HYACINTHS IN POTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22670, 6 March 1937, Page 10 (Supplement)

HYACINTHS IN POTS

ARTIFICIAL heat is not essential to obtain really good blooms of hyacinths in pots. The reverse is usually the case, for the finest spikes are invariably produced on plants which have never at any time been subjected to temperatures above that of an ordinary room. It is quite true that hyacinths are very amenable to forcing for early flower, but a greater degrees of skill is required to produce these early spikes than to grow the bulbs in a more or. less natural manner. One point should, however, bo emphasised; an early start is a great aid to successful culture. As with other bulbs, the secret of success is to afford them a chance to make sturdy root growth before top growth attains any size. It is obvious that bulbs potted early in the season

have a greater inducement to strong growth, as they nil] experience more genial weather than those potted late in the season. The correct time for potting, is, therefore, just as soon as the bulbs can be obtained. Manuring Hyacinths do not respond to anything approaching a starvation diet, but it is not advisable to rely on using a quantity of manure. Far better is the course of using loam of good quality for the bulk of the compost, and ensuring its porosity by the addition of some leaf-mould and sand. A little dried, crumbly cow manure can be added in the proportion of one part of manure to six of loam, but on no account should fresh unrotted material be used. Pot up the bulbs so that their crowns are left just showing through the surface. Single bulbs may be accommodated in a five inch plot, while three are

Secrets of Successful Culture

sufficient for the seven inch size.. The latter plan results in n showy pot, provided each is planted with only one variety. It is a mistake to mix varieties in the Bame pot, for all varieties do not develop their spikes at one and the same time. Shelter Irom the Light The potting completed, the pots can be placed in a dark cupboard where the temperature will be cool, or plunged in a bed of sand out of doors. Just how long the bulbs are to remain in the dark, cannot be determined by rule of thumb methods. Periodical examination will be necessary, and as soon as the top growth reaches one or two inches in height, a start can be made in inuring them to the light. As a general rule, this will be in about six to eight weeks from the time of potting. The process should be a gradual one until the blanched shoots have attained a healthy green.