Home Gardens

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 18, 3 February 1948, Page 6

Home Gardens

(By J. W. Goodwin, N.D.H. (N.Z.), F.R.H.S., Massey Agricultural College.) ■ (Continued from previous issue) Potted Pleasures Many people desire to grow bulbs in pots, either for room decoration or in the- greenhouse. Others haveno gardens and wish to grow them for window boxes. Quite a number of bulbs lend themselves to this treatment, notably narcissi, particularly Soliel d’Or and the strongergrowing colourful varieties, hyacinths, grape hyacinths, tulips, Dutch iris and Lily of the Valley. Size five, six or eight-inch flower pots may be used, the larger sizes being more suitable for larger bulbs. Boxes six inches or more deep, about nine or 10 inches wide and of any suitable length, are also suitable and may be made to fit a window box.

The first important point is to have a fairly rich and well-drained compost. Fairly large “crocks”, pieces of a broken flower-pot, should be placed, concave surface downwards, over the drainage holes. In a box these holes should be one inch in diameter and about five inches apart. Place smaller “crocks” around or among these and cover with rough drainage material, i.e., fibre from screened turf, decaven leaves or straw or astelia fibre.

The compost should consist of three parts really good, well-rotted fibrous turf, one part of leaf mould or weathered peat, and one part of sand. Chop the turf up finely with a spade. It should not be sieved except for small bulbs. A five-inch pot full of bonedust may be added to each barrowful of compost. Place an inch or two of compost in the receptacle and, if well-rotted cow or sheep manure is available, a moderate- dressing may be added here where it will not come in contact

with the bulbs. Fill the pots, firming the'compost evenly. The soil should be just moist but nofe-sticky. PMht the bulbs, which should be of good uniform size, about one inch below the surface. The surface soil, when firmed, should be one inch below the rim of the pot. Five bulbs for a six-inch pot is a suitable number for hyacinths or narcissi, perhaps another bulb of the smaller sizes.

The next point is very, important. Place the pots outside in a cool place, and preferably cover with eight to 10 inches of cinders, which will keep them cool and dark and prevent dying out. This will ensure the development of the all-import-ant root system before last growth commences. In March they must be removed from the cinders and placed right out in the open garden to develop sturdy foliage. Stand them on a board or concrete path. If too sheltered or grown inside, the leaves will become drawn and bulky. When well developed in May they may be taken inside for early flowering! Always give plenty of light and air when days are mild. Never overwater at any time, and never allow to become absolutely dry. After flowering, place outside in a sheltered place or frame until hardened off. They may then be tapped out of the pots, and without disturbance lined out in the open ground. The same bulbs should not be used the next year in pots, as there is quite a strain on a bulb when grown., this way. Freesias, crocus, tritonias, chionadoxas, scillas and others may also be grown, but even more care is necessary in watering. A well-grown pot of early-flower-ing bulbs is a delight to all and a real thrill to the grower. For success, he must act this month.