BULBS IN FIBRE

Evening Star, Issue 21689, 7 April 1934, Page 23

BULBS IN FIBRE

90 DRAINAGE REQUIRED The success that has been achieved, and the cleanliness of the method, in growing hyacinths, narcissi, tulips, freesies, liliums, iris, and other bulbs in moss fibre and ground shell, in china vases without drainage proves that not only is this one of the most charming and effective methods of growing bulbs for those who have neither a large garden nor the conveniences of greenhouses or frames, or who have a difficulty in obtaining suitable soil, but that it is also one which is being, and will be, much more extensively adopted in the future when it is fully realised what can be done in this way. When first introduced, this system was not given much of ft hearing. and it was considered impossible to ensure good results without drainage. Failure by this method is usually due to the fibre not sufficiently broken up. improperly moistened, not 'veil nixed, from being pressed too firmly in the vase, or not being kept in a properly moist condition. Hear in mind that plants need every bit as much care when grown this way as if sown in soil. It is very necessary to first rub the dry fibre until it is free from lumps, then well mix the shell with it, and add water a little at a lime, using water at the rate of four quarts to cftch half-bushel of the fibre, until the necessary quantity has been mixed.

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 from one to three inches of the compost, according to the depth of the vase; plate the narcissi, hyacinths, tulips, freesias, Or whatever is being potted, gently on the fibre, and then till Up the vases to within about an inch of the fitn.

When potting the bulbs are best put one or two inches beneath the surface, and, although it is desirable to see that the compost is placed well round the bulbs, it is not necessary or desirable to press it at all tightly, otherwise the roots do not work freely m the fibre, but the bulbs have a tendency to push themselves upwards, as is often the ease with those potted too firmlv in soil. When once potted they will require little or no attention for the first two or three weeks, but after that great care should be taken to keep the compost fairly moist, but' on no account must it be sodden Or too wet. On the other hand, if once 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 and are ruined. This more frequently happens with tulips than narcissi, the tulip roots being finer and therefore more liable to Injury.

The vases should be examined at least dice a Week, and ft little water given when necessary; this necessity will quitkly be indicated, for as soon as all surplus moisture is absorbed the fibre becomes dry at the top and brown in colour. On the other hand, if it is thought there is too much moisture in the vase, turn it on its side and allow the surplus water to drain out, and no more water will be wanted till the top looks a little dry.- Houle say watering the composition with weak soOt water will prolong the blooms

When the bulbs have been potted the vases or jars should be kept in a dark, airy cellar or room—nothing is worse than a confined cupboard or a small, airless, dark room. When the bulbs have grown about one inch 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 weak, and the flower either dies or is very poor. Where a cool greenhouse or frame cannot be used, put the vases on the window sill or garden path during the day. taking care, of course, to keen them from frost, Nearly all varieties of daffodil, hyacinths, tulips, and liliums can be successfully grown by this means. Its chief merit lies in the fact that one does not need a garden to grow the bulbs in—a window or a verandah is sufficient. The fibre is light and clean to handle, And. with k newspaper spread on the kitchen table the putting can be clone without leaving a hit of mess, and is unaffected by Weather conditions.