GROWING BULBS IN FIBRE

Evening Star, Issue 22893, 26 February 1938, Page 21

GROWING BULBS IN FIBRE

Be sure that the bowls are deep! enough. Hyacinths and tulips require bowls at least 4in deep; narcissi (in* eluding daffodils) sin. Smaller bulb* like snowdrops and crocuses may b«. planted in shallow bowls (says * Popvw lar Gardening,’ London). It is important to inix bulb fifaral thoroughly before planting the bulbs* It is a good plan to soaTi the fibre,-, allowing the water to drain away, and squeezing out all surplus water before use. ■ All lumps of peat and oyster, shell should be broken up as finely as possible and, if convenient, the whole compost put through a fairly finesieve. As an economy measure the fibre may be thinned out by mixing ■/ little silver sand with it.

After planting the bulbs, the fibraf must be kept at an even moistness—very moist but not so wet that wateH, appears when the fibre is_ pressed by) the fingers. Rain water is best, and should he applied to the fibre—not tor the growing bulbs which, with the ex-* ception of narcissi, must never be*' watered overhead. Narcissi benefit from an occasional overhead watering* During budding and flowering time tha plants will need considerably . mora water; keep cartful watch at this period. \ During the whole of the growing time the fibre must be kept pressed tightly round the bulb, otherwise tha roots will try to “ kick ”■ the bulbs above the surface level of the fibre.

The process of removal from dark* ness to full daylight must be. graduaL and must not take place until a gooes root foundation has been established, the bulbs being brought into a tern-* perature not .lower than that of tno dark room. • ,

From the outset all draughty positions must be" avoided, so must too close .proximity to room fires. The bulbs must not be placed in a cupboard with insufficient ventilation, or, in any place where the temperature varies considerably. Artificial manures are not generally necessary for bulbs in bowls, but if they are used they should be applied; only when the flower bud is showing.. Great caution should be exercised m applying the manure, and the instructions’ on the tin or packet shiuld be rigidly observed. , *