FLOWER CULTURE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 222, 19 August 1937, Page 12

FLOWER CULTURE

MEETING OF SOCIETY

INSTRUCTIVE ADDRESS

At the monthly meeting of the Palmerston North Horticultural Society, this week, members attended in large numbers to hear a splendid lecture on “Bulb Culture.” The speaker was Mr P. Black, city curator, and one of New Zealand’s authorities on bulbs. The lecture was full of interest; Mr Black dealt with the growing of bulbs under all kinds of conditions, including the growing of daffodils in pots, showing them at their very best. The speaker prefaced his remarks about bulb growing by referring to the peculiar climatic conditions under which bulbs are found growing wild in their ilatural habitats. He instanced South Africa, with its hot, dry summers and wet winters, and explained that under these conditions it was only during the comparatively cold but wet winter that bulbs from that region could grow. Freesia and lachennalias w.ere two of the South African wintergrowing bulbs. Palestine, Persia and the neighbouring semi-arid countries were mentioned as being the home of such popular bulbs as the tulip, croeus, and hyacinth, and the hybrids of these were now grown extensively in Holland and England, and though the climate of these latter countries bore little resemblance to the original home of the parent bulbs, good culture and care in lifting and curing enabled the growers to produce first-class commercial bulbs.

The speaker also mentioned that oar own country was particularly well adapted to the cultivation of many of the most popular bulbous flowers, and particularly so with respect to narcissi and tulips. Questions were asked the speaker and lie readily replied to them. On the motion of Air J. Ac’uinson. a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Air Black.

The second speaker for the evening was Air AV. Bond, of Opiki, who gave a very interesting demonstration of staging daffodils for show purposes and this speaker also explained the different classes in which daffodils should he exhibited.