulbs have grown ariinch above^th'e fibre they should be brought into a strong light and tiirned; daily until: aftferi flowering \ is finished. : ' I*6r this method of cultivation, undrained glazed' bowls can be bought. '

They latter^ will be ; fj^nd itheveasier.1! working niethod- when, pl^tmgjonf m?; large"scale, ;and n6;'harnv-isi'done to t the> grass: •/■.■•••■ ''.;'.;. "'y'1-/ ■:':'(-''' ?.'', *'- Ti

The growing of 'many varieties ;of j bulbs -in bowls V of; cpcoimt ?fibre lias. jr. gamed enormous.popularity"in? recent X years, one of:the greatest' attractions..!,' of the: practice bietog: thatv the r bulbs J can be started, brought; oriis arid>fl6wer-|i 'ed'almost as well in an ordihary home ''. as in a green house. ;; • ; \ v The fibre,; which'is odourless; and \i clean to handle, can be bought ready ;.:

for:use.;, ■■■. : " ■~;.. ._,:„,«-'.■■'. ":.•..''■'.';■• i TheVgreat..] secret: ih> growingjl bulbs '| in this rmedium is to get'-r'itV.to the '\ right state ofldampriess. :, vf:; - ■<-•

"VVhen dealing with" small ;ijuantities ' thc v best plant is to half Ifill; avbilcket with fibre, then fill -the bucket^with ) water and leave it ?fbr a day. "The j Iriexttday itiwiU;be fbund'that^iifte < water isralliiabsorbed and,that\;any j lumps in the fibre can be rubbedout •) without making ;ariy dust. ;■•' ; > ;:r,';' i >

The right state of -dano|)ness f. ; is ?i reached when-if a' handful; isisqueeied | only; a few drops of water^ fallJout I ■ '•

Several pieces of charcoal should [b« h.. placed in the^bottom of eachibowl'to ] keep the fibre sweety then 3 or 3 inches of fibre. The latter should )n6t .:,.! b« • pressed, down^ toovhard, 4s i?^^*?^. ? tight the roots of the bulbs cannot ;; work freely in it arid tHe; biitb? r^are : liable to. push -themselves ; upwardSv^ ; •:'....' As i vmariy-:bulb^'.a^; ; pbss^le;r|nj^^-:'{ placed in the bbwl^ but;ti^ey : mustfrio|; -.', touch eachotherl-, '.•'::',-.:-'■>."■ ii:{ vikl:\k.p% ■•]■ liiore fibre is then aided^t^|:briii|g ;f the level" to withm half anf inch? of fi

the rim, the fibre bemgwellv tucked v down between the bulbs \ with (a^small strip of wood. All bulbs should -he covered by»the fibreithe;sanie|way;ai I when planting but x>£, doors. It^iguiiot , necessa:ry, as so many people imagine, to shut the .bowl^s away iijl the^aVk. . As sbori: as planting; is done the bowk can; be placed;•.in ':^xu.. airy-. rpom^tir. on shelves in.aii ; outhpiise for a jnonth or six/weeks ,tb niakeroots.: -^fiuniig this tuiie they will require verylittle attention.",^;::.; ■•■^' : /:-. ~"->'-'u ■'. ■ '>:"-' v 'i-'V